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BoA or FL? - 1/25/2007 3:44:22 PM   
Valgua


Posts: 218
Joined: 11/10/2006
From: Uppsala, Sweden
Status: offline 		Hi! As far as I know For Liberty and BoA deal with the same historical period. I've heard that both games are nice and I have a hard time making a choice. Can you help me? I suppose that at least someone here owns both games and can give me an advice. Thank you,

Filippo

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RE: BoA or FL? - 1/25/2007 4:39:41 PM   
MarkShot

 

Posts: 7089
Joined: 3/29/2003
Status: offline 		Since both are available from Matrix and it is generally in bad taste to criticize other products or inordinately praise your own, this thread will probably not be very productive.

In any case, I think if you are only buying one game, then the choice is largely a matter of game play format.

FL - is a hex/turn based game. (I believe a turns represent one week of alternating play/orders.)

BoA - is a WEGO region based game. (Each simultaneous resolution of combat orders represents one month.)

Usually it seems that people are pretty attached to one style of play or the other. So, perhaps that will help you with your decision. If not, reviews, manuals, and demos for both games are available. BoA's demo is a little out of date and FL's demo is of the 1848 Hungarian war based on the same engine. But both let you see enough of the game to get a sense of it.

I hope that helps.

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RE: BoA or FL? - 1/25/2007 5:34:49 PM   
Valgua


Posts: 218
Joined: 11/10/2006
From: Uppsala, Sweden
Status: offline 		Thank you for your advice. I suppose you're right (btw I love Panther Games ). I've heard that both games are excellent but my main concerns with all games are AI and the variety of situations the player has to deal with. How does BoA behave in these departments? Thanks again,

Filippo

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Post #: 3
RE: BoA or FL? - 1/25/2007 5:56:57 PM   
Hidde

 

Posts: 81
Joined: 5/1/2005
Status: offline 		I have them and like both. Haven't played neither for a while and not after the last few pathes. I will not go into details because thoose pathes might have changed things. BoA feels to me like a more polished game. Everything is very well thought out and there are no real flaws with the system as I can notice.
On the other hand I really enjoyed the tactical battles in FL even if they are bit easy when you learn the system. It makes the game more time consuming though(they can be auto-resolved).
The AI is one of BoA strong features. Crank it up and you have too work for your independence(or the continued control of your colonies as the case might be). Buy both.

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RE: BoA or FL? - 1/25/2007 8:36:10 PM   
MarkShot

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Valgua

Thank you for your advice. I suppose you're right (btw I love Panther Games ). I've heard that both games are excellent but my main concerns with all games are AI and the variety of situations the player has to deal with. How does BoA behave in these departments? Thanks again,

Filippo


Well, since you obviously know me already. Then, you should know I wouldn't beta test or formally associate myself with any game or company which wasn't setting new standards for the industry. BoA and AGEOD are just such a game and company. Despite the stunning beauty of the interface, don't be misled. A major portion of the development effort was invested in AI coding, testing, and tuning. Additionally, the lead developer is somewhat obsessed with the AI (he refers to "it" as "she" - scares me sometimes) and is continuously tweaking it even when working on it is not officially on the schedule. I think you'll have a good time with BoA.

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Post #: 5
RE: BoA or FL? - 1/25/2007 11:26:51 PM   
Gresbeck

 

Posts: 106
Joined: 7/13/2004
From: Ferrara - Florence
Status: offline 		I don't own FL, but let me say BoA has at least two beautiful and revolutianary concepts that I don't remember in any other game.
1. The way the games manages the control of the provinces: where every province (at least in Anglo American War scenarios) is rated for military control and population control.
2. The way the game manages military control: where every province is not necessarily "black or white"; both sides can have a certain percentage of military (and population) control. I think this is an excellent way to represent the nuances of military control in real life.

