Pharaoh enjoyer enjoying Pharaoh.

[Andra]

Nobody asked for this thread.

but this is the most complete and rich experience i ever had in a TW or any strategy game.
At first when the game drops you in, you don't know how small you are yet. We're used to being thrust into these games as the leader of a nation or faction, like most the previous historical TW's or for example the WH series.
In Pharaoh you don't - sure you can pick between contenders for that crown, but you can't start with it (Not in egypt, anyway).
After a few different starts of trying out different character selections and custom settings,
i've landed on playing Tausret in a no-autoresolve no-retreat campaign. That's at least what i'm playing now while discovering this new feeling of playing TW.

So what do i mean? Well as earlier stated, you start as one out of many contendors for the crown of Pharaoh, but that's long-term. Short term it's rebels, warlords and invasions while gobbling up more and more territory, slowly but surely.
When your territory starts to grow however, you start to realise what it's going to take to rule all of egypt. Libu raiders,Sea peoples and other aggressors come to sack&raze anything they come across, and to hold any of your territory you better have a plan for defending it.
The larger my territory gets, the harder i need to work to defend it.
It's the first time in a total war game i feel like im earning the right to rule, knowing that if not for me and the armies i put together, the farms and infrastructure i optimised to be able to support it all and so on, would be razed. I didn't conquer and forget, like in earlier games - i have to protect it with tooth and nail.

When i took the crown of Pharaoh it felt like a new layer of strategy was unveiled.
The court intrigue and seasons of Shemsu-Hor previously felt like a business of kniving and exploitation, trying to get the most out of every action to further my own legitimacy. Now that i was pharaoh however, i wasn't fighting my way to the top anymore but looking down at basically, the "family tree" feature of earlier TW games.
They've previously been a bit of an exercise in nepotism, but i found myself now in absolute power, being able to replace my former rivals with my own commanders.
Instead of the former experience of rubbing shoulders with the vizier, bribing the first commander, discrediting the high priest etc - i now had all loyal followers in these positions doing what i needed them to do.
Lower egypt is next on the list, and once all of egypt is unified, i'll have a new challenge in my neighbours the Caananites - then the Hittites, though i have tried to maintain a trading relationship with Suppiluliuma, because i'm not quite sure how i'm going to handle those heavy armies yet. At least those in turn are very poorly adapted to the heat and sand, so i'll always have the upper hand in defending home territory. Probably.

This game is dope

[normative]

Początkowo opublikowane przez Kendji:

Can you see why somebody could see your kind of guys as trolls? Then use negative words to describe your behaviour? Note I'm not either the biggest fan of CA and I've talked about critizism for it else where.

I can see why somebody could see me as a troll, absolutely. Not unreasonable. But that's not the intent. And I'm not one-dimensional enough to believe that just because you like this game, you're a CA fanboy who wouldn't criticise them. It's just...imagine you could write paragraphs in a place you know Santa will read. If you can convince him to deliver what you want you get to have 400+ hours of fun. In the process you have to argue with people who like the thing you see as a lump of coal. That's where I'm at.

[Gibbo]

Początkowo opublikowane przez normative:

Początkowo opublikowane przez Kendji:

Can you see why somebody could see your kind of guys as trolls? Then use negative words to describe your behaviour? Note I'm not either the biggest fan of CA and I've talked about critizism for it else where.

I can see why somebody could see me as a troll, absolutely. Not unreasonable. But that's not the intent. And I'm not one-dimensional enough to believe that just because you like this game, you're a CA fanboy who wouldn't criticise them. It's just...imagine you could write paragraphs in a place you know Santa will read. If you can convince him to deliver what you want you get to have 400+ hours of fun. In the process you have to argue with people who like the thing you see as a lump of coal. That's where I'm at.

You know the sad thing is you'd probably like this game. It ticks all the boxes for you I think? It's kinda a historical title with some unusal almost supernatural perks that do add a nice layer of tactics.

The really sad thing is this is probably the most stable total war ever and hardly anyone is playing it because of ignorance. I would be the first to tell you if this game is crap. I don't hold back lol. It's a very nice total war that will only get better and a lot of you are missing out.

[ShellShock]

Początkowo opublikowane przez normative:

Początkowo opublikowane przez ShellShock:

I am impressed at your tenacity in harking back to a formula CA ditched many, many years ago. Maybe it was better, but CA clearly don’t think so, and have shown zero chance of returning to it. After all these years, perhaps it is time to accept the current campaign design or to move on as TW is clearly no longer for you?

You're probably right and I know I'm chasing my OCD down an unproductive path.

But there's just a slight crack in the armour now, they have a reason to listen, so maybe maybe maybe.

Maybe? I say definitely not. CA have much higher priorities now than returning to campaign mechanics that they ditched a long time ago because many people perceived them as too much micromanaging. For example, I remember the old army replenishment mechanic as a bit of a chore on a large map, especially late in the game.

