On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we take a look at a lead character’s striking resemblance to a West Bromwich Albion fan and Guardian columnist (see: the bust on this episode’s cover art). We also take a look at the origins of a small, independent, Japanese developer called Capcom, and how these big fights actually happened IRL. Crazy, right?

Here are some of the things you’re gonna hear us chat about in our review: Dr. Otto Octavius as played by Alfred Molina; a surprising level of sophistication in relation to the sound you make and the guards can hear; Assassin’s Creed social stealth; Hitman disguises and the multiple choice quiz you might have to take when someone’s suspicious; holding items behind your back; being punished for not completing stealth sections in a very specific way; the pain of an accidental jog; connected environments to can creep around; picking up coins to furnish your flat; Dead Rising; the chaos of battles being you vs LOADS; the balancing act of both the nasty and the silly when it comes to the violence; the Salvos scoring system fitting the theme perfectly and encouraging you to try different weapons; another game that’s just too long; Road Rash B.C. (otherwise known as Rome Rash); a difficulty that ramps up and up; escort missions from a certain era; a fake brother called Sextus; pointless chats with trainee gladiators; Yakuza / Like a Dragon; an engaging whodunnit around the assassination of Julius Caesar; Maecenas Oven Chips; a pacing problem; Gladiator II (and also The Pope’s Exorcist); the majesty of Agrippa; and how Ryse: Son of Rome is probably the closest thing to a Shadow of Rome 2.

After all that, we take you through what some of the critics were saying about the game around the time it came out, and then we give you our final verdicts on whether Shadow of Rome is a Pass, a Play, or an Espionage Explosion.

For those who would like to play along at home, we'll be discussing, reviewing and dissecting Shadow of Rome on the next episode of Stealth Boom Boom.

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