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Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/13/2007 8:07:13 PM

mikul82

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Joined: 3/2/2007
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Just wanted to ask since Xmas is coming up, and in searching I only found one short old thread about "Best AI" so I don't think this is a repost...

I'm wondering what games on the site are the best for those of us who don't spend much time playing multiplayer or PBEM (or don't have the inclination to), games in which the AI can put up a decent enough fight to not be a pushover too quickly. I have a decent collection of games from Matrix as it is, and have really enjoyed the ones I've gotten around to digging deep into!

Here's what I've got so far:

Chariots of War
Legion Arena
Gates of Troy - Really like these three! Wish CoW would be updated to Gates of Troy's level though!

John Tiller's Campaign Series (these games got me into "real" wargaming back when they came out- all time favorites)
Steel Panthers: WaW General's Edition
The Operational Art of War III
Close Combat: Cross of Iron
Highway to the Reich (haven't really gotten into this one due to lack of interest in airborne ops, I've heard it has a great AI)
For Liberty
Forge of Freedom (haven't even scratched the surface of this one either)
Birth of America (haven't really scratched this one either- I buy too many games)
Massive Assault- Love this old game!

I was really leaning toward diving into War in the Pacific and not leaving my computer desk for a few months, but have heard the single player AI leaves a lot to be desired and have no inclination toward PBEM on this monster.

I'm also really leaning toward the Tin Soldiers games, Alexander and Caesar, but have heard both very postive and very negative AI comments and am wondering what the consensus is- Ancient/Classical period is my favorite by far!

Harpoon Commander's Edition and Carriers At War are likely candidates to be bought as well.

If anyone has any opinions on the above or any other games here that are fun to play alone, I'll appreciate them!

< Message edited by mlc82 -- 12/13/2007 8:08:46 PM >

Post #: 1

RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/13/2007 8:12:49 PM

Erik Rutins

Posts: 37503
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From: Vermont, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: mlc82
I'm also really leaning toward the Tin Soldiers games, Alexander and Caesar, but have heard both very postive and very negative AI comments and am wondering what the consensus is- Ancient/Classical period is my favorite by far!

Just a brief comment - the Tin Soldiers AI is actually quite good and I find these to be highly enjoyable solo player games. I would start with Caesar and see if you like it.

Regards,

- Erik

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Post #: 2

RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/13/2007 8:21:06 PM

mikul82

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

quote:

ORIGINAL: mlc82
I'm also really leaning toward the Tin Soldiers games, Alexander and Caesar, but have heard both very postive and very negative AI comments and am wondering what the consensus is- Ancient/Classical period is my favorite by far!

Just a brief comment - the Tin Soldiers AI is actually quite good and I find these to be highly enjoyable solo player games. I would start with Caesar and see if you like it.

Regards,

- Erik

Thanks! Being myself if I go with them I'll likely just buy the whole set at once.

(in reply to Erik Rutins)

Post #: 3

RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/13/2007 8:23:52 PM

ravinhood

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The best Matrixgames published game with the best AI is "Spartan" with volume 1.013 patch. Since it's backwards compatible you can download the 1.013 patch and put it over the 1.017 patch that is probably in the sold edition. Unfortunately you can't do this for Troy since it comes with 1.017 and is not backwards compatible with 1.013. Coming in 2nd would be the Tin Soldiers series Caesar as Erik said then Forge of Freedom Civil War game. Those are the bestest. :)

To give you an idea of how tough the AI is in Spartan, some people complained so much that the AI was too hard on EASY difficulty that the developers (Slitherene) actually dumbed it down for them in patch 1.017. I have the 1.013 version and it's excellent for challenge and with my own mod a real tough cookie to beat on highest or impossible difficulty levels. ;)

< Message edited by ravinhood -- 12/13/2007 8:27:12 PM >

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Post #: 4

RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/13/2007 9:00:51 PM

mikul82

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quote:

ORIGINAL: ravinhood

The best Matrixgames published game with the best AI is "Spartan" with volume 1.013 patch. Since it's backwards compatible you can download the 1.013 patch and put it over the 1.017 patch that is probably in the sold edition. Unfortunately you can't do this for Troy since it comes with 1.017 and is not backwards compatible with 1.013. Coming in 2nd would be the Tin Soldiers series Caesar as Erik said then Forge of Freedom Civil War game. Those are the bestest. :)

To give you an idea of how tough the AI is in Spartan, some people complained so much that the AI was too hard on EASY difficulty that the developers (Slitherene) actually dumbed it down for them in patch 1.017. I have the 1.013 version and it's excellent for challenge and with my own mod a real tough cookie to beat on highest or impossible difficulty levels. ;)

I forgot to mention Spartan... I thought about getting this as well but seems like it would only be adding extra scenarios to Gates of Troy, of which I really only play the 1500BC monster campaign anyway. All the factions, units, features and etc seem like the same, and $20 is pretty steep for what seems like a scenario add on pack (of scenarios I probably wouldn't play except maybe another "grand campaign" map). Please correct me if I'm wrong though!

