Retrograde movement

[Scaeva]

Having played with it a bit, I have to say that as a game, it's fun. But as a historical simulation of ancient battle, it leaves much to be desired.

My principal objection is the lack of ability of units to move or be pushed backwards. This was a prominent feature in many ancient battles. In FoG, the only way a unit (other than cavalry) can move backwards while in contact is if it is routed. Very unrealistic for some of the highly disciplined armies—or even Hannibal's Gauls.

Is there any way to fix this, or will it be fixed in a future update?

[IainMcNeil]

We have to disagree on this. A huge amount of historical research went in to the game and the feeling was push backs did not accurately reflect the history of the vast majority of battles. When they did occur they were on a small scale that would have not been noticed on the battlefield. Feel free to discuss in the Tabletop Section as the designers really live over there and they can explain the logic in more detail. There are lot of things that people feel happened that in reality didn't because a lot of our early understandings have been shown to be wrong by new research.

[Scaeva]

Yes, I appreciate the amount of historical research. However, battles like Cannae were not minor, for example. There are a number of historical errors, especially with regard to the Romans and better trained Greek armies. This is only one. The terrain effects are another. Have any of these code warriors actually tried to move over terrain in armor?

I might do as you suggest, but I don't want or have the time to argue with people who are so convinced they are correct that I have no chance of getting them to think otherwise. It just isn't worth it—twenty-six years as a consultant taught me that.

I am disappointed. I was hoping for a better simulation, since so much was done correctly. Damn fine games, and the art is great, if sometimes historically inaccurate.

I do appreciate that your average gamer (especially these days) would find an accurate simulation, even on a computer, frustrating, and difficult, and boring.