To 1.2 or not to 1.2? That is the question.

[SpencerH]

After RTW I was determined not to buy M2TW until some time had passed and reviews were in. Based on the types of comments I've seen, it doesnt appear that M2TW is any (or much of) an improvement on RTW. Despite my resolve, I recently broke down and finally purchased the game.

Again, based on the comments here at the org, it doesnt appear to me that 1.2 is a very completed version. So, given that I want to give M2TW the best chance of being a success for me, should I wait for v1.3 (when will it be out?) or play 1.2, with the possibility that I will be disappointed by the bugs and say goodbye to TW forever.

Keep in mind I loved STW and MTW but hated RTW (with its emphasis on style v substance).

[sapi]

If you've got the game, there's no reason to play without 1.2

I'd be tempted to say play it with 1.2 anyway - it's definitely not perfect, but if you keep waiting for the next patch you'll never be satisfied...

Any major issues you have with the game's style are unlikely to be fixed by a patch, anyway.

[Noir]

You might get some of "your money back" through modifications - there are quite a few out - experience says though that they mature about 2 years after initial game release. However, i agree with Sapi - if the style of the game doesn't apply to your taste then no patch will make you happy. For all intents and purposes M2 is to RTW what MTW was to STW: an improved version.

Many Thanks

Noir

[redriver]

but. why are ppl comparin' m2tw to RTW? wouldn't it be more fair to compare to the original MTW instead? besides the graphics and performance there's no point really. I don't think RTW was bad given the period it was set in. don't compare apples to oranges compare m2 to m1 TW IMO.

[SpencerH]

but. why are ppl comparin' m2tw to RTW? wouldn't it be more fair to compare to the original MTW instead? besides the graphics and performance there's no point really. I don't think RTW was bad given the period it was set in. don't compare apples to oranges compare m2 to m1 TW IMO.

I'm not ignoring your comment but I dont want to get into RTW bashing (I did that enough while it was a current game - to no noticable effect).

[Bijo]

I have reinstalled M2TW and finally applied the second patch. I am not much impressed. However, it appears to be a "better" version than any of its previous ones.

The download required much time as the patch's size is roughly similar to that of a CD. The question to put forth is whether appliance of the patch is beneficial enough. If I am to answer this, 'no' would outweigh 'yes'.

After RTW I was determined not to buy M2TW until some time had passed and reviews were in. Based on the types of comments I've seen, it doesnt appear that M2TW is any (or much of) an improvement on RTW. Despite my resolve, I recently broke down and finally purchased the game.

Thus far -- personally -- I think RTW (1.5) better than M2TW (1.2), and here is a certain logic thereto as a '1.5' > a '1.2' or at least that is to be.

[SpencerH]

I have reinstalled M2TW and finally applied the second patch. I am not much impressed. However, it appears to be a "better" version than any of its previous ones.

The download required much time as the patch's size is roughly similar to that of a CD. The question to put forth is whether appliance of the patch is beneficial enough. If I am to answer this, 'no' would outweigh 'yes'.


Thus far -- personally -- I think RTW (1.5) better than M2TW (1.2), and here is a certain logic thereto as a '1.5' > a '1.2' or at least that is to be.

Luckily for me a cd sized download is not an issue for me. I dont remember what version of RTW I gave up on. It was certainly after playing the bigger mods (none of which could save the poor gameplay IMO).

[Bijo]

Luckily for me a cd sized download is not an issue for me. I dont remember what version of RTW I gave up on. It was certainly after playing the bigger mods (none of which could save the poor gameplay IMO).

I find RTW 1.5 very playable and well done. In fact, I would enjoy it more than M2TW 1.2, truly. But M2TW 1.2 is (or can be) adequately enjoyable either way. What Rhedd says must be heeded, though. It is advisable to not check any information regarding the patches, etc., and simply play the game. There are still certain (minor) issues to be resolved, but it will be so soon enough.

[PapaNasty]

I thoroughly enjoyed RTW, BI and the alexander add-ons. And I also really enjoy M2TW.

Basically, you have to take a game for what it IS, not what YOU think it should be (or could be). Simple fact, this is how it is. In the first few "versions" (i.e RTW and M2TW) of a new game engine, there are always going to be bugs and things people don't like. Thats just the way it is. The OP sounds like he's already made up his mind not to like the game, which is understandable looking at some of the threads on this forum

Myself, i really didn't noticed many of the bugs in patch 1.02 of M2TW at all until I bothered to look in the forum, then they became apparent, but nothing at all that was game-breaking. I can't even see why people say that defending settlements is nearly impossble because you can't place units properly, because I have no issues doing that. Sure, some things are not realistic, but the game would be pretty boring if it was

I would suggest, for the OP, that as he has the game, try it. Its a waste of money to have it sit on the shelf waiting for patch 1.3, which really will not change much in terms of the gameplay of the game engine. Also, don't expect 1.3 or even the Kingdoms expansion to be the answer to your dreams for this game, or you will be disappointed and probably will give up on the TW series.

