Empire Total War is coming... and an expansion too?

Mon Mar 23, 2009 3:21 pm

Franciscus wrote:Take it easy, guys. Just wait for 1 or 2 patches and then mods will surely turn this already fun game to a better one - just try DarthMod for RTW and Stainless steel for M2TW, to see what I mean
(and please, don't start with the usual - "it's unfair for CA to wait for modders to correct their games" rants. That's the way it is, fine with me. The truth is, TW games gave me and still give me many hours of good FUN)

I think I am free enough to say whatever I want about a game I bought :w00t:

... and that is that the game right is NOT fun... it is boring... you KNOW you will win it because the AI is DUMB. It is as simple as that. I paid for the game, so I am free to say that, even if you do not like it.

Even in the hardest levels, that the AI cheats like hell, it cannot do anything "sensitive". :blink:

There will be mods? there will be patches?... who knows... maybe yes, maybe no... let's hope yes! and PLENTY OF THEM!

TheDeadeye · Mon Mar 23, 2009 3:48 pm

Generalisimo wrote:I think I am free enough to say whatever I want about a game I bought ... and that is that the game right is NOT fun... it is boring... you KNOW you will win it because the AI is DUMB. It is as simple as that. I paid for the game, so I am free to say that, even if you do not like it.
Even in the hardest levels, that the AI cheats like hell, it cannot do anything "sensitive".

There will be mods? there will be patches?... who knows... maybe yes, maybe no... let's hope yes! and PLENTY OF THEM!

Umm he didn't tell you to not voice your opinions of the game for which you paid for as you clearly stated or has shown any disrespect towards your liberties. There is a difference between "reading what is written instead of reading what one wants to read but isn't necessarily written"

He merely suggested to hold onto the game (if you wish) and wait for the patches and mods to maybe enhance the game further.

Mon Mar 23, 2009 4:08 pm

TheDeadeye wrote:Umm he didn't tell you to not voice your opinions of the game for which you paid for as you clearly stated or has shown any disrespect towards your liberties. There is a difference between "reading what is written instead of reading what one wants to read but isn't necessarily written"

He merely suggested to hold onto the game (if you wish) and wait for the patches and mods to maybe enhance the game further.

I think I can read very well, you do not need to explain me what he said.

If you just took a bit of time to follow the thread from the beggining, you will have noticed that he already told us the same, even went further away saying "stop bashing CA" :w00t:

... and I replied the same.

Let's just say that it is something that comes "from the past", an "old discussion"... he tells us to stop criticizing the game, to give it some more time, to take it easy, etc and I tell him I am free to continue criticizing it

... I supose it is merely because I expected much more from this game in the end. So, the "discussion" is more or less like a "mini-game" between us right now.

That's why you see my reply to him full of "smilies"

If I was really "angry" about what he was saying, there are enough smilies around to express my "angryness". :grr:

Let's just hope CA release a GOOD patch soon so I can really play the game

arty:

Franciscus · Mon Mar 23, 2009 4:20 pm

Peace

TheDeadeye · Mon Mar 23, 2009 4:23 pm

Generalisimo wrote:I think I can read very well, you do not need to explain me what he said.
If you just took a bit of time to follow the thread from the beggining, you will have noticed that he already told us the same, even went further away saying "stop bashing CA" ... and I replied the same.
Let's just say that it is something that comes "from the past", an "old discussion"... he tells us to stop criticizing the game, to give it some more time, to take it easy, etc and I tell him I am free to continue criticizing it ... I supose it is merely because I expected much more from this game in the end. So, the "discussion" is more or less like a "mini-game" between us right now.
That's why you see my reply to him full of "smilies"
If I was really "angry" about what he was saying, there are enough smilies around to express my "angryness".

Let's just hope CA release a GOOD patch soon so I can really play the game arty:

Oh I have read the entire thread Generalissimo and I didn't intend to step on your toes or anybody's for that matter when I posted my comment. I wasn't aware, besides there was no way of me knowing in the first place, that you guys have an insider friendly feud going on between each other.

Besides Generalissimo, I did not question your reading skills in particular, just stating a common truth that is applicable everywhere.

I hope this hasn't antagonized us in any way

and if so, well I'm ready to settle it ETW duel style if necessary

Mon Mar 23, 2009 4:55 pm

TheDeadeye wrote:Oh I have read the entire thread Generalissimo and I didn't intend to step on your toes or anybody's for that matter when I posted my comment. I wasn't aware, besides there was no way of me knowing in the first place, that you guys have an insider friendly feud going on between each other.

