Info about Field of Glory II: Medieval:

Official game description:
  
Field of Glory II Medieval is a turn-based tactical game set in the High Middle Ages from 1040 AD to 1270 AD.  
This was the heyday of the mounted knight. Armoured from head to toe by the later 12th century, European knights rode heavy horses in tight formation, and delivered a devastating charge with couched lances.  
Major themes of the period include the struggles of the Kings of France against the Kings of England and the German Emperors, the English wars of conquest or attempted conquest against the Welsh, Scots and Irish, the Baltic Crusades and the Mongol invasion of Eastern Europe. With dynastic struggles and rebellions by powerful nobles thrown into the mix, Europe was in an almost constant state of war.  
Field of Glory II Medieval allows you to take command of the armies of the Anglo-Saxons and Normans, post-conquest England, France, Germany, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, the Low Countries, the Free Cantons, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Bohemia, Poland, the Teutonic Knights, the pagan Old Prussians and Lithuanians, Russia, Hungary, the Cumans, Volga Bulgars and Mongols in an endless variety of battles and campaigns set in 11th-13th century North and Central Europe.  
Lead your chosen army and its named generals to victory in set-piece historical battles or "what-if" custom battle situations against an AI or human opponent. Choose your forces from historically accurate orders of battle allowing all of the options and variations that would be available to a real general of that nation at any date during the era.  
Field of Glory II Medieval has more than 100 beautiful and historically accurate fully animated troop units, each with multiple variations to bring out the colour and variety of the era. Watch the swords flash and the arrows fly! Count the cost of victory or defeat as bodies litter the battlefield.  
Field of Glory II Medieval has a campaign system that concentrates on the battles, and allows real strategic decisions without time spent moving armies around a strategic map. Each battle is vital to your progress. Your army will gain experience and elan as it goes from victory to victory against your enemies and their allies.  
There are four historically-based campaigns covering major conflicts of the era: The Angevin Empire, The Northern Crusades, Alexander Nevsky and the Mongol Invasions. There is also a sandbox campaign system that allows you to lead any nation (and their historical allies) against any other nation (and their allies) – giving thousands of permutations.  
Victory will require determination and tactical mastery.  
*   Accurate simulation of battle in the High Middle Ages.  
*   29 nations and factions covering North and Central Europe from 1040 AD to 1270 AD.  
*   57 different army lists allowing historically realistic armies for each of these factions at different dates during the period. In addition armies can include contingents from historical allies. This gives tens of thousands of permutations. You will never run out of new matchups to try.  
*   More than 100 historically accurate units, built from fully animated 3D troop models.  
*   Historical scenarios covering key engagements of the period on an epic scale. These include Hastings 1066, Tinchebrai 1106, Trutina 1110, Crug Mawr 1136, The Standard (Northallerton) 1138, Steppes 1213, Bouvines 1214, Otepää 1217, Kalka River 1223, Bornhöved 1227, Lake Peipus 1242 and Kressenbrunn 1260.  
*   Custom Battle system allows unlimited “what-if” scenarios using historically realistic armies from carefully researched army lists, on realistic computer generated terrain maps. Armies covered include Anglo-Saxons, Normans, post-conquest English, French, Imperial and Feudal German, Lowland Scottish, Highland/Isles Scottish, North and South Welsh, Irish, Anglo-Irish, Low Countries, Free Cantons, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Bohemian, Polish, Teutonic Knights, Old Prussians, Lithuanians, Russians, Hungarians, Cumans, Volga Bulgars and Mongols. 12 selectable scenarios include: Open Battle, Enemy expecting Reinforcements, Own side expecting Reinforcements, Flank March, Rearguard, Advance Guard, Kill the King, Escort Baggage Train, Own Side Defending, Enemy Defending, Relieve Besieged Fortress, Enemy Relieve Besieged Fortress.  
*   Quick Battle mode allows you to quickly select from 65 pre-set matchups between historical opponents.  
*   Campaign mode allows you to play through historically-based campaign scenarios or “what-if” campaigns between any two opposing nations with thousands of permutations. Each victory increases the experience and elan of your core units. You can give each of them its own unique unit name. Quick to resolve strategic decisions allow you to go straight from one battle to the next without any delay.  
*   Random map generator produces an infinite variety of historically realistic battlefield maps for custom battles and campaigns.  
*   Classic turn-based, tile based gameplay.  
*   Easy to use interface, hard to master gameplay.  
*   Battles can range from a few units to as many as 80 units per side.  
*   Named generals who can influence combat and morale of units under their command.  
*   Single player and multiplayer battle modes.  
*   Effective AI makes sound tactical decisions.  
*   6 difficulty levels allow the challenge to increase as you develop your battlefield skills.  
*   Numerous different unit organisations, combat capabilities and tactical doctrines allow full representation of tactical differences and developments.  
*   Mod friendly game system with built-in map editor.  
*   Multiplayer mode allows historical scenarios and “what-if” scenarios to be played by two players using Slitherine’s easy to use PBEM server.

