Matrix Games Forums

I have arrived at a rather tricky situation. I am sitting here at home with roughly $60 burning a hole in my pocket. However, I have 3 games up for consideration.

1) Dawn of War:Winter Assault
2) Rome Total War and Barbarian Invasion
3) Crown of Glory

I am quite attached to Matrix, but I already own WitP and GGWAW. I think it could be time to add to my RTS collection. Your thoughts?

As long as you're asking for suggestions... [;)]

I own #1 and while I like the limited amount I've had time to play, I actually enjoyed the original Dawn of War a bit more. The new one seems faster paced and the somewhat slower pace was one of the things I liked vs. other RTS games. Plus, it's an expansion so you're mainly getting a new campaign and the Imperial Guard.

I have RTW and played it a fair amount and enjoyed it. I have been thinking about getting BI, but haven't gone for it yet mainly due to lack of time.

Crown of Glory, well - the best Napoleonic game to come out in quite a while, IMHO. [8D] Plus a full game rather than an expansion and with a ton of replayability.

So, I'd have to recommend #3. What, are you surprised? [:D]

Regards,

- Erik

Crown and Glory.

I've played Dawn of War, and it just seems a bog-standard RTS to me. If RTS is your thing, get Kohan 2 instead AND Crown of Glory!

Rome: Total War is certainly a very good game, although not as good as many have suggested (the campaign side is better than the previous games, but the battle-game has ben speeded up and dumbed down). If you have both a strategy and RTS itch to scratch, though, a good choice.

Crown of Glory is the best game of the three IMHO, but then I'm not big on RTS. I think one reason CoG is so popular is that there have been many attempts at this sort of game, but this is about the only one that's ever done it right.

What I am really concerned in is replay value? I realize that out of the three Dawn of War probably has the least. I own the original and online play becomes fairly repetitive. So, I must ask you how you all feel about online play for RTW and COG? I haven't heard much about the Rome Total War online communit...

ORIGINAL: GOPconservative1

What I am really concerned in is replay value? I realize that out of the three Dawn of War probably has the least. I own the original and online play becomes fairly repetitive. So, I must ask you how you all feel about online play for RTW and COG? I haven't heard much about the Rome Total War online communit...

I've never played CoG MP (the AI is good enough for me!), but the forum suggests those who have enjoy it. RTW will have far more players, of course.

My knowledge of RTW online is secondhand too, I'm afraid. I played Shogun online a lot, and Medieval for a while, but as the battle section of Rome is, IMHO, not as good as its predecessors I never bothered. I know many of the old Total War community were (probably rather unfairly) rather pissed that Rome brought in so many `RTS` players into the fray. Most of the guys I know just stuck with Medieval. To be fair, I think RTW probably has plenty of longevity without multiplay at all.

BTW, if you don't have them, why not consider getting Shogun and Medieval instead of Rome? You could probably pick up budget re-releases ofboth those (with expansions) AND Crown of Glory for your $60 ! [:D]

The only one ive played is Rome Total War and I love it

Rome Total War has NO AI !

COG is a lot of fun both pbem and through tcp/ip...

I would put my money on cog first and foremost. It's just a fun game with plenty of replay value imo.

Dawn of War is primarily for people who are already fans of the Warhammer 40K universe; if you're not, then it is indeed a "bog standard" RTS. RTW is very enjoyable, AI or no AI, and while I don't actually own Barbarian Invasion, I've only heard good things about it.

As for CoG, and running the risk of being burned at the stake as a heretic, it was a massive disappointment to me. I could never get into it at all.

So, from the three you mention, I'd go with #2.

I second what Sarge says RTW has NO AI, and I'd never play #1 even if you gave me a free copy, so #3 is the best choice by far. COG it is.

RTW even with the best mods is like a very pretty girl with annoying habits and no brains. You want things to work out but it just ends up being boring and annoying.

BDH

How much time does CoG take? I have WitP, and I am thinking that might be a little to complex for my liking. Could I have a pickup game of CoG, or will I be having to devote a number of hours to each turn?

ORIGINAL: GOPconservative1

How much time does CoG take? I have WitP, and I am thinking that might be a little to complex for my liking. Could I have a pickup game of CoG, or will I be having to devote a number of hours to each turn?

Depends on your settings.

If you go with quick battles, then each turn can be done in 10-20 minutes, if you go with detailed battles, then each turn will take longer as you go through your combats and plot the moves of your armies/units.

I'd put it somewhere between GGWaW and UV in terms of time required and complexity. WitP is in a class of its own.

Regards,

- Erik

Erik

I just tried to send you a pm but your inbox is full, could you clear some space and let me know when it's done.

Thanks

Marc

Out of those I have only played Winter Assault.

How to describe that addon, lets see... insane?

The guard are beyond powerfull, I know they are suppose to be some sort of fodderish addon or something, but if you let them build up you are -dead-.

My buddy and I tryed a 2vs2 us as orks vs the 2 hard guard ai and we were dead before we knew it, the shear number of men they can put out is insane!

Its very much turned into a build as much as possible and rush the snot out of the enemy type game, still very fun, and I love playing -as- the guard, but its not brain bender when it comes to strategy.

Then again, can you name an RTS that is?

Well,

Mad rushes wont work in Act of war, if you play somebody with half a brain you will get eaten alive, since most rushers tend to say build 100 tanks or 100 men or whatever.

Earth 2160 seems to do a good job of forcing you to think up plans, more so when you fight the aliens that can really outnumber you and build just scary air units.

Dragonshard is rush based for the endgame, but there is enough variety in the game itself that I can live with it.

Other then that....... I dunno I only tend to bother with th e"A+" titles when it comes to rts games, so much crap out there(ie generals)

Sorry, I'm terrible about remembering to check PMs. I'll clear it out tonight.

ORIGINAL: mantill

Erik

I just tried to send you a pm but your inbox is full, could you clear some space and let me know when it's done.

Thanks

Marc