Latest ETW Reviews [Archive]

Fisherking

02-11-2009, 10:52

We have so many review threads it is getting hard to figure out which is which.

If no one minds, could we post them in one thread. It may eliminate some of the duplicates and we can find what is newest.

I just found this from two days ago…I hope it isn’t posted already, but I can’t tell.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=207715

You can change economic and political history
There's a sense of alternate history to the Total War games, and Empire is no exception. You have the chance to deviate from the real world's technological development, along avenues of ideas pioneered, but never progressed upon. Like, say, the Puckle Gun - a precursor of a machinegun that could fire nine rounds a minute. Don't laugh, that's three times the rate of a traditional musket. The Puckle Gun failed to attract investors and its creator, James Puckle, eventually fell into bankruptcy. In our timeline, he'll own India.

Next a vid...posted by bloodshed

my quote

I had never before seen and alien gray! Let a lone seen games reviewed by an albino alien gray!

There was a tiny bit of information in this video…but I am not sure it is worth all the stuff that went before.

That is unless to think lame is funny…
http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/...pdates;title;1

More!

gamasutra
From bloodshed
13 Feb
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3930/pc_heritage_bright_future_the_.php

gamespy
From Mailman653
21 Feb
http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/empire-total-war/955966p1.html

IGN
From bloodshed
24 Feb
http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/956/956728p1.html

eurogame
From Alexander the Pretty Good
27 Feb
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/empire-total-war-review?page=1
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/empire-total-war-review

insidegamer
From quadalpha
27 Feb
http://www.insidegamer.nl/pc/empiretotalwar/recensies/24355 (Dutch)

IGN
From Dogfish
27 Feb
http://pc.ign.com/articles/957/957883p1.html

Another:

Nowgamer
From Monk
28 Feb. ?
http://www.nowgamer.com/reviews/pc-mmo/7911/empire-total-war

knoddy

02-11-2009, 10:56

has been posted b4, but still the thread idea is a good one :)

Sir Beane

02-11-2009, 13:36

I'll sticky this, and hopefully people can contribute links as and when they find them. It means you're in charge of updating the OP with links though Fisherking. :tongue:

Pinxit

02-12-2009, 00:17

Thats not a review, its a preview.

:viking:

Sir Beane

02-12-2009, 00:20

Thats not a review, its a preview.

:viking:

You can't spell preview without review. :tongue:

Your right of course, but this thread can be for previews, QA's and interviews aswell. :2thumbsup:

bloodshed

02-12-2009, 11:13

New thing at gamespot.

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/empiretotalwar/video.html?sid=6204561&om_act=convert&om_clk=gsupdates&tag=updates;title;1

Wausser

02-12-2009, 11:29

You mean the love advice?

:beam:

bloodshed

02-12-2009, 11:41

Oh man I almost didnt even want to get to the stuff about empire it was so bad lol.
Just my opinion but the people who did the preview to me didnt really get it right. Like they said so its pretty much the same tactics as the previous games. Even though the people from CA said that you shouldnt play empire the same way you played the others and if you did you would get beat bad. I dont know, its late and im just venting.

KozaK13

02-12-2009, 11:54

What the...? Peadophiles?

Anyway, interview wasn't that bad.

Fisherking

02-12-2009, 12:24

Thank bloodshed

I put it up top with a comment...:laugh4:

daveoshea

02-12-2009, 20:46

Pc Gamer gave it 94%

Aide de camp

02-12-2009, 22:05

This one is a GamespotVideo from yesterday, but not much new info (at least for me ).
ETW starts aprox. at 16:00.

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/empiretotalwar/video/6204561/gamespot-au-presents-crosshairs-12-february-2009

Wausser

02-12-2009, 22:11

look at the review thread at the top of the page

Sir Beane

02-12-2009, 22:30

bloodshed

02-13-2009, 19:17

I saw this posted on tw forums. New Interview.

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3930/pc_heritage_bright_future_the_.php

not much about the game just how they develop and work on their games.

Mailman653

02-21-2009, 07:53

http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/empire-total-war/955966p1.html
Gamespy preview, has some interesting tidbits about the US and the 11/12 factions in the game. It seems to suggest that there are 11 playable factions with the 12 being the US which unlocks after you finish the RtI campaign. But the article also pointed out that modders usually unlock all the factions within the first few days anyway.