Besides Generalissimo, I did not question your reading skills in particular, just stating a common truth that is applicable everywhere.

I hope this hasn't antagonized us in any way and if so, well I'm ready to settle it ETW duel style if necessary

Duel accepted! Make your choice now! :grr:

[CENTER]

OR

[/CENTER]

ironwarrior · Tue Mar 24, 2009 2:50 am

Headshot! omg Aaron Burr was teh haxxor!

What? you guys are playing on Steam right?

I wish I was good at paintshop... would love to make an ETW box art with the guy wearing Gordon Freeman glasses. :thumbsup:

Bo Rearguard · Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:52 am

ironwarrior wrote:I wish I was good at paintshop... would love to make an ETW box art with the guy wearing Gordon Freeman glasses.

I dunno...he comes off a bit like Austin Powers.

So I take it that this is one of those games rich in eye candy and a bit lacking in depth? :neener:

Gray_Lensman · Wed Mar 25, 2009 2:43 pm

deleted

Evren · Wed Mar 25, 2009 3:04 pm

Well, for those who are interested, check out IronDuke's explanation about the AI problems of the TW series in Matrixgames forums :

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2041327 (post 23)

If this rumor has any truth, it is really sad for the gaming industry :blink:

.

I really wanted to like the series, and i'm not a hardcore wargamer or something, but i always had difficulty in "dumbing myself down" to be able to enjoy the games, no matter how fascinating the graphics were.

Wed Mar 25, 2009 3:24 pm

Franciscus wrote:Peace

After re-reading my last two posts, I will "defend" this game again, just for the record, so no ghost-poster uses my comments (or other people comments in this thread) as a "defamation" of CA. :w00t:

The game looks AWESOME. The looks in every aspect (campaign map, battle map, etc, etc) are just incredible and it is really a step forward from the last game that was already impressive. The ship to ship battle are worth seeing in detail, even the "clone" looking of the soldiers can be avoided if you use the right zoom and the battles will look AWESOME too (some people complain that all the soldiers faces look the same, but really, you can live with that and your video card will thank you for that

).

Also, just for the record, I never had any CTD.. and that's worth mentioning in these days. :thumbsup:

So, why I complained about this game?... really, you can understand it if you read my posts, but just in case you missed anything, my complain goes directly against the strategic AI, that, after being owner of a copy of most of their games (Shogun, Medieval II, Rome), I expected it to be a bit more "clever" than the current state.

Would I really be thinking that CA sells "bad" games and create this thread as a "defamation"? :blink:

... I think I own most of their games right now (if you count expansions too I think I am missing 1 or 2) :w00t:

... really, incredible... :bonk:

So, if you think you can have fun with the current state of the strategic AI, buy this game, you will not regret it. On the other hand, if you want a real challenge on the stratregic side, then my recommendation will be to wait a bit, for a patch or a mod that solves the issues first (whatever comes first).
Of course, if you are a "console player" and "just want graphics", you should have already own a copy of this game, the artists work is incredible (if your video card supports it

)... and I supose modders can add a lot to the game in the future!... the potential is great. :coeurs:

So, in the end, what's my course of action?... sit tight and wait for patches and mods to come to really enjoy the game...

Sadly, I expected a bigger challenge on the strategic side and was disappointed by that...

Wed Mar 25, 2009 3:31 pm

Evren wrote:Well, for those who are interested, check out IronDuke's explanation about the AI problems of the TW series in Matrixgames forums :

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2041327 (post 23)

If this rumor has any truth, it is really sad for the gaming industry .

I really wanted to like the series, and i'm not a hardcore wargamer or something, but i always had difficulty in "dumbing myself down" to be able to enjoy the games, no matter how fascinating the graphics were.

I must say that something like that doesn't surprise me if you look at the "console games market"... most of them look the same (a lot of GTA clones out there, FPS that doesn't have any kind of story just get out there and shoot like crazy, etc, etc)... just with a lot of stunning graphic but without much content/story. Games like Fallout 3 are hard to get in a console... yes, I love that game. :thumbsup:

On the other hand, in my opinion, PC-players are harder to get "just with graphics"... they are used to have more "content" on their games... but I supose that right now there is a market for everything. :bonk:

In the end, it all depends on WHO sets the release date... maybe to meet the release date, something couldn't be completed in time... things like that happen everytime with every game that is released.
For us customers, we can be happy if the game is good with patches and mods... then we will have fun in the end :thumbsup:

... and that's all that matters, TO HAVE FUN! :thumbsup:

Flop · Wed Mar 25, 2009 11:47 pm

Generalisimo wrote:Also, just for the record, I never had any CTD.. and that's worth mentioning in these days.

