Rise & Fall: Civilizations at War is a historically-based real time strategy game where the player assumes the role of a wide variety of notable commanders - Alexander the Great, Achilles, Cleopatra, Ramses, Julius Caesar, and others - eight heroes in all. Greece, Egypt, Rome and Persia are all portrayed - and multiplayer has 24 maps supporting up to 8 players at a time.

The game uses the standard resource collection found in RTS games, except for Glory points. Glory is only obtainable by doing specific things - crafting certain buildings, or accomplishing difficult tasks. You can then use that Glory resource to improve your hero or other units, obtain helpers that give you bonuses such as improving morale, etc.

The real difference of this RTS is being able to control your hero character at the front of the battle lines, instead of as a general protected in the rear or the center of your group.