With that in mind, if the US is the 12th playable faction, does that mean they will start from 1700 like everyone else? If so will the game bend history and just make the US a nation from the start or will it be under the protection of England untill you trigger some event to cause independence. I'd love the latter, I don't mind paying some form of taxes to England if it means being under their protection and have the added benifits of trade with them. Or when I feel threatend from France or Spain, I could send a diplomat and ask the King or Parliment for troops in addition to the militias I could raise on the contient.

From a modding point of few, perhaps it's possible to start with Republican France instead of the Monarchy as well.

Marten

02-21-2009, 10:29

Gamestar (Print issue 04 / 2009 - no online review):

Empire: Total War - 90%, Platin-Award for gameplay, atmosphere and motivation - btw: Dawn of War2 got 80% ... ?

Graphics 10 / 10:
+ very detailed units + very good animations + spectacular effects + lovingly designed campaign map

Sound (9/10):
+ great 6.1-Sound + suitable music + unit reports in different languages - no speeches from generals

Balance (8/10):
+ very entertaining Tutorial-Campaign (meant is RtI) + so far most accessible TW-game + good unit balance - ..but not optimal

Atmosphere (9/10):
+ spacious and believable picture of the century + historical events - Nonexistence of Nations like China or Switzerland???

Appliance (7/10):
+ better menu + elaborated tool tips - sometimes tenacious camera in battles - long loading times

Content (10/10):
+ in the long run very motivating gameplay + trade theatres + versatile fractions and units

AI (7/10):
+ very good in diplomatic section of the game + good on battle map - .. sometimes confused - on campaign map sometimes passive - wayfinding

Campaign (10/10):
+ lots of strategic possibilities + Research + Change of government + System with buildings outside of cities very entertaining and motivating

Greyblades

02-21-2009, 16:00

With that in mind, if the US is the 12th playable faction, does that mean they will start from 1700 like everyone else? If so will the game bend history and just make the US a nation from the start or will it be under the protection of England untill you trigger some event to cause independence. I'd love the latter, I don't mind paying some form of taxes to England if it means being under their protection and have the added benifits of trade with them. Or when I feel threatend from France or Spain, I could send a diplomat and ask the King or Parliment for troops in addition to the militias I could raise on the contient.

From a modding point of few, perhaps it's possible to start with Republican France instead of the Monarchy as well.

This raises a new question I hadnt thought of: will there be peaceful declarations of independance? Something like: after 50 years of helping the british they let the thirteen colonies break away as reward... or something, honestly I havent realy thought this through. Mayby raising funds and buying independance?

Sir Beane

02-21-2009, 19:57

This raises a new question I hadnt thought of: will there be peaceful declarations of independance? Something like: after 50 years of helping the british they let the thirteen colonies break away as reward... or something, honestly I havent realy thought this through. Mayby raising funds and buying independance?

Probably not. It's only recently that countries have become independant through peaceful means. Back in the 18th century letting go of colonies would have been seen as a sign of weakness and would probably have resulted in you losing many other colonies to rebellion.

Buying independance is slightly more likely, but still probably will not be in. Especially because only emergent factions could do this, and none of them are playable. (Except possibly the US).

Darklife

02-22-2009, 23:30

Gamestar (Print issue 04 / 2009 - no online review):

- no speeches from generals

Am I the only one upset by this?

Sir Beane

02-22-2009, 23:41

Am I the only one upset by this?

Not at all, I am aswell :no:. I wonder if this is something mods can fix? Probably not in this case.

Ibrahim

02-23-2009, 00:04

Sound (9/10):
+ great 6.1-Sound + suitable music + unit reports in different languages - no speeches from generals

generals in the 18th century did not normally give speaches..for example, in the british army in the 1740's, the various regimental colonels (or lt.colonels) would deliver a "cheerfull" speech, then march forward to battle.With this in mind, I doubt you want to waste an hour of ou life hearing all the various cheerful speeches of british colonels, no?

Darklife

02-23-2009, 00:06

Screw historical accuracy, the speeches really personalized the game and made the generals seem like genuine human beings instead of mindless automatons sent out to slaughter.

A Very Super Market

02-23-2009, 01:13

Eh, some of them sounded weird, and I usually skipped them. Unless my general was a looney, then I always listened to his speeches.

