If they don't add a family tree, this game will die.

[Guardian112]

I'm summarizing here. Political system, intrigue, family tree- if they don't add it, it's over for Rome 2. People are buying it now but it won't have longevity. This is a game that is being pissed on by the vast majority of its players. My little 15-year old brother who freaking loves Total Wars said this is the worst one he's ever played.

For me, the big missing dynamic in this game- beyond fixes for bugs and AI- is the family tree. Without it, you have no connection to your generals, who seem to die of old age every 20 turns. That would not be a problem if at least you could get excited about the next faction leader- but most of the time, you don't even know who that is. Rome 1 had the Senate, and though it wasn't too fancy, I do remember getting pissed off when they asked my faction leader to commit suicide or face a civil war.

You can't just add a little influence bar and call that politics. Something needs to be done. Personally, I have no idea why they didn't keep the "Julii Brutii Scipii" three-faction system in the original Rome.

[Lord Kurst]

I don't get what all the harping is about it. I never used it and didn't do me any inconvenience. I don't care that's it's gone. It was no help to me.


Dost thou prate, rogue?

[Radzeer]

I don't get what all the harping is about it.

You probably have a very different understanding of immersion. Graphics? Flags? Maybe something more Shakespearean?

[Lord Kurst]

You probably have a very different understanding of immersion. Graphics? Flags? Maybe something more Shakespearean?

I mean in terms of the Family Tree. I understand people on those subjects


Dost thou prate, rogue?

[zznɟ ǝɥʇ]

I thought I'd care, I really did. But I get attached to my generals and I like that you keep your family intact and try to push out the other guys. It could be improved, sure, but I don't mind it as it stands. Hasn't stopped my current faction leader, Tigranes, from being one of those characters you remember forever.

[Gaizokubanou]

Out of all the valid criticisms that can be laid against this game... you bring up a complete non-issue topic and claim game's success (which it already is determined due to ridiculous preorders) depends on it.

This thread... this thread...

[Guardian112]

Long-term success of the game, if the developers care at all, and IMO the goodwill of future TW titles, is at stake.

[Jester]

the political tab is a complete joke anyway and 3 steps back from what we had in previous games, especially Empire and Shogun2.

i know, they couldnt copy that because of different setting but this is really too basic and superficial.

[Doe3000]

I'm actually glad they haven't brought back the three family factions from the original Rome. I want to lead the Romans in war, not the House of Julii or Brutii. But I agree the political system could be improved. Quite frankly I have no clue what's going on politically in my Empire. Why can't my general marry? Why do some generals magically get hold of retinues and skills for no reason? Who are these generals and politicians who exist outside the three main families, and what impact do they have on the game? What does gravitas do? It's impossible to figure out the bigger picture of what's going politically in your empire anymore as everything seems vague and ill-defined.

[Hyakushiki]

Even if the tree is not blood family, as least have the tree for the factions politics / military leaders. Being able to choose heads of department, akin to Shogun 2, or whatever is historically accurate to the period. They should also add portraits for the characters / agents, instead of the awful 3D models that have 1-2 variants.

[Dredd]

Quite absurd to say that no family tree = the death of the game in the long run. Of course the game needs some polishing but just because it's missing something the original Rome had doesn't mean it's going to die out.

[jtfjtfjtf]

They need to revamp the political system because there's no sense of political history within your faction. Generals are listed in your armies but even with that I find it pretty shallow since it just has their name.

The only political system that sort of makes sense the way Rome 2 has it laid out is Athens. Because everyone there is a citizen in Athens. Any faction with a hereditary dynasty needs a big family tree. I think some factions need multiple family trees such as the celts or the way they made the Romans and Carthaginians. Some factions need another group of nobles or important people along with a family tree. They also need a history of leadership. But overall Rome 2's current system is way too shallow and needs to be overhauled big time. They also need a governorship system for regions and provinces.

[krisslanza]

Yeah. Suuuure. I don't think I ever looked at the family tree. Wasn't important. Just gimme generals that don't suck, I don't care who was whose son - just don't be a crappy general! I don't need a family tree for that.

[Rittsy]

I think the game needs to improve the way generals "upgrade", eg: I really liked the old system how your actions in battle/religious building/time in a city would determine what upgrades you got, rather than actually picking from a list. However the family tree itself didn't really do much and as long as there is a means of seeing all your generals i don't really mind.

[krisslanza]

I think the game needs to improve the way generals "upgrade", eg: I really liked the old system how your actions in battle/religious building/time in a city would determine what upgrades you got, rather than actually picking from a list. However the family tree itself didn't really do much and as long as there is a means of seeing all your generals i don't really mind.

This is still present, in a way. You pick the actual "skills" the characters get now, instead of just random chance. Their actual traits are however, still influenced by outside factors. It's more that in the older games, Generals had no "skills" they just had 'traits', even if some traits were basically just acquired skills. Later TW's let you pick the actual skills they've honed over the year(s) of service, but random chance and outside factors still determine the habits and traits they pick up.

[Rittsy]

This is still present, in a way. You pick the actual "skills" the characters get now, instead of just random chance. Their actual traits are however, still influenced by outside factors. It's more that in the older games, Generals had no "skills" they just had 'traits', even if some traits were basically just acquired skills. Later TW's let you pick the actual skills they've honed over the year(s) of service, but random chance and outside factors still determine the habits and traits they pick up.

I didn't even realise this, something about the way it's presented makes it seem a little bare of information...but clearly it's there and I just wasn't looking enough. Thanks for that.

[Joar]

The family tree gave the game great immersion. You would get emotionally attached not only to a specific general, but also his family. It added a lot of flavour to the game, quite simply. I remember how upset I could get if your favourite general, who perhaps came from a long line of characters you've played, all of a sudden died of plague, or was assassinated. It of course also added to the whole battle experience since you didn't want some of your favourite guys to be killed in action. I also remember the thrill of trying to keep the father-to-son bloodline as straight as possible, and how happy I could get when the last male member of a dynasty finally got a son, and so on.

It was very nice addition to the game, and it makes no sense to leave it out.

[Revan The Great]

A family tree would be relatively incompatible with the current game. With one turn a year, and instantly replaceable generals, there's just no room for a family tree and meaningful attachment to your generals. So I think Rome 2's failing is much more endemic than just not having a family tree.

[Tiwaz]

A family tree would be relatively incompatible with the current game. With one turn a year, and instantly replaceable generals, there's just no room for a family tree and meaningful attachment to your generals. So I think Rome 2's failing is much more endemic than just not having a family tree.

I am guessing they meant us to feel attached to legions instead of leaders. With the tradition and all.
In some level, makes sense... But legions were historically very tied to their leader/founder. With the way generals go over the Styx there is no feel of Caesar going to take over the Gaul. At best it is good 4-5 conquest streak (with some R&R etc pacing them out) and then your general kicks the bucket. Legion is there but it's honour roster looks like it is a hot potato passed from general to another.

[Tiwaz]

Double