Initially, I started writing on terrain changes back when 1.19[beta] released. It was about how Paradox changes, made simple map mode and all those different terrains becoming useless information. Before I finish my thoughts on subject, 1.19 released and iron-man games become a struggle so thus (since I can't play properly) got me thinking more about the current state of the game. I know most of the Paradox devs have experience enough to continue their ways but they also open to hearing out. It's not a hate & love post or anything. So, there you go.
1) Terrain Doesn't Effect Combat Width Anymore
Estates, core, culture, religion...and now even technology and trade goods effects one single province, in a game where you can have hundreds of them. Which all is good thing besides coring every province (achievement hunters knows better) now we have even more snowball variables and that's what EU4 is all about in the end. A snowball strategy game and occasional RNG to spice things up. So with that direction was EU franchise always followed why all of a sudden they left out the combat from that?
The change makes no sense unless It's a gateway to upcoming idea or DLC. Speculation beside, the current status of EU4 combat is pure RNG now. No combat strategy left at the gameboard beside -1, -2 penalties on attack rolls on some terrain types.
This has to change. The entertainment EU was offering: is that we get to calculate and squeeze every little thing out of the variables, what game offers. With this change simple map mode lost Its purpose, besides Identifying better development provinces. Now combat is rushing tech and having good rolls. This is not fun and certainly, not a direction EU team should continue to follow.
Combat with needs to be present again. Better yet, Terrain effect should be improved for combat. Some terrains could make armies march slower, regain manpower faster or slower, give bonuses or penalties for a certain type of units(Inf,Cav,Art) even siege status RNG could be affected. The possibilities are there and being minded of them is going to make combat much more fun and adds depth. Make simple map mode great again to plan our battles and maneuvers!
2) Re-sending Spy Network
Building spy network and covert options are really fun. The unfun part is I have to track them when they discovered and send them again. Especially in achievement runs where you go 5 speed or in multiplayer games where you can't pause, It always stands in way and only gives annoyance.
Why can't my spy/diplomat just sits there and do nothing for a period of time -just like where I can send missionaries but can't convert province- and I don't have to re-remind myself every other month to send them back again. It is really not fun and doesn't give players something to click in peace time. It only gives annoyance every time.
3) New World and Colonialism are on Life Support
Enough focus has been given to small African nations and different ethnic groups in the old world (besides far east strangely). Portugal, Castile and all other countries where they can colonize should be the most enjoyable countries in a game where a period focus is colonial times but It's not quite the case. Unfun part is not that, colonies taking time to establish. It's the limited amount of action we can take.
Besides treasure fleets and the very late game revolutions, there is nothing to do here! I won't even mention 3 native policy buttons; It is not enough. Slavery, pirates states or even wild west themes are missing in a colony era game. There are lots of topics to add as gameplay mechanics before adding different African fetishes and stuff. The focus on colonialism has been lost.
4) Trade Goods
While new things are available for them -as I mentioned- and I think we'll be seen more in future, I still have to say somethings about It. There is something more needed to be done about them. Local strategy bonus was a good start. While I can't come up with a good idea for them. (!) Here is the Idea. There has to be something to improve their use with adding new gameplay mechanic without making It like Victoria 2. Being leader production bonus is not enough.
5) Raid Cost Button
This one is really strange. Because It forces the player to remember -another- time to raid or protect coastline provinces again. You can only know when you can raid by checking every province! It's a heavy work therefore not fun.
Not to mention It's a boring gameplay for the raider and protector. The two parties should only click when the raid cooldown comes and sit idle for years again. I mean come on! Shouldn't be this like privateers mechanic? Where a constant struggle is happening in the seas, one is protecting loot and the other is trying to take It. With RNG events and such could be much more colorful thing.
6) AI Privateer effort is needed
With patches, Privateering is finally a reliable thing to consider. In multiplayer is really a cold war happening out there to protect or loot the trade nodes. I would really love that in SP games as well. Since AI is now pretty good with loans and condottieri, why shouldn't It be better at Privateering and protecting against It?