The better AI would be great, although the Gates of Troy AI hasn't been half bad either and has thrown me for some curves. It doesn't haven't me measuring every move I make as if it could destroy me completely, but I also don't feel like I'm just kicking it around such as in the Total War games.

< Message edited by mlc82 -- 12/13/2007 9:01:47 PM >

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Post #: 5

RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/13/2007 9:29:18 PM

HansBolter

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The best AI on the market that will put up a fight you will enjoy is the Airborne Assault game engine including a game you already have, HTTR and Conquest of the Aegean.

While the initial focus of the game engine and the first games have been on airborne operations the next game in the series Battles from the Bulge will focus on ground combat between heavy forces.

If you really can't get onto the airborne scenarios of HTTR you might want to take a hard look at COTA. While it obviously includes quite a few scenarios of Crete and two hypothetical ones of Malta, it also includes a fair number of scenarios depicting combat between heavy units in the campaign in Greece. Trying to break through mountain passes with panzer divisions in definitely fun and it is also rather historically enlightening to attempt breaking through the Greeks in the mountains with the Italians.

Try reading my AAR of the Race for the Meuse scenario in the BFTB forum for an idea of how the scenarios play and what can be expected from the AI.

I can't recommend this game engine highly enough to do it justice.

(in reply to mikul82)

Post #: 6

RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/13/2007 9:48:02 PM

mikul82

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quote:

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

The best AI on the market that will put up a fight you will enjoy is the Airborne Assault game engine including a game you already have, HTTR and Conquest of the Aegean.

While the initial focus of the game engine and the first games have been on airborne operations the next game in the series Battles from the Bulge will focus on ground combat between heavy forces.

If you really can't get onto the airborne scenarios of HTTR you might want to take a hard look at COTA. While it obviously includes quite a few scenarios of Crete and two hypothetical ones of Malta, it also includes a fair number of scenarios depicting combat between heavy units in the campaign in Greece. Trying to break through mountain passes with panzer divisions in definitely fun and it is also rather historically enlightening to attempt breaking through the Greeks in the mountains with the Italians.

Try reading my AAR of the Race for the Meuse scenario in the BFTB forum for an idea of how the scenarios play and what can be expected from the AI.

I can't recommend this game engine highly enough to do it justice.

I'm looking forward to the Bulge game... COTA looks interesting but my knowing absolutely nothing about the invasion of Crete/Malta in WWII kind of takes away from my enthusiasm to buy it. I'll add it to the list though, I forgot about this one.

(in reply to HansBolter)

Post #: 7

RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/13/2007 9:58:34 PM

sterckxe

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quote:

ORIGINAL: HansBolter
Trying to break through mountain passes with panzer divisions in definitely fun and it is also rather historically enlightening to attempt breaking through the Greeks in the mountains with the Italians.

Thinking about First Clash at Veve scenario ? - a tough cookie ain't it ?

German panzers and panzergrenadiere versus Greek and ANZAC footsloggers

Ok, to answer the OP - best single player AI :

Conquest of the Aegean - hands down, no discussion

Also very good - in no particular order :

Forge of Freedom
World at War - a World Divided
Battlefront
Carriers at War
Tin Soldiers - Julius Caesar
Birth of America

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx

(in reply to HansBolter)

Post #: 8

RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/13/2007 10:07:20 PM

JudgeDredd

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mlc

I didn't know anything about the campaign in Greece and was very dubious about buying COTA, but the game is excellent. A great AI, beautiful maps and stunning gameplay.

I see you already have Forge of Freedom...don't let that slip away...it's an absolute gem of a game.

Good luck.