Ibrahim

02-23-2009, 01:51

Screw historical accuracy, the speeches really personalized the game and made the generals seem like genuine human beings instead of mindless automatons sent out to slaughter.

age of reason-even the lowly soldier was a machine to the armies of europe (just look at the manual of arms of 1757 for the UK-you have some really stiff postures.)

EDIT: here:

http://www.1stroyals.org/drill.htm

its to show basic steps of handling the musket, but there are also sections in the origional for loading the musket-every step in mechanical detail.

Polemists

02-23-2009, 09:32

no speeches from generals

Sorry I'm with the others. Ever since RTW I have loved the speeches, screw history, DOWN WITH HISTORY UP WITH PLAYABILITY :P

Yes, I normally stopped listening to them later on because they got repetitive and yes the looney or drunk ones were the only non repetive and yes they were good. Still, I agree it made it seem more personal when you could hear your general's voice.

I know it was probably a risk reward thing for CA. Cost of voice actor's didn't justify a feature everyone stops using after turn 10, but still, I shall miss it.

knoddy

02-25-2009, 02:33

the M2TW speeches were the best tho, loons and general fights against bitter enemies (england vs scotts/france) were always good ones, gotta love the abuse some of your generals could hurl out.

"Let the pink elephants lead the first charge"

"were doing them a favor by killing them so they dont have to go back to their wives"

were i believe 2 of my favorite speeches. :)

quadalpha

02-25-2009, 02:42

Wow, I really missed out by skipping them!

bloodshed

02-25-2009, 08:22

Ign Preview about the Campaign.

http://pc.ign.com/articles/956/956728p1.html

Marten

02-25-2009, 10:18

Ign Preview about the Campaign.

http://pc.ign.com/articles/956/956728p1.html

Very good find! Virtual rep+ ... No new facts for me - but nice new screens! :2thumbsup:

Sir Beane

02-25-2009, 11:42

Ign Preview about the Campaign.

http://pc.ign.com/articles/956/956728p1.html

Nice find :2thumbsup:!

Fisherking

02-25-2009, 11:48

Take note of the 12 factions shown on the Spanish Diplomatic Screeny…

I don’t know what it means but only 12 factions are listed even though they are at war with others…

Sir Beane

02-25-2009, 11:52

Take note of the 12 factions shown on the Spanish Diplomatic Screeny…

I don’t know what it means but only 12 factions are listed even though they are at war with others…

They are the 'major nations' i.e the Playable Factions. Which is interesting because the Mughal Empire are on there. There is also a tab for minor nations, which are presumably the rest of them.

Fisherking

02-25-2009, 12:46

They are the 'major nations' i.e the Playable Factions. Which is interesting because the Mughal Empire are on there. There is also a tab for minor nations, which are presumably the rest of them.

That is pretty much what I thought. Though I thought only one Indian faction would be playable.

Ituralde

02-25-2009, 13:26

Also notice that Spain starts out with a Protectorate, possibly New Spain, explaining the missing provinces that I couldn't get a look at in the GameStar review.

Mailman653

02-25-2009, 16:45

Well, at least I think it solves the mystery of the 12th faction. Apprerently there are only 11 factions, and the 12th is the US in the RtI campaign. I'm a bit surprised that priests (missionaries) made a come back to the game.

Monk

02-25-2009, 16:56

I love the provincial breakdown right beside the diplomatic menu. You can see where your enemies are, where your allies are and plan accordingly. No more guess work in gauging an enemy's territory strength, we'll now be able to see how many lands they got right off the bat and know what we're getting into. From the screen it appears you can also select another nation and see how the AI feel toward them, wow, this will open up a lot of options for diplomacy.

Also, it seems people were right, Spain starts with significant holdings in Italy as indicated the highlighted provinces in the relations breakdown.

Alexander the Pretty Good

02-27-2009, 18:55

Eurogamer Review

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/empire-total-war-review?page=1

Generally, Kieron Gillen really liked it. Especially the scale and scope of the game. Besides all the stuff to do, he also really liked the standard land battles. He didn't find the naval battles particularly compelling and apparently resorted to auto-calcing too. Also, he found the sieges (though rarer) to still be troublesome with pathfinding issues.

Some excerpts.

