My impression of the game: from someone who wasn't hyped up by Elemental initially...

from Elemental Forums

Hey guys, I just started playing Elemental yesterday and all I can say is: WOW  :D

I learned about Elemental when Frogboy was still writing the very first chapters of the developer's diary.  Watched a few screenshots back then and thought it was too plain-looking: "nice try", that was my initial impression.

I didn't hear more about the game till last fall, when the game was released.  It was perceived as an epic fail, and Frogboy apologized for the game being a massive disappointment.  I wasn't surprised actually, thought it was a wrong idea in the first place to blend GalCiv2 with RPG fantasy. 

Then recently after playing a lot of CiV, Disciples 3, and watching Lord of the Rings from beginning to end last week, I wanted to play a strategy game with a fantasy setting.  Never has Elemental even crossed my mind till I read about it on the Disciples 3 forum.  Word was that a new 1.11 patch was released and that the game was now "playable".

So I got a copy of the game and started playing yesterday.  I expected the worst.  That the game would crash, the lore boring, battles being too easy, and a cluttered UI.  Then I was blown away, and that's an understatement!

This game is simply the most ambitious game in the genre I've seen so far.  It combines so many good things from other games I loved, and I haven't felt this kind of excitement ever since I first started playing Alpha Centauri 12 years ago.  This is every fantasy-strategy gamers's wet dreams come true.  |-)

I think most people are disappointed with the game, even now with the new patch, because there was too much hype in the beginning.  People were expecting this to be the holy grail of fantasy strategy game.  I come to the game without expecting anything.....and wow. 

Thank you Brad for having the vision for make Elemental War of Magic!

elemental
10,298 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

I'm glad you're enjoying it. It does have a lot going for it. Most of that stuff could use a bit more to it but...

Well, with two or three expansions, it could easily be the Holy Grail of fantasy strategy gaming.

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

The big problem for me having played the game over a number of updates is described most suitably by the saying 'whack a mole'.

 

The mole represents things that i like and dislike about the game and Stardock tromp around whacking some things i dislike but also whack some things that i do like, then new things that i like and dislike pop up and so on and so fourth.

 

If only they could whack just the things i disliked,,,, if only! oh well.

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Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

I had the same experiance, I was bored with civ 5, and I had heard if you bought this you got an expo free, so I did after I had it for a week I fired up a game and I love this game ever since.

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

 Glad your enjoying yourself... I'm in the same boat as Mystikmind in referance to "whack a mole". Hehe... but they have some drastic changes in the works & more content being planned so it should shape up to be very interesting indeed. I'm still crossing my fingers that EWoM will become a true RPG world and not just a fantasy world with RP elements... hehehe I saw the Design a scenario/campaign contest & really wish I had the computer technicall knowledge to try to bring my ideas out for everyone... but I know my limitations.

 NobleJms; should you get to a point where you are no longer enjoying it as much then I would recommend you D/L the mods made by some of the hardcore modders in the community. There pretty damn interesting and well thought out & gave new life to EWoM when I was losing interest.

Anyways have fun. :grin:

Reply #5 from Elemental Forums Top

I just played my first "real" game of this and I'm still playing. <3

 

After winning against the clumsy UI and the nonexistent manual and with good tips about food and stuff, I'm still exploring things in just one game. There's amazingly much stuff in there. I just got a freaking DRAGON!

Reply #6 from Elemental Forums Top

Welcome!

I think most people are disappointed with the game, even now with the new patch, because there was too much hype in the beginning.  People were expecting this to be the holy grail of fantasy strategy game.  I come to the game without expecting anything.....and wow. 
End of quote

I took a carefree attitude very early so I have never been dissapointed per se (that doesn't mean that some parts are not "meh" compared to what I would prefer).

Reply #7 from Elemental Forums Top

I started playing after 1.1 came out and I was pleasantly surprised by the game.  I especially liked the Sov, Faction, and Unit customization abilities and I strongly urge you to customize same.  I like what I'm seeing so far but the expectation of what is to come is the real draw.  I won't spout off the laundry list of fixes and buffs/perks that I would like to see as I am sure you will create your own list. 

 

 

Reply #9 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Mystikmind, reply 2
The big problem for me having played the game over a number of updates is described most suitably by the saying 'whack a mole'.

 

The mole represents things that i like and dislike about the game and Stardock tromp around whacking some things i dislike but also whack some things that i do like, then new things that i like and dislike pop up and so on and so fourth.

 

If only they could whack just the things i disliked,,,, if only! oh well.
End of Mystikmind's quote

The problem with this line of reasoning is that the moles that you dislike and the moles that I dislike differ.  They may whack some that you like and I dislike or vice versa.  Except instead of just me and you, there are several hundred or several thousand posters offering opinions, plus the vast silent majority that own the game.  

It just comes down to whether or not you trust Brad and the team heput in place.  Are you confident that they have a vision for where this is going, that they'll listen to the community along the way, and they'll stick with EWOM until it gets to a state where they're happy with it?  That, more than anything, is what has kept me around and playing.