I tried RTW MTW2 ETW - Don't like "World Map" Interface

**kiwitt** · 12-27-2009, 19:52

I have returned after a long absence.

I've been playing/modding Civilisation IV for a couple of years after being a dedicated MTW player for nigh on 4 years and after buying / trying RTW / MTW2 / ETW the interface for the newer game leaves a lot to be desired. I even reloaded MTW2 a second time, just in case I was still wrong about them. I suppose it is the "World Map" in the newer game styles I do not like. I much preferred the STW/MTW interface. I lose nearly a third of the screen with the interface controls at the bottom and then the message banners fill the centre of the screen in the newer games. I have a 1920x1200 screen, but it is so in your face, it is off-putting. The other thing is the animated moving of units, it feels so childish. The STW/MTW felt more chess-like.

I now have a Windows 7 PC so I will see if MTW loads and runs OK on that, but I understand I will not be able to get much more resolution. I also played the XL 3 Mod

**Fagar** · 12-27-2009, 21:53

I have always maintained that the MTW map is by far the best...
The chess style moving is wonderful and the fact that the map is made to look and feel like grainy old parchment adds to the feel and atmosphere greatly...
This is a case where less fancy graphics means more....

**O'Hea** · 12-28-2009, 06:08

The newer Rome/Medieval II map offers a much better economic model than the old Shogun/Medieval one did, but strategically all it really does is reduce the number of field battles and up the number of sieges. And make it more difficult to move multi-stack armies. It aims for realism, but doesn't have the necessary level of detail for it to really be an improvement.

The Shogun/Medieval map was great because it was basically a board game. Everything was beautifully, elegantly simple and precise. But trade was broken and, since it was abstract, it never felt very realistic.

That being said, Medieval II has left me bored and jaded, and I miss the good ol' days.

**Mithrandir** · 12-28-2009, 12:40

The main thing which makes MTW and MTWII better than the other titles is the simple fact that the MTW titles have camels in them.

Other than that, I'd have to say I liked STW best for the atmosphere and balance and MTW best for multiplayer-playability.

**caravel** · 12-29-2009, 13:37

RTW has camels but they're scaled all wrong. Much too small for the rider.

**gollum** · 02-16-2010, 21:09

RTW and M2TW strategy maps have a different philosophy altogether. The main points are that the new interface is more accessible and introduces an additional strategy layer. Unfortunately the AI can't handle it well at all, even at the newest game (ETW) and struggles to no end to match the player that is given reign supreme. The chess like regions aided the AI and the game was far more challenging in that resepct for the player.

However the new interfaces have tonnes of potential, that unfortunately will stay unrealised because CA uses them primarily due to their accessibility to a wider audience and not really to make the game better.

**Pikenier** · 03-19-2010, 10:31

Originally Posted by kiwitt

The STW/MTW felt more chess-like.

I also like the older risk style. Both in good looking and being easier manageable during your turns. And these chess pieces look much better then the little men walking around on the map.
And I prefer the MTW sea transport system for naval invasions. Also that strategic units can walk everywhere a harbour exists. Not to mention the possibility to abandon your province when beeing outnumbered. In Rome or MedII your unit retreats two steps and you will be attacked in 9 out of 10 cases again in the same turn. That´s stupid.

**gollum** · 03-19-2010, 13:23

Medieval and Shogun are in the streak of board games. Rumor has it that Medieval was influenced by a now classic board game called Empires of the Middle Ages:
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardga...he-middle-ages

Indeed the interaction of pieces in the campaign map is more immediate and more strategic because the action is clearly and immediately interconnected by representing provinces as "squares". It is possible to perform strategic encirclements and cutoff enemy stacks as they retreat, defeating them without having to fight them all.

Many people have mentioned that the new system is best if the AI would understand it - however i have a feeling that the old representation woud anyway have its advantages.