Grand Ages Medieval (PC / PS4)

[jaymo76]

The game is set for release in late September on both PC and PS4. This game comes from the creators of Gran Ages Rome and Imperium Romanum. I have been waiting for these types of games to make their arrival onto console. Good on Kalypso media... first Tropico 5 and now this. Well done!

[jaymo76]

It is the year 1050 AD. At the beginning of the High Middle Ages development in Europe has seen an unprecedented level of progress and a rapidly growing population spreads across the length and breadth of the continent. New frontiers are explored, settlements founded and vast trading routes established. As the head of one of these small settlements, it falls upon you to lead your people towards greatness.

Explore a vast world, gather resources, encounter other societies and use your trading expertise to expand and make your fortune. Found new cities, progress your nation with inventive technology and protect your trade routes against barbarian attacks until you are powerful enough to begin your conquest over Europe and forge a bold new empire.

Grand Ages: Medieval is a real-time strategy game from Gaming Minds. Lead your people and advance through the decades by utilising construction, research, expansion and conquest in an area extending from Scandinavia and North Africa; to Portugal, the Caucasus and the Middle East. Rise from the humble role of a simple mayor governing a small settlement and rule over all of Europe. Experience an exciting campaign with elaborately designed cut-scenes, play by your own rules in free play or test your skills in multiplayer against up to 8 players!

Features:
•Explore a gigantic game world of over 20 million square kilometres, plot strategically where to found important cities and defend your kingdom against foreign powers
•Raise an army and fight your opponents with knights, archers and cavalry
•Produce and trade 20 different goods to meet the demands of your citizens and soldiers: such as coal, fruits and pottery
•Research and utilise 50 major technological advancements of the Middle Ages: including the three-field crop rotation, the low warp loom or the longbow
•Face devastating natural disasters like storms, fires, volcanoes, droughts, earthquakes… or even the Black Death
•Challenging Multiplayer Mode for up to 8 players via network and online


From grandages.com

[jaymo76]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPkP3f9RHBQ

[jaymo76]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fMOQAwDqbI

[jaymo76]

Apparently this Thursday Kalypso will be streaming live gameplay on Twitch.

[jaymo76]

http://cdn.pcgamesn.com/sites/default/files/GAM_Screenshot_4K%20(6).png

7 empires can grow during this time period. I guess this is a zoomed out map. In others I have seen North Africa colonized, but that is not the case here???

[jaymo76]

Steeler mentioned he might be interested in this game. It does support up to 8 person multiplayer. Future TGT game?

[jaymo76]

http://www.gamesaktuell.de/screenshots/original/2015/06/Grand_Ages_Medieval_Vorschau_02-pc-games.jpg

Warfare looks chaotic. The devs said you can only have 200 troops but I'm not sure if that is for one town or your whole empire.

[JeffHCross]

I will be creating a Briton named Arthur.

Original, I know.

[SmoothPancakes]

I'm interested but it'll have to be for PS4. My laptop is so old and outdated, it can barely run any games anymore. Plus I've been having issues with the hard drive slowly failing. So my PC gaming is officially dead until I get around to buying a new laptop or PC.

[jaymo76]

I will be creating a Briton named Arthur.

Original, I know.

I think for my first empire I was going to start in Ireland or England. After my first play through definitely Scandinavia will be the starting point.

[steelerfan]

I am interested but like Smooth I would definitely be on PS4.

[jaymo76]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VT6XGxTrrY

Not a great clip and annoying hosts but does give some limited gameplay. The only thing I don't like is that on fast a game could be done in 10 hours. I will NOT be playing on fast!

[jaymo76]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9zeaVxfOTQ

Found this hour of start-up gameplay from a live stream last week. They are running the game on slow and showing the basic set-up.

[jaymo76]

I am interested but like Smooth I would definitely be on PS4.

That is my plan as well.

[steelerfan]

That is my plan as well.
:up:

[Rudy]

This could be interesting but only at $20 for me. I just don't know how much I would like this game and a full console price is high.

[jaymo76]

This could be interesting but only at $20 for me. I just don't know how much I would like this game and a full console price is high.

I will happily pay the higher amount simply because these types of games have been absent from consoles for 2 generations. I will be picking up Tropico 5 once I get paid. Do I need it? No! However, I want to support Kalypso media and see them continue to put these types of games on console. For me, Grand Ages Medieval is a combo of three games: Civ 5, Grand Ages Rome, and Tropico 5. This type of stuff and sports games are why I got into console gaming in the first place.

[JBHuskers]

So this is like a medieval Tropico? I have Tropico 5 on the PS4 and love it.

[jaymo76]

http://static.truetrophies.com/customimages/019439.jpg

Definitely looks to be a challenge keeping track of everything (since it's not turn based like the Civ series).

[jaymo76]

http://www.pcgames.de/screenshots/original/2015/06/Grand_Ages_Medieval_Vorschau_12-pc-games.jpg

Definitely want to hear more about triangular trade. Trade will be a big part to this game.

