pre-release info New First Look: Xerxes

[moysturfurmer]

Can't wait for the modern leaders to do a tiktok transition where they put their hand on the camera

like this?

 

[Isengardtom]

The model looks really good, but I don't like the discrepancy in quality in the leader models, it reminds me of the later leaders in Civ VI, with awesome looking ones like Nzinga and Wu Zetian, but also boring models like Ramses or Theodora.

The difference is that it was pretty late in development and it was acceptable because of that.

I hope they rework some of the leader models they showed initially, like Augustus, they are starting to look out of place when seen alongside Xerxes, Trung Trac or Tecumseh.

(I don't actually know what the issue is with Augustus. When I look at each element separately, like clothing, it doesn't seem that bad... but as a whole, something is off. Is it just lighting or something?)

It seems the YouTubers that were invited made the same observations so I think those that were shown were fairly early models
The latest models give me hope that they’re much better.

The map is already gorgeous I think. The UI could still use a bit of work

 

[j51]

Not the Achaemenid I would have picked (too much 300 related pop culture bs baggage) but he looks great and both personas look super fun!

 

[TheMarshmallowBear]

It seems the YouTubers that were invited made the same observations so I think those that were shown were fairly early models
The latest models give me hope that they’re much better.

The map is already gorgeous I think. The UI could still use a bit of work

I nkow they mentioned that UI problem was raised by the other youtubers, and that this was an actively worked on thing that they hope to polish before the release.

 

[j51]

I nkow they mentioned that UI problem was raised by the other youtubers, and that this was an actively worked on thing that they hope to polish before the release.

They had a very easy way to avoid this problem some years ago just saying’. (jk lol).

 

[Kimiimaro]

The inclusion of Nader Shah in VI made me slightly hope we might be seeing a Sassanid shahanshah, or maybe Abbas the Great. Oh well...

That minor gripe aside, I must say, visually speaking, Xerxes' models look very impressive! I especially like the fine details on the King of Kings' sash. The early sights of the rather rough models of Franklin, Hatshepsut and Augustus have kind of curbed my interest in the leaders, but the beautiful models of Xerxes, Tecumseh and Ashoka the World Conqueror have certainly reignited it.

 

[Zaarin]

The inclusion of Nader Shah in VI made me slightly hope we might be seeing a Sassanid shahanshah, or maybe Abbas the Great. Oh well...

Alas, I'll be surprised if we get another Persian leader (I really wanted Shahpur II), but I'm at least hopeful we'll finally get a Sassanian and Safavid civ. I also hope we still have an Assyrian leader like Esarhaddon or Sennacherib in the DLC (and I'd prefer an Assyrian leader to a Babylonian one--though maybe we'll get Sargon the Great or Naram-sin representing all of Mesopotamia--though Gudea would be my personal choice for a Sumerian; there's something fascinating about the contrast between his choice of a humble title of governor instead of king and his vain obsession with depictions of himself).

 

[Isengardtom]

Alas, I'll be surprised if we get another Persian leader (I really wanted Shahpur II), but I'm at least hopeful we'll finally get a Sassanian and Safavid civ. I also hope we still have an Assyrian leader like Esarhaddon or Sennacherib in the DLC (and I'd prefer an Assyrian leader to a Babylonian one--though maybe we'll get Sargon the Great or Naram-sin representing all of Mesopotamia--though Gudea would be my personal choice for a Sumerian; there's something fascinating about the contrast between his choice of a humble title of governor instead of king and his vain obsession with depictions of himself).

Maybe Kassite Babylonia or the Hittites?

 

[Zaarin]

Maybe Kassite Babylonia or the Hittites?

I hope we do get the Hittites and I expect we will get Babylon as a civ, but I'll be okay if only Assyria gets a leader (out of Assyria and Babylon--the Hittites should get their own leader, of which they have a wealth of options).

 

[Lukas1990]

Achaemenid leader again? I would like Sassanid leader (Shapur or Khosrow I). I also want Hitties civilization (Hitttites have only appeared as a playable civilization in the Civilization III) and Assyrians and Kassites (Karduniash).

 

[Zaarin]

Achaemenid leader again? I would like Sassanid leader (Shapur or Khosrow I). I also want Hitties civilization (Hitttites have only appeared as a playable civilization in the Civilization III) and Assyrians and Kassites (Karduniash).

We're pretty confident Assyrians will be in the Crossroads of the World DLC based on the Dar-Shurrakin wonder. I don't think we know enough about the Kassites to make them a unique civ, and I say that as the person still stanning for Elam and Hurria.

 

[Hellenism Salesman]

Music is a banger too. Is that the same song/different arrangement from VI?

It seems very similar, so it might be in the same dastgah (comparable to a scale in Western music). Different instrumentation though. Interested to hear more!

 

[CoconutTank]

Ooo, I really like the King of Kings unique ability

 

[Lukas1990]

We're pretty confident Assyrians will be in the Crossroads of the World DLC based on the Dar-Shurrakin wonder. I don't think we know enough about the Kassites to make them a unique civ, and I say that as the person still stanning for Elam and Hurria.

Elamites would be interesting choice.
Leader - Shutruk-Nakhunte,
Unique units - maybe Elamites war charriots or Elamites archers?
Unique building - I have no idea. Maybe Ziggurat?
Associated wonder - Chogha Zanbil Ziggurat

 

[Trav'ling Canuck]

Achaemenid leader again? I would like Sassanid leader (Shapur or Khosrow I). I also want Hitties civilization (Hitttites have only appeared as a playable civilization in the Civilization III) and Assyrians and Kassites (Karduniash).

Its a name recognition thing. There are only so many relative unknowns they can safely put in one product, especially the base game.

 

[Prester John 2]

So Xerxes, King of Kings, is basically Julius Caesar 2.0, right?

 

[pokiehl]

So Xerxes, King of Kings, is basically Julius Caesar 2.0, right?

The “yield burst” abilities he gets really do make one think of Caesar in Civ 6.

 

[Lord Lakely]

My favourite part of his abilities is the +1 city limit, and my second favourite part is that picking Xerxes prevents him from showing up as an AI to try and beat you up as you try to peacefully REX.

Yeah, not fond of supercharged warmonger abilities when that's not how I play, but maybe it'll be like Civ5 Shaka where warmongering is enjoyable enough that I don't mind an Aggro act 1 into a peaceful Act 2 & 3.

 

[Eagle Pursuit]

My favourite part of his abilities is the +1 city limit, and my second favourite part is that picking Xerxes prevents him from showing up as an AI to try and beat you up as you try to peacefully REX.

Yeah, not fond of supercharged warmonger abilities when that's not how I play, but maybe it'll be like Civ5 Shaka where warmongering is enjoyable enough that I don't mind an Aggro act 1 into a peaceful Act 2 & 3.

Here's to hoping that Commanders make domination a lot less tedious

 

[AriochIV]

Here's to hoping that Commanders make domination a lot less tedious

Here's to hoping that domination victory doesn't require you to conquer your allies.