Some things I like about XGM

**EyebrowsMulligan** · March 13, 2008, 07:32 AM

I've tried a bunch of mods over the years (beginning with early versions of RTR) through EB, BBW, DM, RS and obviously XGM and I have to say that for my money XGM is the most enjoyable of the lot.

I especially like the stat balancing of the units in XGM and the fact that overall the stats are low enough for experience to really count for something - in fact this is one of my main bugbears with some other mods, the fact that unit stats are inflated but experience still only counts for an improvent of 1 point to attack and defence. I think experience should make a big difference to the way a unit performs in combat personally.

I also like the unit rosters, the temple system and the customizable options present with the installer which can dramatically alter the gaming experience. All in all XGM delivers a very satisfying Rome experience and I would recommend anyone to give it a try.

**Hippias** · March 13, 2008, 08:12 AM

Wise words Eyebrows - wise words indeed.

I to have tried other Rome era mods, and whilst appreciating the fantastic level of detail in EB and RS, as someone with limited gaming time available I find XGM unbeatable and, if I may use this phrase, 'fluffy'.

**Scutarii** · March 13, 2008, 06:09 PM

I agree, very fluffy...

I have to agree with Eyebrows though, XGM is a very well-done mod, and is in my top two mods I play.

**Unknown Soldier** · March 14, 2008, 08:11 AM

I only play XGM these days as RTW.

EB - is too historical and over complex and scripted.

**RedFox** · March 14, 2008, 09:36 AM

Unknown Soldier:
In my opinion, EB just broke RTW. It takes ages to load, the campaign map looks hideous and it's all pretty much pre-scripted.
Just too much to actually enjoy the game in my opinion. The AI formations are also terrible - in that way it cannot even be compare to XGM.

Most of XGM's success IMHO comes from retaining the vanilla styled appearance and a nice, clean, well thought out design while mainly concentrating more on good gameplay, not on historical accuracy.

**EyebrowsMulligan** · March 17, 2008, 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by RedFox

Most of XGM's success IMHO comes from retaining the vanilla stiled appearance and a nice, clean, well thought out design while mainly concentrating more on good gameplay, not on historical accuracy.

Nail hit on head. XGM does have a very crisp, clean feel to it. Probably because the scope of it has never been too ambitious and right now it's a really tight product that is being refined a little with each successive release.

On a different note, does nobody else play as TSE? :hmmm:

**Ceki** · March 14, 2008, 09:41 AM

I also played many mods, but since 2005 I play XGM. I like balancing the game, and dedication of improving Greek units. If XGM had map like RTR platinum, it would be even better (my opinion).
One thing I don't like in this game, is trade, especially Roman. But that is another topic. Summa sumarum, great mod, with every new release gets even better. I like it!

!

**Balikedes** · March 14, 2008, 12:12 PM

XGM is surely my favorite too, I'm sure everyone knows this by now though...

.

**Unknown Soldier** · March 14, 2008, 12:15 PM

Redfox: I agree 1000% with you on the EB issues

Say is anyone interested in XGM on the M2TW engine?

**Kara Kolyo** · March 14, 2008, 12:31 PM

I would be interested in something like XBM, probably - B for byzantine. There are mods like BC, that i trully love, but it's basicly different game. I would really like a nice XGM stile mod for M2. And having the actual XGM ported to M2 would fill my gaming needs for the next 5 years.

**Unknown Soldier** · March 14, 2008, 12:51 PM

KK - stile = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stile

style is what XGM has! ;-)

**Kara Kolyo** · March 14, 2008, 01:24 PM

oops sorry, i guess XGM is my stairway to gamers heaven

**Unknown Soldier** · March 17, 2008, 08:07 AM

Been the TSE - Initial strategy is always take cyprus and the egyptian town in asia minor west of Tarsus.

**EyebrowsMulligan** · March 17, 2008, 08:21 AM

I opted for a 'kill the Egyptians and hope the Greeks don't backstab me first in Asia minor' approach. Needless to say my armies feature a very high percentage of mercs as I have to recruit troops on the fly. I also had to resort to giving the pesky Pontics and Armenians a dose of the tried-and-tested chevauchee to put them in their place.

I'm currently at war with the Greeks, the Indy Greeks, Pontus, Armenia, Parthia, the Ptolemies and the Indy Gauls and have fought close to 90 battles. Not bad going for a 30 turn-old campaign!

**Infamous_Spartan** · March 17, 2008, 04:24 PM

haha! Hope you win in the end!

**Unknown Soldier** · March 18, 2008, 03:39 AM

Silver shield pikemen are awesome - I once lost 50% of a crap army as the pontics just trying to kill a single unit.

All I had were spear and javelin men without upgrades or experience - i wiped out the rest of the selucid army easy with maneauver and javelins but the silver shields just stood and took it! I meleed them from four directions and they manage to defeat/break 3 out of the four units fighting them but then numbers eventually told and they fought to the last without breaking.

**EyebrowsMulligan** · March 18, 2008, 05:21 AM

Wow. Can't wait to start fielding some silver shields if that testament is anything to go by! Might be a while though as the constant fighting has crippled my economy and my infrastructure is therefore lagging a little bit. I can say that I've recently started to employ a few units of Syrian archers and I love these guys (Cretans eat your hearts out).

**cherryfunk** · March 18, 2008, 07:24 PM

Most of XGM's success IMHO comes from retaining the vanilla styled appearance and a nice, clean, well thought out design while mainly concentrating more on good gameplay, not on historical accuracy.

I have to agree with this -- XGM is like super-vanilla RTW -- clean, fast, and fun. dbh is also one of the fastest guns in the west -- the guy puts out updates faster than I can finish campaigns!