Eclectic Dreck said:
Rome for me.
Though empire has proven fairly entertaining. My problem with that game is the fact that the computer AI had difficulty defeating a static prepared defense because they NEVER seem to invest in morters nor do they attempt to flank. Generally they just up to the line through shot and shell only to arrive and meet a wall of cannister shot. While they do manage to push back segments of my line from time to time a small force in reserve generally prevents a breach and they never seem to bother exploiting the weakness of a successful assult choosing instead to continue pitting their line (which isn't in cover) agaisnt my line (which is) and failing miserably.
Well they try flanking manouvers alright, but they are hopeless suicidal cavalry charges against your flanks. I feel like smacking the computer and screaming 'This isnt medieval cavalry dont work anymore >.<'
OT : Ermm thats a tough one.
Please remeber some of these +'s and -'s are simply what I think or can remember havent played some of these games in ages.
Shogun
+ Was the first in the series
+ The monks were loonies =D
- The way the map is made of big blocks of teritory is outdated
Medieval 1
+ Wide unit choice
+ Being able to pick early, high and late period was an amazing idea
- Once again large territory blocks
- The way factions could come back with 'rebel' armies that a king would be proud of got very annoying when you had a large empire
Rome
+ Legionaries are awesome
+ If you wanted a challenge you could go one of the european barbarian nations
+ Massive blocks of heavy infantry make my mouth water
+ Repairing units was fast
- Diplomacy? Whats that? Long standing 'Allies' blocading your ports anyone <.<
- Rather limited unit choice for some nations
Medieval 2
+ (Mmmm where to start) Wide choice of varied and visually stunning troops
+ Cavalry charges are perfectly capable of blowing armies off the face of the planet
+ Heavy infantry <3 plenty of armoured idiots to choose from
ps: Venetian heavy infantry or Janisaries (the ones with the haldberds) are insane
+ Factions dont come back and rape your Empire while your armies are busy elsewhere
- Building new units was annoying if you had just built a building due to the ( I have no idea whats its called) when you could only train a max of 3 or 4 and then had to wait for them to replenish
- Diplomacy is once again non existent
- City AI can be and often is useless
- Town Sieges are stupidly frequent in this game for some reason :\
- Revolts taking your towns anyone <.<
Empire
+ Naval combat \o/ was done extremely well I think, its dificult but doable
+ The economy, map layout (Region capitals, and outlying smaller buildings) is the best yet
+ Naval trade should and does play a huuge part in the game, keep those pirates away from your trade routes >.< liked the trade posts too
+ Ranged combat was done very well I think
+ Diplomacy actually works YAY, now you can pay a bit of cash keep nation A happy while you smush Nation B and then turn back to Nation A =D
+ The map is very big and its possible to not even get to one of the larger Landmasses before completing your objectives
- There are only so many variations of 'carries muskets' soldiers you can have so unit choice is small compared to medieval
- Hand to hand combat is so bad its painfull to watch
- I thought the unit prices were placed stupidly high it took me ages before I could afford to support a second army
Right that took a wee bit hehe, but I think I got most of it down. For whats it worth Rome and Medival would probably get my vote for combat, Medieval for unit choices. Empire has easily got the best map layout and economy system with naval combat that kicks ass. But as I have to vote I'd say Medieval 2 because having large blocks of shiny infantry is great.
I think that a game set in medieval times using empires economy, naval and diplomacy system with the unit choice and combat of Medieval 2 would kick some serious arse and yes I'd buy it AGain haha.
