OT: Heroes of Annihilated Empires open beta!

[DominionsFan]

I think that the gfx is pretty good already. IT surely not worse then WC3, HoMM IV. etc, it is just different. I like the gameplay also, but I guess this is a subjective thing that what we do like. The game got a big potential, I hope that the devs can polish this game for the final perfectly.
Also the idea of these mass units is just fantastic, I've never seen it in any RTS so far. Basically you can lead thousands of units in the final version, epic battles here we go.

[Agrajag]

WC3 and HoMMIV are your examples? :/
WC3 looks pretty bad, but how every model is comically stylized it makes it hard to notice that the game isn't really graphically atractive (low poly count, low detail textures etc.)
HoMMIV also looks pretty bad, the units look like plastic dolls more than actual units, the animations are bad (have you looked at a vampire walk as if he has a dirty diaper on?) and the game feels bland overall.
Good looking game (imo) are Earth2160 in the 3d department, and Warlords:Battlecry 3 in the 2d department.

[DominionsFan]

Well those are popular games, so I mentioned those. I dont know, I really like the gfx of HoAE. The terrain/buildings are looking great, the units are ok as well. Dont forget in the final game you will be able to make thousands of units. If the unit's detail would be insane good looking, the game would be unplayable. This is gonna be the first strategy RTS, where you gonna play with huge amount of units.

[NTJedi]

Agrajag said:
WC3 and HoMMIV are your examples? :/

Personally I didn't like either of these games.
WC3 maps were way too small

HoMMIV I'm not sure what the expansions did... but the problems I recall were:
Serious unbalanced units
Heroes frequently dying early game
Heroes no longer unique
Fewer monsters than previous game
Weaker map editor than previous game

...that's just what I remember.

[Graeme Dice]

Agrajag said:
WC3 looks pretty bad, but how every model is comically stylized it makes it hard to notice that the game isn't really graphically atractive (low poly count, low detail textures etc.)

I much prefer good art over good technology myself. WC3 has good art, which in my opinion more than makes up for a moderate deficit in technology.

[Agrajag]

The thing is, that some people don't quite like the specific art type that that game features (like me), which leaves them staring at some really bad looking models. (otherwise, you have both style and "tech-abilities" to like [to like atleast one of them])
Though actually what really bothers me about WC3 is the gameplay, since its a game that bases itself on the idea that MicroManagement brings victory, and I don't really like to have to take part in the insane clickfest just to play a game.
I guess that's why I like TBS games, like Dominions

Also, DominionsFAN, HoMMIV is definitely not a popular game. I'll just say that 3DO didn't bankrupt for fun and leave it at that.
*cough*oneofthemostdisappointinggamesever*cough*ho pefulyubisoftslatestaddittionwillmakethingsbetter* cough*

[PrinzMegaherz]

Agrajag said:
Though actually what really bothers me about WC3 is the gameplay, since its a game that bases itself on the idea that MicroManagement brings victory, and I don't really like to have to take part in the insane clickfest just to play a game.
I guess that's why I like TBS games, like Dominions

You should have a look at all the custom maps out there that tweak vanilla WC3 into completely different games.
Aside from the million tower defense maps (I guess everybody knows what Tower defense is?) and Defence of the ancients, there are lot's of amazing mods out there.
One of my favourites are the traitor maps, where everybody plays a farmer that starts to create his own ranch. You marry, get children that can be put into different jobs and expand your farm building for building. At night, one of the farmers turns into a monster (werewolve, Vampire etc.) and starts killing the other farmers. Your objective is either (if you are the monster) to kill everyone or (if you are not the monster) to identify the monsters true identity and raze it's farm.
Given that all players can attack each other, the monster often tries to frame another player, starting a war between the farms to weaken his enemies. Of course, everything needs a lot of diplomacy.

[OG_Gleep]

I dunno if it actually does have big potential based off what I have seen in the demo (it really is a demo). What we will see is more content, not nessisarily improved content.

[DominionsFan]

Well, it will be improved/more in content in the final game. This beta got many problems [animations, pathfinding etc.] these must be improved, and ofc "new" content... the races/heroes/skills/spells etc. in the final game.
We gotta wait and see. I will definitely buy it, so I can post my impressions when the game is out. I think its months away still.