I've heard that this is way better than ROTK14, is it true?

[Dr. Strangelove]

So basically I've heard that this game is way better than ROTK14 as in the latter you don't have many essential features present in this one, like having children. Is that true? Could someone who own both games confirm which one is their preferred one? I already own ROTK13 and I don't particularly want to spend so much money on the new version if it's not a big improvement.

[dtt.scanner]

I didn't know there was an ROTK14. I'll have to put it on my wish list. Thanks for the heads up. I think ROTK13 is probably better at this point because the fan base has had time to write useful Mods, and there are a few available DLC for it as well. ROTK14 will probably catch up, and maybe surpass it eventually. I'll have to get it and see. Hopefully mods will be easily adapted to newer versions... or simply rolled in if the developers like the ideas.

I'll keep it on my wishlist until the price goes down.

EDIT: I just looked at RTK14 videos. It is a very different strategy game, with what seems to be zones of control instead of just captured strongpoints (related to both the strength of your cities and the presence of your armies). I think the siege weapons in RTK13 are mostly broken (they were definitive strategic assets in early versions). It looks like they may have been given more importance and effectiveness in RTK14. Cooperation between officers also seems to be more enhanced in RTK14. It looks much more like a strategic (campaign-level) game rather than tactical match-ups, but all I have to go with are the videos, none of which seem to emphasize a tactical map. Instead, it seems to zoom in on the campaign map and the armies play out on the campaign map itself. I could be wrong. There does seem to be a carry-over of character career focus, and hero skill sets. I would wager that there is a fully editable original character generator as well... but you might need to play a few times to figure out what you want your original characters to excel in.

It looks a lot more like a Civ game, set in the RTK background, but with much more Leader interpretation and roles.

[Muramune]

You kidding me? Heck yes its better. Best one yet.

[Case]

TBH 14 isn't that good and the PUK didn't do much. It plays like a Civ game.

The cool aspect was supply lines and them being able to be cut off

[Kaimu]

Well, 14 and 13 are very different actually. So, it cannot be said worse or better. It depends on everyone preferences.

So, in other word:
if you prefer officer gameplay, then 13 is better.
if you prefer ruler gameplay, then 14 is better.

As a side note: the worst part of the RoTK14 is the DLC/Season Pass. They cut many features from the editor into DLC/Season Pass in 14.

[Nox]

On a tech level 14 did a good job, they streamlined systems and things work well not very many issues. However, 13 has way more content and things to do then 14 but has a few bugs here and there. Over all 13 is way better to me 14 dose a good job with what it offers but if you played 13 first 14 is going to feel bareboned.

[Anapoda]

11 is still my favorite in terms of strategy. Concerning 13 of course the main point of the game is its role-playing element.

Which was kind of a break from its predecessors who were more strategy oriented.

Apparently 14 tried to get back to that so yeah, people who were expecting a new 13 were of course a bit disapointed. But on the other side, people who wanted a more classic ROTK were pleased.

[Nine_Tigers]

I like both 13 and 14, very happy with both. I like the the depth of the characters and relationships in 13 better and the tactical battles of 14 more.

[NemesisLeon44]

14 is a pure "conquer-the-world" strategy game focused on "painting the hexagon" over and over amongst an obscene number of hexagons that represent all of ancient China. The various plots, alliances, and resource management add the larger depth to the experience... but there is NO playing as a character in a game world. You are a disembodied commander trying to conquer the world. Restrictively, you can only choose from a set list of leader characters too. Yes, you can use Edit Mode to create characters and events, but it's not the personal adventure that 13 is. In 13 you're essentially a character in a huge, simulated world free to be whatever you want. I would say 13 has a little more features thanks to that design and I personally prefer the design of 13, but the difference isn't as big as the complainers I've seen around seem to make it out to be. 14 is a good pure strategy game, 13 is a great character-centric simulated world. I'd say decide on the type of experience you want more than "this one is objectively better!".