Ah, Rome, the eternal city! The magnificent ruins, the seven hills, the street urchins stealing from the blind... well, perhaps the glory of ancient Rome wasn't all it cracked up to be. You can play Romance of Rome, however, and still get a taste of what it might be like to wander the ancient city. Presuming that the population of ancient imperial Rome spent a lot of time searching for lost and hidden objects, that is. Developed by Awem Studios, Romance of Rome is a beautiful point-and-click adventure/hidden object hybrid that takes you on a tour through the glorious city of history and myth.
You play Marcus, a lowly wanderer who chances upon a lovely lady being attacked by wolves. Soon after you save her you find yourself tied to a tree, then rescued by a nice citizen by the name of Octavio. What a day. Follow Marcus as he attempts to become somebody in a city already chock-full of somebodies, finding lost objects, running errands for various citizens (some shady), solving mysteries, and attempting to find the coincidentally missing Imperial Relics. You know, as you do.
As you first enter Rome there are only a few locations hearkening back to Rome's distant past, before it became the city that it became. A map of the city shows the locations, with new places adding in as you progress through each section. Anyone who has played Awem's fantastic Cradle of Rome (a match-3 game) will recognize the dynamic. Each round builds up more locations until the ancient city sprawls in all its glory across the landscape.
Each location on the map lets you know how many objects there are to find, as well as how many puzzles there are to solve. Once you are in a location the objects you need to find appear not as a text list but as pictures of the items. Objects with a green background are things that will go into your inventory which will help you solve the many puzzles, usually in different locations. Travel back and forth between the scenes until all objects are found and you have completed the tasks requested of you. Every object found and every task completed earns you money and status as you quickly work your way up the social ladder.
Marcus' climb from ragged wanderer to civic star is accomplished not only by finding items and solving puzzles but by outfitting himself by spending his hard-earned cash with the local merchants, dressing him up in the finest clothes and accoutrements available to the newly rich. Shop using the money earned (and extra coins that are hidden in each scene) to make Marcus look like the best dressed citizen of Rome, along with all the baubles and geegaws that benefit a man of his status. Because really, you aren't anyone in Rome until you own your own estate, or have your own private ship.
Analysis: What makes a game stand out from the glut of adventure/hidden object hybrids? Lots of attention to detail, not only in the gorgeous backgrounds of the locations but in the overall package: appropriate music and incidental sounds, voice acting to bring the characters to life, interesting puzzles to solve, and challenging hidden object goodness. Romance of Rome includes all of these and more. One interesting tactic is to jettison the mini-game concept all together and concentrating just on the hidden object and puzzle solving aspects of the game.
Another wonderful detail is that the hidden objects themselves are not anachronistic to the time period. Granted, you might not find all of these objects in ancient Rome (some are from other cultures), but they at least blend into the scenery and the time period. No searching for skateboards or rollerblades. This adds an immersive element lacking in many adventure/hidden object hybrids.
One of the nicest details is the attention to the continuity of the scenes. In the tavern scene you might end up having to crack an egg to solve a puzzle. When you return to the scene several levels later you will find the eggshell fragments still littering the table. This is true everywhere: bread once sliced remains sliced, cabinets and boxes once opened are still open later. Each cartoon sequence between the levels shows Marcus in his newer and ever increasing finery as he interacts with various citizens.
With seven levels, each level housing four or five separate scenes, the game is not as long as it could have been. Unfortunately, these shorter games appear to be here to stay, but what it lacks in length it makes up in quality. The hidden objects are extremely well hidden, blending so carefully with the background they can be very tricky to spot. Unfortunately, the game sometimes falls back on the tactic of reducing the object to a teensy size and placing it far in the background, making some items almost impossible to find unless you have very good eyesight. Fortunately, a refilling hint timer to helps alleviate that problem.
