Rise of Nations, initial impressions

[lord of the mark]

Ive played the tutorial, and two skirmishes against the computer, to get my feet wet. First on easiest 2 civs, nile valley map, Im egypt other guy is Greek. Second on same map (by mistake) at easy level, Me as Rome, vs Greece and Egypt. No diplo scenario.


1. Its recognizably close to AOE (1 and 2) and feels, at first more like AOE tweaked than like Civ in RT

2. The tweaks, however, are clever and fix some of the stupider things about AOE.

3. The game feels most immersive, and also most fun, in the earlier ages. In the more modern ages, while theres still a certain nice flow to combat (a WW1 type period where its just a sacrifice to try to attack tactically, air is marginally significant, its best to use navy and find an open strategic area, leading to a WW2 era where things open up more) the economic model, the cities, etc start to feel too strained. Also the micro gets to be too much toward the end.

4. I didnt make much use of spies or generals, and probably didnt use air well enough. I did use supply wagons.

5. The things taken out - priests/healers, transports - though making those aspects more abstract, made the game flow better, I thought.

6. Ive objected in the past to unique attributes for Civ. Ive been ok with them for AOE, as that is a "period game" (esp AOK) and not a 4000 BC to modernity game. I didnt mind them in RON, probably because I never did take RON as seriously as Civ, and cause it still plays like "another RTS"


7. I really do like the borders/cities feature.

8. Im kinda dissappointed there wasnt more done with formations, considering BR was lead designer on SMG/SMA.

[Adagio]

I always liked the uniqueness of the different nations, makes every game different :b.

One thing I didn't like about the game was that it was too short (1½ hours to finish a game is too fast)... but luckily this was easily fixable in the xml files

[Grandpa Troll]

Originally posted by Adagio
I always liked the uniqueness of the different nations, makes every game different :b.

One thing I didn't like about the game was that it was too short (1½ hours to finish a game is too fast)... but luckily this was easily fixable in the xml files

Yes as well as the Armegeddon Clock to determine the amount of Nukes

Gramps

[Main_Brain]

Campaign

[Adagio]

Conquer the World

[Main_Brain]

Regarding Formations, i could not see the Flanking bonus mentioned in the Manual.

Mass wins. Pure and simple.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Main_Brain
Regarding Formations, i could not see the Flanking bonus mentioned in the Manual.

Mass wins. Pure and simple.

well, mass with combined arms (rock-paper-scissors).

Do you need a general to get the flanking bonus, maybe? Like I said, i didnt use a general, though I built one.

[Main_Brain]

Regarding Combined Arms:

Only partially true, the unique Units of each Civ are so powerful,
they can trade losses at 1:1 with their normal Counter Unit.

For example the Chinese Longrange UU only needs to be protected of Cavalry.* Cav is so expensive that most Enemies wont be able to field many Units, when the UU appears, so its entirely possible to protect the UU with your own mounted Forces.
(also working against Artillery)

I am not sure wheter to count a 2 Unit Combo as a real combined arms Force




*(dont quote me on that, it has been a while since i last fired it up)


In regards to healing: the French supply wagon does not only counter attrition, but also heals Units, so it is a kinda automatic Priest. Inf. also heals when inside of buildings(usually fortresses/towers close to the Front)

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Main_Brain
Regarding Combined Arms:

Only partially true, the unique Units of each Civ are so powerful,
they can trade losses at 1:1 with their normal Counter Unit.

For example the Chinese Longrange UU only needs to be protected of Cavalry.* Cav is so expensive that most Enemies wont be able to field many Units, when the UU appears, so its entirely possible to protect the UU with your own mounted Forces.
(also working against Artillery)

I am not sure wheter to count a 2 Unit Combo as a real combined arms Force

well in my second game I played as Romans, and in the early ages used heavy inf to demolish the Greeks. Then I took a breather, which meant going into ages where my UUs were obsolete. Once I it was later in the game, I did need more than 2 units to balance. At least it looked like I did. I wasnt that careful what I used, and ended up overwhelming with mass, but then i was playing in easy. Im assuming at higher levels I wont be able to do that as easily.

[Skanky Burns]

Overwhelming with mass is quite a good tactic. Getting your economy to the point you can do that without being crushed is the challenge at higher levels.

Keeping a general with your troops is a good idea, just like keeping a supply wagon near them in enemy territory is a good idea. They tend to last longer.

[Dis]

wonder if I could get this game cheap now. My biggest problem was I'd always forget to pause. . So i didn't play well.

I wish it had an auto pause. something that paused after each turn.

[Wiglaf]

There's no reason to buy this game. the demo lets you play full skirmish. all you can't do is play the stupid turned based single player, as far as I know. besides the game is bad.

[Protra3211]

The updated version now sells for 20 dollars.Its ok .Ats at least on par with AOE.Like most real time game the rush of on going battles gets dull after awhile.
But the game is fun and something to play between TBS strategy games.

[Wiglaf]

No, it sells for like $5. Try gogamer.com or other sites. $20 is a ripoff. $5 for RON is a ripoff, for that matter.

[Skanky Burns]

Not really. It is a good game for its intended purpose - a game that you can play in a lunchbreak or when you have a spare hour.