RTW Alexander - Pros and Cons

[edyzmedieval]

I recently received for Christmas Total War Eras, something that I really wanted to buy for a long time. A must for any TW fanatic. (oh yeah, and I've been called "obsessed" too ).

So, I proudly installed RTW Alexander, to see how this small 500MB expansion pack would add more flavour to the RTW game.

I started my first game very excited, to see what this game can bring new. I started on VH/VH, the typical setting I use on all of my RTW campaigns. But surprise surprise, after I took almost all of my available troops and recruited every mercenary possible, and "grouped" Alexander and Parmenion, I click end turn. Memnon comes with his stack, and attacks me. He gets killed and defeated.

I moved on to Halicarnassus. Took it after 3 turns. After 1 turn of resting and resupplying, I receive the unpleasant visit of 3 full Persian stacks. Later, after some reconaissance, they were actually 4 and a half.

I get smacked really hard the next turn, as I only had 1 and a half stacks full, and even after training and retraining, I barely manage to get almost 2 full stacks, Parmenion and Alexander. The 3 and a half stacks attack me, my phalanx has been completely wiped out, Parmenion wiped completely and Alexander dies. THE END.

Got me a really powerful shock. Having to fight against almost 4 stacks is something that I never have experienced in my RTW life before. I love these kinds of stuff, I love big bloody battles. But 4 stacks!! This is more like unpleasant-pleasant. Unpleasant because how the **** am I gonna conquer the whole of Persia in 90 turns with 3 stacks every time waiting to bang my head. Pleasant because it was finally time that something like this, something very exciting for Total War veterans.

I restarted the campaign and I took it more carefully this time. I killed Memnon, took Halicarnassus, wiped 2 stacks at the Halicarnassus province bridge. I have now 2 full stacks, and I'm preparing to lift the Halicarnassus siege. 2 v 2, 3300 Persians vs 2800 Greeks and Macedonians. This should be really bloody, and after using a little cheat(toggle_fow), the next 2-3 turns are clear since no full stacks are near.

***Pros***

- very adrenaline pumping, small but I feel it's specifically created for Total War veterans
- time limit, which is a bit annoying, but it makes you want to take the big trophy more
- focuses specifically on battles and strategies, and less on management
- nice thing for keeping Alexander alive, makes it even harder

---Cons---

- no diplomats - very bad thing, Alexander relied heavily on diplomats
- campaign map - looks horrible
- too many Gaugamelas, I mean you fight a Gaugamela every time, and your army gets seriously depleted and you barely have spare money or no money at all!!!
- not a very big diversity when it comes to army units, which dissapointed me frankly


So, for the ones who have Alexander and played it end enjoyed it, thumbs up. For those who don't, you're not a Total War true fan.

[econ21]

It's an intriguing expansion, with lots of potential and challenge.

The two biggest cons for me were:

(a) the battles were too fast paced: the Persians would often melt on meeting my phalanx line, insta-routing.
(b) you have to exterminate to keep your head above water (felt like Timurlane, not Alexander).

I created a mini-mod to tweak these two things:

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showp...57&postcount=1

It only changes the text files, and only in very limited ways, so if you dislike (a) and (b), you might like it.

[edyzmedieval]

Sounds nice. I'll give it a try.

Anyhow, I'm gonna be looking to mod Alexander myself, since I hate the extermination of Diplomats(unhistorical) and somehow, the archers to me are off limits!!!

Plus, Companions are waaay too powerful, so is Alexander. But, battles on VH/VH are extremely hard, since the game gives the enemy different bonuses which shouldn't be there. It's fun after all, makes a difference to see who's a TW fan and veteran.

[Roman_Man#3]

I am making a mod called Megas Alexandros. Check it out in the forge. If you want to help, you are more than welcome.

And with Econ's consent, his mini-mod will be included.