One players highly (un)scientific view on RTW

:charge:
Well, after all the hubbub on trying to get my game to work, I found that the best (and easiest) solution turned out to be just swapping the bad disk for a good disk at my local vendor. After that, things loaded like a charm. Having read some of the pessimistic views on the game, I was a little apprehensive, but I forged ahead nonetheless. So.... listed below are the viewpoints of a longtime TW gamer

1. This is not your daddy's TW - It seems that the programmers have attempted to merge many elements (on the strategic screen) of various other B&D's... which brings me to point 2....

2. The Strategic map is DARK. I felt a little like I was playing Starcraft, and once my diplomat started talking, I was indeed certain that I was playing Starcraft (just minus the spaceships and zerglings)

3. The battlemaps were great. I never knew that trees back then were all as tall as redwoods, but will forgive this, as the atmosphere it creates (you've got to "get low" on your units, as the vantage point from up above is obscured by leaves and branches) is fantastic. You really get the sense of being there!

4. Cavalry charges: Despite the fact that some people have stated cavalry charges are too "strong", I'd have to disagree. True, if you charge into a person from behind, with a 8'-10' spear, they're probably going to die. However, charge that same person (or group of people) from the front, and your cavalry is chopped liver. In my opinion, the cavalry are far more realistic in this way now.

5. Battles: If anything, I think that the battles are too small now. They went from being 'epic' in MTW, to more or less just skirmishes. Perhaps it is the size of the battle map, perhaps it is the size of the units... whatever the case may be, I have never gotten the sensation that something "fantastic" was about to unfold, and have more than once been disappointed at the seemingly "wimpy" army I fielded (as well as the army I was facing).

6. Romans and Javelins: Javelins make a very cool noise when they are released. It's even cooler when they strike their targets. However, this feat doesn't last for long, and the Romans so far have been a "one trick pony" in this regard: It's fun for awhile, but your strategy is fairly limited: Throw Javelins, and either wait for the charge or charge yourself.

7. Speaking of Javelins: I'm not sure if this is just me or not, but if you want your main battle line to throw their javelins, you've got to adjust things to "fire at will". In much the same aggravating manner as Naptha Bombers (et al...) ran away before they could throw their potent weapons, Main Line infantry have a tendency of simply waiting for a charge, and never have the opportunity to weaken the lines.

8. Battles are fast. Nuff' said. - You've got plenty of time to figure out where you want your units, but after that it's simply a slaughter-fest. If you're going to flank with your cavalry, you'd better get to clicking.... and so far from what I've seen, ballistas are as wimpy as they ever were.

9. City Sieges: Big, beautiful cities. Lustrous Landscapes. ...... stupid, stupid, SHTOOPID units :furious3: !!! It's no joke. They climb the walls, they enter the fortress, and then... and then.......... they mill about. They reorganize. They try to march back up the stairs of thier tower! It's silly. It's ridiculous. They've got the "victory courtyard" less than 100 yards away, and they have no clue as to how to get there. To me, this is inexcusable, and should definitely be fixed. Going back to the lack of epic-ness, this is especially true here, as these vast, sweeping cities seem to pack less punch than even the smallest of castles in MTW... and the lack of units does nothing to alleviate this situation.

10. Battle Speeches: A cool feature. It makes my little battle seem more worthwhile, more interesting.... and they change depending on size of forces, who I am fighting, etc.! A really nice touch.

11. Interface: In a word, NON-INTUITIVE. Unless you're playing on a massive monitor, it's very difficult to see what the unit commands are, and although you get used to it, it's still a pain in the @ss. It's the same with the strategic screen as well, as you've got to flip through several menus just to find the piece of information you're looking for. Nonetheless, it's what people have been asking for, as it DOES allow for an additional depth to the game, not only in terms of diplomacy, but in terms of information about other factions, other armies, etc... In my opinion, it was the right idea, but the wrong execution. Here again, the fact that the screen is fairly dark compared to previous incarnations of TW makes it all the more difficult.

