Experience one of the most defining periods in world history in an experience crafted by the masters of Grand Strategy. The greatest cultural and military civilizations are brought to life through this epic title rife with great strategic and tactical depth. Europa Universalis: Rome will cover the time period from the first Punic War to the start of the true Empire. Players will have thousand of gameplay choices ranging from country, culture, provincial and character options to name but a few, making each and every game infinitely customizable and truly unique.
While the interface, control scheme, and overall gameplay is satisfactory, the civilizations and lack-thereof are the game's downfall leaving the game's almost monumental mod-ability and semi-historical accuracy as it's highest value points. The lack of the majority of Germanic civilizations is the most frustrating when playing the Suebi (the only significant Germanic power selectable, the key word being "significant"). The Romans are also slightly overpowered mid-late game (basically after they inevitably take Carthage and the Iberian Peninsula due to the Romans having access to powerful tech, good heavy infantry, and decent cavalry right from the start) and, after a total of 38 games, I can honestly say that colonizing 10 barbarian territories when playing as any of the Gauls or the few selectable Germans, takes far too long (about 50 to 100 game years) and the Roman A.I does get tired of beating the Hellenic, Macedonian, Gallic, and North African Factions fairly soon, leaving Germany, Brittania, and Northern France wide open. That's all I have to say about the bad things, now onto the good stuff. The game's mod-ability is what makes it enjoyable. The game's official forum is where they are found. There's even a list of what mods are still active and which ones are on hold or no longer active. There are plenty of mods that can change the game extensively. That's not to say that the game is hard in any way, because it's actually relatively easy even when adding an entire religion or culture, expanding the map isn't even that hard. Adding a faction or civilization is a virtual joke compared to the process in other games it's still semi-tedious but it's far from unnecessary or boring. I wouldn't feel right giving it lower that a 7/10 but an 8/10 seems like too much, I would personally give it a 7.5/10 but that option isn't available, so a 7/10 will have to do.
Short version:
Mods and acc save it.
Easy to mod.
Certain Civs are OP, esp Rome.
Missing or misplaced civs.