It was a disappointment at launch, but thanks to a few passionate devs working on updates and working together with modders to give them tools to work with, even incorporating some of their fixes into the base game: It is actually in a really good state right now. I play with the Terra Indominata mod, wich is a derrivative of the Invictus mod and Invictus is basically the intended way of playing the game at this point, it's the base game but bigger and better. The devs even turned on Ironman mode for modded saves so you can still earn achievements.

It's a Paradox game but well-adapted to the ancient world. I think the mechanics for managing your Empire is some of the best I've seen, it incorporates some of the best aspects of Crusader Kings and Europa Universalis but puts its own spin on it and introduces new mechanics. Aside from the conquest keeping your nation together by managing the power-base and loyalty of characters/factions within the country as well as the loyalty of provinces that have pops of different classes, cultures and religions is suprisingly fun and continues to be a necessity in your campaign without quickly becoming tedious or snowbally like some other Paradox games have a tendency to become.

So basically, it's a shame that they released the game in a sorry state and basically abandoned it, it severely reduced the playerbase. This being said, the consensus at this point is that thanks to some updates and the mods it's genuinly a really good game. So if you want a Paradox game set in the Ancient world, I highly recommend it.

To Paradox their Roman titles (Imperator & Europa Universalis Rome) have always been their test IPs to further develop and improve their engines for their bigger IPs such as Hearts of Iron, Europa Universalis and Crusader Kings - while these test IPs aren't necessarily bad... You're always left wanting when playing them because they're not refined and further developed like their bigger IPs.

This IP is just another lifeless, shell-less tester for Paradox alongside Sengoku & March of the Eagles.

If you're looking for the next big IP to rival HOI, EU and CK then look elsewhere unless you're just dead set playing a Roman themed game from Paradox.

Enjoying the Invictus Mod in this game, especially as a Roman history fan and fan of the Europa Universalis series. Lots of interface and other improvements and some cool game mechanics. The world is a lot more dangerous place in Imperator Rome than say in Europa Universalis. Barbarians do a lot of lasting damage and your armies can too. The Pops dynamic works well and is interesting-- all these game mechanics are well tailored to the culture, government structures and fragility of life in ancient times. Very enjoyable