Romance of Rome is a fabulous, clever, immersive adventure/hidden object hybrid. The breakdown of the game into levels lends itself well to casual gameplay. Play a level at a time, or just immerse yourself and play through the whole thing in one shot. The best experience, however, is not to speed through the game but to take a leisurely stroll through ancient Rome. Slow down, relax, enjoy the sumptuous backgrounds and details, and explore the Romance of Rome!
Windows:
Download the demo
Get the full version
Mac OS X:
Download the demo
Get the full version
Walkthrough Guide
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Romance of Rome - Walkthrough
General Tips
There is no time limit.
You can choose every building you want on the map - but be aware that you might have to come back, as you wont always have all inventory items to solve a location completely at once.
You can go back to the shop anytime by clicking Marcus' picture top right.
You will have to buy all offered items latest at the end of each episode in order to proceed.
All artifacts for the emperor will be found automatically.
You will also get automatically the trophies.
To see your task again, right click the picture of the one who asked your for it on the top left.
Episode 1
Field
Task: Get rid of the crow
Follow the tutorial
By clicking fast in this level, you will be rewarded with 3 trophies.
Use the brick to get rid of the crown on the branch top left.
Click the nest to find Julia's earings.
Screenshot
Find the rest of your items.
Choose hospital on the map.
Hospital
Task: Find a snake for Octavio
You already have the snake - get it from your inventory and drag it to the staff of the statue, far middle.
Find the other objects, two will be left, you will have to come back.
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Choose forum on the map
Forum
Task: Find Senator Quint's fibula
Get the garden shears out of your inventory and cut the vines low left at the wall.
Click the fibula.
The knob for your inventory is right next to the place, you found the fibula, above the engraved plate.
Find all your items.
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There is some left to do, but for this you need to go back to the hospital first.
Hospital
Place the door knob at the closet door.
You now can open the door - get the stone arm and the round part out of it.
You finished this location, so go back to the forum
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Forum
Place the part of the wall at the slot of the wall right side.
The plate left next to it goes up and you will find a golden eagle.
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Latest now you will have to go and by all items in order to proceed.
Episode 2
Mine
Find all your items.
There will be left a key and two objects.
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Choose pantheon on the map.
Pantheon
Task: Find a rare flower
Find your items for your search list
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You will have to come back as you cannot find all items.
Choose tavern on the map
Tavern
Task: Hot cereals for Octavio
Find your items from the search list.
Place the top on the mug on the table - your task is fulfilled.
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You will not be able to find the egg yet.
Choose the ship on the map.
Ship
Task: Important Package for Senator Quint
Find all items from your list.
Two items will be left, as you can't open the chest yet.
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Choose the mine on the map.
Mine
Place the fly onto the spider web low left.
You will be able to pick up the key now.
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Choose the ship on the map.
Ship
If you haven't done before, use the shears to cut the chain around the trunk.
Use the key from the mine to open the trunk.
Get the two last items out of the trunk.
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Move over to the tavern.
Tavern
Use the spoon to open the egg on the table and get the chick.
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Move over to the Pantheon.
Pantheon
Use the jug to water the tree at the left and harvest the flower.
With the glove, you can higher the carpet.
Get the cockroach and the key.
Screenshot
Go back to the mine.
Mine
Use the key to open the closet.
Get out the last two items.
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Episode 3
Library
Task: Find a parrot for Titus
Find the items from your list.
You will not be able to find the spear and fulfill the task.
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Choose the house on the map.
House
Task: Julia wants you to get rid of the rats
Find the items from your list.
Two items will be left, the task can't be done yet.
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Choose the mill on the map.
Mill
Find the items from your list.
Use the broom to sweep the floor lower middle and you will find the necklace.
The wooden statuette can't be found yet.
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Choose the thermae on the map.
Thermae
Task: Catch the fish for the little boy
Find the items from your list.
Two items can't be found and the task not be done yet.
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Choose port on the map.
Port
Find all the items from your list.
Use the branch from your inventory to open the left roof hatch.
You will find the parrot there.
Use the maze from your inventory to smash the barrel in front of the house.
Two objects are in there.
Screenshot
You have done everything in this location.
