Rome II

[Bison]

[GDS_Starfury]

no Apaches or Aradvarks in RTW2.  :(

[Nefaro]

Shoot. Aren't I just the wanker? I just impulse bought it on steam and had no idea there was a sale offer from another retailer.

For some reason, some of the British pc game retailers tend to sell their pre-orders of the Total War series for cheaper. 

Must be something to do with the dev company being British.  They give them special pricing or something?  I purchased both Shogun 2, and now Rome 2, through Get Games Go (another Brit shop) for a larger discount than anywhere else.

SEE!  GetGames has the TW Rome 2 pre-order for $46.76!!!
(22% off)
http://www.getgamesgo.com/product/total-war-rome-2-po

They had a similarly sizable pre-order discount with Shogun 2.

[Grim.Reaper]

Saw it at this shop for $40....but don't have any experience with this company.....I already pre ordered long ago, but others might be interested in it.

http://www.ozgameshop.com/pc-games/total-war-rome-ii-2-with-greek-states-culture-pack-bonus-dlc-code-by-email-game-pc

Also, they have a $35 version, but does not include greek dlc.
http://www.ozgameshop.com/pc-games/total-war-rome-ii-2-code-by-email-game-pc

[Staggerwing]

Just checked this AM and Rome2 finished preloading overnight. Woot!

Still, wouldn't it be a pisser if the game required a last minute patch at release day from the same stalled servers that everyone else will be trying to buy their full copy from?

[Grim.Reaper]

Just checked this AM and Rome2 finished preloading overnight. Woot!

Still, wouldn't it be a pisser if the game required a last minute patch at release day from the same stalled servers that everyone else will be trying to buy their full copy from?

They already said day one content patch will need to be downloaded I believe.

[Staggerwing]

May have to try playing off-line on the first day then.

[Gusington]

Yes - the day one patch is set to make Pontus playable.

[Bison]

Seems like the download is significantly smaller than I was expecting.

[Sir Slash]

That's perfect Bison but can you make him look MEANNNN...? >:( >:(

[Nefaro]

Seems like the download is significantly smaller than I was expecting.

Oh.. there'll be further downloading on release day.  I assure you. 

I think they must've had some serious compression on the pre-load to only be what?  15GB?  And we're still missing assets, if only Pontus.  Hopefully it won't take hours to download on the 3rd, however.  :D

[RooksBailey]

One of the devs was on the forum yesterday and said the 35gb install that is mentioned in the requirements includes future content, as well as temp HDD space during the install process.  Here is the quote:

9.9gb is correct, it will uncompress to a larger size at launch. The game will not be the full 35gb noted in the recommended specs at launch because that includes an estimate of additional space for future content updates, temporary disc space needed at install and so on. The actual size of the game on your hard drive at launch once you've finished installing will be around 18gb.

[RooksBailey]

I've been thinking about pulling the trigger on a pre-order for R2, but I have to say that I am having some reservations lately.  It is because of that AAR that one of the CA guys have been posting on the official forum.  Now, I think it was nice of CA to allow an AAR prior to the game's release, but there are a few things in that AAR that are setting off red flags in my mind. 

First, there have been no pictures of any tactical battles.  Mr. Lusted has clearly been fighting out the battles, but he hasn't posted even a single screenshot.  I have to ask "why?"

Second, in a recent battle Mr. Lusted had a single general unit versus seven enemy units...and he won!  Mr. Lusted went to great lengths to explain how he got very lucky in the battle, and if he had to fight that battle another dozen times he would lose every time.  Hmm.  I fear the AI might not be that competent if such a lopsided victory is possible even once.

Third, Mr. Lusted has been cleaning up the map, grabbing territory like crazy against the AI.  Some have pointed out that this is because he has made smart use of diplomacy - he had allowed the AI factions to chew each other down and then he has moved in to take the spoils.  But, again, this seems to me another sign of weak AI. 

Fourth, the AI seems to have a lot of small stacks running around the map, instead of merging them into one formidable stack.  Again, AI concerns....

Now, this could all just be nitpicking on my part.  But I remain cautious.  Gaming is going through an awful spat of mediocre games, big budget or otherwise, and I am tired of getting burned, or near-burned (fortunately, my "wait and see" approach to game buying has already paid for itself more than once ;D).  I was going to break from that approach for this game seeing how I loved the original, and...well, I really want those TF2 extras.  :-[  :D  But I have to say that AAR is making me more suspicious than confident at the moment. 

Well, I have until next Tuesday to make up my mind, so I will wait as long as possible.  Hopefully we will get a demo, or an early review by then.

[Gusington]

^All good points and reasons enough on their own to not pre-purchase. You have studied that AAR like Matlock studied a court case.

[Bison]

I've never really been disappointed with a Total War game and that includes Empire.