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Post #: 9

RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/13/2007 10:15:33 PM

anarchyintheuk

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From: Dallas
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quote:

ORIGINAL: mlc82

quote:

ORIGINAL: ravinhood

The best Matrixgames published game with the best AI is "Spartan" with volume 1.013 patch. Since it's backwards compatible you can download the 1.013 patch and put it over the 1.017 patch that is probably in the sold edition. Unfortunately you can't do this for Troy since it comes with 1.017 and is not backwards compatible with 1.013. Coming in 2nd would be the Tin Soldiers series Caesar as Erik said then Forge of Freedom Civil War game. Those are the bestest. :)

To give you an idea of how tough the AI is in Spartan, some people complained so much that the AI was too hard on EASY difficulty that the developers (Slitherene) actually dumbed it down for them in patch 1.017. I have the 1.013 version and it's excellent for challenge and with my own mod a real tough cookie to beat on highest or impossible difficulty levels. ;)

I forgot to mention Spartan... I thought about getting this as well but seems like it would only be adding extra scenarios to Gates of Troy, of which I really only play the 1500BC monster campaign anyway. All the factions, units, features and etc seem like the same, and $20 is pretty steep for what seems like a scenario add on pack (of scenarios I probably wouldn't play except maybe another "grand campaign" map). Please correct me if I'm wrong though!

The better AI would be great, although the Gates of Troy AI hasn't been half bad either and has thrown me for some curves. It doesn't haven't me measuring every move I make as if it could destroy me completely, but I also don't feel like I'm just kicking it around such as in the Total War games.

Spartan actually came before GoT, didn't know it was a stand-alone. I usually end up playing the 400bc 'monster campaign' on it. IMHO Spartan is worth it. Nothing like seeing the Persian invasion for the first time.

(in reply to mikul82)

Post #: 10

RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/13/2007 10:22:28 PM

HansBolter

Posts: 7704
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quote:

ORIGINAL: JudgeDredd

mlc

I didn't know anything about the campaign in Greece and was very dubious about buying COTA, but the game is excellent. A great AI, beautiful maps and stunning gameplay.

I see you already have Forge of Freedom...don't let that slip away...it's an absolute gem of a game.

Good luck.

Actually, the same is true for me with the exception of Crete. I played the heck out of Avalon Hill's old Crete/Malta combined game, but I never really played any games of the Greek land campaign, nor had I done much reading on the subject.

The scenarios in the ground campaign were very educational. The led me to want to do some reading on the subject.

And yes Eddy, I was thinking of First Clash at Veve, but also Spartans at the Pass. I found Spartans to be one of the most enjoyable scenarios I have played in the system to date. Mostly because it is one of those finely balanced scearios where it is fairly easy to get a marginal victory, but damn near impossible to get a decisive. The replay value alone, in trying new and different approaches in an efort to get that elusive decisive, meant I replayed that scenario more than I have with any other. Not to mention the appeal of a modern day battle at Thermopylea(sp?).

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RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/13/2007 10:29:49 PM

BlackSunshine

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For best AI either COTA or BIL. BIL has a ton of replaybility with a lot of scenarios and even more being developed.

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Post #: 12

RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/13/2007 10:31:59 PM

mikul82

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Joined: 3/2/2007
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quote:

ORIGINAL: anarchyintheuk

quote:

ORIGINAL: mlc82

quote:

ORIGINAL: ravinhood

The best Matrixgames published game with the best AI is "Spartan" with volume 1.013 patch. Since it's backwards compatible you can download the 1.013 patch and put it over the 1.017 patch that is probably in the sold edition. Unfortunately you can't do this for Troy since it comes with 1.017 and is not backwards compatible with 1.013. Coming in 2nd would be the Tin Soldiers series Caesar as Erik said then Forge of Freedom Civil War game. Those are the bestest. :)

To give you an idea of how tough the AI is in Spartan, some people complained so much that the AI was too hard on EASY difficulty that the developers (Slitherene) actually dumbed it down for them in patch 1.017. I have the 1.013 version and it's excellent for challenge and with my own mod a real tough cookie to beat on highest or impossible difficulty levels. ;)

I forgot to mention Spartan... I thought about getting this as well but seems like it would only be adding extra scenarios to Gates of Troy, of which I really only play the 1500BC monster campaign anyway. All the factions, units, features and etc seem like the same, and $20 is pretty steep for what seems like a scenario add on pack (of scenarios I probably wouldn't play except maybe another "grand campaign" map). Please correct me if I'm wrong though!

The better AI would be great, although the Gates of Troy AI hasn't been half bad either and has thrown me for some curves. It doesn't haven't me measuring every move I make as if it could destroy me completely, but I also don't feel like I'm just kicking it around such as in the Total War games.

