Total War: Rome 2 Announced

[TinCow]

Maybe, but i remember very similar early information about ETW's system. It sounded good in theory but what we got was awful.

True, but ETW was clearly their low-point in a lot of respects (sales not being one of them). I think we all agree that CA pulled up their shorts for TWS2 and delivered a game which was one of the best showings, even if it wasn't perfect. For that reason, I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt on future refinements. In fact, they've already clearly made one change that I think is a huge improvement: traits for armies. It's unclear whether this will only apply to Roman Legions, or whether non-Roman factions will get it as well, but I really, really like the fact that they are making efforts to give individual armies their own flavor, not just generals.

[Monk]

True, but ETW was clearly their low-point in a lot of respects (sales not being one of them). I think we all agree that CA pulled up their shorts for TWS2 and delivered a game which was one of the best showings, even if it wasn't perfect.

Yes that is one thing we can both agree on. Shogun 2 stole my heart away and inspired me to write my first two TW related AARs in years. It captured my imagination in a way that I didn't think the TW series could anymore and i give CA all the credit in the world for that. I didn't mean to come off as Scrooge in my earlier posts. I'm skeptical, but very much intrigued.

For that reason, I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt on future refinements. In fact, they've already clearly made one change that I think is a huge improvement: traits for armies. It's unclear whether this will only apply to Roman Legions, or whether non-Roman factions will get it as well, but I really, really like the fact that they are making efforts to give individual armies their own flavor, not just generals.

It all depends on how far they go honestly, but there are some things about Rome 2 that sound absolutely fantastic and one of those is what you mentioned. In the Total War series the character leading the army has always endeared himself to me. The army was just the extension by which that character expressed himself on the battlefield. If they could somehow extend that characterization into the army itself, well.. Rome 2 could very well be the best game in the series. I am a huge fan of ANY game that takes on a life of its own in those ways. Shogun 2 did it with its eloquent yet simple RPG system for characters.

We'll have to see how things shape up. If they can somehow combine the macro organization of Empire with the micro elements of Shogun 2 I think we're all in for a real treat.