Walls aided in killing MO1. It was implemented horribly.
Everyone and their aunt had walls. 85% of the walls being used weren't even for player built towns or cities, but for farming outposts and drop off points. So people didn't need to transport as much, and could just process what ever they farmed safely. It also looked atrocious having the landscape filled with walls with a single house plopped in the middle.
I preferred when Keeps were only allowed walls compared post TC update of everyone allowed walls. Gave more reason for keeps to be utilized and sought after.
Now putting aside my bias, walls in a limited capacity, outside of keeps could work if done right.
- Make guilds have to invest in a building like a "Manor house" which would be something like 75% the cost of a keep in coin, materials and upkeep.
- Free placement building zone very limited in size.
- Only available walls are basic wooden palisade.
- Manors with a max guild stone can only place a palisade.
- Manor can not be built within 200m of another manor(avoids clustering settlements to create a super settlements and keeps landscape clean)
Give keeps access to certain buildings only, larger free placement build radius, more territory options and it could balance out. People would have to invest largely for a town outside of owning a keep and still not have the full capabilities of a keep.