Age of Wonders III - no manual

[solops]

Just bough it and I do not know yet how good this game might be, but I can tell you that it has no manual, only one of those accursed "in-game references." The lack of a manual DOES make a difference to some people, but not to others. It impacts my purchasing decisions. Most of the games I like are involved enough to need a good manual to refer to. I hope this game turns out to be good, but lack of a printed or PDF manual will certainly increase my frustration level and make the learning process longer than necessary. I may even find myself put off enough to never learn it thoroughly. I hope not. This is the second game I have bought in the last 18 months that had no manual...and no notice that a manual was lacking. I find this trend disturbing. Anyway, buyer beware.

[tgb]

Did you buy it from Steam?  When there's a manual you can usually find a link to it on the product page, even before you purchase.  No link=no manual.  I don't know if there's a way to tell in advance from GOG or other download services.

[bbmike]

I believe the developer said that the manual was incorporated into the in-game help so that they could constantly update it. So there would be no separate manual, just the in-game stuff. It seems like manuals for games are becoming extinct.  :(

[solops]

Great Caesar's Ghost....don't you two have something better to do at this time of day than look at game forums?

[bbmike]

Normally, yes, but we're all jacked into the net 24/7 during the Steam Summer Sale.  ;D

[undercovergeek]

it comes with encyclopedia thing in game

[Greybriar]

it comes with encyclopedia thing in game

Disappointing.  :(

[steve58]

As I am seriously considering picking this up while it is $20, I also find it disappointing that there is no manual.  Just did a quick lookie-look on the Steam forums and someone just posted this thread:  Manual Alternatives

[Nefaro]

Did you buy it from Steam?  When there's a manual you can usually find a link to it on the product page, even before you purchase.  No link=no manual.  I don't know if there's a way to tell in advance from GOG or other download services.

GOG lists all the extra files available for download on their games.

Each product page has a gray bar that says "Bonus content included.." and lists them.  Manuals, Maps, Art, Wallpapers, Soundtrack, etc.

[Greybriar]

Just saw this on the Steam forums:
An out of game Tome of Wonders
Tables of Wonders
Age of Wonders III Wiki

None of those are a printed paper manual, but one could throw something together and print it off if so inclined.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

it comes with encyclopedia thing in game

Disappointing.  :(

You have to see it, it is huge. It also is hyperlinked all through to other sections. Far more useful than a regular manual.

Screenshot added.

[Gusington]

I like in-game manuals/encyclopedias...they don't replace paper manuals but i don't think we'll ever see them again.

Is AoWIII still 20.00?

[solops]

I have given up on paper manuals, but they could at least have given me a PDF manual I could read on my Kindle out by the pool.  And for the record, Dominions 4 did it right. They supplied a THOROUGH pdf manual and provided a third party who would print it out. I bought one.  Its f---ing huge!!  And in a nice, bound book form!!

[Martok]

There's no denying the lack of a manual for AoW3 was disappointing, but Biggs isn't kidding when he talks about the in-game encyclopedia being huge.  It's both sizable, and extensive -- there's very few topics it hasn't been able to cover when I've had a question about something. 

Great Caesar's Ghost....don't you two have something better to do at this time of day than look at game forums?

LOL!  You, sir, win the internet today for using the phrase "Great Caesar's Ghost".  I've not seen that one in a while.  O0 

Is AoWIII still 20.00?

There's 22 hours, 10 minutes left as of the time of this post.  8) 

[SgtRock]

I'm surprised we haven't seen any mods yet for this game?