Interested but...

[TheGrayMouser]

So perhaps I need a change of pace from killing digital enemies with pikes, gladii, muskets and howitzers so of course this game has come into my radar.
Big fan of SSI's original 5 Star Games ( hoping one day Star General is given a good rebuild...) Poking at the "factions" I see that the ecclectic units of the original sadly arnt in theme ( balloon grenadiers, pistoleers etc side by side with traditional axemen etc) but thats ok. A couple of questions:

1) I see oceans but are their naval units? If not, why the heck not?!! Giant eagles dive bombing war galleys seems like alot of fun! Or it something in the pipeline? Its the biggest reason I have never had interest in the Dominions games.

2) I see that their is an editor yet I dont see any one talking about it or creating anything with it.... Does it actually work? I am leery because out of all aspects of game issues, editors are where I have been "burned"


Cheers!

[Pixel]

No Naval stuff currently as far as I can tell

But I've been having fun with the single player campaign so far and I'm giving a multiplayer battle a go to atm. As a multiplayer game (based on my initial impressions) I don't feel it is as compelling as FoGII or the like but the narrative campaign has decisions points in it that make me curious to see what will happen next (and that can have an effect on how your units fight / what units you can get). There is a wounding and morale system that makes the combats a bit more layered then just a normal health bar (as they can retreat and rest/heal).

The single player is a bunch of story based missions that start easy and ramp up a good deal. It does do the whole here a much larger enemy force use the terrain and abilities to defeat it type of mission early on.

It is a single storyline in the currently available campaign so it isn't a sandbox experience as much as a narrative wargame with rpg aspects (equip-able items / skill trees).

Only two factions but a decent (but not huge) amount of unit variety (hopefully we get more in expansions). Nothing quite as wild as the original FG atm but a few of the upgraded units do have some nifty stuff basic magic attacks / special abilities. Your hero can get a bear mount, magical items, etc. The stone hurling Trolls are fun but, perhaps a tad OP. It is not a 4x fantasy game like Warlock, Endless Legend etc., but more along the lines of original fantasy general, wesnoth, etc. You manage a bunch of units and upgrade them while balancing exploration and rewards from finishing scenarios early. The game seems stingy on resources at times so you can't upgrade your units willy nilly.

I'd still say wesnoth nails this formula for me the best. But FGII is a very nice looking game (easy to play, hard to master). Not a lot of Multiplayer / Community activity yet for it though.

The other game that I really like that is a hidden gem if you like the STUB engine Battle Academy / Sanctus Reach style tile based games is Hell. It may not be everybody's cup of tea but, it is a lovely fantasy skirmish game with gameplay more in line with what players of Battle Academy or Pike and Shot / Field of Glory like. If you haven't played it Hell is totally worth a look too IMO.