Release date: Feb 4, 2021

Categories: Turn-based Strategy, Historical Simulation, Tactical Gameplay, Multiplayer, Medieval Themes, Tabletop Game Comparison, Campaign Mode, Scenario Creator

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 60; verdict: Aggressive Monetization; summary: The game has received significant criticism for its DLC policy, with many users feeling that essential content is locked behind expensive DLCs. This has led to a perception of the game being overpriced and has negatively impacted the overall user experience. Additionally, gameplay issues compounded with the DLC policy have further frustrated users.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $0.00 - $10.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence suggests that the community generally does not consider the game worth purchasing at its full price. Multiple reviews mention that the game is only worth getting if it is free or heavily discounted. This indicates a low perceived value, suggesting that a fair price range would be at the lower end of the spectrum.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: N/A
  - Story completion: 5.0h
  - Session length: 2.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides specific playtime metrics for the target game. The first quote mentions 8 hours of playtime, which includes completing tutorial missions. The second quote specifies that the tutorial took 5 hours to complete, providing a clear metric for a segment of the game. The third quote indicates that a whole campaign on the second easiest difficulty took almost an hour per battle, with a total of 17 battles, suggesting a significant time investment for campaign completion. The fourth quote implies that single sessions can extend to two hours, indicating a typical session length.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game has a steep learning curve that requires external resources to overcome, but once mastered, the multiplayer mode offers a highly engaging and enjoyable experience.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: Mastering the game mechanics and starting multiplayer
  - Time to anchor: 3h 0m
  - Friction: Steep learning curve; Poor in-game tutorial; Complex game mechanics
  - Unlock drivers: External tutorials and guides; Practice and experience with game mechanics
  - Conditions: Playing with friends in multiplayer; Using external resources to understand the game; Having patience to overcome the initial learning curve
- Player Archetypes:
  - Tactical Purist (buy)
    - Motivation: Mastering tactical depth and strategic planning.
    - Playstyle: Patient, methodical, and focused on long-term strategic goals.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: tactical enthusiasts; hardcore gamers
    - Reference games: Field of Glory Ancients; Panzer Corps; HistoryMarche
  - Multiplayer Strategist (buy)
    - Motivation: Engaging in deep, strategic multiplayer battles.
    - Playstyle: Competitive, patient, and enjoys long-term strategic planning.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: multiplayer enthusiasts; competitive players
    - Reference games: Field of Glory II; Sengoku Jidai; Pike and Shot
  - Guidance Seeker (sale)
    - Motivation: Learning and understanding the game mechanics thoroughly.
    - Playstyle: Cautious, methodical, and relies on external resources for guidance.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: newcomers; learners
    - Reference games: Field of Glory II; Sengoku Jidai