Choose the mill on the map.
Mill
Use the knife at the sack far left.
Grab the wooden statuette.
You have done everything in this location.
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Choose the thermae on the map.
Thermae
Use the hook from your inventory with the fishing rod left next to the bath.
You caught the fish, your task is fulfilled.
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Choose the house on the map.
House
Give the cheese to the rat in the hole under the closet left side.
The rat disappears - get the key out of the hole.
Your task is fulfilled
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Go back to the thermae.
Thermae
Use the key from your inventory at the jade box low left corner.
You will find another key and the elephant.
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You have done everything in this location.
Head back to the house.
House
Use the key from your inventory with the wooden box, low left corner.
You will find the shears.
You have done everything in this location.
Screenshot
Choose the library on the map.
Library
Place the bird in the cage to the other parrot.
Your task is fulfilled.
Use the shears to cut the scroll right on top of the shelf.
You will find the arrow.
You have done everything in this location.
Screenshot
Episode 4
Forge
Task: Forge new horseshoes for Senator Quint's horse
Find the items from your list.
The task can't be done yet and you will not be able to find the butterfly.
Screenshot
Choose the sawmill on the map.
Sawmill
Task: Carve a wooden statuette for Julia
Find the items from your list.
Use the knife from your inventory to carve the statuette out of the log right side.
You fulfilled the task.
One item will be left.
Screenshot
Choose the Coliseum on the map.
Coliseum
Task: Find a hidden elixir formula for Octavio
Find the items from your list.
One will be left over and your tasks can't be done at once.
Screenshot
Choose the lighthouse on the map.
Lighthouse
Find the items from your list.
Use the knob on the bottom drawer far left.
You will find two items in there.
Four items can't be found.
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Choose the Coliseum on your map.
Coliseum
Use the knife from your inventory with the bread on the table low left.
You will find the key and Octavio's formula.
You have done all in this location.
Screenshot
Choose the lighthouse on the map.
Lighthouse
Use the key at the drawer left to find the four missing items.
You have done all in this location
Screenshot
Choose the sawmill on your map.
Sawmill
Use the paint from your inventory at the left plate.
Now you can pick it up.
You have done all in this location.
Screenshot
Choose the forge on the map.
Forge
Use the torch from your inventory in the far left next to the fireplace.
Now you can see the butterfly.
Use the hammer from your inventory to forge the horseshoe of the metal piece on the table.
You fulfilled all task in this location.
Screenshot
Choose the Coliseum on the map.
Coliseum
Use the handle from your inventory on top of the right pillar.
You will find a hidden relic.
Now you have done everything in this location.
Screenshot
Episode 5
House
Task: Find a dream talisman for Senator Quint
Find the items from your list.
Two will be left.
Screenshot
Choose the thermae on the map.
Thermae
Task: Find and hide a sword for the little boy.
Find the items from your list.
Use the knife from your inventory at the green pillow on the side of the tub.
The keys can't be found and the task not fulfilled yet.
Screenshot
Choose the ship on the map.
Ship
Find the items from your list.
Use the axe from your inventory to smash the barrel in the far middle, the one with the two apples on top.
Two of your search objects will be in there.
You can't find the scribbling yet.
Screenshot
Choose the treasury on the map.
Treasury
Task: For Titus you need to find a skull of an African shaman
Find the items from your list.
One item can't be found and the task not be fulfilled yet.
Screenshot
Choose the house on the map.
House
Use the branch at the spiderweb on top of the closet.
You will find the dream talisman for the senator and the star shaped handle.
Use the crowbar at the wooden sign, right closet door - you will find the fish bone drawing.
Screenshot
Choose the thermae on the map.
Thermae
Place the star shape handle in the slot far middle.
You will have fulfilled your task with this and find the last item.
You have done all in this location.
Screenshot
Choose the treasury on the map.
Treasury
Use the keys at the door far left.
You will find the skull behind, so your task is fulfilled.
You will also find the gloves there - use it to remove the brick out of the wall low right side.