12. Lack of detailed instructions: On occasion I've found mercenaries, and on occasion I've built a watchtower or two... still on other occasions, I've set ambushes: How I've done this, I do not know, and it would be nice to have more information in this regard.

13: Victoria (or whatever her name is... my strategic guide in RTW): A sexy MILF with useful information for the newbie, but one who's information grows tiresome over time (as in, "Yes, I already know how to move my units, but could you please tell me why this settlement can't develop decent trade?!? (and yes, I've built docks, forums, etc..)).

14. Happiness: In MTW, you knew why people weren't happy - different religion, just recently conquered, high taxes, etc... In RTW, you've got cities that are longstanding within your empire, that have low taxes, and still they're unhappy. When they have a rebellion, there's not too much to do about it - you fight back and regain control of the city, but the problem doesn't go away.

15. Family Members: Ingenious! This really slows a person's ability to simply "grab all they can", and helps to create a more balanced game. However, there are times I wish I had a decent general that wasn't a family member, as all my family members seem constantly reserved to governorship. Also, it doesn't help that the "second" a governor leaves his city that city is no longer able to produce aaaaannnyyything. Very annoying.

Final thoughts: When compared to MTW, I'd say I vastly prefer the Strategic Map of MTW, even though RTW is far more interactive. When it comes to gameplay, there are portions that I like from each. Again, I don't get the sense of "epic" battles or "epic" sieges in RTW. The walls are taller now, but the excitement is far less, and the aggravation far more. The diplomacy is much improved, but much as ever, alliances are merely false senses of security, as even your best of allies will attack at a moment's notice. From a graphic standpoint, you'd think RTW would have a "hands-down" victory, but the camera movement is irritating on the battlefield (you've got either "up close and personal", or taking a "NASA" view) and downright pull-your-hair-out-and-scream when it comes to sieges.... Honestly, I've played alot of FPS's, but this is the first game that's ever made me queasy (just try focusing on a unit during a siege).

On a scale of 1-10, I'd give MTW an overall '8', and I'd give RTW an overall '6.5'. RTW wins on graphics and diplomacy, but loses on mechanics, ease of play, and ambience.

P.S. They both lose on siege warfare... in three tries, the developers still can't get it right (I guess they should take a lesson from "Stronghold".).

do you have this in cliff notes

Quick response.

Re 11: There are keyboard shortcuts to the various pages.

Re 14: Check the settlemets detail screen, run the cursor over the icons for details

Re 15: Turn off auto manage to control ungoverned cities tax and production. IIRC Esc|Game Options

Your points reflect my own thoughts. I think that the game will be 'near' flawless after the 1.2 patch and once a good killspeed mod is released - I tried some a while ago which were still pretty rough, so I"m waiting for that.

Overall I think the biggest thing that is lacking form the game that doesn't have anything to do with code, software, bugs or balance is the absolute lack of documentation for this MASSIVE game. I was astounded at the amount of advice and "helping hand" they give you at the beginning of the game with the Tutorial as I was never left wanting for advice at that newbish level. However, once I got into the game and didn't need that beginners advice I wanted more detailed info on the hows and whys of various aspects of the game - nowhere to be found. Then again, that may change in the coming months as well.

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and so far from what I've seen, ballistas are as wimpy as they ever were.

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guess it depends on how you use them, all i know is that they helped stave off a little surprise i had earlier today.

i had all my Bruti troops engaging enemy hoplites when two of their reserve units came onto the battlefield behind me.

i got both ballistas locked onto them as the came towards me and had them both reduced by half before they were able to reach my troops. ~:cheers:

and by the way, ballista bolts make a lovely sound as the bounce off the ground and through four ranks of soldiers ~D ).

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10. Battle Speeches: A cool feature.

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i cringe every time i hear them. :rtwno: (can`t seem find a smiley for vomiting).

if someone ever finds out how to remove them i`ll be eternally happy, but for the moment i just click past it.

everybody has their own preferences for the game, so far, i like it a lot. ~:cool: