Same here.

Sand box please.

For sure, sandbox is why i bought this game (WoM), but a good campaigne could help people to understand/dive into the lore. I really like good campaigns with a good story.

I would like a campaign to see a bit of the lore of the game, get a feel of the Sovs and their nations.  I think a campaign could be fun.

Thats what i mean to say...

I always loved Campaigns in RTS games. I'd go as far to say that in RTS I prefer the campaign while in TBS I usually prefer the sandbox.

But then again, I don't think I've seen a real campaign in a BTS before, I think the closest thing to come was in a mod- the Fall From Heaven scenarios.

I think most TBS campaigns (including Gal Civ) was like "here you go, an extra part of the story has been revealed, an extra weapon is unlocked, and here we have to take over the galaxy again (or take over a new galaxy).

No ... I think the Campaign should not be about taking over the same (or similar) maps over and over again.

Instead, start small, with each campaign the map gets a little bigger and you have to take over a little more (consistent/progressive).

Equally, some Campaigns should not involve cities in any way, and just be questing. You can still get gildar from defeating foes and selling loot however, so you can also use that gold to buy Mercenaries and potions.

--> "Each level should 'add' to the previous levels, as opposed to having to start from scratch, imho"

--> Some stages control of the cities should be taken away from you. Heck, maybe there is a civil war and most of the cities now belong to an enemy, or something.

--> Maybe you get deposed from the throne and you now have to SOLO against your former kingdom, relying only on mercenaries (and perhaps a few loyal soldiers).

I really think any campaign in the Fallen Enchantress universe should be very lore focused and story focused, with good story telling elements such as a strong hook, a sense of actual progression, possibly some twists, and a low point near the end (Dramatic turnaround by the enemy, followed by a necessary counter turnaround by the heroes)

Maybe the gates to the shadow realm are unleashed, maybe the hero needs to enlist the aid of either the dragons or the exalted ones (gets to choose between ancient heroes or dragons to help him).

Most 'conquer and expand' scenarios should take place on the same map, with previous progression saved for the next stage.

Primarily quest based (solo) expeditions can take place in entirely different maps however ... as a travel to other worlds, other continents, etc. (into the wildlands of the Calebethon, etc)

If you have to solo against your old kingdom however, you should be taken back to the same map your progress is on, and your own units, techs, and cities will now be working against you.

I've always liked campaigns. It's great for a first playthrough. My only issue would be if the sandbox mode suffered in any way. I thought the scenarios/missions in Fall From Heaven were fun.

Never much liked campaigns in other games.

I expect it could be a good intro to the game world for new buyers after the game comes out, but by that time most of us here will have already gotten most the intro we need from the beta.

Hmm ... yes perhaps a different "open world" scenario for each of the factions, in a different period of time (right before that nation's rise to power)

If we are stuck with one faction for all the scenarios though ... (or have at least one 'progressive campaign' that does multiple scenarios with one faction) then I still prefer my own idea (a few posts back).

I actually sorted liked the campaign in EWoM - if it had stopped crashing on me and I'd been able to complete it (during the beta).  If an FE campaign could show some of one or more (preferably more) faction's lore and special talents/abilities, I think it would be a big plus to new players (and reviewers).

But I am quietly hopeful (maybe even quietly optimistic ) that we'll get quite a good campaign this time.

I agree. Campaigns in TBS games always suck. Sandbox FTW!!!!!!!!

Edit: However I will give it a try but if it is in the same format as other TBS/RTS campaigns where you do a series of small/medium maps at a time then I will soon quit it and go to Sandbox.