BTW, I assume you already read the NWI review. Ciao

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RE: BoA or FL? - 1/25/2007 11:45:18 PM   
korrigan


Posts: 67
Joined: 6/26/2006
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: MarkShot
Additionally, the lead developer is somewhat obsessed with the AI (he refers to "it" as "she" - scares me sometimes)




Well, if you really want to be scared just ask Pocus about Dominion...

NB: Sure, the AI is a person, her name is Athena.

NB2: Cherchez la femme!

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Post #: 7
RE: BoA or FL? - 1/26/2007 2:35:41 AM   
jimkehn


Posts: 265
Joined: 2/5/2003
From: Western Nebraska
Status: offline 		I don't have FL, either, but I am playing BoA. The game is simply elegant. And the graphics are gorgeous (IMHO). What I like about the game, is that the depth of it doesn't hinder the play of it. There is a lot going on in this game under the surface. For example, they have programmed into the battle sequence the concept that a front may be 3 regiments wide in rougher terrain, and 10 regiments wide in clearer terrain. You don't see this in the battle reports, but knowing it is taken into account adds richness to the game.

BTW, I am NOT related to, married to, work for, beta test for, or in any other way affiliated with AGEOD. Just enjoying one helluva good and innovative game. Can't wait for the Civil War game.

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Post #: 8
RE: BoA or FL? - 1/26/2007 3:34:57 AM   
vertical

 

Posts: 60
Joined: 12/25/2005
Status: offline 		Haven't played FL.  But can say I'm having a great time with BoA, both in PBEM and solo.

vertical


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Post #: 9
RE: BoA or FL? - 1/26/2007 11:04:36 AM   
Valgua


Posts: 218
Joined: 11/10/2006
From: Uppsala, Sweden
Status: offline 		Thank you all for your opinions. I'm pretty much convinced. I'm going to finish my PhD thesis in a few days and I'll take some (well deserved, I think) days off. It will be nice to have BoA to try.

Filippo


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Post #: 10
RE: BoA or FL? - 1/26/2007 7:16:48 PM   
saintsup

 

Posts: 133
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From: La Celle Saint-Clouud
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: vertical

Haven't played FL.  But can say I'm having a great time with BoA, both in PBEM and solo.

vertical



Second that !! And don't forget the very good AI.


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Post #: 11
RE: BoA or FL? - 1/27/2007 7:17:18 PM   
Lord_Stanley

 

Posts: 32
Joined: 1/21/2007
From: on the pond
Status: offline 		I just got BoA and also played the For Liberty! demo. I really like BoA better. For Liberty! is a good game, it is very easy to get into and play but it just doesn't have "it" for me, where as BoA does. If that makes any sense? I like the map and graphics of BoA compared to FL.

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Post #: 12
RE: BoA or FL? - 1/27/2007 10:54:02 PM   
jimkehn


Posts: 265
Joined: 2/5/2003
From: Western Nebraska
Status: offline 		"Second that !! And don't forget the very good AI."

I am having my clock cleaned in a campaign against the AI. Normal settings. I am leading in points, but he is killing me everywhere and has mosta my strat and objective cities. Don't really see how I can have more points, but if he finds my hidey hole in the hills and forests, I am toast. Hardly have anything left. 15 leaders to lead 4 regiments.

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Post #: 13
RE: BoA or FL? - 2/5/2007 9:43:56 PM   
genie144

 

Posts: 60
Joined: 1/5/2005
Status: offline 		I received BoA as a Christmas present - accidentally.  I have to say I am very very impressed with the AI.  And the region system.  A lot of hard work and research went into this game - and that is apparent. 

However, I personally don't like the game.  You have no control over economics.  No control over politics.  No control over battles.  No direct control (that I can find) over raising troops - when or how many.  No control over direction of retreats.  It appears to me that the best strategy for the Americans is to gather your forces into three armies.  One in Philly, one in Manhattan, and one in Camden area.  Then sit tight until the british seasonally land the troops and then ambush a couple of the smaller armies in order to prep for the big fight.  After the big fight send out an army with 2 or 3 regiments to convert all the towns back.  Sit tight until next landfall...  Maybe I am missing something, but I just don't find much enjoyment in the game.

