M2TW, does anyone like the original better

[The Unknown Guy]

If I had had the hardware to run Rome (let alone MTW2), I´d have moved there straightfoward from Shogun instead of looking for a cheap offer in Ebay of MTW:VI

[Caerfanan]

I'm stuck with MTW:VI, I love too much the viks! :-)

I started a Rome campaign yesterday. The game is fairly different. I don't have a real opinion yet, but the game seems to be different... so I don't think that I'll quit MTW:VI for M2TW which looks much like Rome (but lags too much on my computer...). I guess I could be playing both...

I'm not in the "mod mood" though... I still play vanilla.

[drone]

I have M2TW, but I need to upgrade my machine to fully appreciate it, so I'm waiting for now (also want it patched as much as possible). I did not like Rome, the battles were too quick and easy, and the campaign map was just a chore to deal with. I have no problems playing MTW for a while yet, and I'm even looking into getting STW, which I never played.

[Martok]

I still prefer MTW/VI over Medieval 2. Both are fun games, but I find that Medieval 2 simply doesn't capture the atmosphere of the original. M2 actually improves on certain elements (religion being a big one); but for me at least, it lacks the same level of immersion as its predecessor.

I can sum up my experience by repeating something I originally said about Rome: MTW makes me feel like I'm actually the ruler of a medieval kingdom; Medieval 2 feels like I'm just "playing a game".

[Budwise]

Thanks for your comments. I have moved over, I just came back and checked to see what people wrote. If you enjoy the older game stay with it. Rome didn't interest me either but M2TW has got my full attention.

[Odin]

I still prefer MTW/VI over Medieval 2. Both are fun games, but I find that Medieval 2 simply doesn't capture the atmosphere of the original. M2 actually improves on certain elements (religion being a big one); but for me at least, it lacks the same level of immersion as its predecessor.

I agree with Martok, for now. Having recently converted over to MTW2 and not played RTW the curve is steep. I agree with Martok that it just dosent grab me as capturing the atmosphere.

In defence of 2, i will say that we are comparing a polished MTW VI that has the benefit of extensive patching and user feedback. MTW2 is still a teething child that has some growing pains to get through. I see through the haze a great game emerging, the religion aspect (particularly the pope) is an upgrade, and diplomacy has the potential to be potent with some tweeks to AI behavor and a user mod.

Overall the battle AI seems lag behind MTW VI (XL Mod) as its simply rare in the 7 or so battles I have played in 2 that i ever feel in real trouble. The AI isnt able to muster much in the way of quality units. Additionally, the lack of factions at start lends to land grabs and I find the AI over stretched early and it takes a concerted effort by the player to wait until the catch up. By then your churning out specialized units because you have cities specialized...

So the short answer is comparing a baby to its older brother isnt really fair until the 2nd child grows up. MTW VI with the XL mod, today, to me is a better game.

[Caliburn]

The games are very different, and both (and even Rome, not to mention Shogun) can be quite enjoyable. It's a good thing that there is really no need to choose between them, though my hardware doesn't really keep up with the battle graphics. Both are flexible when it comes to playing style but very differently. In VI there were glory goals, raking in the cash with a tiny faction and developing only a few regions, while in M2 developing trade is dirt easy, and developing other aspects of a region isn't so central (short building times, no REAL need to specialize, if you manage the income).

Spreading out and collecting new lands is the most important thing in the long run. But then again, you can butter the Pope as well as all the other factions, use Assassins in creative ways. (After the nasty Hungarians, my allies, captured Constantinople it is easy enough to sabotage all the order-enhancing buildings and maybe even the chrusader himself - wait a few turns, after standing a stack of quality troops to create more morale penalty and presto! Rebellion, and the city of cities is ready for the taking).

Great games, but I still see myself returning to MTW:VI after some 5 years, whereas I'm not so sure about M2. But that might just be nostalgia or something, like preferring Super Mario (8 bit) over whatever they have these days (not like in the good old days...)

[Ignoramus]

I agree with what Martok said. M2 just doesn't have the immersion of the original. Also, although I feel challenged in battles, they are not really of any consequence if I lose them. The AI is horrible in following up after its victories, and as such it's pretty hard to lose.