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Trying to decide between games/systems - 12/6/2008 10:35:43 PM

D_Ladd

Posts: 4
Joined: 1/18/2007
Status: offline

Last year I was looking around for a game, but I never really got around to it...

Hey guys, I'm looking for a little help if you don't mind. I've scoured the site for a couple of weeks and I'm trying to decide between the Panther Games games or the SSG style of games. Currently I'm an axis and allies board game player, but it's getting more difficult since my son has turned two since he has his own ideas where armor units should be placed i.e. on the island of Sodor. It would be nice to stage my battles without "moving" pieces. I'm looking for something that is easy to get into, and something I can worry about strategy and not supply lines, and something that has more of a board game feel. Any suggestions?

Post #: 1

RE: Trying to decide between games/systems - 12/7/2008 12:02:14 AM

Adam Parker

Posts: 1848
Joined: 4/2/2002
From: Melbourne Australia
Status: offline

I own Panther's Highway to the Reich and Conquest of the Aegean.

I own SSG's Ardennes Offensive, Korsun Pocket, Battles in Normandy, Battles in Italy and Carrier at War.

Of all these, I highly recommend SSG's Battles in Normandy for a wonderfully stable, playable, historically performing and easy to learn gaming experience.

Played as the Allies vs an Axis Defense, it's a good thinking person's slog to match and do better than history. A very manageable game covering the entire US, Canadian and British sectors seemlessly (and includes the bonus remake of Ardennes Offensive).

(in reply to D_Ladd)

Post #: 2

RE: Trying to decide between games/systems - 12/7/2008 12:34:51 AM

sol_invictus

Posts: 1961
Joined: 10/2/2001
From: Kentucky
Status: offline

The SSG games have a much more board game feel than the Panther games, though both are excellent systems.

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Post #: 3

RE: Trying to decide between games/systems - 12/7/2008 1:37:15 AM

V22 Osprey

Posts: 1593
Joined: 4/8/2008
From: Corona, CA
Status: offline

Yeah, SSG's games are more like a boardgames.

HTR(Highway to the Reich) and COTA(Conquest of Agean) are like a wargamer's 'RTS'.

(in reply to sol_invictus)

Post #: 4

RE: Trying to decide between games/systems - 12/7/2008 3:12:41 AM

Prince of Eckm�hl

Posts: 2459
Joined: 6/25/2006
From: Texas
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: D_Ladd

Last year I was looking around for a game, but I never really got around to it...

Hey guys, I'm looking for a little help if you don't mind. I've scoured the site for a couple of weeks and I'm trying to decide between the Panther Games games or the SSG style of games. Currently I'm an axis and allies board game player, but it's getting more difficult since my son has turned two since he has his own ideas where armor units should be placed i.e. on the island of Sodor. It would be nice to stage my battles without "moving" pieces. I'm looking for something that is easy to get into, and something I can worry about strategy and not supply lines, and something that has more of a board game feel. Any suggestions?

Hiya D_Ladd,

Before diving into alternate-move, hex-based computer games, I'd suggest that you try a boardgame marginally more complex than A&A, something like one of these:

http://www.l2designgroup.com/Russia%20Besieged.html

http://www.locknloadgame.com/Section_Cat_Content_Detail.asp?SCAT=83&SID=33&ID=49

Given you're wargaming resume, I'm steering you in that direction because many, many of the Matrix titles that look sorta like Axis and Allies, are in fact a helluva lot more complex. My concern in that regard would be that you'd go blind from eyestrain before you learned the ins-and-outs of hex-based wargaming in general, board or computer, if you start out with something unsuitably complex and cumbersome.

This is not to say that there's nothing on the Matrix site that you'd find engaging, fun and worth absolutely 100% or your strategy gaming dollar.

If you're interested in Ancient warfare, take a look at one of these:

http://www.matrixgames.com/products/304/details/Tin.Soldiers:.Julius.Caesar

http://www.matrixgames.com/products/298/details/Tin.Soldiers:.Alexander.the.Great.

If you're interested in WW2 combat, these are outstanding possibilities:

http://www.matrixgames.com/products/363/details/Close.Combat.-.Wacht.am.Rhein.

http://www.matrixgames.com/products/335/details/Close.Combat.-.Cross.of.Iron

http://www.matrixgames.com/products/355/details/Panzer.Command:.Kharkov

http://www.matrixgames.com/products/327/details/Panzer.Command:..Operation.Winter.Storm

http://www.matrixgames.com/products/337/details/Carriers.at.War

All of those Matrix games are multiplayer capable, BTW, just in case you want to expand your pool of opponents beyond D_Ladd, Jr.

PoE (aka ivanmoe)

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(in reply to D_Ladd)

Post #: 5

RE: Trying to decide between games/systems - 12/7/2008 3:57:32 AM

D_Ladd

Posts: 4
Joined: 1/18/2007
Status: offline

Thanks guys! PoE is the close combat platoon level strategy? I'm not sure that is my cup of tea, I guess I like the idea of a larger scope, the individual soldiers seems too exhausting to me, or a clickfest. Any thoughts?

Based on your comments do you think these games (SSG or Panther) will be too cumbersome to learn? I want something that is easy to pick up and play.

I guess one that has caught my eye and is the scope I like is Birth of America 2. I like the look of it,(looks like a board game) and the period is my second favorite to WW2. Any thoughts on this?

< Message edited by D_Ladd -- 12/7/2008 4:08:01 AM >

(in reply to Prince of Eckm�hl)

Post #: 6

RE: Trying to decide between games/systems - 12/7/2008 5:14:32 AM

Erik Rutins

Posts: 37503
Joined: 3/28/2000
From: Vermont, USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: D_Ladd
Hey guys, I'm looking for a little help if you don't mind. I've scoured the site for a couple of weeks and I'm trying to decide between the Panther Games games or the SSG style of games. Currently I'm an axis and allies board game player, but it's getting more difficult since my son has turned two since he has his own ideas where armor units should be placed i.e. on the island of Sodor. It would be nice to stage my battles without "moving" pieces. I'm looking for something that is easy to get into, and something I can worry about strategy and not supply lines, and something that has more of a board game feel. Any suggestions?

I would recommend Conquest of the Aegean and Kharkov: Disaster on the Donets without reservations. Whichever choice you make between Panther and SSG, you're making a good one. However, neither is really a simple game.

With that said, if you like Axis and Allies, you may want to try Commander: Europe at War (pretty easy and fun) or Gary Grigsby's A World Divided (a bit harder, but more realistic).

Regards,

- Erik

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CEO, Matrix Games LLC

For official support, please use our Help Desk: http://www.matrixgames.com/helpdesk/

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(in reply to D_Ladd)

Post #: 7

RE: Trying to decide between games/systems - 12/7/2008 5:19:47 AM

sol_invictus

Posts: 1961
Joined: 10/2/2001
From: Kentucky
Status: offline

D Ladd, Birth of America 2 is an excellent game. I don't think you can jump right into it after only running through the tutorials, but if you read the manual you should be able to pick it up rather quickly.

_____________________________

"The fruit of too much liberty is slavery", Cicero

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Post #: 8

RE: Trying to decide between games/systems - 12/7/2008 7:16:57 AM

D_Ladd

Posts: 4
Joined: 1/18/2007
Status: offline

Ok, it looks like I have a few demo's to download!!! Thanks for the guidance, I really appreciate it!

(in reply to sol_invictus)

Post #: 9