These things just come up to my head when I encounter them in the game. I believe there are some mechanics needs to be looked into and altered as new gameplay options at peace time and planning. Hope this give you a thought about some real issues with the game. Overall I believe the current game state is good but few things need to change and recent terrain changes completely shock to me.
1) Terrain Doesn't Effect Combat Width Anymore
Estates, core, culture, religion...and now even technology and trade goods effects one single province, in a game where you can have hundreds of them. Which all is good thing besides coring every province (achievement hunters knows better) now we have even more snowball variables and that's what EU4 is all about in the end. A snowball strategy game and occasional RNG to spice things up. So with that direction was EU franchise always followed why all of a sudden they left out the combat from that?
The change makes no sense unless It's a gateway to upcoming idea or DLC. Speculation beside, the current status of EU4 combat is pure RNG now. No combat strategy left at the gameboard beside -1, -2 penalties on attack rolls on some terrain types.
This has to change. The entertainment EU was offering: is that we get to calculate and squeeze every little thing out of the variables, what game offers. With this change simple map mode lost Its purpose, besides Identifying better development provinces. Now combat is rushing tech and having good rolls. This is not fun and certainly, not a direction EU team should continue to follow.
Combat with needs to be present again. Better yet, Terrain effect should be improved for combat. Some terrains could make armies march slower, regain manpower faster or slower, give bonuses or penalties for a certain type of units(Inf,Cav,Art) even siege status RNG could be affected. The possibilities are there and being minded of them is going to make combat much more fun and adds depth. Make simple map mode great again to plan our battles and maneuvers!
2) Re-sending Spy Network
Building spy network and covert options are really fun. The unfun part is I have to track them when they discovered and send them again. Especially in achievement runs where you go 5 speed or in multiplayer games where you can't pause, It always stands in way and only gives annoyance.
Why can't my spy/diplomat just sits there and do nothing for a period of time -just like where I can send missionaries but can't convert province- and I don't have to re-remind myself every other month to send them back again. It is really not fun and doesn't give players something to click in peace time. It only gives annoyance every time.
3) New World and Colonialism are on Life Support
Enough focus has been given to small African nations and different ethnic groups in the old world (besides far east strangely). Portugal, Castile and all other countries where they can colonize should be the most enjoyable countries in a game where a period focus is colonial times but It's not quite the case. Unfun part is not that, colonies taking time to establish. It's the limited amount of action we can take.
Besides treasure fleets and the very late game revolutions, there is nothing to do here! I won't even mention 3 native policy buttons; It is not enough. Slavery, pirates states or even wild west themes are missing in a colony era game. There are lots of topics to add as gameplay mechanics before adding different African fetishes and stuff. The focus on colonialism has been lost.
4) Trade Goods
While new things are available for them -as I mentioned- and I think we'll be seen more in future, I still have to say somethings about It. There is something more needed to be done about them. Local strategy bonus was a good start. While I can't come up with a good idea for them. (!) Here is the Idea. There has to be something to improve their use with adding new gameplay mechanic without making It like Victoria 2. Being leader production bonus is not enough.
5) Raid Cost Button
This one is really strange. Because It forces the player to remember -another- time to raid or protect coastline provinces again. You can only know when you can raid by checking every province! It's a heavy work therefore not fun.
Not to mention It's a boring gameplay for the raider and protector. The two parties should only click when the raid cooldown comes and sit idle for years again. I mean come on! Shouldn't be this like privateers mechanic? Where a constant struggle is happening in the seas, one is protecting loot and the other is trying to take It. With RNG events and such could be much more colorful thing.
6) AI Privateer effort is needed
With patches, Privateering is finally a reliable thing to consider. In multiplayer is really a cold war happening out there to protect or loot the trade nodes. I would really love that in SP games as well. Since AI is now pretty good with loans and condottieri, why shouldn't It be better at Privateering and protecting against It?
These things just come up to my head when I encounter them in the game. I believe there are some mechanics needs to be looked into and altered as new gameplay options at peace time and planning. Hope this give you a thought about some real issues with the game. Overall I believe the current game state is good but few things need to change and recent terrain changes completely shock to me.
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