I am at the end of my first post-release playthrough, and I have added all three monuments to my town. And I must say they all feel underwhelming.
Firstly I would propose they should all be more expensive and require a wider range of resources - glass for both the Civic Monument and the Economic Monument would be an obvious suggestion. Generally, I think each monument construction should be something that would more or less consume the town’s surplus for years on end.
Secondly, I also feel like the benefits are underwhelming - It seems to me that they should all provide a desirability bonus. They are - after all - supposed to be massive statements of triumph of the townspeople over the conditions of the frontier.
In addition, I would propose that the Economic Monument should also unlock a third tier market place (Which would allow more staff, a larger radius, reduced spoilage and maybe higher income) and a third tier trading station (Allowing for more staff, more frequent merchant arrivals and higher storage limits on goods) and maybe the option of building more guild-halls.
I would also propose that the Civic Monument should also unlock a an additional tier of upgrade for town beautifications (So a third tier for gardens and parks and a second tier for statues for instance) rather than just unlocking ‘Extravagant’ versions, which seem to be just reskins. In addition, could unlock a higher tier of temples (allowing a fourth relic) and shrines and pubs and schools EDIT: and theaters.
Finally, the Military Monument should also unlock another upgrade tier to both barracks (Longer range, more slots for soldiers and maybe reduced soldier upkeep), stables (more slots for cavalrymen and maybe reduced upkeep) and towers (Longer range, an additional slot for guards)
I think these changes would make the monuments feel a lot more impactful.
What if the Monuments were seriously huge upgrades of an existing structure? The Trade Centre becomes the Economic Monument and needs a lot more space, so buildings nearby must be moved. A Fort becomes the Military Monument, same deal. The Town Centre becomes the Civic Monument, again, more space needed.
I actually though about just that - It would make a lot of sense if the Economic Monument was an upgrade of the trade station or a market (with a limit that only one market could be upgraded of course) just from looking at the design of the building. It looks like a place where trade is supposed to take place.
It would of course also make sense to have the Civic Monument be an upgrade of the town center (or maybe the temple or the guild-hall).
I feel the monuments are underwhelming also. I’m OK with the present method of gating them behind the knowledge tree. I’m also OK with them being the expensive new buildings as they presently are.
But the rewards could use some help.
Suggestions: Military
-increased armor and/or weapons value
-reduced monthly cost
-faster speed
Civic
-Increased value for beautification
-lower cost for decorations
-an annual or monthly civic celebration day with rewards such as increased pub revenue or bonus production of luxury items
Economic
-additional (more than 3) or more frequent traders at trading center
-reduced costs for upgrades that have a gold fee
-increased vault storage
These are just some suggestions off the top of my head. After getting to the top of the knowledge tree, expending significant resources to build, and ‘winning’ the game, there should be more benefit from monuments.
I certainly think monuments should be a thing at the very end-game. Though I think the current expenses associated with them are just too low. It should feel like something you actually have to devote a significant part of your town towards. Like for instance, making an extra brick-maker or two just to be able to meet the needs of the ongoing construction project within a reasonable time.
Agreed. I quite like this game but the monuments never do anything for me. I usually build one but never feel a sense of accomplishment or excitement for the unlocks. They should really step it up a notch or two with the ideas for these.