Initial Reactions/Impressions

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> Empires in Arms the Napoleonic Wars of 1805 - 1815 >> Initial Reactions/Impressions

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Initial Reactions/Impressions - 12/16/2007 8:52:34 PM

wargameplayer

Posts: 112
Joined: 4/4/2005
Status: offline

1. It looks like they modeled the computer game manual off of the board game manual. It's really rules based rather than the useful approach computer games use centered around "How do I get X done". I've basically figured it out by trial and error. The complexity of rules is not nearly as bad as say a Victoria in Paradox but there is a lot I am trying to figure out in trial and error which could be more quickly established by a computer game manual. Which the game does not have,
2. So basically one guy coded this. I think it's a good effort for one programmer.
3. There are a lot of bugs in the game but its in playable form so far. The AI seems somewhat unskilled but hopefully this will be remedied.
4. There should be a TCPIP version of this game for live multiplayer games. Given the state of the AI I bet establishing this would be easier than
5. The user interface is a little archaic. I think revising it a bit given the improvements in UI desing in the last 3-4 years would help a lot. Just how you move units around, concepts such as hotkeys etc would make a big difference.
6. Some board to computer games are translations and others are evolutions into computer games. This so far is mostly a port/translation effort. That's fine but I'd like to see a little more evolution (I recognize you just had to get the game out as the community was getting ornery (sp).
7. This one is important to me but I recognize not important to all. I like a pretty map with the ability to do a high resolution and colors showing changes in ownership clearly. While others may not view this as important, I think MOST wargamers inherantly loves maps. The EIA map in itself is a pretty one --I actually like it better than the paradox maps. But I'd love to see improvements in how change of controls are displayed -on the main map. The conquered display is just kinda iffy. The current resolution is also too low for modern computers. An advanced version with crisper colors/detail would be super nice.

In short, I think people should buy it. If you are an EIA diehard. Always wanted to play but couldn't you should buy it. If you are a newbie to EIA you can figure it out with some trial and error despite not having a traditional gaming manual. But if you are a gamer you should own a copy, and support the development and advancement of the game. I'd be willing to push my friends to buy the game if I got a sense from Matrix that upgrades/advancements along the line of 1) TCPIP 2) AI (less important if you get TCPIP working) 3) improvements in the map/user interface and addressing bugs.

Anyway--those are my first initial impressions. Hope it helps if people were wondering what they were getting when buying the game.

Post #: 1

RE: Initial Reactions/Impressions - 12/16/2007 9:36:28 PM

MartNick

Posts: 270
Joined: 7/22/2004
From: Napier, NZ
Status: offline

I never played the board game but,

1. I'm doing the same as you, figuring it by trial and error and asking loads of questions on this board
2. I'm suprised Marshall isn't in the nuthouse by now ... but who know's where he is working from!
3. Agreed
4. This is the way to go
5. Yes loads can be done here, just basic windows functions will help, multi select, overright confirmation etc etc
6. I'm sure this will happen
7. I love maps, but would prefer other things to be done first, bugs, TCPIP, AI.

I'm sure support from Matrix will continue to make this game better and better, and there seems to be loads of community input as well.

(in reply to wargameplayer)

Post #: 2