Some months ago, I wrote a post on what I found lacking in Hannibal, Terror of Rome. The main points being that Hannibal was not very efffective as a general, and could be easily handled by a larger Roman army, that Hannibal never got out of Cisalpine Gaul, and many other items.
well, after playing TOR with the newest patch, I was astonished to find how magnificent the game had become. Every point I raised was dealt with, Hannibal has become a real terror to Rome, and is rampaging through all of Italy. He no longer puts his army in a position where it starves, defeats Roman armies with frightening regularity, preserves his main force, and has carried off some amazing moves.
In other words, as Rome, I am facing a real threat, and I find myself making strategic decisions to try to avoid fighting him, just as the Romans '/ eventually did. The war in Italy is absolutely fascinating and challenging, and this is one of Athenas finest hours.
I want to keep this short, so I will simply say that TOR is the finest game anyone has ever made on the second Punic War, rich with history, challenging, and a whole lot of fun.
I have never before had the problems I noticed in a game resolved so magnificently.
Thank you, Franciscus and team. You have created and polished, and perfected a true work of art.
With gratitude,
vaalen