Re: What is really new?
 

Well, I have gotten more gameplay and enjoyment out of the Dom2 demo than I did out of HOMM5.

So I'll be ordering 3 as soon as there is a smidge of sunlight in the bank account to fit it in.

Really, if you spread the the money you spent for 2 across all the hours you enjoyed it, don't you think you kinda owe an update payment ;-)

if you think of it as buying a few of pitchers of beer for a couple of guys that have managed to completely ruin your life for months at a time, then maybe it won't seem so bad.

Re: What is really new?
 

That's a very healthy attitude. Just give this thread a bump and your opinion once you've tried the demo, been addicted and bought the game. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif

Re: What is really new?
 

Dom II was a great step beyond DomPPP, but my take is that Dom 3 is the perfection of the changes that Dom II initiated.

I loaded up Dom II today. I noticed immediately that some of the commands that I have grown used to in Dom 3 weren't there: things like being able to resize the commanders bar, or hide the commands to the right-hand side, etc. I noticed the lack of the information-rich interface that I have grown used to: in Dom 3 I can see gem amounts, magical items, province descriptions, etc. in the main view. I recalled some of the non-particle-ized spell effects (even things like poison) which looked pretty silly in Dom II. Dom II was a great step forward, but a lot of the changes weren't complete - the game creation process for example was in some ways a step back from DomPPP. In Dom 3 the changes are pretty much complete, as well as a whole lot of stuff added (such as the aging system, national spells, the different eras)

In other words, I think it's a better, more complete game than Dom II, even though it is similar in content and style. Much more than a service patch, since most aspects of the game have been re-examined and thoughtfully changed. See below for a short list off the top of my head for new things that I'm particularly grateful are included:

• pretender creation independant of game creation (how bitterly I wished I had this in Dom II!)
• random opponents in game creation
• several different AI tactics, as well as AI strengths
• different eras (each with different emphases)
• total gems available listed in main screen
• commanders' icons are resizeable, and show gems + magical items equipped, as well as troops being commanded
• national summons!
• new spells/items/summons designed to deal with demons (hate those demons!)
• damage done in combat shown
• eradication of most all the old and nasty spell graphics (Slime, Poison)
• new battlefields, depending on terrain
• terrain survival actually makes something of a difference (at least for swamp survival - hopefully we can convince the devs to add more!)
• new independant troops (toad, horse, lion, bear, wolf, deer tribes)
• new fortress types
• new option of awakening, making it more viable to create a great bless strategy.
• bless effects shown when creating a pretender
• ability to get out of windows (such a spell lists) without scrolling to the bottom
• shift-click to recruit multiple units at once
• in SP, clicking 'end turn' automatically takes you to the next turn
• less friendly fire (IMHO)

Re: What is really new?
 

I'm not sure what concept of "Game N+1" (sequel) you have. I find that these kind of changes (various improvements, some new stuff, some changes in mechanics while retaining the core gameplay) fit my idea of a sequel. I would imagine if Illwinter made some really new game they would call it somehow differently (not "Dominions").

In any case, what difference would it make whether it is called sequel, service patch or expansion?

Re: What is really new?
 

I agree with alexti. There will be many new additions in Dominions 3. The AI will be upgraded, to the SP fans can be happy also. Lot of new units, spells etc. The game will be also easier for new players. Less micromanagement, hella powerful modding commands [basically you can almost change everything what you want]...and I could continue. This is definitely not just an "expansion".

Re: What is really new?
 

Yeah - looking at "mass market", the Disciples games, Kohan series, Ages of Wizards, etc, (even Diablo & Diablo 2) are pretty much exactly that - more of the the things found in the earlier games, sometimes a little bit better, sometimes not.

Re: What is really new?
 

Sequels used to be continuations of the storyline. They didnt have to change anything. Like the old bard tale games. Sure they kept up with graphic card changes and such but not much else. A sequel was more of the same game.

Any of them that havent done that have tended to tick me off. I dont WANT to buy a sequel which is so changed that its a completely different game. If you are going to do that then give it a new name. Dont cash in on the old name.

Re: What is really new?
 

*smile* I think this thread shows there are a variety of expectations as to what a sequel should be. My thoughts on the matter are pretty simple -- you read the AARs, the Screenies thread, and a few other info sources and you see if they get you excited about the product. If they do, you buy. If not, don't.

Why get worked up over the semantic question of what a "sequel" is?

Re: What is really new?
 

Yeah - like with the "sequels" to Master of Orion. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

Re: What is really new?
 

I was burned out on Dom2. Played it so long that I simply couldn't anymore. Then when I started playing Dom3 I got re-addicted. No burnout from Dom2 at all. I guess that should mean that Dom3 is different (and better) enough then Dom2 to be classified as sequel. It's not just more of the same, many things changed in gameplay and the feel of the game.