 The game has been criticised as being too inflexible in the player's roles; for example, Rome must play aggressively while Egypt must trade.Further, players are forced (to a certain extent) into certain actions early in the game; if Egypt is allowed to acquire too many resource cards they will quickly build the Pyramids; if Rome is not then held in check they will achieve military victory.However, once the game has been played a few times these strategies become less effective and the game opens out again.