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Worshippers of Ben Hur and Spartacus will want to don their togas and play at being dictators of the ancient world. Cohort – Fighting For Rome comes from Impressions, and is the follow up to Rorke’s Drift, repeating the formula of a ‘miniature-style’ computer war game.
The Roman Army was one of the most famed and feared military organisations. Even today, war strategies used by the Caesars are still studied. Cohort carries on that tradition by fighting for the vain glory of Rome. Maintaining the Pax Romana, or Roman Peace, will be a very challenging experience, for during that period, the Romans were almost continuously at war!

And so, once more unto the breach, dear friends, and into battle. The impressive sounds of armed combat include the clanking swords and the cries of the dying. Choose your army with care from a selection of infantry, archers and cavalry. Do not look for Michelangelo to have designed the graphics. The soldiers are cartoon-style, cuddly characters and representations of the background are fairly basic.

Clicking on the map icon will bring up the strategic map. Use it to scheme away at cunning tactics. The Unit Command Panel facilitates such orders as moving troops at a march, run, or most exciting of all – charge!

Even in the best of battles, disarray and confusion can occur in the ranks. The troop formation command will regroup troops to recommence a skirmish. Communicating with the forces is important and unless you have ESP, the Unit Command panel will keep you informed of attack and defence strength, missile power and morale. Keeping chins held high is not just cosmetic: the lower morale is, the more likely that the hard men of Rome will pick up their skirts and flee!

Statistics are always important to a general. Clicking on the red cross icon will bring up the statistics screen which enumerates the routed and dead for each of the armies. Do not waste time playing Florence Nightingale, but count your losses and plan a quick attack. Be daring!

Cohort is a good place for newcomers to lock horns with war strategy games. It is fairly easy to pick up and become involved in detailed attacks to outwit the opposition. That said, Cohort is not in the same league as other recent Roman war games such as EA’s Centurion. The appeal of Cohort lies in it being basic and accessible. Perhaps of greater importance, the history pamphlet will enable you to amaze (or bore) your friends with the horrors of the Pyrrhic wars.
Fiona Keating