I have enjoyed playing Master of Magic for many years.  When I first heard about EWOM I was excited about the prospect of a MOM type game made for today's computers.    Of course I had no idea of how well EWOM would turn out - other games before (AOW SM, etc) have tried but have not quite made it to the same level of fun.

So here is my opinion on how EWOM Beta 4 compares to MOM on some points of interest to me.

1. Video - (no surprise here considering improvments in computer technology) a significant advantage for EWOM Beta 4. 

2. Audio - A significant advantage for EWOM Beta 4.   Sounds are much more immersive.  Of course this is also to be expected.

3. Magic system - While EWOM Beta 4 is an improvement over earlier versions it still misses the fun factor built into MOM.  Advantage MOM on this one.

4. Faction leader - The soverigns in EWOM Beta 4 compare well to the Wizard faction leaders in MOM,  Both can use magic at the start and can learn new magic as the game goes on.   Both can use equipment - although the Wizard's in MOM primarily used magic equipment vs the soverigns in EWOM Beta 4's primary use is of regular weapons and armer with a few magic rings thrown in.  Because of game mechanics the EWOM Beta 4 soverign has a much more active role to play throughout the game.  MOM allowed a lot of customization for Wizards (how many spell books of which types and which special abilities to pick.   This is more or less tied at this point.

5. Hero units - Very active in both games.  Same issues with items - mostly magic items in MOM and mostly normal items in EWOM Beat 4.  The MOM hero units had special abilities that are not present in EWOM Beta 4.   Hero units level up in both games and that adds a lot of interest - its possible to get more immersed in a hero unit that you have leveled up over a number of battles.    Right now there is a slight advantage for MOM in this area.

6. Standard units - In MOM the standard units leveled up from recruit to Elite (and under some circumstances to Super elite or even "Champion" with adds to various stats at each level.   In addition MOM had a great diversity of "standard" units for each race in the game.  Thr "high men" units peaked out at Paladin and Magician,  while the best elf units were Pegasi and Elven lords.  EWOM Beta 4 allows you to design your own units (quite a plus) but does not yet provide enough ways to make them really different (flying units, etc).  EWOM Beta 4 allows much more variety of unit sizes and does not limit your number of units to a square.   The biggest difference today is that MOM allowed real standard unit growth with battle experience and I don't see much of a difference in EWOM Beta 4 regular units that have had a lot of combat experience.  Right now this is an area of slight advantage for MOM as its standard units develop more value.

7. Tactical battles - EWOM Beta 4 is much better here.   Its more than the unit animations - it just feels less constrained than in a MOM tactical battle.   Advantage EWOM Beta 4.

8. City Building - EWOM Beta 4 is much better than the Beta 3 systems.   It is rich with variety in comparison to the possibilities in MOM.   City specialization and options are significant.  Then if you add city leveling....Significant advantage EWOM Beta 4.

9. Locations of interest and summoned creatures - Both games are rich in places to explore and creatures to fight.   MOM has a bit more variety including really devastating units like invisible and tough air elementals.  The rewards in MOM tend towards very useful magic items at the tougher sites.    EWOM Beta 4 has a very welcome much more frequent appearence of wandering creatures vs MOM.   This is close with a slight advantage to EWOM Beta 4.

Overall both games have a lot of appeal.   The interesting thing now is what will the commercial version of EWOM be like?