In the argument between vanilla tileset users and sprite tileset users (pointless since we know vanilla users are almost right and tileset users certainly wrong), vanilla often trumps with some very good arguments. No time need be spent making sprites for an infinite myriad of beasties, imagination paints greater pictures than pixels ever will. Information of an immense scale is condensed, yet not impenetrable - it's like looking into the matrix and somehow being able to distinguish at will what is a bridge, what is a walled off level and what is a cat falling on a goblin at terminal velocity. And naturally, vanilla is sweet, sweet vanilla.
So perhaps it is best that we distill the vanilla tileset to create the abomination that is this, to maximize DF immersion and player enjoyment. Toady pls implement streamline grafix.
With Monoscii I can watch the opening cutscene at blistering gorillion*1080p. Look at that beauty.
But enough with the next-gen graphics of Monoscii, more on streamlining UI. I believe Monoscii will make this game more accessible to newbies because the UI will be so streamlined it's practically 2D ez to navigate.
The UI literally being 2D lines certainly helps. Here I am navigating the menu to create a new world, before it would take me days just to find the right submenu!
Worldgen is immaculately simple too. I didn't have to worry about rejections or finding the perfect world, I merely rolled my face over my keyboard and hit [esc] when all the lights stopped blinking. If it wasn't a perfect world, tough luck, DF is hardcore (inability to distinguish between biomes removes frustration at dodgy worlds).
And just look at that! If you ask me, that's the best representation of a forest and river I've ever bloody seen in a video game, fuck you EA. You can easily make out the wagon, the 7 Dwarves and the tree trunks scattered across the grassy plains. Fucking gorgeous.
Dwarves cutting down trees and gathering plants - look at the terrible damage they have wreaked on the local ecology, elves avert your eyes. It's necessary if they are to build shelter and gather supplies before winter strikes. Monoscii easily allows me to plan ahead with my deforestation industry, I swear Monoscii has practically allowed me to develop Pollarding and Coppicing for my Dwarves.
All is not hunky dory in Dorf land, I had accidentally embarked on a spooky lair inhabited by a spooky woman of the night.
I feel it's cheap to lock an inhabitant in their own home, but if it's in Monoscii then it's permissable. All's fair in love and mono.
And of course Monoscii is perfect for all those who love absolute symmetry, no longer will you have to fear for stray arrowbolts or corpses ruining your planned obelisk of OCD compulsion - here are the digging plans for my farms. What they will grow, only Monoscii will know.
And of course, the stockpiles through which my lazy idlers are piling up booze and socializing instead of working. I'd throw them in the river if the Monoscii would not end my game in retribution.
Really, you shouldn't ask yourself why you should throw away vanilla or sprite tilesets. You should ask yourself
why not. Monoscii is clearly the only tileset that isn't for filthy casuals. Once you go Monoscii you can never be free... Of the ignorance of a world without Monoscii.