In 2005, on the first AoE3 gameplays, the developers at the time (Ensemble Studios †) showed a new for the series, more realistic, formation based combat system. They later withdrew from this idea, considering it too different from previous games and only residual elements of that system remained in the final version of the game. What do you think about this idea today, after all these years?
It’s also worth noting that around the same time, another prominent RTS series took this direction even further, developing a full-scale formation system and making Cossacks 2 a unique blend of Total War style battles with classic RTS gameplay:
Personally I’d love for there to be formations still. AoE3 has been long established as the ‘different’ game in the series, so I’d be keen to embrace this. Too be honest, it’s not even that radical - formations were present in AOE2, but what we were left in AOE3 was the weird mix - Stances/Tactics.
There doesn’t even have to be any solid bonus to the formation (like AOE2 - the benefit is more unit positioning-based) - it’s just nice to get your units arranged. Stances is what should (and currently does effect) unit stat changes.
TLDR. Do I want my Musketeers in Line Formation to be switch Tactic from Volley Mode to Defend mode, graphically switching from muskets to bayonets still in Line Formation - yes, yes I do!
It looks like a cool mechanic, especially to make the game more unique, my only concern is how much units would get stuck between structures, trees, etc.
If it could be brought into the game and worked perfectly, perhaps you could even make formations have interesting effects via cards.
For example, the Roman Tactics card could make Pavisiers in melee/Turtle Formation increase their damage based on their numbers and have the ability to deflect. (This would only work between units within the formation.)
I’m really sorry that this mechanic wasn’t implemented, it would make the game much more unique without resorting to super broken and poorly balanced mechanics.
Yes, it was something interesting but the devs removed it because it made the game slower and more orthopedic and they wanted it to be faster and more dynamic…
