Suggestions on Simulation vs. Strategy Games

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Suggestions on Simulation vs. Strategy Games - 12/9/2005 5:28:09 PM

dnelms

Posts: 42
Joined: 8/19/2005
Status: offline

New to Matrix Games, I came over when PureSim was acquired. I'd like suggestions on games in the "War" genre that only require "thinking" type strategy. I bought a couple of WWII games at BestBuy and it was all "learning how to shoot, throw a grenade, etc." type stuff. I'm looking for something that I set some parameters, the games simulates something , then you make changes based on that simulation result and so on.

Also, what are the major differences in a "Strategy" game vs. a "Simulation" game?

Any suggestions? I'll look at Matrix Games first if any fit the bill (simply because of Shaun's involvement via PureSim). Above I said war simulation, I'm sure that a very broad area. I guess if I had to narrow it down, it would be Vietnam, WWII and the Civil War.

Lastly, Age of Empires (I think by MS), does this fit the definition of strategy game or do you have to learn how to do things in it (as opposed to telling it to do things?)

Thanks for any help in my "newbie" questions, but I don't want to throw money away lile I did with the other war games I bought.

Post #: 1

RE: Suggestions on Simulation vs. Strategy Games - 12/9/2005 11:06:19 PM

ravinhood

Posts: 3891
Joined: 10/23/2003
Status: offline

Get the STEEL PANTHERS WAW edition it's a FREE download on this site. I think if you're just starting into "thinking" wargaming you will like this one to begin with.

Try this link to the download page:
http://www.matrixgames.com/games/downloads.asp?gid=297

Download the full volume 8.20 from one of the mirror sites then download the patch v8.40 and install. Nice FREE game for you to start your wargaming career with. ;)

< Message edited by ravinhood -- 12/9/2005 11:07:39 PM >

(in reply to dnelms)

Post #: 2

RE: Suggestions on Simulation vs. Strategy Games - 12/10/2005 9:30:46 PM

JeF

Posts: 1170
Joined: 4/1/2003
From: Belgium
Status: offline

Hi,

quote:

ORIGINAL: dnelms
I'd like suggestions on games in the "War" genre that only require "thinking" type strategy.

Most of Matrix line will do.

Some suggestions :
- WWII Turn based, classical hex look : SSG Battle in Normandy, Battle in Italy.
- WWII "real time", no grid : Highway to the Reich, Conquest of the Aegean (not htere yet, but soon).
- WWII monster game : War in the Pacific. Maybe too much for a newbie.
- WWII strategic : World at War.

Steel Panther is a good first start as already said above.

No Vietnam or Civil War in Matrix catalog.

quote:

Also, what are the major differences in a "Strategy" game vs. a "Simulation" game?

It all depends what you simulate... Some Strategy games are sometimes called combat simulators. But a simulation is true to reality (to a certain extent), while a strategy game can be anything from chess to Civ IV. In a strategy game, you control more than one unit.

quote:

Lastly, Age of Empires (I think by MS), does this fit the definition of strategy game or do you have to learn how to do things in it (as opposed to telling it to do things?)

Yes. But at the difference of most Matrix line, there is more "action" than "thinking". And even if it is a strategy game, it is not a simulation.

I hope this helps,

JeF.

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(in reply to dnelms)

Post #: 3

RE: Suggestions on Simulation vs. Strategy Games - 12/12/2005 5:45:18 PM

Hertston

Posts: 3564
Joined: 8/17/2002
From: Cornwall, UK
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I agree that all the Matrix wargame titles are "simulations", to varying degrees, by your definition - they are also all strategy games too, of course.

A problems with the great commercial success of "classic"-style real time strategy (RTS) games, like Command and Conquer and Age of Empires, is that that is now the primary type of game the mainstream gaming world (and especially the gaming press) associates with the word "strategy". Strategy is needed, of course, as is a quick eye and quick clicking finger, but they are not to be confused with what wargamers call "wargames", which is mostly what you will find here.

The Matrix game I would recommend to you particularly is Highway to the Reich (and a sequel is due to be released soon). As to the Civil War and Vietnam you'll need to go elsewhere - I'd recommend the HPS "Civil War Campaigns" titles and the "Squad Battles" series titles "Vietnam" and "Tour of Duty".

(in reply to JeF)

Post #: 4

RE: Suggestions on Simulation vs. Strategy Games - 12/13/2005 1:14:38 AM

ravinhood

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Joined: 10/23/2003
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HPS stuff is too complicated for him to start out on though. Start small then increase to more complex. The Talonsoft series would be my recommendations over HPS titles atm. I think you can get all 3 for a song here or over at NWSonline.net It's another World at War series by Talonsoft (now by Matrixgames I think) lol could get confusing (not to be confused with Gary Grigsby's World at War), but, is very simple to get into and play. Little tanks and army men and equipment to push around on hexes.

(in reply to Hertston)

Post #: 5

RE: Suggestions on Simulation vs. Strategy Games - 12/13/2005 9:36:57 AM

Hertston

Posts: 3564
Joined: 8/17/2002
From: Cornwall, UK
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quote:

ORIGINAL: ravinhood

HPS stuff is too complicated for him to start out on though. Start small then increase to more complex. The Talonsoft series would be my recommendations over HPS titles atm.

I disagree completely. You can pick up the basics of Squad Battles in ten minutes, and the HPS ACW titles are no harder (and a lot smoother) to play than their Talonsoft-published ancestors.

(in reply to ravinhood)

Post #: 6

RE: Suggestions on Simulation vs. Strategy Games - 12/13/2005 8:10:57 PM

ravinhood

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That's because you've been playing them 100 years Herston, a new prospective gamer to wargaming would find them complicated. Hell I got 35 years of wargaming experience and I find some of them complex, mainly all the interface and 100's of units to move. With a new gamer you need to KISS them (Keep It Simple Stupid). ;)

(in reply to Hertston)

Post #: 7

RE: Suggestions on Simulation vs. Strategy Games - 12/14/2005 1:25:28 AM

Hertston

Posts: 3564
Joined: 8/17/2002
From: Cornwall, UK
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quote:

ORIGINAL: ravinhood

That's because you've been playing them 100 years Herston, a new prospective gamer to wargaming would find them complicated.

Touch�. Fair point I suppose, although I'd still recommend Squad Battles as good introductory games... they have far fewer units to move about, as you would expect for the scale.

(in reply to ravinhood)

Post #: 8

RE: Suggestions on Simulation vs. Strategy Games - 12/14/2005 1:40:09 AM

ravinhood

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Joined: 10/23/2003
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Ok I'll accept that ONE, just because it is simular to Talonsofts World at War series. :) Now, we've agreed. ;)

(in reply to Hertston)

Post #: 9