There is time to criticize and there is time to praise. I’m making this thread to highlight some of the new things added in this DLC that push the game in the right direction!
Bed Crossbows
First, I really like the animations for the Bed Crossbows. Unlike the Springald, whose turning wheel seems frozen, this one actually reloads properly! The recoil animation is also more obvious, which makes it easy to tell whether it has shot or not during actual play. Additionally, every upgrade changes something about it visually. From wooden wheels, to iron reinforced and then golden with the dragon ornamentation. I got to wonder if we can fix that little delay between the animation and the actual shot though? Seems to take longer for the Bed Crossbow.
Iron Pagodas
Iron Pagodas wielding a two handed weapon! I’ve been personally requesting this for a long time, but it is great to have animations for this type of unit. Up until recently, from the tens of different Knight, Horsemen units we have had, we only had one-handed & shield wielding Knights or Horsemen with a Spear in one hand, and shield in other. This new animation feels great and reminds me of a Palace Guard, but mounted! Just a side note, I wish the attack sound was closer to the Palace Guard one? It feels a bit flimsy/quiet.
Dismounted villager
They added a dismounting animation, which frankly I was not expecting! This is one of those details that a lot of people would have been okay without, but I am so happy they have added this. It begs the question however, could this infer something more is coming ahead? Dismounted Konniks (Knights) anyone?
Unique weapons, poses and new fauna!
Continuing the tradition of adding new weaponry for upgrades or just immersive flare is great, and I love to see more of it! Side note, the Eruptor having their own stand ground pose is great! And the addition of Reindeer Traders are very fun, happy to see the Reindeer as well as Horses being introduced as new fauna into AoE4. (Did you know Reindeer Traders cost food and are 10% faster?)
Unique UI pattern
Giving the Jin their own “Pattern” design is great, though this has not been added in-game for the gameplay UI yet.
Themed walls for Town Centers!
They’ve added more thematic stone walls that surrounds the Town Center which is great! Even original China/ZXL does not have this, despite the concept art showing that they are supposed to have it.
Landmarks
Though I see some reusage of assets by the Great Pasture and possibly a tiny bit on the Dragon Pavilion, the Jin Dynasty Landmarks are very unique and interesting looking, especially the Flower and Forest Pagodas, these are very good recreations of the real life monuments. They feel fresh, different and interesting and this is MASSIVE step up from Zhu Xi’s Legacy!
Reskinned buildings
The earthen tone for the reskin really fits the Jin and it meshes really well. I’ve got some minor nitpicks with some of its inconsistency in golden and red-brownish tones (for example, black bricks for Walls but white for others). But, this really makes the civilization stand out and has a more realistic feel than Zhu Xi’s Legacy attempt at heavy green and yellows.
Feel free to add your own observations and praise!! The developers did great.
