Grand Ages Medieval game PlayㅣPart 1-KJS
0I actually feel bad for downrating this game. It has some fine ideas and concepts and would most certainly keep you very entertained past the two hour steam refund mark.
The problem is, that it doesn't keep you going much past that point. You suddenly find that you've built everything you can. Every building, every troop type, every resource generator. All you can do is to repeat the process over and over again until the map is full of cities. You engage in repetetive trade routes with the same scant few resources that can be obtained anywhere in the map (fine wine from my Scottish vinyards, anyone?)
And when the map is full you have to endure the even more tiresome process of either wooing or conquering enemy cities to your faction. A process that take so long per city that the very thought of taking over the whole world is a truly frightening concept.
In short...allow me give you the experience of playing this game. Consider it a free demo:
Pick up a book you know to be good. Perhaps you read it before or it comes higly recommended by someone you trust. Read chapter One. Don't worry...I don't mind waiting. Just let me know when you're done...
Ah, hello again! Did you enjoy that? Good! I'm glad to hear it. Now go on and read Chapter Two and come back here for the next step...
Welcome back! You must be pretty invested now. A new world to explore and characters to follow on glorious adventures. So exciting! Well, don't let me keep you...you go right ahead and read Chapter Two...yes, Chapter Two, that's what I said. Yes, I know you already read it, but just go read it again, it'll be fun! Oh...and when you're finished, you'll need to read Chapter Two again. And then follow that up with Chapter Two. I trust you'll be able to work out the next step from there...
And that's it. You set up your early game, full of possibilities and exploration as you set your flag down and make your mark on the local area. You move into your mid game - consolidating your power and expanding your reach. And then you stay there. There is no end game. No top tier production buildings requring many cities to work together. No distant technological research that needs a concerted effort to reach. No Development of agents, espionage, religion, enhanced diplomacy or advanced troop types. Nope. You just carry on playing the mid-game until you lose interest and start again. And you start again another 6-7 times until eventually the frustrating realisation comes in that you've spent hours doing something you don't even enjoy, so you come here and write a big 'MEH' review to save others from the boredom.
TLDR - Absolutely fantastic game for an hour or so until it completely runs out of ideas and content. Consider waiting for a lot of DLC/expansion content before purchase...or a very generous Steam sale deal.