Armchair Dragoons Forums

Wargaming => Age of Gunpowder => Topic started by: Martok on September 30, 2021, 12:51:00 AM

Title: Empires in Arms
Post by: Martok on September 30, 2021, 12:51:00 AM
Anyone here own/ever play this one?  I remember eyeing Empires in Arms years ago, but I'd pretty much forgotten about it. 


However, the game just got a shiny new update, with significant improvements to multiplayer, the UI, and AI, along with a new 1812 scenario.  In addition, it's 76% off ($9.60 USD) this week.  Am wondering if it's worth picking up, at least at that price. 


https://www.matrixgames.com/news/empires-in-arms-15-years-of-development-update


Title: Re: Empires in Arms
Post by: judgedredd on September 30, 2021, 01:22:47 AM
I just remember that game being one of those board games that did not transfer well to computer. I never played it - board or otherwise - but that's how I remember the conversations going.

Something like if several players were playing a campaign it would take years to finish a single playthrough.
Title: Re: Empires in Arms
Post by: bbmike on September 30, 2021, 08:23:19 AM
It is interesting to note that the new 'update' file is larger than the original 'setup' file.
Title: Re: Empires in Arms
Post by: ojsdad on September 30, 2021, 01:16:30 PM
For $10 it would be interesting to get just to try an MP game.
Title: Re: Empires in Arms
Post by: Dalinore on September 30, 2021, 03:51:17 PM
Have the actual game never tried the computer game, could never get anyone to play it though. For 10 dollars might just pick this up to try it out, even if it take a few years to play lol.
Title: Re: Empires in Arms
Post by: Dalinore on September 30, 2021, 03:58:24 PM
Just reading I do like the idea of saving unit set up to export for miniature games, wonder how that works though be curious to see that, use empire in arms to create your own miniature battle campaign maybe.
Title: Re: Empires in Arms
Post by: Undercovergeek on September 30, 2021, 05:07:53 PM
So decade long empires aar then?
Title: Re: Empires in Arms
Post by: BanzaiCat on September 30, 2021, 06:09:22 PM
^ You're more right than you may know...

I've not played this myself though it came up when I was writing manuals for Matrix. I didn't even want to try to wrap my head around it. That was about the time I left. ;D

I remember some friends of mine from college were playing a large game (8 players IIRC) of this and it was taking them months to get through it.
Title: Re: Empires in Arms
Post by: Dalinore on September 30, 2021, 07:55:20 PM
Well Decided to pull the trigger, for 10 dollars what the hell right see you in a year
Title: Re: Empires in Arms
Post by: judgedredd on October 01, 2021, 01:05:52 AM
We'll see you in 3  :hehe:
Title: Re: Empires in Arms
Post by: Cyrano on October 01, 2021, 07:54:42 AM
I was in from launch.  Payed full price.

The game is so bloody complex that I don’t know what UI would have worked, but this one definitely did not.  Cluttered and awkward, it could become unplayable.

The game save corruption bug sawed off the branch for me after I lost two games.

I admire the developer’s persistence, though.
Title: Re: Empires in Arms
Post by: ojsdad on October 01, 2021, 06:09:31 PM
I just ordered it. 
Title: Re: Empires in Arms
Post by: Bison on October 01, 2021, 08:26:04 PM
Never played this one. I always felt that Crown of Glory was Matrix best strategic Napoleonic game with the added bonus of tactical ground and naval combat.
Title: Re: Empires in Arms
Post by: Undercovergeek on October 01, 2021, 10:06:28 PM
THATS what I was getting it mixed up with but couldn’t remember - thanks bison
Title: Re: Empires in Arms
Post by: ArizonaTank on October 12, 2021, 11:24:04 PM
Back when I was a reviewing type of guy, I did a review of this one shortly after its release (in 2008 so 13 years ago).

It was kind of a lukewarm experience for me. Very complex and the UI was just not helpful. The AI was not really ready for prime time either.

But I did feel there was a good game in there somewhere.

http://armchairgeneral.com/empires-in-arms-game-review.htm (http://armchairgeneral.com/empires-in-arms-game-review.htm)

I am interested to see what the patch has done, so I will probably fire it up again.
Title: Re: Empires in Arms
Post by: W8taminute on October 13, 2021, 09:30:44 AM
Never played this one. I always felt that Crown of Glory was Matrix best strategic Napoleonic game with the added bonus of tactical ground and naval combat.

I liked Crown of Glory as well.  Never played Empires in Arms but I remember at the time when I was trying to decide between EIA and COG I chose COG because of the tactical naval and army battles. 
Title: Re: Empires in Arms
Post by: Martok on October 13, 2021, 09:08:19 PM
Thanks for the feedback, everyone.  Sounds like it definitely was a game to skip back when it was launched.  As regards the new update, it appears that remains to be seen. 

I've posted a query in the Matrix forums as well.  Maybe/hopefully someone there has played the game in the last couple weeks, and will give their thoughts on it. 


Yeah, I remember looking at Crown of Glory as well, and that it looked pretty decent.  Are the tactical battles any good?  I'm admittedly not big on Napoleonic land combat, but the naval warfare aspect has always interested me. 


Title: Re: Empires in Arms
Post by: Bison on October 13, 2021, 09:28:55 PM
CoG tactical battles are turn based and pretty decent. Like all AI it's not always the best but its still fun. The overall strategic layer is very deep and takes a good amount of time to just learn. Forge of Freedom is the American Civil War version of the same game engine. It was my go to game for several years.
Title: Re: Empires in Arms
Post by: judgedredd on October 14, 2021, 01:30:29 AM
Talking about grand strategy/tactical battles games, Forge of Freedom was one of my favourites. An outstanding game. Unfortunately it was never upgraded and was very dated on a modern machine. It needed a new interface and overlay - but they never saw the financial benefits I guess.
Title: Re: Empires in Arms
Post by: Martok on October 14, 2021, 02:14:51 AM
CoG tactical battles are turn based and pretty decent. Like all AI it's not always the best but its still fun. The overall strategic layer is very deep and takes a good amount of time to just learn. Forge of Freedom is the American Civil War version of the same game engine. It was my go to game for several years.

Thanks, Bison.  I'm seriously tempted to pick up CoG now, especially with my anniversary coupon set to expire in another week or so... 

Title: Re: Empires in Arms
Post by: ojsdad on October 14, 2021, 09:20:45 AM
I cannot get EiA to install.  Anyone else with this issue.
Title: Re: Empires in Arms
Post by: bbmike on October 14, 2021, 10:55:20 AM
Yep. Had to start Windows in Safe Mode to install it. Have a look at this thread on Matrix:

https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=4930864 (https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=4930864)
Title: Re: Empires in Arms
Post by: ojsdad on October 14, 2021, 11:45:05 AM
Yep. Had to start Windows in Safe Mode to install it. Have a look at this thread on Matrix:

https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=4930864 (https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=4930864)

That's just crazy. 
Title: Re: Empires in Arms
Post by: bbmike on October 14, 2021, 11:57:56 AM
Indeed.
Title: Re: Empires in Arms
Post by: W8taminute on October 14, 2021, 12:49:27 PM
Talking about grand strategy/tactical battles games, Forge of Freedom was one of my favourites. An outstanding game. Unfortunately it was never upgraded and was very dated on a modern machine. It needed a new interface and overlay - but they never saw the financial benefits I guess.

It's a shame too because that really was a good game.  I still play it from time to time.