[poll] On the future of standard AoE2 DLCs, and how great were the previous DLCs?

Age of Empires II: DE II - Discussion
1

It’s not a poll about Battle for Greece or any spin-off, it’s a poll about a hypothetical standard AoE2 DLC in the future (2-3 new civs, 3 campaigns, 1 new architecture set). The Last Khans was the last DLC not trying to be too innovative. Ever since AoE2:DE’s first DLC namely Lords of the West, the devs have been pushing it in terms of new innovative mechanics: Burgundian Flemmish Revolution and Cavalier, Roman and Georgian auras, Polish Folwark, etc. What are your thoughts on this? do the new civs really need to be that innovative or do you want more of the same?

How much do you want new mechanics in new standard AoE2 civs?

  • I love new innovative mechanics and can’t wait for the next.
  • I’m indifferent or mixed views about new innovative mechanics.
  • I hate new innovative mechanics and would like more of the same.
0 voters

Another issue is the balance: you have 45 civs to balance a new civ against. 45 hypothetical match-ups to take into account when testing.

How balanced would you want the new standard AoE2 DLC civs to be?

  • I don’t mind new civs being overpowered, all civs are a few months after release.
  • I want the perfect balance, competitive level, just like the other 47 civs.
  • I don’t mind new civs being underpowered, I’m mainly interested in immersion.
0 voters

And a question for our fellow purists, when was Age of Empires 2 at its peak in terms of your enjoyment of it?

  • Right now, every new DLC is great.
  • Before they added spin-off series with RoR / BfG
  • After the first 3 AoE2:DE DLCs, they went sideways after Dynasties of India
  • After The Last Khans everything was perfect, then they ruined it with new mechanics
  • I wish I could play Forgotten Empires with the modern graphics.
  • I wish I could play the Conquerors with the modern graphics.
0 voters

What AoE2:DE DLCs you loved the most? (multiple answers)

  • Lords of the West
  • Dawn of the Dukes
  • Dynasties of India
  • Return of Rome
  • The Mountain Royals
  • Victors and Vanquished
0 voters

I am most interested in: (multiple answers)

  • Campaigns
  • Co-op Campaigns
  • Solo Scenarios (Mangudai Madness)
  • Multiplayer Ranked
  • Multiplayer Casual
  • Multiplayer Scenarios (The Siege 2vs2)
  • Multiplayer with my friends
  • Skirmish vs AI alone
  • Skirmish vs AI with my friends
  • Mods
  • Playing Custom Scenarios
  • The Editor
  • Others (I will mention in comments)
0 voters
2

I’m going to keep saying it : I want unique castles for everyone, possibly monastery (I don’t like the Hindu temple of the Khmer so if there is a future Thai civ, I want a Buddhist temple), some civs to be renamed (Slavs), Persian architecture change, redo of some civ audios (some of them are bad quality like Inca and some are not accurate), real William Wallace campaign, and campaign for every civ. Besides my huge list, I’d like those new mechanics from the new dlc.

5 Likes
3

Wait Khmer has Hindu Monastery? How? It clearly has huge Buddha sculptures on four sides of its top structure.

4

I think one thing is missing, however.

How important to you is it that old civilisations like the Celts and Goths (but also Slavs) are made more modern and aligned with the game that it has become?

1 Like
5

I think older civs should be left alone. I like the new mechanics as the exception, not as the rule. Celts and Goths are a classic. Slavs could use a rename to Ruthenians or Rus.

6

Celts and Goths are fun civs tho, anf they have changed since DE dropped enough to not have any xlear problems outside of balance (I still dont like stronghold, but its devent at least)

Agree on Slavs

1 Like
7

You’re correct. I did not look at it in detail. Still it doesn’t look like it belongs in that era as a new construction. I suppose it wouldn’t make sense for Malays to have Buddhist temple like the Wat Botum.

8

For the “when was AoE 2 at peak enjoyment” question, I had to answer “right now” because I am very much looking forward to this new Chronicles line, but that excluded i’d say right after Dynasties of India was the best; I tried to get into Return of Rome but just couldn’t (I’m a campy player, and the AoE1 style punishes camping too hard for me) and V&V was clearly a stopgap because something (now we know it was Chronicles) was behind schedule. I mainly enjoy AoE 2 for campaigns and for watching pro tournaments, so Chronicles will scratch the campaign itch nicely, and Romae ad Bellum looked like a really intriguing mod, so i’m glad to see it coming into the game formally, even if only on a slowly but surely basis.