This or Age of Wonders 4

[SouthernSoldier]

Looking at picking this up or waiting for AoW 4. Anyone have some thoughts on how this may or may not compare?

[Tiasmoon]

Yeah multiplayer is a good point. It would have the advantage in that respect.

[LeftPaw]

The one thing that this game has got AOW beat is the combat. In Spellforce the combat is tactical and interesting, combat in AOW is so meh and dull.

[GorillaB]

Your troops definitely feel heftier and more diverse in EO. Can’t put my finger on it exactly but my troops in EO are somehow more exciting as are the level-ups.

[Vvv]

Escrito originalmente por GorillaB:

Your troops definitely feel heftier and more diverse in EO. Can’t put my finger on it exactly but my troops in EO are somehow more exciting as are the level-ups.

Yes, I think it's because EO has a clear identity and lore that units and factions follow. AOW 4...tries to be popular and that's all.

[LeftPaw]

Escrito originalmente por GorillaB:

Your troops definitely feel heftier and more diverse in EO. Can’t put my finger on it exactly but my troops in EO are somehow more exciting as are the level-ups.

I found out that in EO I am connecting with my units were this never happed in AOW3, they were disposable, throw away units.

[Tiasmoon]

I agree. A unit might be strong, or weak. But that weak Goblin shaman I had for 17 weeks is still part of one of my main teams.. just because I grew attached to him.

The layer of RNG on level upgrades in EO also feels like they add onto that unique value rather then making units them feel samey. Between Glyphs and RNG level upgrade choices they can become quite differen, but in the end they are still that same unit type with access to some unit specific skills and attributes.

Regular units in this game pretty much feel like Heroes do in Age of Wonders games but with more depth due to the nature of the level up perks. Tho not sure how heroes work in AoW4 so I cant compare in that respect.

[Tiasmoon]

Escrito originalmente por LeftPaw:

Escrito originalmente por GorillaB:

Your troops definitely feel heftier and more diverse in EO. Can’t put my finger on it exactly but my troops in EO are somehow more exciting as are the level-ups.

I found out that in EO I am connecting with my units were this never happed in AOW3, they were disposable, throw away units.

I had that in the earlier Age of Wonders games. But I dont remember if it was due the game facilitating that, or me just getting attached easier. Been too long since I played them. Perhaps I should do what AoW4 fans tell us, and replay those games. At this point imo, its honestly a pretty good suggestion.

I recall they had some outdated mechanics (like hit chance rng) and the further back you go also outdated ui. Granted before Planetfall they took great care with the visuals so they werent just some of the best looking games of their time, but also aged pretty well in terms of visuals if you ask me.

To give credit where credit is due, I think the individual assets in Planetfall were also well made. Its just that the rng nature of the maps ment the overall map didnt look nearly as good. In contrast in 4 the assets themselves dont look great either. (im still shocked at how low quality the 3D models are and how much a mess the map is to look at.

[GorillaB]

The older AoW hero promotions were, to me, far more fun. And broken in the good way. Meaning you could level up a hero into some ridiculous skill combos.

The new AoW4 promotion system feels bland. I can see all my upgrades (no rng, for better or worse). And the upgrades themselves just don’t feel as exciting.

There’s something about the mechanics in combat that water down your choices.

For example, in EO getting a few extra willpower points makes a big difference battling wisps at meld sites.

Conversely, in AoW4, getting a couple extra resistance (+ status resistance) seems to barely make a dent. Meaning if it took 3 volleys to kill you before the extra points, it still takes volleys afterwards.
They haven’t balanced combat to make stats particularly meaningful. At least it feels that way, regardless of the actual math of their system.

[LeftPaw]

I have just learned that the races in AOW 4 are purely cosmetic. Surly that can't be right.

[Star Paladin]

Incorrect. They come with standard starting traits & looks, and there are quite a few premade races, but if you choose to change those standard traits and make a custom race, that is optional. Again, it's optional.

[GetToDeChoppa]

Escrito originalmente por Tiasmoon:

I agree. A unit might be strong, or weak. But that weak Goblin shaman I had for 17 weeks is still part of one of my main teams.. just because I grew attached to him.

The layer of RNG on level upgrades in EO also feels like they add onto that unique value rather then making units them feel samey. Between Glyphs and RNG level upgrade choices they can become quite differen, but in the end they are still that same unit type with access to some unit specific skills and attributes.