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Diverse and well-designed units (weight 0.42): The game offers a rich variety of units, each with unique designs and characteristics. Players appreciate the diversity and the strategic depth it adds to the gameplay.
- Authentic medieval strategy (weight 0.41): The game is praised for its authentic medieval setting and tactical warfare. It is recommended for fans of medieval strategy games and is considered one of the best in this genre.
- Deep tactical and strategic gameplay (weight 0.41): The game offers deep tactical and strategic gameplay with historical authenticity. It is described as a rich tactical simulator with challenging battles.
- Praised graphics and visuals (weight 0.37): Players consistently highlight the game's graphics, describing them as beautiful, realistic, and well-designed. The visual effects, models, and overall presentation are frequently mentioned as standout features.
- Engaging and complex gameplay (weight 0.31): The gameplay is described as engaging, complex, and enjoyable. Players find the strategic and management aspects of the game particularly interesting.
- Excellent turn-based strategy (weight 0.28): Players love the turn-based strategy aspects of the game, describing it as solid, excellent, and very strategic.
- Well-made with high replay value (weight 0.26): Players describe the game as well-made, neat, and fantastic, with a lot of replay value. The overall quality and craftsmanship of the game are frequently highlighted.
- Realistic medieval battles (weight 0.24): The game is commended for its realistic portrayal of medieval battles, including accurate battle sounds and faithful representations of warfare.
- Challenging and smart AI (weight 0.18): The AI is noted for being challenging, smart, and respectable, providing a good tactical challenge for players.
- Beautiful medieval-style interface (weight 0.17): The user interface is praised for its beautiful medieval art and design, adding to the overall appeal for medieval fans.
- Good soundtrack and sound effects (weight 0.16): The game's soundtrack and sound effects are praised for being excellent and wonderful, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
- Complex rules with underlying depth (weight 0.15): The game's rules are noted for their complexity and depth, offering simple surface rules with underlying strategic depth.
- Easy to learn and play (weight 0.15): The game is noted for being easy to get into, learn, and play, with an easy-to-understand user interface.

Common complaints:
- Tutorial needs improvement (weight 0.32): The tutorial system is widely criticized for being insufficient, chaotic, and ineffective. Many players find it lacks clear explanations and assumes prior knowledge.
- Clunky and outdated UI (weight 0.31): The user interface is described as clunky, non-intuitive, and outdated. Players find it less informative and heavily reliant on tooltips.
- Excessive paid DLCs (weight 0.29): Players are frustrated with the high number of paid DLCs, which are seen as expensive and necessary to access most campaigns and full content.
- Poor combat and gameplay mechanics (weight 0.28): The combat system and overall gameplay mechanics are criticized for being confusing, clunky, and poorly designed.
- Multiplayer functionality issues (weight 0.15): Multiplayer mode is reported as not working properly, with some players unable to start it at all.
- Language support issues (weight 0.15): The game lacks support for certain languages, particularly Russian and Chinese, making it difficult for non-English speakers to play.
- Game not worth purchasing (weight 0.15): Many players feel the game is not worth buying due to its various shortcomings and the need for additional DLC purchases.
- Lack of army organization (weight 0.14): There is a notable absence of army organization and a chain of command, which affects gameplay strategy.
- Archer mechanics are flawed (weight 0.14): Archers are criticized for their inability to shoot at engaged units or over friendly units, limiting their effectiveness.
- Unrealistic unit behavior (weight 0.11): Units often act illogically and do not respond as expected to commands, leading to unrealistic gameplay.
- Lack of dynamic events and narrative (weight 0.11): The game suffers from a lack of dynamic events and a compelling narrative, making it feel shallow.
- Difficulty in distinguishing units (weight 0.11): Players find it hard to tell which units have moved and to distinguish between units of different sides.
- Not recommended for certain players (weight 0.1): The game is not recommended for players who prefer faster-paced gameplay, a more involved story, or those who don't want to read a lot.

