Total War: Rome II – Emperor Edition (2013): runs on Windows 11, Mac, Linux, Steam Deck?

Total War: Rome II – Emperor Edition poster

Gamicality score 79 / 100

Playability today ★★★★★ 4.5

Runs today5 / 5
Design today3.5 / 5
See the checks

Steam user reviews Very Positive

88,173 reviews83% positive
Steam store page

Released: 2013
Developer: Creative Assembly, Feral Interactive
Genre: Strategy
Runs on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Steam Deck
Last checked: October 31, 2026

Does Total War: Rome II – Emperor Edition run on Windows 11, Apple Silicon Macs, Linux and Steam Deck?

Windows 11	Expected to work. It is sold for Windows today and no problem is on record. SourceNo player reports yet
Mac (Apple Silicon)	Steam sells a Mac version. Not yet confirmed on Apple Silicon. SourceNo player reports yet
Linux	Through Proton: ProtonDB rates it Silver (runs with minor issues). SourceNo player reports yet
Steam Deck	Playable, as rated by Valve: it works, but may need some manual configuration. SourceNo player reports yet

Played it lately? Tell other players whether it works for you. One click, no account. How we check where it runs

Synopsis

A strategy game that pairs a turn-based campaign map with large real-time battles in the ancient Mediterranean world. You lead one of many factions, from Rome and Carthage to tribal kingdoms, managing provinces, politics and diplomacy while commanding armies and fleets in battle.

What people say

Rome II launched in 2013 to solid scores but a rough reception from players, who were hit by bugs, poor performance, long AI turns and weak battle AI; critics also faulted an interface that undid the series' easier design. Years of patches, the Emperor Edition update and free content fixed much of that, and recent Steam reviews are mostly positive, with many long-time players calling it one of their favorite strategy games. The common complaints today are a passive, easily beaten campaign AI, a slow and oversized late campaign, and paid DLC, and many players turn to large mods for a stronger challenge.

Playability today

Playability runs from 1 to 5. It is the average of two parts. Each part starts at 1 and climbs to 5 as more of its checks pass. Read the method.

Runs today: 5 / 5

✓Sold today from an official store
✓Runs on Windows 11 without fan patches
–Single-player works without an internet connection
–All of its content still works (servers, DLC, unlocks)
–Supports modern resolutions and widescreen
–Full controller support or remappable controls
✓Steam Deck Verified or Playable
✓No intrusive DRM or required third-party launcher account
✓No pay-to-win or pushy microtransactions
–No known game-breaking bugs in the current version

Filled in from the Steam store and Valve’s Steam Deck rating. Checks marked – are unknown and do not count until someone checks them.

Design today: 3.5 / 5

✓Controls feel natural on a modern controller or mouse and keyboardIt uses the standard mouse-driven real-time strategy controls of the series, and recent players do not complain about handling, though evidence is thin. Source: steamcommunity.com.
✗Menus, text and interface are clear on today's screensCritics called the interface a step back for the series, with clumsy overlay menus and information that is hard to find. Source: thedailytexan.com.
✓Saving is fair: free saves or frequent checkpoints, little lost progressThe campaign can be saved freely between turns, so little progress is at risk. Source: pcgamingwiki.com.
✓It teaches itself: no guide needed to make progressA prologue campaign introduces the basics, and players describe the learning curve as manageable once the campaign clicks, though evidence is thin. Source: steamcommunity.com.
✗Pacing holds up: little grind, filler or forced backtrackingThe campaign is long and slow in its later stages, and players say the passive AI turns the late game into a steamroll. Source: kotaku.com, steamcommunity.com.
✓Camera and movement never fight the playerThe battle camera, including the close cinematic view, was praised, and current players raise no camera complaints. Source: kotaku.com.

Judged against games made today, from complaints that recur in recent Steam reviews and discussions, forums, PCGamingWiki and community wikis. Each reason links to where it comes from.