Cradle of Rome - Nintendo DS
Main Menu
The controls in the game can all be performed by using the Nintendo DS stylus. To select a
button Touch it with the stylus. This method can also be used to select objects on the Game
Screen and EPOCH Menu.
Play - Choosing this option will take you into the main game where you build Rome by
collecting resources in all 5 EPOCH periods.
Relax Mode - After completing a level in Play Mode, you can play them as many times as
you like here.
How to Play - This menu contains various tutorials on how to play the game.
Settings - Use this menu to change game settings such as sound volume, as well as change
the displayed language.
Game Screen
Board Tiles - These contain all the items you must line up. Each level is different in size and
shape.
Blue Marble Plaques - Form groups of 3 or more across these tiles to break them. The level
is complete when all Blue Marble Plaques are broken.
Bonus Items These appear to the right of the Board Tiles after unlocking them. They are
unlocked by buying certain buildings and can help you successfully win the level.
Chains The Chain locks down the tile that is is over. Nothing can be moved on or off of that
tile. These must be broken by matching three or more tiles or using a Bonus Item.
Stage Timer The water level in the pitcher depicts how much time is left in the current
stage. More water in the pitcher when the level is finished means a larger bonus.
Epoch Menu
Buildings Touch the picture to select the building. You can use the buttons on the bottom
of the screen to interact with the selected building.
Details This option will display a brief history of the selected building.
Buy This option buys the currently selected building if the requirements are met.
Show This appears instead of the Buy option when selecting a building you have bought. It
will zoom in on the selected building. Touch the building to resume normal view.
Play This option will take you to the Game Screen of the next level. It will also move you to
the next EPOCH when all buildings are bought.
Resources
These types of tiles gain the player various types and amounts of Resources needed to construct Buildings. The three types of Resources are Gold, Supplies and Food.
 | Silver | Gold | - | - | 4 |
 | Gold | Gold | - | - | 5 |
 | Wood | Supplies | Sawmill | 1 | 5 |
 | Stone | Supplies | Quarry | 1 | 7 |
 | Flour | Food | Mill | 1 | 4 |
 | Chicken | Food | Village | 2 | 3 |
 | Fruit | Food | Field | 2 | 6 |
 | Steak | Food | Tavern | 2 | 5 |
 | Ring | Gold | Arch of Titus | 3 | 6 |
 | Fish | Food | Harbor | 4 | 7 |
 | Pearl | Gold | Ship | 4 | 7 |
 | Gem | Gold | Statue of Trojan | 5 | 8 |
 | Goblet | Gold | Temple of Saturn | 5 | 9 |
 | Brooch | Gold | Forum | 5 | 10 |
*Three of a kind will award 3x the amount per tile. Four of a kind will award 8x the amount per tile. Five of a kind will award 20x the amount per tile.
Buildings
 | Sawmill | - | - | 500 | 1 | Wood |
 | Smithy | - | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1 | Hammer |
 | Quarry | - | 2,000 | 3,000 | 1 | Stone |
 | Mill | - | 4,000 | 4,000 | 1 | Flour |
 | Village | 2,000 | 4,000 | 4,000 | 2 | Chicken |
 | Field | 4,000 | 4,000 | 5,000 | 2 | Fruit |
 | Fountain | 5,000 | 6,000 | 5,000 | 2 | Lightning |
 | Tavern | 6,000 | 5,000 | 6,000 | 2 | Steak |
 | Rostra | 6,000 | 7,000 | 7,000 | 3 | Bomb |
 | Arch of Titus | 7,000 | 7,000 | 7,000 | 3 | Ring |
 | Pantheon | 8,000 | 7,000 | 8,000 | 3 | Hourglass |
 | Tabularium | 9,000 | 8,000 | 8,000 | 3 | Cross |
 | Harbor | 9,000 | 10,000 | 9,000 | 4 | Fish |
 | Ship | 10,000 | 12,000 | 12,000 | 4 | Pearl |
 | Lighthouse | 13,000 | 12,000 | 13,000 | 4 | Star |
 | Colosseum | 15,000 | 15,000 | 15,000 | 4 | Shield |
 | Statue of Trojan | 15,000 | 16,000 | 15,000 | 5 | Gem |
 | Temple of Venus and Rome | 16,000 | 17,000 | 17,000 | 5 | Orb |
 | Temple of Saturn | 18,000 | 20,000 | 20,000 | 5 | Goblet |
 | Forum | 22,000 | 22,000 | 22,000 | 5 | Brooch |
Bonus Items
Bonus Items are unlocked by constructing certain buildings within the different EPOCH periods. The Bonus Item will be available once the correct building is purchased. There will be only one type of Bonus Item tile per level. The next map after the purchase is guaranteed to have the new Bonus Item tile, but the levels afterward choose at random (once the player has more than one Bonus Item).
 | Hammer | Smithy | 1 | Destroys one selected tile* |
 | Lightning | Fountain | 2 | Destroys up to 20 random tiles* |
 | Bomb | Rostra | 3 | Destroys a 3x3 section of tiles* |
 | Hourglass | Pantheon | 3 | Pauses time |
 | Cross | Tabularium | 3 | Gives 1000 of selected resource and destroys tile* |
 | Star | Lighthouse | 4 | Breaks all tiles of the selected type* |
 | Shield | Colosseum | 4 | Destroys a selected row of tiles* |
 | Orb | Temple of Venus and Rome | 5 | Randomly changes tiles on the board to different types |
*This can also destroy one layer of Marble Plaque or Chain per hit.
FAQ
- Q: How much time does the Water Jug Timer actually have?
A: The levels range from 7 minutes at the earliest level and just over 10 minutes on the last level. - Q: How much of a time bonus does the Hourglass Bonus Item give?
A: 30 seconds. - Q: Can I use Bonus Items on tiles that have no resource tile on them (such as a tile with only a Marble Plaque)?
A: No. - Q: How many EPOCH periods are in the game?
A: There are 5. - Q: How many Bonus Items are in the game?
A: There are 8.
Pro-tips
- Use the first few levels to collect all of the Resources you can. This is a luxury that is rarely seen in later levels.
- Restarting the level can produce a different tile set (resources and Bonus Items). This can be helpful if you get an undesired Bonus Item.
- The Cross Bonus Item you acquire in EPOCH 3 is your best friend on easier levels. You can use the time to collect a lot of resources.
- Chains should be your first priority then Marble Plaques. Always attempt to clear Chains first for the most mobility.
- Buying Bonus Item Buildings first in each EPOCH can greatly help your ability to win levels.
