AGAINST THE ODDS #53: Rome, Inc.

1-ATO053

ROME, INC. is a solitaire game about running the Roman Empire on a grand scale. Players run their Empire like a business, but with a bit more blood, bread, and circuses. From Augustus in 27 BCE to Diocletian in 286 CE. You'll control the workings of the empire throughout, although you can pick four distinct scenarios (27 BCE, 70 CE, 138 CE and 222 CE). Each turn represents 5-10 years, with 10 turns in each of the four scenarios.

Historical statesmen are rated for their military and administrative talents, popularity, and skill at intrigue, and each has a special ability. Every turn sees crises and challenges that the player must deal with by expanding the empire and triumphing over enemies such as 'barbarians at the gate' or internal agitators.

You'll select all the statesmen, even emperors, to achieve your goals. You decide where to allocate resources (capital spending), raise new forces (hiring), undertake prestige projects (public relations), pleasing the mob (shareholders), or even setting aside a reserve for a rainy decade or two. You'll need to blend military expansion with careful administration, as well as intrigue, making the most of what you have each turn, just like any modern-day CEO.

Contains: One full-color 22x34-inch mapsheet; 280 full-color 1/2-inch die-cut counters; 12-page Rule booklet; and 2 pages of charts and tables; Complexity - Medium; Playing time - From 3 to 4 hours per scenario; How challenging is it solitaire? - Excellent.