I didn't have any CTD's either, untill I installed the newest patch earlier today. 15 minutes later I experienced my first crash...

Concerning the AI, it is indeed very dumb. Not only that, but it cheats blatantly. Usually I don't mind if the AI cheats a little, if it makes the game more fun and challenging (which it doesn't in this case), but I hate it when it's obvious to the player that the AI cheats. Like when the enemy regiments starts to run away as soon as I load my cannons with shrapnel, only to start advancing again the second I switch the cannons back to regular cannon balls. How can those guys tell, from a distance of several hundred meters, what I'm putting in my cannons?

tagwyn · Thu Mar 26, 2009 12:33 am

Guys: Are we pushing crummy games? We have AGEOD games to play guys!! I haven't bought it and probably won't. t :mdr:

ironwarrior · Thu Mar 26, 2009 3:34 am

Gray_Lensman wrote:Not me... The endless wait for patches to Medieval II Total War drove me away from them never to return and resulted in my searching for a new game a couple of years ago... Now I wonder what "new" game that turned out to be?

exactly... you can imagine my surprise when I first came to this forum and posted a trivial database name error in an ageod game and got a response within an hour. :thumbsup:

Didn't mean to put anyone on the spot... I'll stop now- just trying to have a laugh.

Geez... I feel like Pinocchio trying to critique a game company.

Hohenlohe · Thu Mar 26, 2009 10:21 am

ironwarrior wrote:exactly... you can imagine my surprise when I first came to this forum and posted a trivial database name error in an ageod game and got a response within an hour.

Didn't mean to put anyone on the spot... I'll stop now- just trying to have a laugh.

Geez... I feel like Pinocchio trying to critique a game company.

I had feeled the same as I got some application errors with BOA after starting the game.I got an answer from PhilThib and from Pocus and some decent help in less than a hour-So subsequently I stayed tuned with AGEOD and therefore make propaganda for them and bought all four major titles and even WWI from them and have absolutely NO reason to regret it or to complain.

But with CA it is another thing.I bought the whole bunch of the TW games but always experienced the same.Only with the upcoming Mods most of them are fully playable and challenging.
I bought ETW at release and even ordered a cheaper Special Forces edition via ebay.co.uk but now I have seen the resonance the reactions of the fans in the totalwar forum and have seen some of the problems in my own gameplay.After the former main patch a week ago or so on I was not able to play anymore.Only after deleting a corrupted file: preferences.empire-script which was later reseted via steam I was able to play the campaign with different factions.But it was no big challenge at no level.The AI still made no naval landings.I got this only onetime with a french force occupying a pirate town,but nethertheless not even with the Brits or any other european faction as I played the Maratha in India.Often enough I got some wierd declaration of war by one-province nations against my russians or my ottomans and therefore it was easy for me to beat them.Very often the enemy factions attack only some resource depots or the small towns but seldom my provincial capital.And if that happens accidently the AI often leave the city very weakly defended,so I could recapture the city and the province totally easy.The ETW AI is totally dumb.After all I have never seen so a lot of complains and rants about a game before.I personally was disappointed about the total lack of communication between devs and community like this time about this game.And now I was totally disappointed because I am not able to play my saves like before after the last patch.What a pity that I have spent nearly €100.- for both versions and now I can't play anymore without seeing a white screen after starting it over steam.
If this had happened to me with the last AGEOD game I would never buy anything from them anymore,but truely this will never happen to us.But it happened to me with ETW and so I decided as many before me to tell them the truth and that I will never buy any game from them and SEGA because of the bad shape the game has on release.I promised them that in about two years no one would ever talk anymore about them because they lost so heavy in the confidence of their fanbase and community.
I feeled myself treated like a moneycow and not as a trusted customer.
I personally have not much hope that they are able to address all bugs in the next time as one of the devs has told during an interview at IGN that they have not beta-tested it thoroughly thru before release and so it is a shame that they released the game so early only to satisfy their investors.