Spartan actually came before GoT, didn't know it was a stand-alone. I usually end up playing the 400bc 'monster campaign' on it. IMHO Spartan is worth it. Nothing like seeing the Persian invasion for the first time.

Oh I know that, I was referring to being able to "link" the two games together and combine scenarios if you own both. The Gates of Troy game IIRC came packaged with the Spartan manual because the two are so similar. That's what I meant about nothing new there except for some extra scenarios which I don't think I'd ever get around to playing.

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Post #: 13

RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/13/2007 10:56:09 PM

mikul82

Posts: 204
Joined: 3/2/2007
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quote:

ORIGINAL: JudgeDredd

mlc

I didn't know anything about the campaign in Greece and was very dubious about buying COTA, but the game is excellent. A great AI, beautiful maps and stunning gameplay.

I see you already have Forge of Freedom...don't let that slip away...it's an absolute gem of a game.

Good luck.

I'm looking forward to FoF when I finally get the inclination to learn how to play the beast. I've been too busy working on starting my own business (or feeling like I should be working on it to dedicate a lot of time to games

) lately, but one of these days I'm going to buckle down and learn it, cause I can't wait to start playing it.

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Post #: 14

RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/13/2007 10:57:37 PM

mikul82

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Joined: 3/2/2007
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quote:

ORIGINAL: BlackSunshine

For best AI either COTA or BIL.� BIL has a ton of replaybility with a lot of scenarios and even more being developed.

What's BIL?

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Post #: 15

RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/13/2007 11:17:49 PM

sterckxe

Posts: 4605
Joined: 3/30/2004
From: Flanders
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quote:

ORIGINAL: mlc82

quote:

ORIGINAL: BlackSunshine

For best AI either COTA or BIL. BIL has a ton of replaybility with a lot of scenarios and even more being developed.

What's BIL?

Battles in Lapland ?
Battles in Liguria ?

Or else it's a typo for Battles in Italy

Just so, and given your "best AI" question there are demos for the following games which you might be interested in :

Battles in Normandy (sister game to the above - 95% same game features)
Tin Soldiers - Alexander the Great - the graphics and camera in Julius Caesar are 100% better, but it's basically the same engine.

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx

(in reply to mikul82)

Post #: 16

RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/13/2007 11:42:27 PM

Veldor

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From: King's Landing
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Wow a whole thread full of wrong people

The best "Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame" is Hornet Leader. In fact I think its the only game that fits that description since it can't be played PBEM, TCP/IP, or even 2 players locally. By design it is a single player against a programmed AI.

With physical shipments now available and a big new patch about to come out, it might be something to look into.

Very inexpensive game as well....

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RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/14/2007 1:10:27 AM

ravinhood

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He doesn't mean ONLY single player and no multiplayer Veldor he means for a Single Player to ONLY play solo. Besides Hornet Leader suks and has the worst AI in history according to GORF. ;)

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Post #: 18

RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/14/2007 1:31:29 AM

mikul82

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Joined: 3/2/2007
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quote:

ORIGINAL: sterckxe

quote:

ORIGINAL: mlc82

quote:

ORIGINAL: BlackSunshine

For best AI either COTA or BIL. BIL has a ton of replaybility with a lot of scenarios and even more being developed.

What's BIL?

Battles in Lapland ?
Battles in Liguria ?

Or else it's a typo for Battles in Italy

Just so, and given your "best AI" question there are demos for the following games which you might be interested in :

Battles in Normandy (sister game to the above - 95% same game features)
Tin Soldiers - Alexander the Great - the graphics and camera in Julius Caesar are 100% better, but it's basically the same engine.

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx

I've actually got Korsun Pocket as well, just forgot to list it, I found it for $5 at a Half Price Books store of all places... I really don't like the way that game is set up although I've heard it's fun- I can't even read the counters in it and I just don't like the "dice" system so much either. I also really, really dislike the "miniatures" look of the Tin Soldiers game but I know some people love them, that's just opinion- I've never played a board or tabletop wargame in my life, just computer ones, so for whatever reason I just don't like the "miniature" look much. That wouldn't prevent me from getting them though as Ancient era games (that are actually good) are few and far between. Will check out the demo!

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Post #: 19

RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/14/2007 2:02:25 AM

ravinhood

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Maybe try out Peoples Tactics for free Mic82 and then if you like that get Advanced Tactics. I don't know how great the AI is (my neighbor hasn't bought this one yet for some reason (puzzling really), but, the feedback of it seems to be positive. Much more positive than the newly released EIA.

