My purpose with this thread is to have a reasonably-optimistic discussion about how AoE4 will fit into the bigger picture, primarily in comparison to AoE2. (I realize that many of you are probably not optimistic by nature, so please try to contain yourselves.) Anyway, let's get into it:
First of all, both AoE2 and AoE4 are set in the Middle Ages, so I think there's almost no difference in that regard.
Now, it does seem that the civilizations in AoE4 will have much more unique identities than their AoE2 counterparts. I could certainly envision some issues with balance here. I'm actually curious, if any of you are familiar with the Starcraft community, it seems to me that in those games the factions have very unique identities, so how does this work out? For instance, in tournaments are players generally expected to stick with one faction the whole time? Or can they switch from game to game as they see fit? Or is there some kind of drafting system? Anyway, the point is that, if I'm not mistaken, Starcraft has been able to make this dynamic work, and so there's no reason it necessarily won't with AoE4.
Finally, it seems that AoE4 is going to bring some interesting new mechanics to the game, as well as unique skins for every civ (the latter of which is something I've noticed many people clamoring for from time to time over the past few years since I've gotten back into this game). Assuming the new mechanics are implemented well, I see this as a plus. (Now obviously, there's a good chance they won't be, but as mentioned previously I'd like to consider the best-case scenario.)
I guess my point is that, unless I'm missing something, AoE4 seems like it's intended to be AoE2DEDE. To be honest, I haven't been hyper fixated on the buzz, but at this point I feel I have a decent sense of what this game is going to be about.
Anyway, why will you or won't you be buying and playing this game?
First of all, both AoE2 and AoE4 are set in the Middle Ages, so I think there's almost no difference in that regard.
Now, it does seem that the civilizations in AoE4 will have much more unique identities than their AoE2 counterparts. I could certainly envision some issues with balance here. I'm actually curious, if any of you are familiar with the Starcraft community, it seems to me that in those games the factions have very unique identities, so how does this work out? For instance, in tournaments are players generally expected to stick with one faction the whole time? Or can they switch from game to game as they see fit? Or is there some kind of drafting system? Anyway, the point is that, if I'm not mistaken, Starcraft has been able to make this dynamic work, and so there's no reason it necessarily won't with AoE4.
Finally, it seems that AoE4 is going to bring some interesting new mechanics to the game, as well as unique skins for every civ (the latter of which is something I've noticed many people clamoring for from time to time over the past few years since I've gotten back into this game). Assuming the new mechanics are implemented well, I see this as a plus. (Now obviously, there's a good chance they won't be, but as mentioned previously I'd like to consider the best-case scenario.)
I guess my point is that, unless I'm missing something, AoE4 seems like it's intended to be AoE2DEDE. To be honest, I haven't been hyper fixated on the buzz, but at this point I feel I have a decent sense of what this game is going to be about.
Anyway, why will you or won't you be buying and playing this game?