We all know BM is the best game in the world.
Yet there actually are games that also come close.
europa Barbarorum is a well done realistic aproach to a game set in the time of 272 bc, you can play every faction and while you play read alot more about history.
Compared to what the original rome total war was, this is hamburgers for historians, nice and juicy ones that is.
Where the original RTW didnt make any sense and really sucked.
Not only the historical part has improved, the game play is much better, its the only game actually that i still play, as is with most EB players
I play it for 5 years or so now, and still enjoy it.
A decent review about the playable version, 1.2: http://www.wargamer.com/article/3274/pc-game-review-rome-total-war-mod-europa-barbarorum
Get it here: http://www.europabarbarorum.com/downloads_mod.html
Check out there work on version 2:
http://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?106937-All-the-Previews-In-One-Thread-10
(this version is still in development)
If you really like the concept, you can always help them, there mods have huge development times for there steadfast dedication to perfection and details.
Which pays off for us players, briliantly.
http://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?135901-The-EBII-Recruitment-thread
I absolutely love this mod and I can't tell you how much of a thrill fighting out of the selukid starting position is
I wouldn't go so far as to say that Rome: Total War sucked, it could have used some more work, but it was an excellent game.
An awesome preview.
The amount of background historical information alone is incredible.
http://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?143087-Preview-The-Areuakoi-10
If your a programmer and your familiar with moding these kind of games scripts, consider contributing its an incredible project.