1. The UI, and specifically, the inconsistency of it. I have absolutely no problem with an ASCII UI, and I can live (teeth-gnashingly ) with an inefficient UI, but it's the inconsistency that really made me cry out in frustration when I was learnig this game...
I totally agree with Psyringe, here. I myself have NO problem with a keyboard driven, ASCII interface; it is the ONLY way at school we can develop effective C code ( Linux mainframe and such ). Well, you COULD use MS Visual Studio I suppose, if you hate yourself.
Considering the current demographic ( ultra nerds, I think we can all agree ), the
type of interface is not an issue and adds
a lot to the appeal of the game. Also, once you get it, it really makes it faster. There is a reason WoW has a macro system, RTSs have hot key assignment systems, and OSs have a command line: they are
powerful. In the words of Interface Design class, "they are targeted at expert users."
But inconsistency is indeed the problem
with the current setup. Just
scrolling menus is a bitch. I mean:
Status Screen: Selecting a tabbed section uses the arrow keys, as do the Kitchen and Stocks tabs, even tough elsewhere it is almost explicit that [tab] changes a menus mode/tab section (prepare carefully screen).
Unit menu uses the arrow keys
"Select component" screens use the +/- keys
Trading screen uses the arrows
"Select job" menus use +/-.
Stockpile settings are just weird and anomalous in the context of the rest of the menus.
This isn't
so bad if one is using the num-pad as the arrow pad, since it is all there and that is what is intended, but most people don't. Furthermore, on a laptop, the numpad isn't even useful as it is a function key layout on top of the letter keys.
I DO support the resize building vs. designate area differences, because those ARE different. HOWEVER, it would be more reasonable if it is a "stamp" setting. As in, you select "build wall," set the brush size, and stamp it around the map using [enter] without leaving "wall" mode until you hit [space], or more consistently, place with [p] and finish with [enter]. Since we rarely build just
one section of wall 9 tiles long, this would speed things up and rationalize the way the k/h/u/m setup functions: as a stamp.