Old World

The game's story is praised for its depth and engagement, featuring over 3000 unique events that create a rich narrative experience intertwined with gameplay. Players appreciate the character-driven elements and dynasty mechanics, which add personal stakes and emergent storytelling, making each playthrough feel unique. However, some critiques highlight that the story can feel disjointed at times, lacking a cohesive narrative thread compared to other titles in the genre.

The music in the game has received a mixed reception, with many praising its atmospheric quality and diverse influences, including contributions from notable composers like Christopher Tin and Philip Glass. While some players find the soundtrack to be immersive and evocative of the game's ancient setting, others criticize certain tracks as bland or amateurish. Overall, the music is often highlighted as a standout feature, enhancing the gameplay experience, though players have the option to disable it if they prefer.

The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the beautiful artwork and atmospheric visuals, while others criticize the outdated and sometimes muddy graphical fidelity. Many users note that while the graphics are generally appealing, they can be difficult to interpret, especially in terms of UI clarity and distinguishing between different elements on the map. Overall, the visuals are considered decent for a 4X strategy game, but they do not reach the high standards set by competitors like the Civilization series.

The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting severe performance issues, particularly in the late game and on larger maps. While some users have noted improvements following updates, the overall consensus is that the game remains a performance hog, often resulting in low frame rates and long loading times, even on high-end systems. Many recommend waiting for further optimization before fully engaging with the game.

Overall, the game exhibits high replayability, with many players praising its diverse characters, impactful events, and customizable gameplay options that keep each playthrough fresh and engaging. While some critiques mention limited replay value after several sessions and issues with certain mechanics, the majority highlight the game's depth, strategic complexity, and the variety of factions and leaders as key factors that enhance its replayability. Despite some concerns about the learning curve and occasional performance issues, many find it to be one of the most replayable titles in the genre.

The reviews highlight a pervasive sense of tedium associated with grinding in the game, particularly in the mid to late game where micromanagement becomes excessive and gameplay slows down significantly. Players express frustration with the repetitive nature of warfare and the overwhelming management of large empires, leading to a feeling of boredom rather than engagement. While some appreciate the strategic depth and streamlined mechanics compared to other 4X games, many find the overall experience tedious and unfulfilling, especially during prolonged play sessions.

The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing frequent crashes, freezes, and glitches, particularly on high-end PCs. However, others report a stable experience with minimal bugs, especially on specific systems like the MacBook Pro M1. Overall, while some users find the game promising and relatively bug-free, many others highlight significant stability issues that detract from the gameplay experience.

The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive blend of ancient historical settings, engaging music, and detailed graphics that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the atmospheric soundtrack, particularly composed by Christopher Tin, and the thoughtful design elements that contribute to a cozy and captivating environment. The combination of well-written events and visual aesthetics effectively transports players into the classical era, making for a rich and engaging gameplay experience.

The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of amusing events and quirky AI decisions, such as the absurdity of losing elite units to poorly executed strategies. Players enjoy the comedic elements of managing relationships and rivalries, particularly when playing as Rome, where the interactions often lead to humorous situations. While the humor is entertaining, it is noted that it may not reach the outrageous levels found in similar games like Crusader Kings.

Character development is a standout feature in "Old World," where the intricate relationships and growth of court members and aristocratic families significantly influence gameplay. Unlike other strategy games that prioritize cultural or technological advancements, "Old World" emphasizes character interactions, including marriage proposals and archetype development, creating a rich narrative experience. The game effectively combines elements of classic civilization games with a deeper focus on character dynamics, enhancing both strategy and storytelling.

The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it lacking in depth and immersion, leading to feelings of disappointment after gameplay. While there are moments of emotional investment, particularly in character development and the loss of leaders, the overall narrative fails to provide a rich context that connects players to the story meaningfully. This dichotomy leaves some players feeling that their time was not fully rewarded emotionally.

The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized for issues with advertising algorithms, suggesting a lack of effectiveness or relevance. However, players appreciate the usefulness of diplomacy, the randomness of the events system, and the positive impact of the dynasty feature on gameplay.