Empire: Incomplete?

[Hooahguy]

The following things I don't like:
- passive AI
- generic units and wrong combat balance
- primitive traits/ancillaries system
- a general lack of variety
That said, it is the best vanilla TW since Rome.

About the AI: don't get me wrong, it's supposed to be a century where diplomatic struggle became much more important, but I haven't seen it. If there was active diplomacy, with some nations forming coalitions and fighting someone else (even if it's only me), I would've been satisfied. Right now, the only nations that fight are those which have a quarrel from the very beginning (Russia/Ottomans, Danemark/Sweden, Poland/Austria, Mughal/Maratha, etc.). It felt like everyone died, since there weren't any alliance messages or the like. No diplomatic action (except sometimes a Nation Destroyed message) for the whole campaign. That was on M/M by the way, I'm not sure if it difficulty changes something here, but I will start an England VH/M campaign later.

lack of variety???
look at some pictures of battles back then. everyone pretty much wore the same things and ued the same weapons.
if anything RTW lacked variety

[Mister V]

lack of variety???
look at some pictures of battles back then. everyone pretty much wore the same things and ued the same weapons.
if anything RTW lacked variety

Compare the unit rosters of ETW and EB. That's what I mean by "variety". Sure, no one says the units were drastically different, but they could at least have different models and more unique stats, as well as truly unique units. As it is, the only difference is colour (and minor stat variations, apparently). Where is the splendour of the different infantry and cavalry leib guard regiments (and other elite units)?
If you think I'm being picky, I'm just pointing out things that they could've done better (being professional developers and having the example of EB and other community mods).

[Sir Beane]

Compare the unit rosters of ETW and EB. That's what I mean by "variety". Sure, no one says the units were drastically different, but they could at least have different models and more unique stats, as well as truly unique units. As it is, the only difference is colour (and minor stat variations, apparently). Where is the splendour of the different infantry and cavalry leib guard regiments (and other elite units)?
If you think I'm being picky, I'm just pointing out things that they could've done better (being professional developers and having the example of EB and other community mods).

To be fair to CA modders don't have to come up with their engine and their game mechanics from scratch. They therefore have a lot more time to work on models and textures and can come up with greater variety.

I wish CA had added in differently uniformed regiments and more variation. I understand why they didn't however. Mods ar eusually good for adding in variety, and I'm sure that we will see some excellent mods that do just that .

[vladiator]

My guess it that civilisations that existed in ancient times were much more isolated from each other and, therefore, their military practices evolved separately and uniquely. This is why in early periods, armies had rather different types of troop.

You can also see what happens when one civilisation spreads its culture -- following Alexander's campaign, other countries started using some kind of phalanx.

By the 18th century, European countries were much less isolated. Due to the cultural ties, their military started looking similar to each other.

Take Peter the Great, for example. His reform of the Russian army was influenced by the Prussian military. He even dressed them similarly.