In the November issue of PC Gamer (UK) Empire Total War had it's second preview feature in the same amount of issues.
Some things were new to me, some things were not. However at this point I will gobble up any facts about the game as I eagerly crash diet in preparation for the six months of isolation and sitting down I will do from the 6th of February onwards.
Empire fact 1:
The campaign maps are all seperate, there was a concern that these would somehow be individual campaigns. This article reveals that the seperate campaign maps all make up the overall campaign, but you can only view specific areas of the map at a time. The regions are Europe, The Americas and the east Indies. The latter where the majority of the wealth lies. Glancing at the screenshots present in the article it appears there are a good deal less provinces than on Medieval. The UK appears to be made up of only two for instance.
Empire fact 2:
To transfer units to these seperate regions, you simply move them into an 'in transit' area on the edge of whatever map you're on and they'll arrive, for example on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean with America in sight the next game turn. This game device is because it would take too long to simply move units across the vast distances involved if the map was to be more accurate.
Empire fact 3:
No grid beneath the terrain. This allows for more strategic positioning of your troops, ships, agents and whatever else.
Empire fact 4:
There are 12 playable factions in the game, most of which Creative Assembly are keeping under wraps for now. Current speculation is that the list will look something like this:
-Kingdom of Prussia
-Kingdom of France
-Kingdom of Great Britain
-Spanish Empire
-Ottoman Empire
-Russian Empire
-Dutch Republic
-Habsburg Monarchy
-Mughal Empire
-Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
-Swedish Empire
Plus of course the numerous factions which will be unplayable, rather than fighting one rebel faction throughout your entire empire.
Empire fact 5:
Colonisation is a core mechanic in the game, although expanding your homeland borders is certainly possible you'll struggle to raise the funds without significant expansion into commercial interests, for instance tea trade. Conflicts around key trading areas will be interesting too, as one faction may have a monopoly on the resource generating a load of cash, a rival power can come in with military ships blockade trade routes and set up competition.
Empire fact 6:
You no longer need a diplomat to begin negotiations.
Empire fact 7:
Governments replace monarchs as focuses of the empire and as such elections for posts within the government will take place, you may also get rid of say, the war secretary if you deem him incompetent and have a new one installed. Taxes can be set for different classes of citizen and political power and degree of democracy will need to be distributed carefully over your provinces as it will effect those regions.
Empire fact 8:
Generals are no longer 'royals' as in the previous games, they are professional soldiers. Governors are dedicated to the job of ruling your regions.
Empire fact 9:
The regions themselves consist of a large city, for example London and then the other buildings you develop will appear elsewhere in the region so they can be individually attacked or upgraded. This changes the siege warfare dynamic almost completely as you could in theory cripple an opponent's region by moving quickly to take the barracks, port, stables and other key buildings outside the main city.
Empire fact 10:
In order to finish on a nice even number, more insight into the revamped 'assasination' mechanic.
Think an enemies' chancellor is doing too good a job? Send a Gentleman to challenge him to a duel to the death and rid of him.
Discuss the impending awesome.
A f t y
A A R S
:: The Sun always rises in the East :: Flawless Crowns :: Dancing Days ::
"We kissed the Sun, and it smiled down upon us."
Some things were new to me, some things were not. However at this point I will gobble up any facts about the game as I eagerly crash diet in preparation for the six months of isolation and sitting down I will do from the 6th of February onwards.
The campaign maps are all seperate, there was a concern that these would somehow be individual campaigns. This article reveals that the seperate campaign maps all make up the overall campaign, but you can only view specific areas of the map at a time. The regions are Europe, The Americas and the east Indies. The latter where the majority of the wealth lies. Glancing at the screenshots present in the article it appears there are a good deal less provinces than on Medieval. The UK appears to be made up of only two for instance.
To transfer units to these seperate regions, you simply move them into an 'in transit' area on the edge of whatever map you're on and they'll arrive, for example on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean with America in sight the next game turn. This game device is because it would take too long to simply move units across the vast distances involved if the map was to be more accurate.
No grid beneath the terrain. This allows for more strategic positioning of your troops, ships, agents and whatever else.
There are 12 playable factions in the game, most of which Creative Assembly are keeping under wraps for now. Current speculation is that the list will look something like this:
-Kingdom of Prussia
-Kingdom of France
-Kingdom of Great Britain
-Spanish Empire
-Ottoman Empire
-Russian Empire
-Dutch Republic
-Habsburg Monarchy
-Mughal Empire
-Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
-Swedish Empire
Plus of course the numerous factions which will be unplayable, rather than fighting one rebel faction throughout your entire empire.
Colonisation is a core mechanic in the game, although expanding your homeland borders is certainly possible you'll struggle to raise the funds without significant expansion into commercial interests, for instance tea trade. Conflicts around key trading areas will be interesting too, as one faction may have a monopoly on the resource generating a load of cash, a rival power can come in with military ships blockade trade routes and set up competition.
You no longer need a diplomat to begin negotiations.
Governments replace monarchs as focuses of the empire and as such elections for posts within the government will take place, you may also get rid of say, the war secretary if you deem him incompetent and have a new one installed. Taxes can be set for different classes of citizen and political power and degree of democracy will need to be distributed carefully over your provinces as it will effect those regions.
Generals are no longer 'royals' as in the previous games, they are professional soldiers. Governors are dedicated to the job of ruling your regions.
The regions themselves consist of a large city, for example London and then the other buildings you develop will appear elsewhere in the region so they can be individually attacked or upgraded. This changes the siege warfare dynamic almost completely as you could in theory cripple an opponent's region by moving quickly to take the barracks, port, stables and other key buildings outside the main city.
In order to finish on a nice even number, more insight into the revamped 'assasination' mechanic.
Think an enemies' chancellor is doing too good a job? Send a Gentleman to challenge him to a duel to the death and rid of him.
Discuss the impending awesome.
A A R S
:: The Sun always rises in the East :: Flawless Crowns :: Dancing Days ::
"We kissed the Sun, and it smiled down upon us."