What do you think of Empire TW?

[cephalo]

I used to wait until the review came out before buying games, but lately it's all a bunch of payola for game reviews. So, I would rather ask the civ fans what they think of it before I buy. I've heard the usual complaining about DRM, which does bother me a whole lot. If I really like a game I want to play it years down the road, on every future computer I may own. If the game stinks, like Spore stunk, then DRM isn't really an issue.

Before I join the Steam boycott, I want to hear people's thoughts. I've played every TW game since Shogun, and I loved them but by M2 I felt like maybe I had enough. What do you guys think?

 

[Elta]

A good game.

I have played every one as well.

Though I am way more lenient on the minor left out things. M2 really didn't bother me with what they left out. Way less in combat bugs though I'd say, compared to M2

 

[Maniacal]

There is no reason to boycott steam.

 

[Kan' Sharuminar]

It's good, but essentially more of the same with added flair. If you were getting sick of the series by Medieval 2, then you should probably wait a while before getting this one for when it drops in price/mods start appearing. I've played all of them since Shogun, and love them all.

And PrinceScamp is right, Steam is a brilliant program.

 

[cephalo]

Why is everyone pouring the hate on Steam? Do you have a limited number of installs with this game? If I end up liking the game, this is something that will be a problem as I upgrade my computer over time. For example, Shogun is still one of my favorite games. I still have the box.

 

[Maniacal]

Why is everyone pouring the hate on Steam? Do you have a limited number of installs with this game? If I end up liking the game, this is something that will be a problem as I upgrade my computer over time. For example, Shogun is still one of my favorite games. I still have the box.

I think it's mostly for one or more of these reasons;

1. They're ignorant and naive.
2. They're stupid.
3. They've had a bad experiance but did not manage to solve it (even though there is probably a solution) and just gave up on Steam entirely.
4. They've heard rumours about steam that are false/outdated (it was somewhat unstable early on but that was several years ago).
5. They have poor reading, understanding, critical thinking nd research skills/abilities.
5a. Due to 5 they beleive you have to always be connected to the internet to use Steam (FALSE)

FACTS about steam;

There is an offline mode, while steam will try to connect to the itnernet first THEN let you choose offline mode, you can just do that when you turn on your computer (if you can run Empires the tiny amount of extra ram required to run steam is negligable, Microsoft Messenger/Window Live messenger takes up more memory). Steam on my system right now; 30,000k. MSN/WLM; 64000k.

You ONLY NEED THE INTERNET ONCE, to install Steam, create a Steam account (free and easy (sidenote: The steam forums and steam support require seperate accounts, this is for account safety reasons) and activate the game (which you will only need ot do ONCE.

Even once you are dead and buried/burned/eaten if VALVe is still up and running your games will be attached to your account. If VALVe for osme unkown reason fails, they have said and promised they have develloped and will release a patch that frees steam so you can continue using it and your games after VALVe is gone.

You can always redownload the game again, on any comptuer, anywhere, anytime (as long as you have an internet connection, although it is 15 gigs, plus patches). The only restriction is that you can only be logged into your account on one computer at a time.

By default Steam will automatically download patches for and update your games you have purchased over steam, however you can turn this off by (I really shouldn't need to tell people this, it's freaking easy to figure out) right clicking on your game in the game's tab in steam and going into preferences then updates.

 

[BrendanM]

I think it's mostly for one or more of these reasons;

1. They're ignorant and naive.
2. They're stupid.
3. They've had a bad experiance but did not manage to solve it (even though there is probably a solution) and just gave up on Steam entirely.
4. They've heard rumours about steam that are false/outdated (it was somewhat unstable early on but that was several years ago).
5. They have poor reading, understanding, critical thinking nd research skills/abilities.
5a. Due to 5 they beleive you have to always be connected to the internet to use Steam (FALSE)

FACTS about steam;

There is an offline mode, while steam will try to connect to the itnernet first THEN let you choose offline mode, you can just do that when you turn on your computer (if you can run Empires the tiny amount of extra ram required to run steam is negligable, Microsoft Messenger/Window Live messenger takes up more memory). Steam on my system right now; 30,000k. MSN/WLM; 64000k.

You ONLY NEED THE INTERNET ONCE, to install Steam, create a Steam account (free and easy (sidenote: The steam forums and steam support require seperate accounts, this is for account safety reasons) and activate the game (which you will only need ot do ONCE.

Even once you are dead and buried/burned/eaten if VALVe is still up and running your games will be attached to your account. If VALVe for osme unkown reason fails, they have said and promised they have develloped and will release a patch that frees steam so you can continue using it and your games after VALVe is gone.

You can always redownload the game again, on any comptuer, anywhere, anytime (as long as you have an internet connection, although it is 15 gigs, plus patches). The only restriction is that you can only be logged into your account on one computer at a time.

