Field of Glory vs Total War

[Toonces]

Hey guys,
I've been eyeballing Field of Glory for a while.  I'm interested in a turn-based medieval game and I think Field of Glory is about it for choices (FoG with the Storm of Arrows add-on). 

Here's the thing.  I'm wondering if I should even go down this path with so much M2TW goodness to play with. 

Both games allow you to set up battles, lots of units, etc.  In some ways I think Total War has the edge because of its real-time nature; it gives you more of a simulation aspect than a turn-based game.  But, on the other hand, the RTS of Total War is one of the things I sometimes don't like and is why I'm eyeballing FoG for its turn-based gaming. 

With FoG and SoA on sale, we're not talking a ton of money, like $35 for both, and FoG has a lot of additional expansions.  But I do love Total War, and I wonder if there's even a point in buying FoG.

I realize I'm sort of rambling, but ultimately I'm just not sure FoG is going to be what I'm looking for.  I wish it had a demo!

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

[Bison]

You planning on playing multiplayer?  If not then the AI in FoG will disappoint you after about 5 games when you learn the basic mechanics of the game.  It's can be good fun MP if you find an equally skilled opponent.

[jomni]

Yes MP is the way to go.  But I can seems to be good at the game as I cannot grasp the rules.

[LongBlade]

Toonces, you have managed to pick two almost diametrically opposed games.

Field of Glory has a lot going for it, but it is not Total War.

It has a ton of expansions. I had problems with the game when I tried installing a medieval expansion and then a prior ancient expansion. Not sure if that was fixed or not, but the patch system a year or two ago was not nearly as brain dead correct as it purported to be. Could have changed. Don't let that deter you - it was a quibble and Slitherine is good about support. Just don't be too surprised if you buy two separate expansions out of order and run into an issue.

Field of Glory is based on a minis game system. It's not a perfect port, but if you find yourself longing to paint ancient Romans Field of Glory is a fine gaming system and, well, you know all about gateway drugs I'm sure.

I played the initial Field of Glory extensively, but have not spent much time with latter expansions. I liked what I saw, but can't say I played every expansion.

That said, the mechanics of Total War and Field of Glory couldn't be more different. What is it you'd like to get out of Field of Glory?

[Nefaro]

Yes MP is the way to go.  But I can seems to be good at the game as I cannot grasp the rules.

The good thing about FOG's pbem multiplayer is the PBEM Server that Slitherine cooked up with it.  Takes out all the ass-pains of PBEM play, including finding an opponent.  You can just log in to the host server and issue Open Challenges & play any outstanding turns on your current games.  Very painless.. I hope Slitherine/Matrix put that into all their new turn-based wargames because it's wonderful.  They have it in Battle Academy too, IIRC..?

LB's right about the gameplay, of course.  FOG and TW are completely different styles.  FOG also has no campaign, in addition to the other differences.

[gocrows]

I play FOG almost daily on multiplayer, do not bother with SP. It is a great game against a human opponent. Huge range of battles, create your own armies, of varying sizes. The only occasionally frustrating issue is some ridiculous battle results between indivudal units that defy explanation. Generally however, the best player wins.

I have the Immortal Fire and Legionsrumphant add-ons, both are great. Loop0kint to get Storm of arrows, especially asthey are reduced during Slitherine/Matrix'x Chrissy sale.

I also love all Toal War games (I have them all), however they are certainly very different games.

Highly recommend!

[Grimnirsson]

In some ways I think Total War has the edge because of its real-time nature; it gives you more of a simulation aspect than a turn-based game.

That's interesting...I have a different perspective on this because I think the turn-based consims give you a much better simulation here. Usually the people playing these games are not real-world commanders and so a real-time game is demanding a certain background of tactical/strategic experience that can be put into practice in such a real-time environment that most players don't have. Turn-based is perhaps not a simulation of what actually would happen on a real battlefield since in real combat there are no turns, no pause time etc., but it allows those who do not have real combat and command experience to make the best decisions. In the end all wargames are about decisions and about minimizing casualties and maximizing efficiency. So it actually is simulating the thought process of such commanders, which is I think much more the point in playing wargames than any simulation of combat.

[Zulu1966]

I play FOG almost daily on multiplayer, do not bother with SP. It is a great game against a human opponent. Huge range of battles, create your own armies, of varying sizes. The only occasionally frustrating issue is some ridiculous battle results between indivudal units that defy explanation. Generally however, the best player wins.

I have the Immortal Fire and Legionsrumphant add-ons, both are great. Loop0kint to get Storm of arrows, especially asthey are reduced during Slitherine/Matrix'x Chrissy sale.

I also love all Toal War games (I have them all), however they are certainly very different games.

Highly recommend!

Yes - some of the combat results were so unintelligible it stopped me buying the expansions - you should also know that the original developers have vacated the project and the whole thing is now undergoing a re-write from the ground up in unity I believe - I am pretty sure they said all the old stuff will be compatible with the new version (though am not sure how they will manage that entirely as the old one was written completely in dark basic)

I think launch of the rewrite is a long way off yet - so they wont be releasing any new expansions unitl then - and you might want to check the status going forward of what you buy now before purchasing too much if long term thats a problem for you. Slitherine forums the best place for that. It is a great well presented game - but I just couldnt get on with those combat results. the mp system is excellent and had a few exciting games on there before I stopped playing. If you have all the expansions it is truly a massive resource and there are a lrage number of user created ones. the combalt reults issue is frustrating for me as its one of the best presented wargames out there I think but just couldnt get my head round why they happened and the rationale behind the explanation. Maybe time for a revisit.