I really do not understand the whole strategy of releasing another new Elemental game release.

Yes, original Elemental was underwhelming. But a lot had improved on FE, and with LH, the game was getting really, really great with all of the features and depth. Only problem was lack of polish in general, which really hurts the game's reputation.

And you guys decided to throw the all of the works.... I really do not understand this decision. I can already see two massive disadvantages.

1.) It is obvious, as a small company, you guys cannot do this from stretch. There are a lot of recycled materials present (I am not sure how would change in final version) which devalues the game itself.

2.) With completely new game mechanics, there are going to be problems. Hell, even after all of balances and patches, the mechanics of LH is not really completely solid... let alone completely new one.

I played the game for an hour or two, but the whole mechanic is shockingly similar to LH despite the mechanics is supposed to be very different.

I mean, I make cities. Build outposts. Grab resources. Do quests. Grow my hero and army. Clear monster lairs. Get some alliances... and crush one big foe. Only this last part is different.

Except now there is an end-game content (a big, powerful enemy), everything else is simplified with less contents. Even more limited magic choices, short hero progressions (may be changed in final game). Crafting sounds good, but I immediately miss unique weapons present in LH. LH's loot system was average to bad, but the new... well, let's be honest, this crafting system is nothing more than a tweaked loot system with more limited choices on contents of the loot. I really see no remarkable differences except the whole looting is simplified with less interesting traits on weapons. Not to mention diplomacy is even more gimped and simplified with such new settings (true PvE feeling unlike pseudo-PvP feeling from LH).

And even smaller tactical battlefield.... God, LH's 'new' closer tactical position was already worse, but the tactical map of Sorcerer King is HALF of normal tactical map of LH. I understand Frogboy does not like long tactical battles, but I believe that taste is quite opposite of what most people want (longer, more interesting tactical battle) as evident on threads like "the thing you like most" ones.

I wouldn't be less critical if this game was a sort of expansion pack, but Sorcerer King is a full 40 bucks game, and I am not so sure if this is going to fly for most of people.

The game is quite different from previous Elemental series, but the game itself still has a lot of stuffs from Elemental lore. Here is the problem:

There are people who want a improved game from a previous game without too much changes (i.e me, and some others)

There are people who want a fresh new 4X games. Especially those who got burned by the first Elemental.

Sorcerer King does not satisfy either groups for obvious reasons. I still believe a proper expansion pack of Legendary Heroes with stuffs like re-introducing dynasty and more polish with a pricetag of about 30 bucks, would had been far better business decision. Sorcerer King is really re-inventing the wheel.... except people will find out the game is still old with new clothes.

I am not sure how final game will turn out, but unless the game completely detaches from Elemental lore and has completely new unit designs (I see there are several completely new. But I also do see old ones too), people will point out the game plays pretty similar to older Elemental games.

Only positive points I can see is that the game is more stable and there is end-game content (if that works, that is). But the sacrifices and compromises for these two are far too great for my taste.