I'm not quite playing the game I want to play

Toonces · November 27, 2012, 09:42:03 PM

What I want is a strategic level medieval wargame. I am thinking of something along the lines of an Ageod game, but medieval in nature.

The two options I have found are M2TW played without the tactical battles, and CK2. M2TW is close, but you get some wonky results sometimes without fighting the tactical battles. Also, I've been playing that game for a really long time so some of the appeal has worn off. It's still a great game- I must have 3 or 4 copies of it now- but it feels a bit stale.

CK2 is nice, but war really isn't the focus of the game. I'm looking for more of a war game than what CK2 is.

AH's old Kingmaker might be an option. The graphics kill my eyes, and I really haven't ever stuck with it long enough to judge the gameplay.

I suppose this is just an observation. I'm not sure exactly what I am looking for, but I know I am not playing it right now.

Nefaro · November 27, 2012, 10:00:45 PM

I feel like that all the time. I guess they've just not made the perfect grand strategy game for anything just yet. :P ;D

I've been slipping back to some of the older stuff, when I get bored of the new lately. The styles are so different that they at least hold my attention for a brief time. I really want some big goods-based economy that I can manipulate, along with all the warfare bells & whistles. I think PON has come close to that, but for the same reason - it's so big that it's long & unwieldy, and has the expected amounts of little bugs still.

LongBlade · November 27, 2012, 11:02:46 PM

With the Total War games typically I play the tactical battles early in the game and then taper off as the strategic game becomes more advanced.

Early in the game I will definitely do better than auto-resolving the battle.

Also, you'll build your general's experience.

After you develop two or three highly experienced generals you can trust them to auto-resolve a battle even against greater force levels (though I have seen painful exceptions, they're rare if you pay attention).

Sometimes you'll still have to micromanage a battle here and there (or just play one for fun), but with several experienced generals and properly sized armies you should be able to let go of the tactical game and focus on the strategic.

son_of_montfort · November 27, 2012, 11:33:45 PM

Toonces, I've often looked for the type of medieval game you are describing. Unfortunately, it does not adequately exist. I love CKII, but it is more a society sim. I like M:TW2, but I get bogged down by the RTS battles (like you said). Knights of Honor was a pretty good game, but it was also largely Real-Time, which lowered some of my enjoyment.

I would love a TBS medieval game, one that had the grand strategy of CKII, but puts it in more of an AGEOD format, like you said. If you don't mind China, you might enjoy the Romance of the Three Kingdoms games. But I can't think of an analog for the middle ages.

Longdan · November 28, 2012, 12:30:48 AM

Take a look at "Lands and Lords" an amazing browser game.

http://www.landsandlords.de/

There are currently 3 or 4 games in progress. All human opponents.
Turns are 1/4 to 4 hours depending on server. Games typically 1500
turns. The 1/4 hour turn games play on the weekends over a course of months.
The others last 1500-6000 hours. There is much depth and a friendly community.
It is a German game with many Germans. Think of a German browser wargame.
It is the real thing. You can start anytime although it is best to start at the beginning
of a game. Late starters are partly compensated by being given extra money
and resources with a slightly more developed infrastructure. It can be a nail biter.
If you are eliminated you can start over with a penalty but you do have the option
of remaining in the game. I love it and have been playing for a couple of years.
Beware: sometimes you are the hammer and sometimes the nail. There is a real
economy, armies hexes and leaders.

Anguille · November 28, 2012, 02:33:32 AM

My top recommandation is Knights of Honor: great great game.

You may want to have a look at Lords of the realm 3 on GOG...it's a war game, management of the kingdom is very light. On the other hand, you have to think carefully on the strategy map.

undercovergeek · November 28, 2012, 06:00:42 AM

my lottery winning funds would be handed over to anyone who could combine WitP's epic scale and grand map but in Medieval Europe with CK II's dynastic engine, and make an operational medieval game

MetalDog · November 28, 2012, 06:53:12 AM

Get to winning, geek!

Gusington · November 28, 2012, 08:54:22 AM

Funny...once I get over my WWI fixation I was going to start up a game of M2TW woth the StainlessSteel expansion and play as Ireland...I have a hankerin'.

Check out the mods for M2TW...they may turn the game into more of what you want.

Nefaro · November 28, 2012, 01:53:47 PM

Quote from: son_of_montfort on November 27, 2012, 11:33:45 PM
I would love a TBS medieval game, one that had the grand strategy of CKII, but puts it in more of an AGEOD format, like you said. If you don't mind China, you might enjoy the Romance of the Three Kingdoms games. But I can't think of an analog for the middle ages.

I think the creators of the Making History series would do well to create a grand strategy in a period other than the usual WW2 setting.

I'd like to see a Victorian-era MH, with a LOT of work done to convert the MH2 engine over. I like their turn-based engine with the second one, despite some of the past issues with the AI, and I think the economic side of it could be relatively easily adjusted to the 19th century.

There's just too much damn WW2 focus, still, for one thing. That may have been where the money was, but I think it's become a bit stale lately and thankfully some developers have begun widening their offerings regarding time period.

bbmike · November 28, 2012, 06:20:33 PM

Knights of Honor? It's a great game and it's only $10 right now!

ArizonaTank · November 28, 2012, 07:00:37 PM

Quote from: Anguille on November 28, 2012, 02:33:32 AM
My top recommandation is Knights of Honor: great great game.

You may want to have a look at Lords of the realm 3 on GOG...it's a war game, management of the kingdom is very light. On the other hand, you have to think carefully on the strategy map.

+1 to KOH

WallysWorld · November 28, 2012, 08:19:51 PM

Quote from: Nefaro on November 28, 2012, 01:53:47 PM
I think the creators of the Making History series would do well to create a grand strategy in a period other than the usual WW2 setting.
I'd like to see a Victorian-era MH, with a LOT of work done to convert the MH2 engine over.

MH's developers are working on a World War One game.

Toonces · November 28, 2012, 08:51:28 PM

LOL, I have Knights of Honor in my Steam library that came in some pack or another.

republic · November 29, 2012, 08:26:28 AM

QuoteI'm not quite playing the game I want to play

I feel like that every time I play Distant Worlds. It is ALMOST my favorite game of all time. However, the overabundance of resources and money makes me feel like I'm always playing on cheat-mode.

I should be worried about fuel and metals and I should have to scour the galaxy looking for unobtainium for my Super Blaster 5000, and once I find it I should have to wield my entire empire in order to keep it. The Spice must flow!