Let me expand on that. Empire's Grand Campaign is the grandest of all the Total Wars'. Rather than a single world map, the game is divided into three military theatres: Europe, North and Central America, and the Indian Subcontinent. While the number of actual territories are reduced from the number that would be crammed into the same geographical area in another Total War game, that's a dizzying amount of space to consider. In practice, when you start to play, you don't worry about the world stage. You reduce it to something manageable. In England's case, my colonies. In Prussia's case, the land war. So when I said that I didn't even touch India, I mean that I didn't even send troops to a third of the map. It's an undiscovered country. God knows what it's like.

...

But now that I've mentioned fleets, I'd better get on to the biggest back-of-the-box feature: the ability to actually control sea battles for the first time. Like most back-of-box features, it doesn't actually make as much difference as you'd expect or hope. While it's mostly well-implemented, striking a balance between realism and playability, it's just not as interesting as the land battles.

...

Perhaps the biggest disappointment is that the game hasn't applied the rethink of the campaign map details to much of the real-time battles. Specifically, the siege maps remain a sore point. The path-finding simply isn't good enough to deal with manoeuvring around the castles in a timely fashion - really, I should be able to reliably man the cannons before the enemy close within range to lob climbing ropes. It's actually worse when the ropes have struck home. Defenders have a horrible habit of leaving the castle via ropes when ordered to move places. Concentrating on a battle to find that one of your troops has decided to climb outside the castle and come back in, opening the gate and allowing cavalry to charge in... well, it's a low point. Loading pauses are painfully long, too.

9/10

Sir Beane

02-27-2009, 20:05

quadalpha

02-27-2009, 20:26

Nice link! Just read the review, seems like the game has made a good impression. That review seemed more honest than many, and had the guts to say that the naval battles are pretty inconsequential. He seemed like a real fan of the games to, which is always a plus. :2thumbsup:
Kieron Gillen is a well-respected and experienced games journalist. I remember reading him in PC Gamer (UK) in the mid-90s.

Marten

02-27-2009, 20:47

Kieron Gillen is a well-respected and experienced games journalist. I remember reading him in PC Gamer (UK) in the mid-90s.

I didn't know him, but now after reading him ... i like him! Nice find, and also a very good review. Almost equal to the gamestar review (you cannot know),
even the critical points (except the naval story).

I am very confident on next week release. Remember, we all were happy with Med2 (almost all), and ETW is a new step onwards .... something :2thumbsup:

Marten

Alexander the Pretty Good

02-27-2009, 22:32

He also contributes frequently on Rock, Paper, Shotgun. It's a pretty good PC-oriented game news site.

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/

They had a good ETW preview exclusive thing a while back.

quadalpha

02-27-2009, 23:32

New review from the United Provinces: http://www.insidegamer.nl/pc/empiretotalwar/recensies/24355

With video!

Edit: actually video is mostly three guys talking in Dutch.

Marten

02-27-2009, 23:43

New review from the United Provinces: http://www.insidegamer.nl/pc/empiretotalwar/recensies/24355

With video!

Edit: actually video is mostly three guys talking in Dutch.

"De onbeheersbaarheid past niet bij wat de Total War-games zo goed maakt." -> means he is unhappy with the sea battles? Good find! :2thumbsup:

Marten

Monk

02-28-2009, 22:39

There's been enough reviews that ETW now has an official score on Metacritic (http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/empiretotalwar).

:2thumbsup:

Sir Beane

02-28-2009, 22:43

Monk

02-28-2009, 22:57

Nowgamer.com has given ETW 10/10. (http://www.nowgamer.com/reviews/pc-mmo/7911/empire-total-war)

Sir Beane

02-28-2009, 23:07

CA are probably partying right about now. (Or feverishly working on finishing the release-day patch). :laugh4:

A quote from Nowgamer:
Ultimately, all you really need to know is that Empire: Total War is a masterpiece, the greatest, most accomplished and ambitious strategy epic in the history of gaming and one of the most exceptional games of all time. It may not be utterly perfect, with a smattering of glitches and shortfalls spattered throughout, but these minor irritants are like mere mosquitoes on a majestic bull elephant’s back, a beast of exquisite beauty and power that crushes its opponents underfoot with effortless ease.

Can't get much higher praise than being compared to an elephant :2thumbsup:

Fisherking

03-01-2009, 10:30

http://pc.ign.com/articles/957/957883p1.html

I thoguht I had better post this. This IGN review has it's own thread, but it should probably be here to.

9.5, a fantastic score considering it's a PC strategy title. :2thumbsup:

Actually that was already on the front page when you posted.:laugh4:

Now I have Monk’s there too.