Sam

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Post #: 14
RE: BoA or FL? - 2/5/2007 11:55:33 PM   
Hertston


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

ORIGINAL: genie144

You have no control over economics.  No control over politics.  No control over battles.  No direct control (that I can find) over raising troops - when or how many. 


One of it's major attractions, IMHO. It concentrates on what it does best without adding the superflous. I have nothing against games that include those things and there are certainly plenty of them, but the economic and political components are purely abstract even in the best of them. In these conflicts what control did the commanders of US, British or French forces have over economics, politics, or raising troops? In the case of the US forces, minimal and in the case of British and French, none. I suppose there is a case for a tactical engine, but that's not something I miss much, either.. they are usually no more than sub-games that don't compare to dedicated tactical games. I can't comment on the For Liberty! tactical engine as I don't own the game but CoG and FoF are good examples of that.. they have one of the better tactical layers for strategic games, but still nowhere near as good as the dedicated tactical games I would rather spend the time playing.

I also have a certain fondness for games where I can play a scenario in a few hours rather than a fortnight!

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Post #: 15
RE: BoA or FL? - 2/6/2007 1:57:56 PM   
Executioner Five

 

Posts: 99
Joined: 5/1/2005
Status: offline 		BoA from Gamestop for the win--it's $29.99 in the store.  Why pay $20 extra to subsidize Matrix?

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Post #: 16
RE: BoA or FL? - 2/6/2007 2:38:42 PM   
korrigan


Posts: 67
Joined: 6/26/2006
Status: offline 		Executioner Five,

This subject is already being dealt with in the General discussion forum.
Please do not spam the Birth of America forum.

Thanks,

Korrigan



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Post #: 17
RE: BoA or FL? - 2/6/2007 4:54:23 PM   
Lightsfantastic


Posts: 23
Joined: 8/6/2003
From: Dallas, TX
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Executioner Five

BoA from Gamestop for the win--it's $29.99 in the store. Why pay $20 extra to subsidize Matrix?


Well in my area the shelf space for PC Games at the Gamestop's and EB's is usually one, 3'x3'x4' rack buried in the back of the store. Their idea of a war game is Blitzkrieg, Combat Mission, or Panzer Claws.

Since you seem so hell-bent on saving $, why not wait for another year or two and pick it up in a bargain bin? Nothing incentive's the gamestores into giving over shelf space to war games more than a title that they lose money on. Better yet, don't buy it and watch the companies that make really good, strategy war games go belly up so all we are left with is console game crossovers? Twenty extra bucks is nothing to support a company/publisher that actually design and support games that don't appeal to the twitch and trigger crowd. If you can't afford that, I'd suggest foregoing the Double-cheeseburger meals for 4 days and you'll have enough to cover the extra cost with a little something left over, plus clear your complexion a bit.

I for one am tired of your whining.

< Message edited by Lightsfantastic -- 2/6/2007 5:42:30 PM >

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Post #: 18
RE: BoA or FL? - 2/7/2007 3:46:01 AM   
Wargamer39


Posts: 20
Joined: 9/23/2005
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Twenty extra bucks is nothing to support a company/publisher that actually design and support games that don't appeal to the twitch and trigger crowd. If you can't afford that, I'd suggest foregoing the Double-cheeseburger meals for 4 days and you'll have enough to cover the extra cost with a little something left over, plus clear your complexion a bit.

I for one am tired of your whining.
[/quote]


I agree with Lightsfantastic up to a point. While I agree about us needing to support companies such as Matrix (I own 3 of their games and am looking at BOA, FOF or WITP), IMHO I don't think the zinger (attack) at Executioner Five about fast food and his complexion was called for.


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Post #: 19
RE: BoA or FL? - 2/7/2007 9:54:09 AM   
ravinhood


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

ORIGINAL: Wargamer39


Twenty extra bucks is nothing to support a company/publisher that actually design and support games that don't appeal to the twitch and trigger crowd. If you can't afford that, I'd suggest foregoing the Double-cheeseburger meals for 4 days and you'll have enough to cover the extra cost with a little something left over, plus clear your complexion a bit.