Gameplay feedback:
- Turn-based tactical medieval combat (weight 0.62): The game features a turn-based combat system set in the High Middle Ages, emphasizing tactical gameplay similar to tabletop battle systems.
- Historically accurate battles and units (weight 0.45): The game includes historically accurate battles and units, offering custom battles and historical scenarios like Hastings or Lake Peipus.
- Terrain affects combat effectiveness (weight 0.4): Terrain plays a crucial role in combat, affecting the effectiveness of units and requiring strategic positioning.
- Multiplayer modes available (weight 0.23): The game includes various multiplayer modes, such as online multiplayer and PBEM++ (Play by Email) mode.
- Medieval theme and setting (weight 0.2): The game is set in the medieval era, with a UI featuring medieval art and themes, including Knights and the Varangian Guard.
- Tabletop game comparison (weight 0.19): The game is often compared to tabletop games, with similar rulesets and gameplay mechanics.
- Variety of unit types (weight 0.15): The game offers a range of unit types, including cavalry with bows, heavy cavalry with spears, infantry (spearmen), swordsmen, javelinmen, axemen, and archers.
- Individual unit control (weight 0.15): Players have control over individual units, allowing for precise positioning and movement on the battlefield.
- Scenario creator included (weight 0.11): The game features a scenario creator, allowing players to create and play numerous custom scenarios.
- Custom campaign mode (weight 0.11): The game includes a campaign mode with custom campaigns, offering single-player and multiplayer experiences.
- Comparison to Total War (weight 0.11): The game is often compared to the Total War series, with similar strategy and army management mechanics.
- Missile and melee attack resolution (weight 0.11): The game focuses on resolving missile and melee attacks, with detailed combat mechanics.

Performance notes:
- Performance issues and crashes (weight 0.16): The game experiences frequent freezes and crashes during gameplay. Some players reported that the game caused their computers to crash.
- Outdated graphics and animations (weight 0.12): Several players noted that the graphics and animations are functional but outdated, with terrain effects also being criticized for looking old.
- Long loading times (weight 0.05): Players have reported that the loading times between scenarios are unnecessarily long, affecting the overall gaming experience.
- Poor netcode (weight 0.05): The game's netcode has been criticized as being of poor quality, affecting the online gaming experience.
- Text prompts too small (weight 0.05): Players have complained that the text prompts are too small to read, and there are no settings to scale the text size.
- Performance issues on Steam Deck (weight 0.04): The game has performance issues specifically on the Steam Deck, which may limit its playability on that platform.
- Limited OS compatibility (weight 0.04): The game only works on Windows 8 and 10, which may limit accessibility for players using other operating systems.
- Performance issues on older processors (weight 0.04): Players with older processors have reported that the game runs slowly, indicating potential performance issues on less powerful hardware.

Recommendations:
- Ideal for medieval history enthusiasts (weight 0.22): This game is highly recommended for players who have a keen interest in medieval history and warfare. It offers detailed and engaging content that caters specifically to this niche.
- Great for tactical combat fans (weight 0.21): The game is tailored for those who enjoy deep tactical combat. It is particularly suited for enthusiasts of tactical games and turn-based strategy.
- Educational resources recommended (weight 0.15): Players are advised to watch tutorial videos or read the manual to fully understand and enjoy the game mechanics. This suggests a complex game that benefits from additional learning resources.
- Fans of the series will enjoy (weight 0.15): Fans of the predecessor and the series in general are likely to enjoy this game, suggesting it stays true to the elements that made the previous games popular.
- Future DLCs and sequels desired (weight 0.11): Players have expressed interest in future DLCs and sequels, indicating a desire for continued development and expansion of the game world.
- Specific feature requests (weight 0.11): There are requests for additional features such as more types of terrain, story campaigns, and specific DLCs for Vikings or antiquity era.
- Highly recommended for depth (weight 0.09): The game is strongly recommended for its depth and beauty, indicating a rich and immersive gaming experience that appeals to a wide audience.
- Good value for money (weight 0.09): The game offers good value for its price, making it a worthwhile purchase for those interested in the genre.
- Combine with other Field of Glory games (weight 0.09): For an enhanced experience, it is recommended to play this game in combination with other titles like Field of Glory: Empires or Field of Glory: Kingdoms.
- Not for everyone (weight 0.07): The game may not be suitable for those who did not enjoy Field of Glory II or who are not fans of the genre, indicating a specific target audience.
- Language-specific feedback (weight 0.07): There is some feedback in different languages, indicating an international player base with varied opinions.
- Positive mention of related games (weight 0.04): Other games in the series, such as Ancients and Pike & Shot, are also highly regarded, suggesting a consistent quality across the series.