I haven’t linked Marten’s because he is translating and presenting all the screenshots!:2thumbsup:

Sir Beane

03-01-2009, 11:09

Actually that was already on the front page when you posted.:laugh4:

Now I have Monk’s there too.

I haven’t linked Marten’s because he is translating and presenting all the screenshots!:2thumbsup:

Ooops, I should have checked the front page first. :wall:

Lemur

03-02-2009, 15:50

I don't think anyone has posted this yet, a hands-on report (http://shoguntotalwar.yuku.com/topic/44166).

Fisherking

03-02-2009, 16:59

Thanks Lemur!

Nice to see you up here!

:beam:

Lemur

03-02-2009, 17:17

My pleasure to be here. I know it's unfashionable to say this, but I'm all a-tingle for Empire. Trying to wrap up a big project by Wednesday so's I can play it guilt-free.

Sir Beane

03-02-2009, 17:18

My pleasure to be here. I know it's unfashionable to say this, but I'm all a-tingle for Empire. Trying to wrap up a big project by Wednesday so's I can play it guilt-free.

We are all unfashionale in this forum then :tongue:. I think most of the people posting her ecan't wait for Empire :2thumbsup:.

Mailman653

03-02-2009, 17:24

bit-tech review (http://www.bit-tech.net/gaming/pc/2009/03/02/empire-total-war-review/1)
Seven pages.

Lemur

03-02-2009, 17:26

bit-tech review (http://www.bit-tech.net/gaming/pc/2009/03/02/empire-total-war-review/1)
Seven pages.
Bless you, sir. Bless you.

-edit-

I love it when reviewers can actually write. Am I the only one who nearly snarfed coffee through my nose when I came across "Compacting this problem like a loaf of bread in already constipated bowels"?

Sir Beane

03-02-2009, 17:29

bit-tech review (http://www.bit-tech.net/gaming/pc/2009/03/02/empire-total-war-review/1)
Seven pages.

Nice! Now thats what a proper review should be like, extensive :2thumbsup:.

Check out this shot! http://images.bit-tech.net/content_images/2009/03/empire-total-war-review/b04.jpg. I swear that there is a guy dual-wielding revolvers.

quadalpha

03-02-2009, 17:42

A bit of a newbie review, isn't it? Somehow I find it difficult to take seriously someone who writes "might of", devotes two whole pages to comparing graphical differences, and assumes his audience is ignorant.

Alexander the Pretty Good

03-02-2009, 17:43

Hahaha. I believe it's his sword at an odd angle. Officers in the demo weild a sword but sometimes take out a pistol.

EDIT: The first page of that review made me think the guy really wasn't cut out for Total War games. When he said "if you aren’t interested in losing dozens of hours to a slow-burning turn-based strategy epic of overwhelming detail...then it’s best to stop reading now" I got the feeling that he wasn't interested.

So screw that guy.

Sir Beane

03-02-2009, 17:47

Having read through the review I have to agree with you quadalpha. He also says that TotalWar is difficult, which is rubbish. And he says this:

Compared to previous games in the series, it does seem that Empire’s selection of units does suffer from a lack of imagination. There are plenty of different soldiers and artillery at your disposal, but unless you’re willing to get stuck into the real microscopic details then they’re all pretty much the same.

Granted, the selection of units is true to the setting, fits well and is decently balanced even with the slower pace taken into account. Still, we just can’t help shake the feeling that the series has lost something since it abandoned the idea of Elephants versus Flaming Pigs that helped make Rome: Total War so memorable.

I mean, really. 'Lack of imagination'? what did he want?

quadalpha

03-02-2009, 17:50

Having read through the review I have to agree with you quadalpha. He also says that TotalWar is difficult, which is rubbish. And he says this:

I mean, really. 'Lack of imagination'? what did he want?
Hehe, as soon as he said he missed the flaming pigs vs elephants, I knew he was in trouble with the orgahs.

Furunculus

03-02-2009, 18:00

pcformat have their review up now.

Sir Beane

03-02-2009, 18:05

http://www.pcformat.co.uk/blog-entry/review-empire-total-war-02-03-09 Theres the PC Format review.