You will find a relic.
You have done everything in this location.
Screenshot
Choose the ship on the map.
Ship
Use the red cloth from your inventory to remove the smudge at the wall far middle.
Underneath you will find the scribbling.
Screenshot
Episode 6
Mine
Task: Fix the mine for the senator
Find the items from your list.
Three object can't be found yet.
Screenshot
Choose the Coliseum on the map.
Coliseum
Find the items from your list.
Three will be left over.
Screenshot
Choose the hospital on the map.
Hospital
Task: Get the scroll without breaking the vessel for Octavio
Use the small hose from your inventory and connect the vessel with that thing above.
You have fulfilled your task.
Look for your search objects.
One item can't be found yet.
Screenshot
Choose the Library on the map.
Library
Task: Send away the ghost from the library for the little boy.
Find the listed objects.
One item can't be found and the task not fulfilled yet.
Screenshot
Choose the port on the list.
Port
Look for the items of your list.
To find all, you will need to use the branch from your inventory to open the right roof hatch.
Use the glove from your inventory to roll away the huge gear to find another one of your items.
After finding all, you are done with this location.
Screenshot
Choose the library on the map.
Library
Use the key from your inventory on the wooden box, left side in front of the window.
You will find the remaining objects.
To fulfill your task, use the hammer at the bust in the niche.
It will open it mouth and the spirit disappears.
You have done everything in this location.
Screenshot
Choose the Coliseum on the map.
Library
Use the crowbar at the right plank of the table left side.
You will find two objects in the compartment behind.
Use the round handle the top of the left pillar to find the last item.
You have done everything in this location
Screenshot
Choose the hospital on the map.
Hospital
Use the key to open the jade box left next to the owl on the right side.
You will find the still missing key and a relic.
Everything is done in this location.
Screenshot
Choose the mine on the map.
Mine
To fulfill your task, place the gear top right corner.
Now use the key a the right drawer to find the remaining items.
Screenshot
Episode 7
Forge
Find the items from your list.
Two will be left over.
Screenshot
Choose the field on the map.
Field
Task: Help Julia to find a seal
Look for the items from your list.
One can't be found yet.
Screenshot
Choose the tavern on the map.
Tavern
Find all items from your list.
Use the axe from the inventory to cut the melon on the table - you will find one item in there.
You will have to come back to find a relic later.
Screenshot
Choose the forum on the map.
Forum
Task: Find a special souvenir for Titus
Find the items from your list.
One will be left over.
Screenshot
Choose the lighthouse from the map.
Lighthouse
Task: Find a map for Octavius
Use the crowbar from your inventory to remove the wooden board top right.
The closet door opens and you will find the map for Octavio.
In there you will also find one of your list items.
Use the candle from your inventory to light the niche above the ship wheel left side to find another item.
After finding all items, you fulfilled all tasks in this location.
Screenshot
Choose the forum on the map.
Forum
Use the pliers from your inventory with the chains from the wooden box.
Now open the box with the key from your inventory.
You will find the souvenir for Titus and the maze, the last object.
All tasks are fulfilled in this location.
Screenshot
Choose the tavern on the map.
Tavern
Use the pick axe at the right side of the arch to find the relic.
Now you have fulfilled all tasks in this location.
Screenshot
Choose the forge on the map.
Forge
Use the handle at the thing in the middle.
The stone will turn a little and you will find the broach.
Use the stone from your inventory at the right inside of the fireplace.
The fire will burn a picture on it and you found your last item.
Now you have fulfilled all tasks in this location.
Screenshot
Choose the field on the map.
Field
Use the maze to smash the barrel far left.
You will find the seal for Julia.
Give the worm to the chicken and it will lay an egg.
Now you have fulfilled all tasks in this location.
Screenshot
CONGRATULATIONS! You fulfilled all tasks. Now lean back and enjoy the final!
Super awesome thanks to Kayleigh for putting together this fantastic walkthrough \o/.
Posted by: Kero
|
October 24, 2009 2:33 AM