Find a game style that suits you, understand the game limitations, because every game has limitations, and you will enjoy it. Also, like others have said, a good mod can work wonders and really increase the value of the game. I myself tried LTC and DLV mods, and they are great, but i think that Stainless Steel really is the best. It keeps the game close to Vanilla, but adds things that I think should have been in the original game from the start.

I've also seen the game do things with the SS mod that vanilla never did (Scotland taking taking Ireland, Antwerp and Bruges, and invading Denmark...anyone? plus other things like it).

[SpencerH]

If you've got the game, there's no reason to play without 1.2

I'd be tempted to say play it with 1.2 anyway - it's definitely not perfect, but if you keep waiting for the next patch you'll never be satisfied...

Any major issues you have with the game's style are unlikely to be fixed by a patch, anyway.

Hmmm. I didnt mean that I would play 1.0 instead of 1.2. Rather that I'd wait and play 1.3 instead of 1.2 in order to avoid what appear to be some pretty big bugs with 1.2 (now that I've got it in my hands I'm finding the idea of waiting a little more time to be possible).

I agree that gameplay issues are not normally addressed in patches but some bugs are "game enders" fo me.

[Odin]

After RTW I was determined not to buy M2TW until some time had passed and reviews were in. Based on the types of comments I've seen, it doesnt appear that M2TW is any (or much of) an improvement on RTW. Despite my resolve, I recently broke down and finally purchased the game.

Again, based on the comments here at the org, it doesnt appear to me that 1.2 is a very completed version. So, given that I want to give M2TW the best chance of being a success for me, should I wait for v1.3 (when will it be out?) or play 1.2, with the possibility that I will be disappointed by the bugs and say goodbye to TW forever.

Keep in mind I loved STW and MTW but hated RTW (with its emphasis on style v substance).

I didnt get RTW because I dont care for the roman period. I generally dont buy PC games anymore until well after release, a patch or two and complimentary mods.

As far as improvements, well I think MTW2 isnt going to evolve much more until the addon comes out, so pretty much what you see is what you get. Patch up to 1.2, get a mod (I reccommend LTC) and have a go.

Yeah, some of the AI stuff is hogwash, but to be blunt the total war games can be approached two ways. You can go "total war" from the get go and you will win, fast, 95% of the time with whatever faction you choose. Or you envoke some house rules for limited starting conquest.

You do the later, on VH VH and you'll get a decent game.

[SpencerH]

I didnt get RTW because I dont care for the roman period. I generally dont buy PC games anymore until well after release, a patch or two and complimentary mods.

As far as improvements, well I think MTW2 isnt going to evolve much more until the addon comes out, so pretty much what you see is what you get. Patch up to 1.2, get a mod (I reccommend LTC) and have a go.

Yeah, some of the AI stuff is hogwash, but to be blunt the total war games can be approached two ways. You can go "total war" from the get go and you will win, fast, 95% of the time with whatever faction you choose. Or you envoke some house rules for limited starting conquest.

You do the later, on VH VH and you'll get a decent game.

An interesting point. I actually play all TW games with 'house rules' that include not attacking a peaceful neighbor. The tactical AI has never been truely good enough to deal with aggressive players.

[Odin]

The tactical AI has never been truely good enough to deal with aggressive players.

This is still the case with MTW2.

Get 1.2 running, get LTC, take the turks on a long campaign and these house rules:

1. never dow a faction of the same religion

2. for the first 40 turns, dont dow AI factions at all

3. Dont do anything ridiculously out of faction charecter (Examples: occupying rebel held Dublin, making a treaty with the Pope whereby he pays you florins). You get the gist.

Keep it on h/vh and you should have a nice game.

[HoreTore]

Well, the major bugs were fixed by the 1.2 patch. What remains, are some minor issues as well as a harder difficulty.

Oh, and some unit rebalancing after the shield bug was fixed.

[danobnano]

cool

[SpencerH]

Well, the major bugs were fixed by the 1.2 patch. What remains, are some minor issues as well as a harder difficulty.

Oh, and some unit rebalancing after the shield bug was fixed.

A quick look at the 1.2 buglist/1.3 wishlist makes me disagree. The failure of CA to fix the annoying issues with the pursuit of routing troops (that drove me crazy in RTW) is enough alone to give me pause about playing this version.

[mtman]

I've had RTW since it came out, & then got M2TW. I played M2TW for a short while & went back to RTW & still playing it. To me some of the bugs are miner, i enjoy the game so much & played all the factions with delight. My very first RTW game, I played till I won 101 cites. Yes, it took a while. I play other games some times but always come back to RTW....

[HarunTaiwan]

After RTW I was determined not to buy M2TW until some time had passed and reviews were in. Based on the types of comments I've seen, it doesnt appear that M2TW is any (or much of) an improvement on RTW. Despite my resolve, I recently broke down and finally purchased the game.

That is exactly what happened to me. I am now playing 1.2 and I think it will provide about 2 months of fun, and then I will be back to Civ IV.

I am also disappointed in CA...650MB patch? Let's hope they figure out gameplay is more important than pretty graphics for the next iteration. And how about shipping a finished product, too?

It even steams me more when they have a good idea like the ancillaries but have them so bug riddled that private individuals have to fix them for them.