[jaymo76]

Gamescon 2015 has this game up for an award (best simulation). The competityion is forza and anno 2505.

I expect to see some good videos out this week.

[JBHuskers]

Gamescon 2015 has this game up for an award (best simulation). The competityion is forza and anno 2505.

I expect to see some good videos out this week.

I'm sure Forza will pay for win the award.

[jaymo76]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9Z_Twi521A

Some good footage today. Looks like the game is heavy on economics and much less on politics and war.

[jaymo76]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6sla1mk2Ag

Short clip from Polygon. However, she said there were only 66 cities. That is false as there are over 100.

[jaymo76]

http://www.gamewatcher.com/interviews/grand-ages-medieval-interview/12286

[jaymo76]

http://www.destructoid.com/grand-ages-medieval-brings-open-world-strategic-gameplay-to-ps4-297244.phtml

Great write-up from Destructoid.

[jaymo76]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPz46kmwqbA

Not a great video but you can see by the icons that this is for the PS4. Looks pretty much identical.

[SCClassof93]

Jaymo, this looks really good and with Nobunaga coming 9/1 strategy gamers will finally have some options.

[jaymo76]

Jaymo, this looks really good and with Nobunaga coming 9/1 strategy gamers will finally have some options.

Agreed! Things are finally looking up for us strategy games. This, Tropico, Nobunaga, No Man's Sky, etc... it's a good year!

I have heard some chatter about making Port Royale for PS4... Oh man I would love that!!!

[jaymo76]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSkebLd8NcU

Great video clip. If you don't like what you see in this clip then you will NOT like this game as he demonstrates most of the stuff I have not yet seen.

[jaymo76]

Kind of forgot about this but I got a Best Buy update that this game will arrive on Tuesday.

[JBHuskers]

Reviews are luke warm on Amazon and users on Meta. Wonder what the problem is.

[jaymo76]

Reviews are luke warm on Amazon and users on Meta. Wonder what the problem is.

Just checked... the complaints seem to be:

-too simplistic
-becomes a little too dull after awhile
-strange economic logic
-too much emphasis on trade


-too expensive for what you get

[jaymo76]

http://www.hookedgamers.com/pc/grand_ages_medieval/review/article-1540.html

This is a very pro review.

http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/grand-ages-medieval-review/1900-6416270/

As a contrast the Gamespot review is pretty harsh.

[jaymo76]

The Good

Focus on economics
Alternate take on traditional strategy
Open ended campaign

The Bad

Limited story appeal
Limited connection to historical events

Conclusion

Grand Ages: Medieval is a game targeted at a niche of gamers, those who might find even classic history-based titles like Europa Universalis IV or Medieval: Total War lacking when it comes to the economic department.
The development team has created some solid, if sometimes dry, mechanics that will challenge players to balance their budget, keep acquiring cities and deal with the wealth of challenges a sprawling trade empire can create.

I liked my time with Grand Age: Medieval, but after spending a lot of time in the Balkans in my first campaign, I want to see whether there's variety in switching to another region for the start town.


This is from Softpedia. The ranked the game 7/10. I suspect this review is right on. If you prefer trade and economics over military this game will work for you and if you don't avoid this game. It truly is a niche game. I suspect I will enjoy it as I have always preferred trade and diplomacy over military.

[gigemaggs99]

This looks like my kinda game, I've been looking for a good city builder on the console.

My question is, where can you purchase this game?

I've seen it on the PS store and amazon.

I've searched Target, Walmart, Best Buy and Gamestop. None of my local stores have it, they can all have it shipped. I'm just amazed there isn't a place to buy it locally. :dunno:

[jaymo76]

This looks like my kinda game, I've been looking for a good city builder on the console.

My question is, where can you purchase this game?

I've seen it on the PS store and amazon.

I've searched Target, Walmart, Best Buy and Gamestop. None of my local stores have it, they can all have it shipped. I'm just amazed there isn't a place to buy it locally. :dunno:

I have the game. I enjoy it for what it is and recommend it if you like niche games with an economics and trade focus. Don't like that? Then pass on this game. In my game I am in huge debt right now and still don't know what I am doing but it is a unique experience.

You mentioned city building. Sadly console version does not let you place buildings, only establish them. This is trade routes and diplomacy first. In a week or two I hope to feel better enough to stream for an hour or so.

[JBHuskers]

You might have more fun with Tropico 5 it seems. I have that and love it.

[bdoughty]

Assuming you still live in Bryan, Tx, there are at multiple copies available within a 5 mile radius. Low Stock indicates they have 3 or less in stock.


http://i.imgur.com/TRWW9NF.jpg


I do agree with JB that Tropico 5 sounds more like what you are looking for. It has a really good tutorial to run through for people new to the game.

[jaymo76]

Tropico 5 is only on PS4. City Skylines is coming to xbox1 sometime in the next year. Sucks if you don't have both systems.