Now more than ever, CA need to make games that people want to buy, that are accessible, quick to pick up and fun to play for the greatest number of people. Unfortunately, for some, that means the games are simpler or dumbed down compared to e.g. M2.

[normative]

Początkowo opublikowane przez Gibbo:

You know the sad thing is you'd probably like this game. It ticks all the boxes for you I think? It's kinda a historical title with some unusal almost supernatural perks that do add a nice layer of tactics.

The really sad thing is this is probably the most stable total war ever and hardly anyone is playing it because of ignorance. I would be the first to tell you if this game is crap. I don't hold back lol. It's a very nice total war that will only get better and a lot of you are missing out.

While we're being civilised, I don't exactly disagree.

I wishlisted this game so fast when I saw they were bringing formations back and innovating with the push and give ground mechanics. I've said it before but bears repeating, I think CA Sofia have real passion for this and came up with some cool stuff.

But legendary lords man. The build system. Generals required to recruit armies. Free replenishment from an infinite population. Troops teleporting to the generals. I just can't with that stuff. TW was one of the progenitors of Grand Strategy and it hasn't felt strategic for a long long time.

The reason I wishlisted very fast was that I thought wow, these guys get it, I bet the campaign is awesome too. But like some have alluded to, I am just done with that. Rome 2's campaign knocked the enthusiasm out of me on release and I never quite recovered it. Gave Attila 20 hours, bailed on every historical release since. It works in WH. But I don't have much playtime in those either.

Hardly anyone is playing it for other reasons too. Some are put off by CA's behaviour - that's not me, my nits are purely autistic and centred on mechanics. There are plenty others like me who are less willing to engage for hours on end in forums, though.

I'd have bought this and at least given it a shot if I didn't see the campaign reveal and they're playing as Ramesses. I have zero interest in hero-centric RPG stuff in (historical) TW games.

I think it's worth considering whether at least some of the reason historical has been flopping over and over is that I am very much not alone in this.

[Gibbo]

Games are getting dumber because the world is full of dumb people. Thankfully there's still a few games out there that test the old noggin. Off the top of my head X4 Foundations would give most people a stroke if they tried to play it.

For me a perfect game would have hints of Total War, Civilisation and Europa Universalis. That would get my attention.

[normative]

Początkowo opublikowane przez ShellShock:

Maybe? I say definitely not. CA have much higher priorities now than returning to campaign mechanics that they ditched a long time ago because many people perceived them as too much micromanaging. For example, I remember the old army replenishment mechanic as a bit of a chore on a large map, especially late in the game.

Now more than ever, CA need to make games that people want to buy, that are accessible, quick to pick up and fun to play for the greatest number of people. Unfortunately, for some, that means the games are simpler or dumbed down compared to e.g. M2.

Just wanna say I appreciate you talking me off the ledge like this, I've been wasting too much time and energy on it.

I'll stop now. I mean, I'll continue whatever discussion might happen in this thread but then I'll just go do whatever else. Just got SSHIP for Med 2 to work on Linux. That seems like a better use of my time for everyone concerned.

[Hugh de Salle]

Początkowo opublikowane przez Kendji:

Początkowo opublikowane przez normative:

I've answered directly elsewhere, but here: because I know CA are reading, they will be assessing what the mood is and wtf to do about their current situation. You're ok with Nu-TW, fine, I won't try to convince you otherwise since you've played the games I'm holding up as the template and there's nothing new to show you.

There are many of us similarly aged, who have been unhappy with the direction of these games since Warscape and really severely unhappy since Rome 2, and have been ignored.

Now, with real financial threat, and real incentive to find out who their market really is, they might actually pay attention. So I'm saying those same things we've been saying for ten years on the off chance CA's ears are not deaf anymore.

So by derailing a thread, not to do with CA, people not associated with CA. My problem isn't you trying to convimce anybody, I think your in the wrong place to achieave your goal. Your talking about CA this and CA that. Is your hate of CA really this blinding that your willing to justify attacking people, yes people not CA, who has nothing to do with CA or your tribe.

Can you see why somebody could see your kind of guys as trolls? Then use negative words to describe your behaviour? Note I'm not either the biggest fan of CA and I've talked about critizism for it else where.

Only Trolls here are people trying to make out Pharaoh is a masterpiece this is the reason they keep posting how great Pharaoh is so great its like trying to sell their idea on the game to people this same thing happened with ToB.

The vast majority of people think the game is crap and either haven't bought it or have given it a very bad review not to mention the player numbers and sales are atrocious stop try to convince people how great this game is just play it then and stop posting to try and convince others.

[Gibbo]

lmao mugs who don't own the game telling those that do to stop posting on the game's forum. :D

Why don't you go away you sad little forum troll.

