Are we paying more for less?

[JaydedOne]

I'm not sure what to tell you Mltdwn. So much of this discussion seems to boil down to "I'm totally going to buy this game" or "I'm definitely not buying this game". With so little room in-between, all we can really do is wish each other the best with our respective choices.

If the price point is the straw that breaks your camel's back, so be it. If Shrapnel feels that the price point is hurting them, I'm sure they'll adjust their market strategy. In the meantime, I guess I just need to spend less time trying to convince you of why it's worth $55 directly and more time just enjoying my new game. If I write enough about how great it is as I'm experiencing it, maybe you'll come around. And if you don't, we'll miss having you.

[Mltdwn]

I see your point Jayd.. My whole problem is while I like the idea of Dom3... It doesn't really strike me as worth the money when another company is providing essentially the EXACT same game in most respects, with higher production values, more gameplay options, and have made a fortune off of 4x games and proven it is anything but a "niche" market with reasonable prices... Basically what I am saying is with the competition releasing the same game in a month with all of those added abilities and production values for a lower price point what makes Dom3 worth it as it adds nothing different really (other than sprite based ground combat you can't control) to the gameplay.

[Nerfix]

Illwinter would need a lot more crew if it would wish to make a game up to date with graphics, and it would mean they would have to most likely cut down the amount of content.

More crew would need more money etc.

And MTW:2 is hardly equal to Dominions 3 and I doubt a middle earth mod for it will never reach even a quarter of the features that make Dominions series superb and creative fantasy games. MTW:2 will be prettier yes, will have nicer sounds etc. but Dominions series will be the massive fantasy game where your aim is godhood, and this puts it largely into a niche.

[Mltdwn]

OK answer me this, what features and abilities does Dom3 add that M2TW doesn't? I'm trying to compare the two and decide which I should invest my money into because other than the "magic" aspect I really can't see what Dom3 brings to the table that is different or better... From what I understand the diplomatic functioning is much more limited due to being primarily a go to war with everyone game, the politics aspect is largely non-existant due to the nature of the game (as opposed to having to deal with the Church, the various other nobles, Crusades, Jihads, Briberies, assassinations, etc.), and the combat is largely more of simply choose the right groups and outnumber the enemies hoping for good enough "rolls" rather than being able to use actual tactics like flanking, luring, ambushes, etc.

Basically what makes Dom3 "better" in terms of features and gameplay?

[Leif_-]

Mltdwn said:
OK answer me this, what features and abilities does Dom3 add that M2TW doesn't?

Where to start. Actually, I won't even try. I suggest you wait for a few days until they demo version is ready and try it out for yourself. It's quite possible the game won't be to your liking, but I can promise you that it will be an entirely different game than M2TW.

[GamerMan12]

I know he is being really obvious about promoting another game and they are usually subtle, but even so I still think Mltdwn is likely to be a Guerilla Marketer.

GM12

[Mltdwn]

GamerMan12 said:
I know he is being really obvious about promoting another game and they are usually subtle, but even so I still think Mltdwn is likely to be a Guerilla Marketer.

GM12

Yup, that's me, a guerilla marketer... Forgive me for wanting to make an "informed" decision based on people with knowledge of the game before spending my hard earned money. I played Dom2, and while I enjoyed it tremendously at first when I came across the TW line it basically turned me off of Dom as it was the same thing done better for the most part with a greater amount of depth in all aspects. Now Dom3 is out, is the price of a triple A X360 title, and doesn't seem to add anything really over Dom2 or the competition; however, that is going solely off of the limited features posted on the site. So I figured, since the game was out already I would ask those who have played it their input as to how it differs from other games in the same vein from an "objective" point of view. While yes I will admit and apoligize for perhaps going about it the wrong way, the question still stands... What does it bring to the table that isn't already out there for less which is of higher quality in production values, features, and gameplay value.

BTW Ron thank you for posting that viewpoint... And that answers alot of questions for me... While I can see the enjoyability in that then I have to say with that being the primary selling point it perhaps isn't the game for me as I like (personally) to simply have more strategic options. And that is just me, you answered alot with that simple statement and thank you.

[Xether]

$55 is like what? £30? Thats average game cost for customers here in the UK. No way is it a rip off. Most these new "games" that devolpers are pumping out are not even worth £5 in my opinion. Abit chuffed theres people whining about the costs of one of the most indepth games ever.

[Nerfix]

Mltdwn said:Basically what makes Dom3 "better" in terms of features and gameplay?

MTW:2 is a historical wargame, Dominions 3 is a fantasy game. That's a pretty big difference to begin with. I don't think we can directly compare the two.

In MTW you might get to control the units directly, but in Dominions 3 you have to carefuly plot the battles beforehand. You can't wring your way with what often are cheapo tactical exploits.

In MTW you have to deal with the Popet, Jihads, Briberies etc. In Dominions 3 you have to deal with unrelenting pretender gods.

In MTW you build crossbowmen. In Dominions 3 you build some crossbowmen and some sacred flagellants that can be Blessed, and then you recruit a With Hunter who can cast magic and use priest spells to lead them...you also summon some Fire Drakes as support, and put a gem on the witch hunter so he can cast Flame Arrows to support the crossbowmen. All the while when your enemy will be massing Pale Ones who are tragicaly weak to arrows but he will also bring some Longdead chaff that are however weak to Banishment your Witch Hunter can use...

In MTW you recruit assasins and get heirs. In Dominions 3 you recruit mages and you have to carefuly think where you can use their skills, in or out of battle, will you research Construction spells or Evocations. Or will you instead build some priests to spread your Dominion and banish undead monster. Or perhaps you will recruit a mage and appoint him as your Prophet.

In MTW you pick on of the historical countries and then LOL as your king racks up funny vices. In Dominions you pick one of uncommon fantasy empires it has such as undead with Roman flavour or Indian inspired civilization. Then you design a pretender god who has his or her own weaknesses and effects on the land and how your sacred units will be blessed. Then you LOL as your pretender racks up afflictions, Curse, Horror Marks and such unless you are careful.

And so on. The differences are huge. It's a matter of taste which you will prefer in the end. I've never enjoyed MTW as much as I enjoy Dominions. Perhaps you are my opposite in this respect.

[JaydedOne]

Mltdwn said:
OK answer me this, what features and abilities does Dom3 add that M2TW doesn't? I'm trying to compare the two and decide which I should invest my money into because other than the "magic" aspect I really can't see what Dom3 brings to the table that is different or better... From what I understand the diplomatic functioning is much more limited due to being primarily a go to war with everyone game, the politics aspect is largely non-existant due to the nature of the game (as opposed to having to deal with the Church, the various other nobles, Crusades, Jihads, Briberies, assassinations, etc.), and the combat is largely more of simply choose the right groups and outnumber the enemies hoping for good enough "rolls" rather than being able to use actual tactics like flanking, luring, ambushes, etc.

Basically what makes Dom3 "better" in terms of features and gameplay?

Let's set aside for a moment that all of the tactics you mention are present in the game, albeit not always as a simple button that you press. We're not here to convince you that Dom3 is a "better" game. As I said, it's apples and oranges and I'd laugh off anyone who tried to sell me Civilization on the premise that it was a "better" game than Dominions.

Play the demo. See if you think it's worth the price. If it is, I'll play a game with you and talk it over here. If not, then perhaps you'll have better luck with M2.

Cheers either way.