'twas a very relaxing game. Finally I could feel the flow of a TAM mod game. And, depending of the start, EMP is quite easy at some critical point where the tech machine is unstoppable.
What I found weird was the mention of Client States as a replacement of vassals state. How so there is no such implementation. You see, in the present state, that looks like exactly like Vanilla where dom is easier than conquest (as you need to raze, raze and raze) and the game can stretch for quite a bit if several AI's spawned on other continents. Thumb up allowing several ships to go into the ocean. Otherwise, several mapscripts would be unwinnable militarily.
Indeed, since the game is occurring in ancient times, there are no way to make oversea trades, right? Sounds weird when you can travel through oceans.
Finally, I got a quick glance at the recap and I clearly saw nations starting with workers (because starting tech is Tools) are way positively handicapped compared to those who don't have Tools. That is something that should be "repaired". I guess some easy work in the XML files to allow all AI nations to get Tools for free. Indeed, human players who don't have Tools will suffer largely. Nonetheless...just capture those from AI's.
And that is interesting we can snatch workers while not having Tools tech while free workers are not assigned for nations without Tools. I feel some SDK change in that way OTOH.
Anyways, I'll now ride towards an IMM 10 players on a large map (larger is funnier) and see how the game is harder. Deity TAM will be definitely infernal because you forgot to adjust to BTS standards, a.k.a. previous Civ4 versions abusive handicaps combined with the better AI from BTS. Again, ouch!
Another point that is raised is how military edge don't really exist. So far in regular BTS you pass from medieval units to for instance cuirassiers, making both ages incompatible for equal warring, so far TAM allows to continue to push war even with a slight tech disadvantage. I chose the to be the tech leader to make a costless war, but I sensed just making units after hitting the 20 cities bar would have done the same job. I think.
AI are easy to manipulate so far because they barely trade techs each other (PLEASED stance required) and they backstab without effort. Is that part of the ancient times paranoia implemented? I see AI's are far less friendly than regular BTS.
And harder to make friends since religions affect not so much and war sharing too for most AI's. Not to mention OB arrives late and only techs make some edge early game.
Liked the trade boats concept and bronze, iron and at last steel special promos. Really interesting concepts. Funny forest growth sounds too when I equipped with better weapons...
BTW, I tried Pierre's mod again (PAE) and still, I did not enamored yet. I see exceptional implementations. Original, refreshing and also immensely irksome. I mention for example those events that are broken so hard. One time I got a free GArtist (during Paleo...um ok) and few moments later locusts and a meteoritic shower...destroying all my savana around Babylon and making super unhealthy...and that was like a game over event since recover the healthiness was impossible. Quite irksome. For casual play, PAE is fine, but for hard play with a sense of strategy: TAM hands down.