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Post #: 20

RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/14/2007 2:12:37 AM

e_barkmann

Posts: 1307
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From: Adelaide, Australia
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quote:

I've never played a board or tabletop wargame in my life, just computer ones

When you read these kind of comments you realise you just aren't 20 anymore

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Post #: 21

RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/14/2007 2:13:10 AM

BlackSunshine

Posts: 366
Joined: 11/22/2002
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: sterckxe

quote:

ORIGINAL: mlc82

quote:

ORIGINAL: BlackSunshine

For best AI either COTA or BIL. BIL has a ton of replaybility with a lot of scenarios and even more being developed.

What's BIL?

Battles in Lapland ?
Battles in Liguria ?

Or else it's a typo for Battles in Italy

Just so, and given your "best AI" question there are demos for the following games which you might be interested in :

Battles in Normandy (sister game to the above - 95% same game features)
Tin Soldiers - Alexander the Great - the graphics and camera in Julius Caesar are 100% better, but it's basically the same engine.

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx

Lol, yeah what he said. Battles in Italy.

(in reply to sterckxe)

Post #: 22

RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/14/2007 5:23:24 AM

marcusm

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I second Advanced Tactics, the Ai is quite competent. Though, I'd still give pbem a shot now and then :).

Plus. You can never go wrong with TOAW3, the amount of scenarios is second to none. You can probably
play TOAW3 for 5 years withotu re-playing the same scenario. Well designed scenarios offer challenging AI.

Marcus

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Post #: 23

RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/14/2007 5:23:29 AM

Brigz

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Don't let the miniatures look of Tin Soldiers turn you away from these games. I didn't like the look of them either but since ancients is one of my favorite periods I decided to try out Alexander the Great. Once I got it and tried it out I immediately order Julius Caesar. These games are just plain fun. They are simple but challenging and a breath of fresh air. They are the kind of game you can concentrate on 'playing' and not having to constantly check up on rules. Easy to get into but absorbing enough to be very entertaining. Once I start a battle I have a very hard time walking away from the computer until the battle is finished. Even if you only play once through the entire series of battles it is well worth the price of admission. I can honestly admit that I got more game-playing-fun-time per dollar out of these games than most other games I've bought. Take advantage of the Matrix holiday sale and try one of these. I don't think you will be sorry. And best of all, they are designed to be perfect for solitaire play.

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Post #: 24

RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/14/2007 5:34:23 AM

cdbeck

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I would go with Advanced Tactics, so another vote for that. It has a wonderful random map generator, which will keep you playing a long time and the AI is pretty darn good. If you ever decide to PBEM (I'm a solo player myself, but I toy with PBEM as an idea soon), then AT will make that transition smooth. There are lots of player-made scenarios coming out now too, so the fun never really stops. If you like TOAW, you will love AT.

Conquest of the Aegean is very nice as well, but if you did not really jump into HTTR, then you may not want it. It happens to be on sale, so that is always nice.

Nobody ever mentions this, but I have to chime in here. If you loved Massive Assault, and are a mechwarrior fan, Titans of Steel: Warring Suns is a very fun game. It takes some getting into, but the AI is pretty good and there are a lot of things you can do in the game. You might even be able to find it in a bargain bin, paying around $10 for it. I feel many here never played it, or never mention it, but it was the game that brought me to Matrix.

Well, that's about it for me. I would not recommend Carriers at War for solo play, as there are not many scenarios and the scenarios do not last very long. Thus you will have exhausted the game in a very short time. Spartan and Tin Solidiers are good games, both have demos out in the ether, so give them a try first.

Download site for Tin Soldiers: Alexander Demo

Download site for Extended Spartan Demo

SoM

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Post #: 25

RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/14/2007 5:50:33 AM

ravinhood

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I do find it interesting no one has qualified WitP as a solo game with the best AI. ;) At any rate you've got lots of good choices to choose from Mic, so what's it gonna be? We're all drooling here waiting for you to make your decision so we can say we were the one(s) that made the sale for Matrixgames. loll

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Post #: 26

RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/14/2007 6:20:40 AM

Veldor

Posts: 1531
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From: King's Landing
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quote:

ORIGINAL: ravinhood

He doesn't mean ONLY single player and no multiplayer Veldor he means for a Single Player to ONLY play solo. Besides Hornet Leader suks and has the worst AI in history according to GORF. ;)

Whose GORF? The only problem with the HL AI is the dev programmed in too much randomness to try to keep things more variable and interesting. Typical damned if you do damned if you don't scenario. Don't do that and people complain your AI is too predictable and scripted... do that and suddenly its not realistic or whatever.

