SPQR: The Empire's Darkest Hour
Description official descriptions
SPQR is a point-and-click Myst-style game set in Ancient Rome. Journal entries, newspaper articles, and various puzzles must be dealt with as the player unravels a conspiracy which threatens the Empire.
Groups +
Screenshots
Credits (Windows version)
37 People · View all
Original SPQR game and story concept | |
Executive producers | |
Associate producer | |
Production manager | |
Lead software engineer | |
Programmers | |
Programming consultant | |
Lead animators | |
Animators | |
2D Art director | |
Illustrator | |
Photoshop artists | |
Cell Animation | |
Senior writer | |
[ full credits ] |
Reviews
Critics
Average score: 53% (based on 14 ratings)
Players
Average score: 2.4 out of 5 (based on 8 ratings with 1 reviews)
The Good
Graphically this game was impressive. I would recommend this game to someone interested in walking around Rome. This product worked very well as educational software.
The Bad
This game was utterly devoid of characters. You are an apprentice to an inventor who has been arrested on trumped up charges. There is a threat to the Roman Empire that he stumbled across and now you must use his notes and his "invention" to prevent the fall of the Roman Empire. Okay-- having said that, you never see any of the suspects. You might read about them in the paper or find their journals, but there is no character interaction. Also the streets of Rome are empty. Ambient noise suggests people, but visually this is highly depressing. At least Myst was set on a deserted island.
Gameplay was terrible. There were puzzles to solve throughout the year. This involved locating all the important areas and finding out on what day of the year they would be open. Then you had to wait in front of that building until it opened and solve some puzzle. The programmers accommodated the player for this poor design in two ways. First, it was possible to accelerate the speed of the game so waiting for buildings to open was annoying rather than intolerable. Second, the imprisoned inventor's "invention" was a device that allowed the player to point and click on a map to get to a location.
Finally, the ending(s) were all disappointing.
The Bottom Line
What if Rome fell and no one was around to hear? Save your money, buy a book on Rome and look at the pretty pictures, watch Gladiator, whatever.
Windows 16-bit · by Terrence Bosky (5397) · 2003
Trivia
Inspiration
The game claims to be an accurate representation of Rome. It was based on a highly successful online game.
Title
SPQR is an acronym from a Latin phrase, Senatus Populusque Romanus ("The Senate and People of Rome").
Analytics
Upgrade to MobyPro to view research rankings and price history! (when applicable)
Related Sites +
-
AncientSites - Rome
This site houses CyberSites' online edition of SPQR.
Identifiers +
Contribute
Are you familiar with this game? Help document and preserve this entry in video game history! If your contribution is approved, you will earn points and be credited as a contributor.
Contributors to this Entry
Game added by Terrence Bosky.
Macintosh, Windows added by Macs Black.
Additional contributors: Asterisk, Alaka, Cantillon, garkham.
Game added November 26, 2000. Last modified October 20, 2024.