review on ign

here's the link:
uk.pc.ign.com/articles/744/744731p1.html

I must say that its a lousy review; the guy just offers some general description of the game and some of the main features, before ending with a vague compliant about how the TW series could use a 'total overhaul' because its more and more of the same. Wouldn't any real gamer know that for the TW series that is actually a good thing? End score an 8.9.

IGN employie : umm..sir

reviewer : yeah what do you want?

IGN employie: sir there's an angry mob outside that want you burned to the cross.

yeah - lousy review. Doesn't cover anything important and obviously doesn't get it when it comes to TW games :shame:

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For now, there’s still nothing around to touch the class of Medieval II, but if the designers sit around on their laurels for too much longer, they may get something of a shock.

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Does not sound that bad to me...

Of course the review tells us nothing new but what review will? We all already know all the new features, all the new widgets and stuff...

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Originally Posted by Bob the Insane

Of course the review tells us nothing new but what review will?

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I think you are letting the commercial reviews off the hook too easily. User reviews are often very informative, eg Lusted's impressions and he only played the game for less than a day:

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=71619

That's very true Econ. I purchased the PC GAMER Epic Review special, which had the English M2TW King on the front cover (issue168). I genuinely feel that this was a Total War fan, aimed at the general gaming populace and was an informative piece about the new religion, trade and diplomacy.

Final score was 94% and only noting a drawback that it wasn't the leap forward as R:TW was and a statement about the AI.

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Originally Posted by ign article

But while this gives you something extra to do, don't expect it to raise the strategic layer to anything approaching Civilisation.

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Originally Posted by ign article

The interface and control system are the same as ever and the strategies and tactics required to succeed haven't shifted. As a result Medieval II isn't a giant leap over the previous games, more a natural progression.

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Originally Posted by their conclusion

To be honest, Total War would have benefited hugely from a total overhaul, because the experience is getting too similar to its predecessors for anyone familiar with the series. The interface is beginning to show its limitations, and the more that’s added for the player to control the more cluttered it gets and the less refined it feels. An extra strategic layer that allowed for more fluid micromanagement of your forces and resources would have been welcome, enabling strategy to be more important than bureaucracy. That will all come in time, no doubt. For now, there’s still nothing around to touch the class of Medieval II, but if the designers sit around on their laurels for too much longer, they may get something of a shock

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I've read worse (professional) reviews, at least there are a couple of nice bits of info in this one. Without having actually played the full game I'd say I'd agree with their final conclusion. It's all becoming a bit too much of a 'been there, done that' thing. I think I'll pass on M2TW for now...