I want to thank both Philippes and their team for their wonderful commitment to their games and to us your community.You have always treated us -your fans- with respect and trust and confidence and with your amazing support and I promise you that in the next years you will earn the profits of that good behaviour and that you will have much more success as before... :thumbsup:

greetings

Hohenlohe :coeurs:

Clovis · Sat Apr 04, 2009 7:19 am

Adolf's review of ETW:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCunixAzHOA

Gray_Lensman · Sat Apr 04, 2009 1:36 pm

deleted

Sat Apr 04, 2009 5:38 pm

Clovis wrote:Adolf's review of ETW:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCunixAzHOA

AWESOME

TiFlo · Sat Apr 04, 2009 6:36 pm

I was going to argue that this scene has been overused for all kinds of complaining, but it is indeed well done, and quite sharp :thumbsup:

Christophe.Barot · Sat Apr 04, 2009 6:45 pm

and the best part is i understand part of what he really says :thumbsup:

don't make me flle like buying the game ... too bad, i like the subject

dooya · Sat Apr 04, 2009 7:16 pm

Same "reviewer" speaks about STEAM: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjnc4jqWa_w&feature=related

:niark:

GoldSabre · Sun Apr 12, 2009 12:17 am

I've been playing Total War for over 6 years. I was a bit unhappy with the demo of ETW, so I am waiting some time to purchase it. It lacked the same flow and crispness as did M2, that Rome had.
I know that my friends in the Clan des Grognards are already modding it for better play and realism.
The point of comparison between an AGEoD game and TW is obvious. TW lacks the depth of AGEOD games. As I am an avid multiplayer in TW the RTS aspect is important, but game mechanics-wise it seems more of intuition and/or player's coordination than actual strategy. imho

GoldSabre · Fri Apr 17, 2009 3:09 am

I don't know if it has been mentioned but as a matter of replay value, A mod of Med 2 called For King or Country has long been finished. It is a mod of the English civil war.

Hohenlohe · Fri Apr 17, 2009 4:49 am

Clovis wrote:Adolf's review of ETW:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCunixAzHOA

Never laughed so heartful...

greetings

Hohenlohe

arsan · Tue Apr 21, 2009 10:25 pm

Another nice review (not as funny as Adolf H. one

, but very interesting)

The Wargamer Empire: Total War - A Grognards Perspective
http://www.wargamer.com/article/2688/empire-total-war-a-grog%27s-perspective

Enjoy and learn about how wars were fought on the XVIII century :thumbsup:

Regards

dooya · Wed Apr 22, 2009 7:17 am

arsan wrote:Another nice review (not as funny as Adolf H. one , but very interesting)

The Wargamer Empire: Total War - A Grognards Perspective
http://www.wargamer.com/article/2688/empire-total-war-a-grog%27s-perspective

Enjoy and learn about how wars were fought on the XVIII century
Regards

Funny:

Honestly, I’ve been there myself. When I was stationed in Europe and was starting my adventure into miniatures wargaming, I got a chance to phone Minifigs UK to order 12 packs of Roman Legionaries in 15mm. I actually got the owner on the phone who replied, "So do you want early Etruscan Roman, Velites, Hastatus, Princeps, Triari with spear, Triari with Pilum, Late Republic, Augustin, 1st Century, Early 2d Century, Mid 2d Century, Late 2d Century, 3d Century, 4th century, 5th century or 3d/early 4th century Praetorians?" I flustered a bit and replied I was looking for the Romans who carried the rectangular shields. The owner responded, "OK, you want the Hollywood Romans."

Hinkel · Wed May 13, 2009 11:49 pm

For all who owns Empire Total War.. Have a look at my mod:
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=257072

With the help of some Ageod Artwork it gets the perfect touch hehe.
Thank you Pocus and the rest of the team for your cool offer and help! :thumbsup:

Sadly, there will be no new version for the mod, cause we joined another civil war mod team and they don't like the Ageod artwork

.. (So I will not advertise the other mod hehe).

So have a look, I like some feedback

Thu May 14, 2009 4:14 pm

They don't know what they lose

RELee · Mon May 25, 2009 4:36 pm

I quit the Total War series after I got Rome. I loved the game, once I downloaded the hack that let me play without the CD being in my drive. The game plays out nicely, but I really, really hate game companies that use copy-protection and require me to have the CD in the drive to play.

I think it's just a part of my grumpy nature, and I have made a promise to myself to avoid such companies ever again.

This means I'm pretty much restricted to Paradox, Stardock and AGEod at the moment. All the others are now a part of a self-imposed off-limits. It's not always easy to hold to this. Sometimes the temptation grows strong, but then I remember how much trouble I had playing CivIV before I downloaded the no-CD hack. The game was unplayable for me because the copy-protection caused my CD to get into some sort of read loop that never quit (yes, I have the latest CD drivers for my laptop). Every time I remember that incident, my resolve stays strong.

So, stay the course people. I'm really looking forward to VGN! :thumbsup:

Empire Total War is coming... and an expansion too?

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