Poll: Did you like the new era system overall?

[civlateintothenights]

A main issue/concern for me is that the eras soft reset, doesn't accomplish the goal of reducing snowballing. It's still far too easy to steamroll the AI on deity because they don't understand the game's mechanics.

It feels like a bandaid fix that Firaxis tried instead of focusing on actually putting in the time and resources to make a strong AI.

Old World has solid AI in the sense that the AI knows how to use the game's mechanics. Conversely, since Civ 5, the AI has been abysmal - and it's obvious the focus has been on superficial aspects of Civ that can make 2k the most money - more leaders, a constant DLC slow drip - with AI shoved to the background for modders to fix.

 

[Mr Jon of Cheam]

It feels like a bandaid fix that Firaxis tried instead of focusing on actually putting in the time and resources to make a strong AI.

Whilst I agree that the AI has been a bit rubbish in Civ for ages, and the team either doesn't know how or doesn't want to fix it, I disagree with above. I think there is a structural problem with all past Civ games that makes a frustrating snowball completely inevitable. It's something I've felt about Civ for years and years. That's not to say that this new Ages structure is the answer, or even that it has worked at all (I still haven't played enough to be sure), but I am pleased that they're trying something different.

 

[civlateintothenights]

Whilst I agree that the AI has been a bit rubbish in Civ for ages, and the team either doesn't know how or doesn't want to fix it, I disagree with above. I think there is a structural problem with all past Civ games that makes a frustrating snowball completely inevitable. It's something I've felt about Civ for years and years. That's not to say that this new Ages structure is the answer, or even that it has worked at all (I still haven't played enough to be sure), but I am pleased that they're trying something different.

I think the perspective on this varies as well - many players enjoy how they can snowball the AI, it's just that this shouldn't be happening at the highest difficulties. I haven't purchased the game, but my wife did - and she managed a deity win on her second play through without really understanding the mechanics at all.

If the AI really can't be improved - I feel the only way for it to present a challenge would be some form of limited stacking. Perhaps have certain tech or civic unlocks that increase the Commander's abilities to have a limited stack of 2-5 units that attack in unison - as apart from settling challenges, the main AI inadequacy carrying over from Civ 5, seems to be it's continued inability to present a military threat.

 

[Elhoim]

A main issue/concern for me is that the eras soft reset, doesn't accomplish the goal of reducing snowballing.

That's also because devs seem too fond of a lot of % and huge yields. Antiquity is mostly fine, then you get double for several yields in exploration, stack up a lot of % and then you are just rushing through.

 

[bbbt]

I'd probably give the ages mechanic a 2.5 out of 5 at the moment.

I like it in theory, my complaint is it's actually not different enough. You are basically just repeating the same thing again with some minigames (treasure fleets, religion, victory conditions) tacked on. If you are going to have eras, shake up the mechanics a bit more.

Trade is a great example. I was excited from pre-release when they talked about trade being different in all three eras. But it's not? You are literally rebuilding merchants and re-establishing trade route and readding resources at the start of each era. They've made some changes to the resource effects, which is cool, but otherwise it's the same mechanic with the extra victory condition 'minigames' - treasure fleets, railroad resources - stacked on top in each era. I get that they can redo the entire game every era, but change up the underlying mechanic more.