My interest withers...by MM 03/02/2023, 8:48pm PST
Despite the dude's attempted enthusiasm in the preview video, the more I learn about AoW4, the less excited I become, especially after Spellforce Conquest of Eo turned out to be so amazing.
1. I don't like the art style, it's way too cartoony.
2. Siege battles are gone, despite being one of the best parts of Age of Wonders 3 & Planetfall.
3. I do not like these comparisons between AoW 4 and Stellaris, especially how all races are a blank slate and you can turn halflings into super-strong killing machines if so inclined.
4. Battles are smaller and the return to melee-emphasis means troops get into constant traffic jams.
5. AoW Planetfall's brilliant army balance where Tier-1 units stay useful until the very end seems to have given way to AoW3's problem of Tier-4 army spam, only intensified.
6. Likewise clever race/class (faction/secret tech) combos are missing. Has most of the original dev team jumped ship?
7. His "approachable" is my "dumbed down."
I may just sit this one out or wait for a sale, it sounds to me like Age of Wonders in name only.