I don't like the idea of starting off supremely powerful and I do not like the idea of one enemy. Nor do I like it that there is no tech tree or design.
Still, I would buy the founders programme as I love the series so much!
I think E2015 is leaning to more of a combat oriented gamestyle like AoW3. I kinda like that approach. You can see the similarities:
AoW3 doesnt have a tech tree per say but more of a research book where subsequent research options are randomized as well as the research itself consisting of the core which are strategic and tactical spells, also mostly to unit improvements(movement, unit traits, extra skills) and some economic improvements too but mostly combat oriented. Also your research options are totally dependent on what specialization and class you chose for your Leader. All buildings are available from get go(no research required to unlock) while unit types and city specializtion/benefits are unlocked via what buildings you build in your city.
In addition you can craft gear for your Heroes though it isn't as good as world drops. No custom units but all specialized hand crafted units that fulfill specific roles(Infantry, Calvary, Support, Pikeman, Flyers etc) or multiple roles(Irregular). Units also have different Tiers but that does not mean lower tier units will be outclassed late in game because of certain skills, traits, abilities. The units have differing traits like Shield(reduces dmg), Armored(increased physical def), Overwhelm(more dmg to shield units), Tireless(no action points spend for retaliation attacks), Charge(more dmg with more hexes travelled), Pike/Pole(increased dmg against cavalry), Sidearm(special research that equips all cavalry with pistols for range attacks), Fiery Explosion(fire aoe dmg on death) to name a few. Furthermore combat has mechanics like Flanking, Line of Sight, Range, Overwatch, Obstacles(reduce range dmg if projectile blocked by obstacles) etc. Most units also have special skills either to compliment their role or allow them to fulfill other roles temporarily for example buffing skills, healing skills, debuff skills, ranged skills for melee units(though its weaker) and also special attack/defense skills to counter certain targets.
Theres also Dungeons, Treasure sites, Monster camps for your Heroes/Units to plunder and level up as well as acquire gear like Fe/LH. Inns and Dwellings are available that provide quests for players and acquiring them lets you produce monster and mercenary units which introduces more varied strategies(as they have monster specific traits and skills), your army composition and tactics are not tied to your Leader type/specilization.
Then it also has Castle/Fort/Outpost Siege!!!! I feel this is the minimum requirement for this genre of games nowadays. FE/LH and Eador not having a proper Castle Siege mechanic was one of the major disappointments for me. And with proper Castle Siege i mean, walls, gates, siege machines(catapults to destroy walls, rams to break down gates, etc), spells both strategic and tactical that caters to castle siege encounters(for example Wall regeneration, Flaming walls/gates, Buffs for defending units etc), towers that act like defense structures. If you want to cap a Fort, then you better have a proper army for that, a siege army.
I like these mechanics, it introduces rock, paper, scissors into tactical combat and forces the player to frequently switch tactics and evolve their army to counter their enemy's unit combination. It encourages thinking and planning of your army as well as test how well you react and adapt to your opponent. No longer can we see stacking spamming of the same OP unit type, armies need diversity from all Tiers of units to counter different tactics. All these really strengthen the tactical combat aspect which i feel is lacking in FE/LH.
You can see a lot of similarities between E2015 and AoW3. Have to say i am very excited. AoW3 multiplayer has got to be one of the most enjoyable experience, you can see the many amazing tactics thought out by players and how they go about to counter certain strategies. I really want to see the such vibrant and artistic gameplay in E2015!!!!!
