Cradle of Rome
Encyclopedia
Cradle of Rome is a puzzle and strategy
video game developed by cerasus.media and published by D3 Publisher
on November 18, 2008 for the Nintendo DS
handheld game console
. The Wii
version was released on March 31, 2009.
The game was originally created for PC by Awem studio
from Belarus as a casual game
.
The gameplay is similar to that of Bejeweled
; the player must flip jewels/resources on a playing field to create matches of at least three items of the same type. As matches are formed, reserves of resources such as grain and wood are built up, which are used towards building the Roman Empire
. Between rounds, resources can be spent on farms, taverns and other buildings to cultivate the commonwealth. The goal of each round is to form matches on blue tiles to clear them from the screen. Obstacles increase the game's difficulty; they include locked gems/resources, which cannot be switched until a match is made to unlock them. Each round also has a time limit, which is represented by a slowly emptying vase of water on the top screen. To help the player, several power-ups can be acquired, such as a hammer that can destroy any tile on the field. The game progresses with new types of gems and resources being unlocked at every new building built in Rome. Some buildings provide an extra bonus citizen with in-game bonuses if the player plays skillfully with the particular resource unlocked from that building.
. IGN
was disappointed with the game, noting that the game's manual did not adequately explain how the game worked. They also found that its electronic soundtrack did not fit the game's Roman theme. Their review gave the game a score of 5.9 of 10 and suggested that players purchase better alternatives such as The Quest Trio
, stating, "It's another match-three game. There's nothing wrong with it, but it's been done better before."Game Informer
gave it a 6.75 with the subheading "MORE LIKE CRADLE OF BORING" in Game Informer Issue 189 January 2009.
game by the name Rome Puzzle. This game was intended to be a casual game and many websites hosted and are currently the game as 'play online for free' - Rome Puzzle version. Currently the Rome Puzzle version is available for free download at GameTop. The free download is fully playable without limits and plays till the end. The Rome Puzzle version was developed and revamped before being published as Cradle of Rome by D3.
Strategy game
A strategy game or strategic game is a game in which the players' uncoerced, and often autonomous decision-making skills have a high significance in determining the outcome...
video game developed by cerasus.media and published by D3 Publisher
D3 Publisher
D3Publisher is a Japanese video game publisher founded on February 5, 1992. Current CEO and president is Yuji Ito, and It is known for its Simple series of low-priced console games. Their games have been released for the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 2,...
on November 18, 2008 for the Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
handheld game console
Handheld game console
A handheld game console is a lightweight, portable electronic device with a built-in screen, game controls and speakers. Handheld game consoles are run on machines of small size allowing people to carry them and play them at any time or place...
. The Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
version was released on March 31, 2009.
The game was originally created for PC by Awem studio
Awem
Awem Studio is a casual games developer based in Mogilev, Belarus. Awem studio games are distributed by key game portals such as RealArcade and Bigfish games.Besides on-line distribution, games are available on CD in the United States, Germany, Austria, Russia, Poland.- Puzzle games :Cradle Of Rome...
from Belarus as a casual game
Casual game
A casual game is a video game targeted at or used by a mass audience of casual gamers. Casual games can have any type of gameplay, and fit in any genre. They are typically distinguished by their simple rules and lack of commitment required in contrast to more complex hardcore games...
.
Gameplay
Bejeweled
Bejeweled is a puzzle game by PopCap Games, first developed for browsers in 2001. Three follow-ups to this game have been released. More than 75 million copies of Bejeweled have been sold, and the game has been downloaded more than 500 million times....
; the player must flip jewels/resources on a playing field to create matches of at least three items of the same type. As matches are formed, reserves of resources such as grain and wood are built up, which are used towards building the Roman Empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
. Between rounds, resources can be spent on farms, taverns and other buildings to cultivate the commonwealth. The goal of each round is to form matches on blue tiles to clear them from the screen. Obstacles increase the game's difficulty; they include locked gems/resources, which cannot be switched until a match is made to unlock them. Each round also has a time limit, which is represented by a slowly emptying vase of water on the top screen. To help the player, several power-ups can be acquired, such as a hammer that can destroy any tile on the field. The game progresses with new types of gems and resources being unlocked at every new building built in Rome. Some buildings provide an extra bonus citizen with in-game bonuses if the player plays skillfully with the particular resource unlocked from that building.
Reception
Cradle of Rome was given a mixed reception by video game critics, and it received an aggregated score of 63% at MetacriticMetacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
. IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
was disappointed with the game, noting that the game's manual did not adequately explain how the game worked. They also found that its electronic soundtrack did not fit the game's Roman theme. Their review gave the game a score of 5.9 of 10 and suggested that players purchase better alternatives such as The Quest Trio
The Quest Trio
The Quest Trio is a video game for the Nintendo DS. It was published by Activision. The "Trio" part of the game's name refers to the 3 selectable games: Jewel Quest II: Jewel Quest Expeditions, Jewel Quest Solitaire, and Mah Jong Quest Expeditions....
, stating, "It's another match-three game. There's nothing wrong with it, but it's been done better before."Game Informer
Game Informer
Game Informer is an American-based monthly magazine featuring articles, news, strategy, and reviews of popular video games and associated consoles. It was formed in August 1991, when FuncoLand started publishing a six-page magazine, free in all its retail locations...
gave it a 6.75 with the subheading "MORE LIKE CRADLE OF BORING" in Game Informer Issue 189 January 2009.
Rome Puzzle
Cradle of Rome was originally developed from an Awem StudiosAwem
Awem Studio is a casual games developer based in Mogilev, Belarus. Awem studio games are distributed by key game portals such as RealArcade and Bigfish games.Besides on-line distribution, games are available on CD in the United States, Germany, Austria, Russia, Poland.- Puzzle games :Cradle Of Rome...
game by the name Rome Puzzle. This game was intended to be a casual game and many websites hosted and are currently the game as 'play online for free' - Rome Puzzle version. Currently the Rome Puzzle version is available for free download at GameTop. The free download is fully playable without limits and plays till the end. The Rome Puzzle version was developed and revamped before being published as Cradle of Rome by D3.
External links
- Cradle of Rome at IGNIGNIGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
- Free Rome Puzzle Screenshots and Download at GameTop.com
- Play Rome Puzzle for Free, online at mindjolt.com