Play times ... MTW

[Martok]

I would say the majority of us MTW players go at a somewhat slower pace -- partially because blitzing the map just isn't most people's style, and partially because it's simply much easier to enjoy oneself when playing at a leisurely pace. I can say with a fair degree of certainty that most of us take at least a few weeks to play a campaign, if not months. (My games always last at least a month or more, which is not at all unusual.)

MTW *does* take a little while to learn, regardless of age (so you can't use that as an excuse! ). Even once you have figured out how to play, it's still not the type of game you can just rush through. After all, you're recreating history, which certainly takes some time.

Just remember that it isn't a race, Marcus_Gerald. There's no timer, and I can assure you no one will be surprised if you end up taking months to play a single campaign. In fact, I'll tell you quite frankly that many MTW players (including myself) don't even finish a lot of our campaigns -- we sometimes reach a point where our faction is so powerful that we know victory is inevitable, and so we don't always feel the need to play to the end. Either way, there's no need to feel that you need to win in a certain amount of time.

In the end, the most important thing is to simply enjoy yourself. It's the journey that matters, not the destination at the end.

[Marcus_Gerald]

Puzz3D, Verrucosus, Guildenstern, Martok ...

Thank You folks for all the great info and quick replies. I've made some notes and I understand it is going to take some time. I'll concentrate on enjoying the game and think less about time and the end game. I think I'll check out the guides and other helpful stuff here. I've also noted that age is no excuse. :)

I don't think I have Viking Invasion .. unless that is Barbarian Invasion? I got BI with RTW-Gold. Anyway, not a big deal as I can try and pickup / find - Viking Invasion.

I'll be around (mostly reading / learning) and I think maybe I'll start a new campaign soon and take my time with it. If it takes a few months, it takes a few months. I'll try and find VI and check out the mods as well.

If there is something here that all newbies should read before they start playing MTW, then please point me to it.

Thank You All .. Much appreciated !

(I've saved these post and made some notes.)

M_G

[Verrucosus]

The most helpful guide that I have found here is frogbeastegg's "Beginner's Guide to Medieval Total War". It is topped in the MTW Guides forum. It does not assume too much knowledge about the game beyond the contents of the manual and it is very enjoyable to read. However, it is certainly not required reading and, if you would prefer to explore a game on your own, it is comprehensive enough to spoil that part of the fun. On the other hand, I doubt that Medieval Total War is the kind of game that loses its attraction once you learn how it works, so I would have a look at it.

Verrucosus

[Martok]

I don't think I have Viking Invasion .. unless that is Barbarian Invasion? I got BI with RTW-Gold. Anyway, not a big deal as I can try and pickup / find - Viking Invasion.

If you have MTW Battle Collection, MTW Gold Edition, or MTW Eras Edition, then it automatically includes the Viking Invasion expansion pack.

If you do only have vanilla MTW (that is, the original game minus the VI expansion), then my recommendation would be to pick up a copy of one of the editions I just listed -- they're a lot easier to find than a copy of just Viking Invasion, and they're usually the same price anyway.

If there is something here that all newbies should read before they start playing MTW, then please point me to it.

I second Verrucosus in recommending frogbeastegg's Beginners Guide to Medieval: Total War.

You don't necessarily *need* to look at it -- it's admittedly a somewhat long & dense read -- but you'll likely find it helpful to at least refer to it now and then. It's chock-full of useful information, as well as basic tips for new players.

[Marcus_Gerald]

Thanks Verrucosus .. I'll read the beginners guide. As far as my MTW manual goes, I loaned it with the game to a young man this past summer. He went off to school someplace and never returned them. I called his home and asked his parents if they would ask him about the game, as I would like to have it back. They never got back to me. So, I was at Walmart and picked up the game for $10.00. This wasn't anything but 2 CDs and No Manual.

I have a newer computer now and I had a heck of a time getting MTW to install. It kept asking me to insert the correct CD and once it worked, but quickly crashed back to the desktop. I did an uninstall / some temp-files cleaning / Registry cleaning / Shut everything down I could and did a reinstall. I guess I got it, but haven't applied the patch yet.

I wonder if there is an online Manual for MTW-1? The beginners guide mentioned reading it from cover to cover and then come back to the guide.

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Thanks for the info .. Martok

I'm looking around for them. Collectors Edition is rare and not available on most of the "buy" sites I have accounts with. mainly - Ebay & Amazon. Seen the Viking invasion Ex-pack for around $30.00 plus $3.00 or so for shipping.

Total War Eras -- £15.00 out of UK. (On Game UK.)
Medieval Battle Collection -- 20.99 US (Amazon)

Medieval: Total War Gold Edition -- a few of these CD & DVD versions and some as retail box set. Most seem to be UK versions. UK versions ok?
They sell for around $11.00 each. (meaning for both MTW & VI.) CD or DVD or does it even matter?

M_G

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