Heart of the Matter , Is RTW good value for $?

[mxlm]

To compare Rome with MTW (one of the greatest strategy games of all time) is a joke. Even if you ignored all the bugs in Rome, the fact remains that the battlefield AI is a steaming pile of plop.

...And Medieval's isn't?

The sole aspect of MTW's AI that was superior was the strategic AI. It actually used concentrated forces. Because it has to. Because that's how the strategic map is designed

But the battlefield AI? Heh. I picked up the battlepack a few weeks ago, because I'd heard on these boards, so often, that MTW was better.

And, erm, it isn't. First battle I played, the AI proceeded to march its melee infantry right up to my line of four longbow units...and dress its lines. While its troops were falling by the dozen with each arrow volley, it took the time to adjust its facing, make some minor changes to its formation, and so on. By the time it stopped, the infantry had already begun to break under the arrows. Not one of the AI's units reached my archers.

Yeah, that sure is stellar AI, right there *cough*

[SoxSexSax]

...And Medieval's isn't?

The sole aspect of MTW's AI that was superior was the strategic AI. It actually used concentrated forces. Because it has to. Because that's how the strategic map is designed

But the battlefield AI? Heh. I picked up the battlepack a few weeks ago, because I'd heard on these boards, so often, that MTW was better.

And, erm, it isn't. First battle I played, the AI proceeded to march its melee infantry right up to my line of four longbow units...and dress its lines. While its troops were falling by the dozen with each arrow volley, it took the time to adjust its facing, make some minor changes to its formation, and so on. By the time it stopped, the infantry had already begun to break under the arrows. Not one of the AI's units reached my archers.

Yeah, that sure is stellar AI, right there *cough*

I'm not going to argue with what you "found" but I am going to say that I have played MTW for hundreds of hours and know full well how much better its AI is. Frankly, it sounds as if you haven't played it very much (let me guess, you saw this at the start of an English campaign after bribing the Welsh army, right?) Wait until the computer actually has some decent units, and MTW's AI will show up Rome's, I assure you.

[sunsmountain]

Even if you ignored all the bugs in Rome, the fact remains that the battlefield AI is a steaming pile of plop.

That relative 'fact' is easily countered by the fact that the graphics of MTW look like a streaming pile of plop. Literally. Not to mention twice the cultures, twice the factions, twice the diversity in units, etc.

Buy RTW.

[A.Saturnus]

I'm not going to argue with what you "found" but I am going to say that I have played MTW for hundreds of hours and know full well how much better its AI is. Frankly, it sounds as if you haven't played it very much (let me guess, you saw this at the start of an English campaign after bribing the Welsh army, right?) Wait until the computer actually has some decent units, and MTW's AI will show up Rome's, I assure you.

I have played MTW also for hundreds of hours and I don't think the AI was better. The AI in RTW has just more options to mess up. That's why it seems worse.

[SpencerH]

The AI in MTW was not brilliant. Whether the AI in RTW is truly better or worse is hard to judge since the battles are over so fast. As with MTW, the only close battles I've had have been fighting against overwhelming forces.

[player1]

The reason why RTW is not enough challenging is because bugs don't allow it to be more challenging.

If harder battle difficulty AI, would cheat as designed (having higher attack bonus), it would make battles more challenging.

If AI wouldn't go into passive state after loads, you would get more interesting campaign game.



Anyway, just these two things could greatly increase challanege rating of this game, without any improvement AI.

If these two things get fixed in expansion, I would buy it.

[Butcher]

That relative 'fact' is easily countered by the fact that the graphics of MTW look like a streaming pile of plop. Literally. Not to mention twice the cultures, twice the factions, twice the diversity in units, etc.

Buy RTW.

Yes, we know MTW has twice the cultures and unit diversity, and the graphics are not as good, but having re-installed it and played it again, it is a much more enjoyable game than RTW is AT THE MOMENT.
Rome has a lot of potential, but for me, the most important factor of FUN isn't there.
I am about to lose as the Poles in a High GA game to the damn Almohads. They own half of Europe (literally), it is going to be impossible for me to beat them, but I will try.
There has never been this much sense of 'hopeless fun' in RTW.
MTW has it's drawbacks yes, but it is fun to play, which for me, graphics or no, is the most important thing.

[Kekvit Irae]

I find it funny that people are praising the AI in MTW. There's really nothing to be praised about it.
The enemy stands 50 meters from a line of my Longbowmen army, watching the arrows land in them and their buddies. Sometimes they charge, and promptly get smacked down by a full volley from the second rank. They make no attempt to flank me, whereas the AI in RTW always tries to circle me using their cavalry.
Is this something you want to praise?