By default Steam will automatically download patches for and update your games you have purchased over steam, however you can turn this off by (I really shouldn't need to tell people this, it's freaking easy to figure out) right clicking on your game in the game's tab in steam and going into preferences then updates.

When Counter-Strike 1.6 came out a few years ago, when I was in High School around 2003, me and my friends were adamant against steam. The anti-Steam bandwagon even went as far as people recreating the WON system (what online CS 1.5 worked off of) naming it WON2. We weren't willing to go that far so we downloaded CS on steam, god awful DL times, dealt with all the bugs, dealt with all the issues. They all worked themselves out overtime. It isn't as bad as people make it out to be. It's a gaming hub that opens you up to games that you might not know existed otherwise. Still, I'd rather have a disc with my games just like I want an actual paper book, something material I can hold in my hand is a lot more substantial than their databank. Either way, I enjoy it as I work with it, not against it.

The game is worth the money. The patches will make your money go farther. The Mods will give you the best bang for your buck - in time.

 

[Maniacal]

Counterstrike lol

 

[LightSpectra]

On topic: the battles are basically unplayable unless you have a decent video card.

 

[Elta]

One of these should play it fine, and they will fit in any desktop and work with any power supply -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...548 106792522 1067943539&name=GeForce 9400 GT

 

[Maniacal]

On topic: the battles are basically unplayable unless you have a decent video card.

Well, duh. They updated the graphics alot, of course the specs went up.

One of these should play it fine, and they will fit in any desktop and work with any power supply -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...548 106792522 1067943539&name=GeForce 9400 GT

Don't get anything less than an 8800Gt or 9800GT, any of the other 9xxxs are not as good as the 8800GT

 

[Elta]

Don't get anything less than an 8800Gt or 9800GT, any of the other 9xxxs are not as good as the 8800GT

That's not the point.

It's the power supply. For example the stock power supply on my computer has a max out put of 450 watts. The best videocard I could safely put in without risking it shorting out on me is a 9600. So that is what I got. Not to mention it takes up less space.


A 9400 should fit in any computer and run with any stock power supply. Not to mention play Empire TW. If you have to shell out 100$ for the power supply and buy a bigger case what is the point?

Though yeah, if you can go big, go big

 

[BrendanM]

Counterstrike lol

Best fps ever

 

[Maniacal]

That's not the point.

It's the power supply. For example the stock power supply on my computer has a max out put of 450 watts. The best videocard I could safely put in without risking it shorting out on me is a 9600. So that is what I got. Not to mention it takes up less space.


A 9400 should fit in any computer and run with any stock power supply. Not to mention play Empire TW. If you have to shell out 100$ for the power supply and buy a bigger case what is the point?

Though yeah, if you can go big, go big

A 9400 is not going to be that great for playing Empires, and from what I've read and seen it doesn't look that great with low/medium settings.

Best fps ever

I lol'd. It's an okay game. Probably better with friends, but it's hardly the best FPS, it has a serious lack of gameplay mechanics. Very very basic mechanics. Like leaning. Iron sights. Issues with how fast people actually move.

 

[Elta]

A 9400 is not going to be that great for playing Empires, and from what I've read and seen it doesn't look that great with low/medium settings.

When I played M2 first I had a

5200...... basically unplayable. I mean you could play, but you wouldn't really enjoy it.

6200 Playable on low.

8400 - Playable on high and beautiful.

9600 - no better, it was already maxed out.


I play with everything on high with my 9600 in ETW.

I am sure you can play with everything on medium with a 9400. Medium looks good, low looks awful.

You don't have choice when your case is small. You can still enjoy the game withoug a huge videocard.

 

[Maniacal]

Case's aren't very expensive. You could always make your own too or modify it.

Didn't realise you could play on high with a 9600.

 

[Elta]

Everything on high except AA which I keep on 4X

 

[Maniacal]

I never know what to set AA too, usua;;y 4 if the game is recent or max it out or really high if it's older.

Even less of an idea what to set antiscoptic (spelling?) filters too. Or what the bloody hell it is.

 

[Elta]

I never know what to set AA too, usua;;y 4 if the game is recent or max it out or really high if it's older.

Even less of an idea what to set antiscoptic (spelling?) filters too. Or what the bloody hell it is.

AA is that shiny-smooth filter.

Though I don't know if that is what it really does.

From my testing on computers much better than mine (those 3k$+ comps they have at frys to display games) going from 4X AA to 16X does not really increase the look that much but it will cut your frame rates in half. No matter how good the computer is ...... it's not worth it.

 

[Maniacal]

AA (antialising, spelling?) reduces jagged edges and smooths non-horizontal/vertical lines.