It seems the demo has been leaked before time from the US PC Gamer magazine.

http://p223.ezboard.com/fshoguntotalwarfrm55.showMessage?topicID=4480.topi c

People are downloading it from Bittorrent although this is illegal AND and you shouldn't do it. :mischief:

Mmm, a friend of mine downloaded it and I watched him play. Since it was a friend I vigorously defend my innocence. If I can just say, it did look good.

Its been legally released.

Yep, it's been legally released today:

http://www.fileshack.com/file.x/9607/Medieval+II:+Total+War+Demo

So... thoughts? I have an unfortunate case of laptop until I return home at Christmas so am eager to hear opinions :D

It has a windows error every time I try to run it. I doubt I will preorder the game now and may wait for another demo or try to borrow the game off someone.

After adjusting the settings to the maximum, the units are looking the same as in the videos and images.

The game is a bit too quick and the camera is kind of like odd at time although all this can be adjusted in the demo.

It is looking very good, as promised.

Reading the Total War forum it seems that quite a few people have had problems with the demo.

I've downloadedl and played the Battle of Agincourt, and all I can say is that the graphics have been improved a lot, the battles are hectic and in total confusion even for a person like me who's played both MTW and RTW. The pace is still faster than MTW, but units doesn't seem to rout quite easily as in RTW.

In conclusion, it's harder to judge from the demo alone without the campaign map and other features(The trailer does look good though). Regardless, I say download the demo and try it for yourself.

I've downloadedl and played the Battle of Agincourt, and all I can say is that the graphics have been improved a lot, the battles are hectic and in total confusion even for a person like me who's played both MTW and RTW. The pace is still faster than MTW, but units doesn't seem to rout quite easily as in RTW.

I'm not totally convinced that the changes are that large, mainly because I can't decide how much change is due to the Campaigns being mapped out a bit, and how much is due to AI :/

I finally got around to playing it, and it was shaky, and lagging, so I deem it unplayable on my computer.

I've been told that the demo is from not-so-recent build, good to keep that in mind. Nevertheless, the tactical battle seems pretty much the same like in RTW... both on positive and on negative side. :rolleyes: I still wish they would have kept the ransoming thingie like in first MTW, maybe there is still hope for that in final version (I'm an optimist)...

Well, can't help to get this as soon as its out. I eat, drink and breathe the TW-series. :D

It has a windows error every time I try to run it. I doubt I will preorder the game now and may wait for another demo or try to borrow the game off someone.

Do you have an AMD? Pre-AMD 64 processors, apparently, can't run it. They're missing SSE2 capability. There is debate whether this just applies to the demo or to the game itself.

Still a pretty outrageous mistake on their part, IMO.

I've been told that the demo is from not-so-recent build, good to keep that in mind. Nevertheless, the tactical battle seems pretty much the same like in RTW... both on positive and on negative side. I still wish they would have kept the ransoming thingie like in first MTW, maybe there is still hope for that in final version (I'm an optimist)...

I thought that was what the captured prisoners on the side was for? you can kill them all, like in MTW good times.

Downloading right now. Functionality of demo to be reported afterwards, if it does work, then my thoughts on it.

Do you have an AMD? Pre-AMD 64 processors, apparently, can't run it. They're missing SSE2 capability. There is debate whether this just applies to the demo or to the game itself.

Still a pretty outrageous mistake on their part, IMO.

Yep and I obviously agree. I could accept the requirement if my computer was particularly out of date but it isn't.

Stupid demo doesn't work, and my computer is about half a year old.

I thought that was what the captured prisoners on the side was for? you can kill them all, like in MTW good times.

Oh yeah, thats right! Must've missed it the first time. Goody! :)

The word now is that Athlon XP processors are fine for single player, but not necessarily for multiplayer.

I read from somewhere that the beta version works fine on those pcs which can't run the demo version.
So there's still hope, I think.

I'm not waiting 4 HOURS FOR A DEMO! I shall wait for the game and buy it. I don't need no demo! The game is great!

Can someone tell me how good the battles look? Are their combos and parrys/blocks performed realistically? CA seem to brag about this alot!

Why don't you just download and play the demo?

Why don't you just download and play the demo?

Because like I said I'm not waiting 4+ hours for a demo with 2-3 battles in it! Why don't you just answer me?

4 hours? I waiting for almost one day just to play the demo.

4 hours? I waiting for almost one day just to play the demo.

Do you want a medal? :rolleyes:

Answer me dammit!!! [pissed]

Nah, you can keep your medal.

Be a good boy, here's your cookie.

Got some kind of "Unknown Error: the game will now terminate" or some line of BS.

I believe it is a problem with the demo, as all my resources surpass the minimum requirements by quite a bit.

Yep and I obviously agree. I could accept the requirement if my computer was particularly out of date but it isn't.

Athlon 64 supports SSE2. Athlon XP don't, and frankly they are not greatest CPUs to run the latest games.

I've preordered. :D Can't wait for November the 10th!

Haven't got the cash, for improving my video card (at home, where most playing will be done), nor for purchasing the game. Otherwise I would have also.

Is a Geforce 5200 powerful enough? 512 MB RAM? I can't play the game! :cry:

No SSE support :(
(Lets hope they reftify this)

I got an Xp2400 @ 2.32 and a 6600GT 128.
Yeah the CPU is the stupid bottle neck.

I'm downloading. :p It only takes 3 hours. :p Soon find out if it works... :p

It does and I'm impressed by what I've seen. Combos look cool and AI seems improved, even though some actions are scripted. E.G, cavalry attacked my gunners while I was attacking the Scottish bowmen. :thumbsup:

Medium works best for me.

I don't understand. It worked without much lag the first time. Second time its really laggy. Why? WHY??? :cry::cry:

I disabled shadows and it runs almost perfectly. Phew, I thought I was in troube there!

Sorry for the posting spree, BTW.

Wow, the AI just massacred me! I played Agincourt, only to be crushed by the enemy! I lost EVERY SINGLE troop. All 1000 of them!

Well done, AI :clap:

5 postsin row! That is remarkable, brother! (And no spam!)

Its called an edit button...