Long term game replay.

[stormbringer3]

This game is different from any of the other games that I own. The price is right. My question, what is the long term replay potential? Once you learn the "system" how challenging will the game be? I know that there are quite a few racetracks but will different racetracks require different strategies? Are there future plans for this title?
Thanks for any opinions.

[Tamas]

Beside the different race tracks, there is also a huge number of random events, one of each which happen before each race. Sometimes these affect AI drivers, often you (benefit or hindrance), sometimes it affects everyone.

This adds a big variation to the already varied set of track and racers combinations.

The tracks are first of all different in size. Size does not primarily affects the race by sheer duration, but also the tactics required.

Also there are two main kind of tracks. The "Roman style" tracks have the chariots start "outside" of the actual oval track, so they hit the track running. In "Greek style" tracks the chariots start in the middle of the track. Races play out decidedly more different on the two styles, with the Greek one (found also outside of Greece of course) being perhaps the harder, as the start of the race can be extremely challenging, as chariots barely accelerated already close in on the first curve, still together in one big pile. This can turn right into a crazy (and fun) mayhem if there is lots of chariots.

And that leads to an other factor, number of teams (chariots) in a race. This is random (within the limits of the track), but you know in advance of course. Needless to say this greatly affects what tactic you wish to use.

There are also the different abilities and attributes of your racers, chariots, and horses. Their combinations (both in case of player and AI teams) mean a lot of possible different set of teams to command and encounter.

[Niessuh]

Well, being the game designer I do not think my opinion on the difficulty level is the most valid, but the most hardened betatesters still facing challenges after two months of testing. Finishing the epic campaing is not a quick thing, and it will need passing though at least four imperial regions to get the access to the Circus Maximus.

About strategies, every circus shape (carceres or oval shape, four to eight lanes, short or long track...), the faction you belong (fast horses or strong chariots or skilled aurigas...), start position (inner or outer side, second line...) and the myriad of race events generates a different set of possibilities. Sometimes even keep team in one piece or just go hunting a certain rival leader will be better than winning the race.

[toddtreadway]

I was pleasantly surprised by the campaign. I've been playing it all day, and it is very challenging. Definitely gives me that "one more turn" (one more race) feeling. Well worth the $20 price tag. I didn't try the demo, but if the campaign is not in it, then you might want to revise it so that a player could play at a single city and not travel to other cities, just so they could get a taste of it.

[jack54]

ORIGINAL: toddtreadway

I was pleasantly surprised by the campaign. I've been playing it all day, and it is very challenging. Definitely gives me that "one more turn" (one more race) feeling. Well worth the $20 price tag. I didn't try the demo, but if the campaign is not in it, then you might want to revise it so that a player could play at a single city and not travel to other cities, just so they could get a taste of it.

Agree 100%
The campaign is getting better and better... I have a few scores to settle already. before the race I hover the mouse over the riders and get their names; now it'getting personal.

The different 'events' for the races are a great touch ie No whips, a bumpy course that breaks wheels more often. A race at dusk with poor visibility. I'm still in my first city!

IMHO well worth the $20... and if you see an Egyptian driver named Khons he'll be wearing red for the military faction...I owe him one! (He killed my best driver)

[PunkReaper]

I agree the more you play the more you invest emotionally in your charioteers. My finger hovered over the order button for a surprisingly long time trying to decide whether to have my best charioteer hang onto the reins for the last few yards to win a big race. He did and died.....[:(]. I am trying to live with the guilt

[toddtreadway]

One thing that would add significantly to the longevity is a multiplayer feature. Not whole campaigns, but just individual races hosted by the Slitherine server that people would jump into.

[Niessuh]

The multiplayer has been a recurrent idea since development began. Is specially complicated because of the variable number of opponents in every race, but maybe we could give a try in the future...

[toddtreadway]

That would be great!