Regular units in this game pretty much feel like Heroes do in Age of Wonders games but with more depth due to the nature of the level up perks. Tho not sure how heroes work in AoW4 so I cant compare in that respect.

I had never thought about that, but you nailed it. Your basic units in this game level like hero units in most other games. You could have two Human Militia units you got early game, and by they time they are level 10 they could be vastly different and fill different roles in your armies.

[Tiasmoon]

Escrito originalmente por Star Paladin:

Incorrect. They come with standard starting traits & looks, and there are quite a few premade races, but if you choose to change those standard traits and make a custom race, that is optional. Again, it's optional.

Are there any traits or unity types, events etc, that are unique to a specific race, or ''looks'' as you call them? If the answer is no, then races are indeed purely cosmetic.

Having ''premade races'' doesnt mean that race is more then just a cosmetic option.

[Vvv]

Escrito originalmente por LeftPaw:

I have just learned that the races in AOW 4 are purely cosmetic. Surly that can't be right.

Ehhhh it's kinda that. You create your race but race has no meaning other than what you give it basically and so far the customisation is quite shallow. Meaning Dwarves or elves or humans don't get something to make them feel unique or stand apart. Everyone can chose 2 traits, you chose 1 body trait from 14 available like +10hp for ex and than 1 mind trait from 14 available like doing 15% more magic dmg.

Than you choose your culture, which is like what your units will look like and the only 5-6 units you will be able to recruit unique to your culture. Than you select 2 society traits which is like something that will make your summons cost less magic and for example you have a good alignment agenda. Than you choose 2 tomes of magic that will define what spells you research and if you get few more units you can summon. usually around 3-4 of varying tier. Final thing is you chose your lord type either a champion where you focus more on city friendship and leading troops or a wizard king that focuses on having much more mana and cities produces more mana.

All this does sound cool at first glance, the problem is that if you pick elves form/cosmetic and choose feudal culture well they will get feudal units regardless of what else you pick.
Meaning If you pick dwarf form/cosmetic your will get the same feudal units as elven form, meaning same shields, sword etc.

Through magic research of your tomes, you will eventually gain race transformation spells that change your race a bit, there are few major transformations that you can have only one and few minor transformations that you can have many. One minor transformation for ex gives your troops like 15-20 hp and some bonus resistance and it changes their look a bit where they get vines over their bodies. One major transformation is angelize and it's a cool one, make your unit have angel wings, white hair and kinda glow I think (rip my ginger nation :( )...For now angelize is bugged so your units despite flying will use ugly boats to travel over water...

So if you love this type of games you will probably love aow4, just don't expect anything grandiose and after playing a bit you might be quite disappointed because the game has big potential...but sadly it's quite meh for now. Not enough units, water battles/units are almost non-existent and you will often feel that you always have the same 6 game starts defined by your culture no matter what race you create.

There is also a grindy pantheon where you unlock new outfits and such for your leaders...and some cool looking society traits but you have to unlock them first...

Either way, I like it but it's also quite disappointing and big meh for everything. If I had not played AOW 3 for over 1000+ hours I would just go back and play it instead, but despite what I say some people say AOW 4 is like one of the best things to happen in gaming in 20203 so far basically. Smartest thing would be to wait for sale tbh.

[Vvv]

Escrito originalmente por Tiasmoon:

Escrito originalmente por Star Paladin:

Incorrect. They come with standard starting traits & looks, and there are quite a few premade races, but if you choose to change those standard traits and make a custom race, that is optional. Again, it's optional.

Are there any traits or unity types, events etc, that are unique to a specific race, or ''looks'' as you call them? If the answer is no, then races are indeed purely cosmetic.

Having ''premade races'' doesnt mean that race is more then just a cosmetic option.

Big NO. NOTHING is unique in this game. Everyone can have what everyone else can.

But you can make short elves and tall dwarves and make their feet or hands longer or shorter also bulky looking or skinny...so I guess that's something kek.

Also you can give your leader's "body type" pronouns like she/her and he/him. Amazing I know.

[LeftPaw]

A old game called cannon fodder was a great success due to the fact it encouraged the player to get attached to their units.
This is a overall win for any game, people love to get attached, to care about something in the game. This is were EO stands out. I still have starting units that I refuse to lose. Sadly it is something that AOW 3 is lacking.