I think the UI is a bit distracting though, i’m not an immediate fan of the literal roof tiling, moss and vines, with the added complexity of more buttons and visual noise in AOE2. The more simple AOE DE user interface is more appealing to me. I think the typography seems noisy as well. I’d try to stick to one sans serif font, and optionally with bold (like AOE DE).
Although looking back at the original AOE2 user interface it does appeared to have these vines etc. So i’m sure it will grow on me, even though it’s busy,
I agree. Maybe it’s nostalgia factor or just not used to the new UI, but after watching the trailer and gameplay I might actually prefer the simpler graphics of AoE II HD
I really like the atmospheric effects, I would like to see more of that in the future with AOE2 DE.
Thinking ahead to Age 4, weather could play a bigger role in battles…
Perhaps the water still looks a little flat with AOE2 DE, but not sure if it can be further refined with the 2d engine.
Also I got to say it’s disappointing the FMV / cut scenes for AOE1 DE weren’t also remastered. I think the cutscenes really help establish the tone of the game, and should have not been removed.
The AOE1 intro / hero cutscene has intrigue and starts to transport you back to those forgotten ages. I also liked the concept of the intro AOE2 cutscene of kings playing chess, and strategizing while preparations for war takes place.
I’m hoping with AOE2 DE they can offer the complete package including modern high quality FMV cut scene.
Looks like they remastered the remaster(AoE2 HD) which not necessarily a bad thing, I wish they made new textures and graphics though like they did with AoE DE.
I can’t hear bombard cannon firing from 8:05 onwards at all Trebuchet was very well hearable and bombard cannon should also be, because it can cause a lot of trouble.
I have also heard complaints about onager and scorpion sounds being too weak, but they seemed okay to me, natural “woody” sounds.
Agreed. Sounds in games are feedback systems first and foremost. They should not be muddled like one would do for the movies; this is doubly true for important events like a treb-barrage. Not to mention that snappy sounds have a addictive quality to them; this is key for games since they are played over and over again, much unlike the movies which have unique scenes where the soundscape is never repeated. When looking for soundscape inspiration for games one should look at stuff like Bejeweled - not the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
hahaha “im sure it will grow on me”
Trebuchet was very well hearable and bombard cannon should also be, because it can cause a lot of trouble.