I for one am tired of your whining.



I agree with Lightsfantastic up to a point. While I agree about us needing to support companies such as Matrix (I own 3 of their games and am looking at BOA, FOF or WITP), IMHO I don't think the zinger (attack) at Executioner Five about fast food and his complexion was called for.




I agree also the zinger (attack) at Executioner Five about fast food and his complexion was uncalled for as well. Plus I agree with Executioner Five, some people like to save money as much as they like to game, there's no harm in either position. I look for bargains all the time. I didn't sign any documents that stated I had to support anyone that I recall. Been around too long seen developers come and go and when they go there's always someone else to pick up in their place....so, no need for this revolution of support your favorite game developer just because even if the games are crap. lol I'll never fit into that crowd of idiots.

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RE: BoA or FL? - 2/7/2007 11:53:50 AM   
Lightsfantastic


Posts: 23
Joined: 8/6/2003
From: Dallas, TX
Status: offline 		Ok, the zinger was a little much and I stand properly chastised.

Although I was using the 4 Double-Cheeseburger meals to make a point about exactly how much money he is complaining about.

I also do not buy every war game that comes down the pike. Who has the time to play them all? That just encourages them to churn out crap and we have enough of those.

I have only bought TOAW III, Crown of Glory, Uncommon Valor, & Battles in Normandy from Matrix (I ordered BOA directly from AGEOD.) Overall the quality of the games is excellent and their post release support is my motivating factor when I buy a game, from any company. Having the ability to re-download the installers after registering the game (if you carelessly delete them and uninstall the game ) is well worth the extra money. I cannot exchange CD's at Gamestop if I scratch them two years down the road or get the game replaced for free if I lost it in a move. Plus that extra $20 allows them to continue to develop/publish those "in development" games we are all salivating over, or bring to a bigger audience a gem like AGEOD's BOA, exposing them to a bigger potential buying pool and encouraging their future development.




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RE: BoA or FL? - 2/9/2007 11:01:54 AM   
freeboy

 

Posts: 9088
Joined: 5/16/2004
From: Colorado
Status: offline 		ok, now tha twe are talking turkey, or burgers, I bought it at a retailer, what a mistake, The microscopic 6 font on the key code was a BITCH, PLUS one letter looked like an inverted v with antlers, an w in script"lets screw with them" and the 37 letter and number code had an "l" or was it an "I" and in the type they wher identical.. so after typing and retyping it finally loaded.. VERY beatiful, AND a working tutorial. And if you really absolutely do not want to get it here, wish I had for several other reasoins as well, Aeogoeed or whatever is selling there DL version for 27.89US.. go figure! ok
Great product added to the library! my edited serial: MdwfZ-H8hNF-******-aGQdH-****** as an example.. so DOWNLOAD and cut and paste! or not if you are into that kind of self abuse

< Message edited by freeboy -- 2/9/2007 11:18:08 AM >

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Post #: 22
RE: BoA or FL? - 2/9/2007 1:56:32 PM   
Valgua


Posts: 218
Joined: 11/10/2006
From: Uppsala, Sweden
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Executioner Five

BoA from Gamestop for the win--it's $29.99 in the store. Why pay $20 extra to subsidize Matrix?


Because Matrix is fantastic, my friend. I'm not the fanboy type but I'm able to recognize a great idea and hard work when I see it. I've bought a lot from Matrix (even too much perhaps: TOAW III, Harpoon III, WitP, BoA, CotA and Battlefront; well Matrix, if you one day will consider some kind of reward for your most faithful costumers... ) and I've never been disapointed. All my downloads have been smooth as silk, the support is excellent and the forums are per se an incredible value. But the most important feature is simply that a lot of fantastic wargames are made available. Do I want to pay for that? You can bet I want!

Filippo

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