Subsequent TW games.

[Jxrc]

Hi eveyone,
I have'nt posted anything here for quite a while as I had ceased to play any TW game since RTW came out (yes shame on me but my new computer could no longer handle the map of MTW... :(( )
Recently got my hands on discount copies of MTWII, Empire and NTW and thought I gave you my two cents for anyone interested (posted here since the original MTW remains the best one IMHO).
MTWII: same flaws as RTW basically with the addition that the strategic map is overcrowded ... If you keep the option "watch computer moves" on you're in for a treat ... Battles seems even more weird than in RTW especially since it's almost impossible to see who is shooting arrows at whom ... Not a very good game thus (but you can get it for about €5 now) Got the kingdom extension but I have not tested it yet ... Since it's the RTW engine decreasing the rebel/brigand spawning rate is really a must ...
Empire: really enjoyable. Strategic map is clear and, provided your computer is powerful enough, following AI moves does not slow down the game at all. Naval battles are quite nice and diplomacy does makes some sense up to a point (until you get too strong and all AI factions gang against you as in all TW games). Only disappointment was the battle AI which is rather stupid as it is usually happy shooting at your infantry while being slaughtered by cannister shots. Very enjoyable game nonetheless.
Napoleon: biggest disappointment so far as I can't get past my dislike of the strategic map. IMHO it's just horrible with a grim atmosphere ... I have tried five or six times to start a campaign but I gave up each time after a few turns ...The weird thing is that I was really looking forward to playing NTW as I love that period of history.

Conclusion: nothing tops the original MTW so far. But Empire is really good. Would love to hear your views on the above (or any suggestions to deal with the issues I have with NTW and MTWII if I have missed a trick).

That's it for me happy MTWarring to all (and happy new year BTW)

[drone]

Welcome back, Jxrc.

The switch to the new strat map turned me off as well. I tried to enjoy RTW when it came out, but it just felt like a job micromanaging the pieces around and there were just too many game breakers for it to be enjoyable. The patches and mods have helped, but I just can't into it. Med2 had the same overall flaws with the campaign map, and Kingdoms was a non-starter for me with the Securom nonsense. The Napoleanic era just doesn't interest me (too many guns, I think).

I've played some Shogun 2. While it still has the new strategic map, I think the AI handles it better because the terrain limits it's options and it can make smarter moves. But I still prefer MTW. Get off my lawn?

[Jxrc]

Thanks Drone .
The weird thing with MTWII is that borders seem to exist for information purpose only and you end up with foreign armies playfully roaming your land without authorisation or a war breaking out (don't think it was the same in RTW but that's a long time ago and my memory is not what it used to be) I even have an "allied" army sitting on the bridge outside Venice preventing me from getting an unit or agent out .... At least they took care if that in ETW ...
PS: BTW the translation of "If I werent playing games Id be killing small animals at a higher rate than I am now" would be "Si je ne jouais à des jeux, je tuerais de petits animaux à un rythme plus élevé que je ne le fais actuellement".

[I of the Storm]

I agree. ETW was so far the best I've gotten since old MTW (although some mods for RTW were quite appealing and improving the original). Especially the re-indtroduction of faction re-emergences was a good idea.

[dickey1331]

Ive played RTW and hated it. Havent played anything else. I just really enjoy MTW.

[Nagnar]

I haven't played RTW but I've watched a few MP battles on YouTube and the time commanders TV show and the thing that struck me was the battles felt like an arcade game or a Hollywood movie - Things like cavalry impaling on spears, sending infantry without spears/on the flanks of spears flying and battles resolving near instantly with the losing side being massacred with barely half a dozen routers.
Did not like, and combined with the fact that MTW2 uses the same engine as RTW and all the complaints about the strategy map being even WORSE than MTW1, I'm not impressed with the sequels/not going to get any of them.