Each have unique traits associated with them, and each bring a completely different experience. The playable factions are be divided into four cultural groups: Hellenistic, Roman, Barbarian and Eastern. Eight of these are playable on the initial release, with more included as either free or paid downloadable content. The game features 117 different factions around the campaign map, each with their own unit roster and agenda.
However, the player also has the option to play further, as there are no timed victory conditions in Rome II. The grand campaign begins in 272 BC, and lasts for 300 years. Total War: Rome II is set in classical antiquity, and focuses on portraying each culture of the era as accurately and in-depth as possible, as opposed to its predecessor which focused almost solely on the Roman Republic and its politics.
