Caesar gets a facelift

The long-lost ruler of ancient civilization building sims- the Caesar series- is making preparations to reclaim its throne. After an absence of eight years, the fourth edition arrives in September with new gameplay and, as the screens below show, a whole new look.

Caesar IV gives strategy and history buffs the opportunity to rule a piece of the Roman Empire. By appeasing your citizens with roads, water and- of course - crazy blood-soaked coliseum-style entertainment, you will rise in rank from a lowly provincial governor to the all-powerful title of the game itself.

PC games have changed a lot since 1998, however, and so have the graphics we expect from them. With that in mind, Caesar IV will be the first installment to feature an entirely 3D city, as well as dynamic lighting and weather effects to bring that city to life. Day changes to night, the sun arcs through the sky in varying patterns and rain causes your citizens to flee for shelter (but can also extinguish dangerous fires).

You can see more images of gleaming white buildings and the downtrodden plebeians that built them by clicking on the corresponding tab above. All hail unpaid labor!

July 14, 2006