And here's an article on Multiplayer: http://www.pcformat.co.uk/blog-entry/total-war-multiple-personalities-02-03-09 (http://www.pcformat.co.uk/blog-entry/total-war-multiple-personalities-02-03-09)

Thanks for the heads-up Furunculus :2thumbsup:.

quadalpha

03-02-2009, 20:03

PCG UK review online: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=209544

Monk

03-02-2009, 20:55

Granted, the selection of units is true to the setting, fits well and is decently balanced even with the slower pace taken into account. Still, we just can’t help shake the feeling that the series has lost something since it abandoned the idea of Elephants versus Flaming Pigs that helped make Rome: Total War so memorable.

https://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x301/swcsalha/facepalm.jpg

R'as al Ghul

03-02-2009, 20:55

Bangalore Galore - An Empire: Total War AAR (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/03/02/bangalore-galore-an-empire-total-war-aar/)

Alexander the Pretty Good

03-02-2009, 20:56

@Monk - I almost wonder if the guy played anything other than a custom battle of all elephants vs. pigs.

Monk

03-02-2009, 20:58

@Monk - I almost wonder if the guy played anything other than a custom battle of all elephants vs. pigs.

I suspect this is why many among the community tend to ignore the large reviewers in favor of other sources of review inside the community itself. That is just plain dumb, no two ways about it. Flaming pigs epitomized everything that was wrong with RTW, I'll bet he also liked the bronze age Egyptians. :dizzy2:

a-e

03-02-2009, 21:02

The flaming pigs were really used though, even if quite silly.

PanzerJaeger

03-02-2009, 21:10

PCG UK review online: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=209544

The harder AI has been an absolute bastard to take on toe-to-toe. Enemy generals work to split your ranks, or to funnel you into the firing line of cannons, or to avoid your flanking tactics. They'll drive through your lines and then fan back around, attempting to split and isolate your troops. When they're heavily entrenched, firing from the windows of buildings and harrying your troops with veteran skirmishers, it starts to feel like a more mature game.

Promising...

Sir Beane

03-02-2009, 23:01

The PC Gamer UK review has some fantastic screenshots accompanying it. One of which shows a pirate base in the caribbean! Which I am rather pleased about :2thumbsup:.

They are also very honest about the arcadey feel of naval battles, which makes me believe the rest of what they say all the more.

Liberator

03-02-2009, 23:02

these look great! Polish, aren't they?!

http://medialib.computerandvideogames.com/screens/screenshot_211523.jpg

Sir Beane

03-02-2009, 23:04

Yep, they are Winged Hussars and apparently the most powerful cavalry in the game.

Monk

03-02-2009, 23:05

All I can say is: Wow.

Gregoshi

03-03-2009, 00:09

Who needs flaming pigs when you have flying cavalry?

Just kidding. :laugh4:

Mailman653

03-04-2009, 13:43

Gamespy review (http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/empire-total-war/959077p1.html)

I particularly enjoyed the "French and Indian War" scenario, in which I managed to get British Colonel Washington killed trying to take back the Ohio Valley. This may explain why Benedict Arnold is now on the one-dollar bill.
:laugh4:

Crazed Rabbit

03-04-2009, 17:38

Also from the Gamespy Review:

Spiffy

Incredibly expansive, a game of massive scale; superb attention to detail; relatively simple user interface.

Iffy

A steep (albeit surmountable) learning curve; crushingly clever AI; friendly fire is "on" for cannon emplacements.

The AI is apparently too clever for him, and so the AI being good is a bad thing for the game!

I wouldn't take too much from that, seeing as later in the review he writes;

Playing as Prussia (noting its success at conquering from my High School World History class), I quickly amassed an array of stationary cannon emplacements that I figured would make short work of the largely infantry-based Saxons. To my dismay, however, during the deployment phase I set up my cannons just a bit too far away from the action for them to achieve maximum destructive capability. To make matters worse, I was unaware that terrain comes heavily into play with cannons. But the truly terminal flaw in my plan was leading the charge with my heavy cavalry, which brought them right into the firing lanes of my cannons and doomed them to death by friendly fire.

Good grief- no wonder these sheep all graded RTW so high! They don't want any kind of actual thinking, they want pretty graphics as they easily crush an idiot AI. ( "Terrain is important?! But, durr, it never matter in command and conquer console game! Durr." )Of course, this reviewer is a console gamer;

My duties over the past few years at GameSpy have primarily focused on the console side of gaming,

:wall: :no:

CR