Re: This game is an expensive coaster
Read this threat and it really upset me. Not because of Kagetora's post but because of the answers. Guys, is this "La court du roi" where everybody tries to please King Aaron the best he can, or is criticism still allowed ?
Kagetora made two very valid points:
1. TCP/IP was promised
2. The AI is still weak.
O.K., he chooses rather extreme formulations but nothing which I feel would leave the area of civilized complaint (until HE got flamed). In return you call him "dick", "idiot", "troll", etc.. Well, I personally do not feel that his complaints are so absurd and so absolutely unjustified that his post can only be understood as the deliberate provocation of a troll who is looking to be flamed. This forum has always been an extremely civilized one. Please do not forget that freedom is always the freedom of somebody who thinks differently !
Concerning Kagetora's two points: At least I second them:
1. TCP/IP was repeatedly promised and I am waiting for it. I also do not have the time to play 10 hours in a row but I want to use it to play some regular "Wednesday night SE4 sessions" with old friends from school who are now living all over Europe. If contrary to what was promised TCP/IP does not get implemented, SE4 would still be a good game, but it would loose significant value, especially with regard to 2.
2. Yes, I know the AI was improved after release. However, I also feel it is still pathetic. On "No bonus" I would beat it with my eyes shut. On low bonus and using the (excellent)mod pack, I still always win if I get past turn 30, despite the fact that I cripple myself in various ways. On medium and high bonus I may sometimes have difficulties, but, hey, is this a sign of a good AI ? Tell me, in the weaker strategy games you know, would the AIs not often win if you gave them three or four times the normal production ? I am looking to be challenged by the AI's campaigns, not to be squeezed by sheer weight of numbers.
So in some respects I must share Kagetora's complains: SE4 was an unfinished product when it was released. It has improved since then but is still lacking features which were originally promised. Worse, there is not yet a sufficient challenge if you do not give the AI outrageous unfair advantages.
Still, SE4 has a great ruleset. If now, they would only get the AI right (and/or allow me to play against HI) ...
[This message has been edited by jowe01 (edited 25 May 2001).]
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