GREAT game, BUT

[unmerged(148484)]

Portugal is unbalancing period.

I am a micro management freak, so I took the game on hard (second attempt, first attempt was also on hard, but it was a learning play).

It's the year 1610 (ONLY), and here's how things stand. I have 20 merchant ships (40 cargo each), 1 galleon built, another 1 month from completion. I have full cargo on all ships and warehouses. To top it all I also stand at 1.4million. As it stands right now Portual is so unbalanced it's not funny. The nearest ai, has 13 merchant ships. The nearest money empire has only 6 merchant ships. I've traded over 10000 tons to and from the main port already...closest ai is at about 1.1k.

The location of Portugal, gives it a MUCH faster start in the game, even on hard with less gold. By the time the first Schooner is out, Portugal can make up the gold handicap that hard gives it.

I'm finding this game a lot of fun (for a micro freak), but as it stands atm, the other countries can't stand a chance vs a human played Portugal.

 

[delra]

What do you suggest? Moving Lisbon to Italy?

Remember that Portugal had pretty much a monopoly on delivering goods from China and everything on the way there for past 150 years. The small advantage you get at first due to your location is barely a shadow of how much more powerful you should be as Portugal at the beginning with better contacts in the east, better maps, sailors, captains, ships and in general much better understanding of requirements related to travel around Africa.

I also kind of disagree that it gives such a big advantage. It's comfortable, yes and I have to admit I played Portugal at first. But I got bored and started changing factions per each game I restarted. I had no trouble as Sweden or Denmark cause additional 2 months per trip are only a tiny disadvantage, especially that less regular deliveries lift prices up a bit.

So in general, the advantage you get as Portugal isn't as big as you think... and even if it is, you can always play someone else to not get this advantage.