[HB]

Baghdad Bob, liked to tell the worlds media what was going on in the Gulf war, how the co coalition was being slaughtered on its way to Baghdad, what you were seeing and reading in the media was not what was happening, and reports to the contrary were lies, the day the US took Baghdad, with video of US tanks at Saddams palace, he told the world" I now inform you that you are too far from reality" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ung95ORVUY
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ea5DrciWkAA6pxZ.jpg

Khalifa means successor, and worthy successor to Baghdad bob has indeed emerged.

[Kendji]

Początkowo opublikowane przez normative:

Początkowo opublikowane przez Kendji:

Can you see why somebody could see your kind of guys as trolls? Then use negative words to describe your behaviour? Note I'm not either the biggest fan of CA and I've talked about critizism for it else where.

I can see why somebody could see me as a troll, absolutely. Not unreasonable. But that's not the intent. And I'm not one-dimensional enough to believe that just because you like this game, you're a CA fanboy who wouldn't criticise them. It's just...imagine you could write paragraphs in a place you know Santa will read. If you can convince him to deliver what you want you get to have 400+ hours of fun. In the process you have to argue with people who like the thing you see as a lump of coal. That's where I'm at.

How about a more constructive way for that, such as starting your own thread? Or joining one where it's already a topic, there's plenty. If I where CA I would just see a bunch of guys trolling others for no good reason and the points your trying to make going down the drain.

[Kendji]

Początkowo opublikowane przez Hugh de Salle:

Początkowo opublikowane przez Kendji:

So by derailing a thread, not to do with CA, people not associated with CA. My problem isn't you trying to convimce anybody, I think your in the wrong place to achieave your goal. Your talking about CA this and CA that. Is your hate of CA really this blinding that your willing to justify attacking people, yes people not CA, who has nothing to do with CA or your tribe.

Can you see why somebody could see your kind of guys as trolls? Then use negative words to describe your behaviour? Note I'm not either the biggest fan of CA and I've talked about critizism for it else where.

Only Trolls here are people trying to make out Pharaoh is a masterpiece this is the reason they keep posting how great Pharaoh is so great its like trying to sell their idea on the game to people this same thing happened with ToB.

The vast majority of people think the game is crap and either haven't bought it or have given it a very bad review not to mention the player numbers and sales are atrocious stop try to convince people how great this game is just play it then and stop posting to try and convince others.

Why do we have to be you again? People are allowed to like something you don't, it's not a crime.

[Hugh de Salle]

Początkowo opublikowane przez Kendji:

Początkowo opublikowane przez Hugh de Salle:

Only Trolls here are people trying to make out Pharaoh is a masterpiece this is the reason they keep posting how great Pharaoh is so great its like trying to sell their idea on the game to people this same thing happened with ToB.

The vast majority of people think the game is crap and either haven't bought it or have given it a very bad review not to mention the player numbers and sales are atrocious stop try to convince people how great this game is just play it then and stop posting to try and convince others.

Why do we have to be you again? People are allowed to like something you don't, it's not a crime.

Not saying it is , People are allowed to post whatever they want within guidelines.

[normative]

Początkowo opublikowane przez Kendji:

How about a more constructive way for that, such as starting your own thread? Or joining one where it's already a topic, there's plenty. If I where CA I would just see a bunch of guys trolling others for no good reason and the points your trying to make going down the drain.

It's cool man I fired up Med 2 and letting this ♥♥♥♥ go now. Whatever point I might have been able to make, I've made it over the last few days. Only time will tell what they will make and who will buy it. I promise to take only a small amount of satisfaction when Pharaoh enjoyers were the minority after all.

[Hugh de Salle]

Początkowo opublikowane przez Gibbo:

lmao mugs who don't own the game telling those that do to stop posting on the game's forum. :D

Why don't you go away you sad little forum troll.

Mugs? I could of course buy the game then refund it and give a negative review would you like me to do that?.

Owning the game or not is a silly response , I have been modding TW games since 2005 i understand the file structures i have post mods to the workshop and worked on major overhaul mods as a re-skin artist my work is in the my profile.

I know the limits of the TW engines and which is best.

[Hugh de Salle]

Początkowo opublikowane przez Hugh de Salle:

Początkowo opublikowane przez Gibbo:

lmao mugs who don't own the game telling those that do to stop posting on the game's forum. :D

Why don't you go away you sad little forum troll.

Mugs? I could of course buy the game then refund it and give a negative review would you like me to do that?.

Owning the game or not is a silly response , I have been modding TW games since 2005 i understand the file structures i have post mods to the workshop and worked on major overhaul mods as a re-skin artist my work is in the my profile.

I know the limits of the TW engines and which is best.

You might want to check out my Byzantine re-skin in my screen shots and tell me Pharaoh is better.