Other player notes:
- Game acquired for free (weight 0.11): Many players mentioned acquiring the game for free, either through a giveaway or during the Slitherine anniversary.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.2): Players are frustrated due to a variety of gameplay issues, including ineffective cavalry units, clunky and slow gameplay, and confusing menu navigation. Multiplayer problems, DLC practices, and campaign progression issues also contribute to this frustration. Additionally, the game's RNG system, unit balance, and combat mechanics are frequently cited as sources of dissatisfaction.
- Disappointment (weight 0.2): Disappointment stems from the game's stiff and uninteresting gameplay, insufficient tutorials, and illogical unit behavior. Players also express dissatisfaction with the lack of innovation, excessive DLCs, and poor graphics. The game's high price, lack of content, and outdated interface further contribute to this sentiment.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.12): Players find satisfaction in the game's deep tactical gameplay, historical accuracy, and strategic depth. The enjoyable battles, simple graphics, and rich historical background are also appreciated. The game's replayability, challenging mechanics, and realistic combat contribute to a satisfying experience.
- Excitement (weight 0.09): Excitement is generated by the game's strategic depth, rich and diverse gaming experience, and engaging battles. Players are also excited about the game's unique chess-like meta tactics, historical depth, and realistic gameplay. The anticipation of future content and improvements adds to this excitement.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.06): Enjoyment comes from the game's interesting battles, historical accuracy, and fun gameplay. The engaging and challenging gameplay, along with the strategic depth, provides a satisfying and enjoyable experience for players.
- Appreciation (weight 0.05): Players appreciate the game's historical accuracy, complexity, and detailed gameplay mechanics. The improved graphics, varied units, and authentic tabletop wargaming experience are also highly valued. The depth and rewarding experience of the game contribute to this appreciation.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.04): Enthusiasm is driven by the game's tactical depth, historical accuracy, and replay value. Players are enthusiastic about the realistic battles, high skill ceiling, and the game's setting compared to Total War. The historical depth and variety of game modes also contribute to this enthusiasm.
- Happy (weight 0.03): Happiness is derived from positive personal experiences, such as bonding with family members over the game. The detailed and historically accurate gameplay, along with the fact that the game is free, also contribute to this positive emotion.
- Positive (weight 0.02): Positive feelings arise from the game's visuals, music, and the challenge presented by the AI. The strategic depth, multiplayer options, and variety of units are also highly enjoyed. The tactical depth, dynamic battles, and visual improvements contribute to a positive experience.
- Boredom (weight 0.02): Boredom is caused by the lack of variety in missions and the repetitive nature of scenarios. Basic and boring battlefields, along with unengaging combat and gameplay mechanics, further contribute to this sentiment.
- Engagement (weight 0.02): Engagement is fostered by the game's strategic depth, intense thinking, and the variety of units. The high level of tactical thinking required and the game's challenging nature make it easy to get into and hard to stop playing.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Anger is triggered by poor game mechanics, graphics, and multiplayer issues. Game crashes and the need to purchase additional DLCs to access the majority of campaigns also contribute to this frustration.
- Confusion (weight 0.02): Confusion arises from unclear mechanics and difficulty understanding the game. Players find the game's mechanics confusing and struggle to grasp how to play effectively.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.01): Nostalgia is evoked by comparisons to the first part of the game and memories of past gameplay experiences. The game's resemblance to 15mm tabletop ancients wargaming also contributes to this feeling.
- Frustrated (weight 0.01): Frustration is caused by the inability to play without purchasing DLC and performance issues on specific platforms like the Steam Deck. Gameplay mechanics not working as expected further add to this frustration.
- Excited (weight 0.01): Excitement is generated by the interest in future content and the depth and realism of the game. Players are excited about the potential improvements and the immersive gameplay experience.
- Interest (weight 0.01): Interest is sparked by the game's unique mechanics and historical armies. The unique approach to turn-based gameplay and the variety of units also piques players' interest.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise comes from the game's tactical depth and historical accuracy, which exceed players' expectations. The fun gameplay despite its simplicity also surprises players.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Admiration is felt for the game's focus on medieval warfare and its tactical AI. The detailed and historically accurate gameplay mechanics also contribute to this admiration.
- Recommendation (weight 0): Recommendation is based on the game's appeal to medieval history enthusiasts and diehard turn-based strategy fans. The game's depth and historical accuracy make it worth recommending to specific audiences.}