If not HL then I'll 2nd, 3rd, 4th or however many votes go to Advanced Tactics. I'm going to go out on a limb here and says its to computer games for me what squad leader was to board games. Meaning its the game anyone who calls themselves a wargamer must have in thier collection. Whether or not its your most favorite game is another story, but you simply don't have a worthwhile computer wargame collection without it. Sorry.

I liked and loved many a computer game but no game in the last decade is worthy of that title (Though there are many gems even in Matrix's own collection I just don't think any other title has that level of clear universal appeal that literallly ANY wargamer would enjoy it at least to a certain extent).

Before you label me a fanboi you should know I still find notable flaws with the game (The Nightmare on Elm Street Editor and the I dont know what a right mouse button is UI) but the fact that we have a powerful editor at all is a monster plus as is the fact that while the UI could be improved, its still basically more functional/manueverable than the average wargame and 10 times as fun a game. In most other ways its probably near to flawless and Im sure will only improve in all areas in time.

One recent opponent of mine was moved to tears by his enjoyment!! :)

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(in reply to ravinhood)

Post #: 27

RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/14/2007 7:43:06 AM

mikul82

Posts: 204
Joined: 3/2/2007
Status: offline

I'm not 100% sure yet, I'm mainly planning to get one or two from my girlfriend for Xmas but will probably blow some of my own money on a game as well...�

I'm leaning toward the Tin Soldiers games right now, as I said "Ancient Era" is really my favorite and good games in this setting are really hard to find.�

Also even though it wasn't mentioned, Harpoon Commander's Edition is high on the want list because I remember having fun attempting to play this game on my old Mac when I was 12 or so- It always seemed like it would be fun if I could just understand everything in it, but back then I was too busy playing Red Baron (the 1990 Dynamix flight sim, IMO the all time reigning God of computer games, greatest ever made, and so on) to spend much time with it.

Hornet Leader just doesn't look like something I'd get into but I may give the demo a shot soon anyhow, thanks for the idea Veldor!

I honestly hadn't even thought much about Advanced Tactics- I'm like JudgeDredd in that the random/generic unit/faction/city names really put me off as well.� No idea why, I just don't like it (I'm thinking it's AT that I saw him mentioning this about).� That sort of thing is a real immersion killer for me.� I also thought this one was kind of said to be at a "Panzer General" level of complexity, and while I loved PG, I'd usually rather play with something more complex, though not quite at Hearts of Iron (micromanagement hell- but I loved Europa Universalis II!!) level either.� I really haven't looked into that one at all otherwise, so it sounds like I need to, but for now I really need to force myself into bed.

Thanks again for all of the replies, and feel free to keep them coming!

< Message edited by mlc82 -- 12/14/2007 7:44:19 AM >

(in reply to Veldor)

Post #: 28

RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/14/2007 8:03:58 AM

Hertston

Posts: 3564
Joined: 8/17/2002
From: Cornwall, UK
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Tin Soldiers (go for Caesar of the two) would be a great choice, in view of your preference for the period. The only reason it doesn't have a higher profile here is that most people's preference is WW2, and they never bought them. You can hardly complain about the price, either. Legion Arena is designed as a solo game, too.. although that wasn't the original intention as I recall. That's fast paced, addictive and, again, well worth the money.

(in reply to mikul82)

Post #: 29

RE: Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame? - 12/14/2007 10:14:10 AM

JudgeDredd

Posts: 8573
Joined: 11/14/2003
From: Scotland
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: mlc82
...I honestly hadn't even thought much about Advanced Tactics- I'm like JudgeDredd in that the random/generic unit/faction/city names really put me off as well....

Don't let me sway you from that title (I know you're a big boy and can make your own mind up

)...but I appear to be very much in the minority with my view of AT.

Besides, I prefer to promote games to people rather than suggest they avoid a game. Everyone has personal tastes and it isn't for me to diss a game to someone just because I don't get on with it.

And I'm currently giving AT a second look...I'm not sure I'm going to find anything to change my mind...after all, it was only really the naming convention that drove me away.

Like you said...an immersion killer. The mechanics are good, AI seems more than capable and the game was rock solid stable. There are also some graphics mods coming out which take away the "cartoony" feel (sorry to dev...that's how I see them)...so I expect over the future, as scenarios are created (and there is no need to rely on the random battle generator), then there will be a lot of fun to be had.

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Alba gu' brath

(in reply to mikul82)

Post #: 30