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All Forums >> [Current Games From Matrix.] >> [World War II] >> Lock ‘n Load: Heroes of Stalingrad >> A Few Thoughts...

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A Few Thoughts... - 2/12/2014 4:15:02 PM

Harv

Posts: 38
Joined: 10/24/2006
From: Saskatchewan
Status: offline

So I clicked on the Buy Me Now! button as soon as I woke up, and it was conveniently downloaded by the time i was out of the shower and had coffee made. A few clicks to install, and off I went.

I'm running this using Parallels on my iMac, and everything seems to be working perfectly with this setup. Windows can't be run in Coherence or the game loses focus, but that isn't unexpected and isn't an issue. As I'm running two monitors it can be challenging to scroll the map to the right as the mouse can slip over to the next monitor, but again isn't an issue and is just part of my setup. The game seems to run in full screen only, which is alright, but an option to run it in a window would be nice too.

Anyhoo, I dove into the game without even opening up the manual, as I like to get a feel for the UI without any hand holding. I chose the scenario "A Partisan Defence" as I remember seeing it mentioned somewhere, and thought it would be a good test of my "skill" with some uber grey counters. Turns to I have no skill (yet?) and lost miserably on Normal difficulty, but the game system and UI made perfect sense to me. I had to crank the map scroll speed down to 1 and make the buttons large (tough to hit at 2560x1440 resolution), but otherwise everything played along smoothly and as expected. If I were to recommend any changes, it would be to elevate the button row somewhat so there was less chance of accidentally scrolling the map, and move the Finished/Unselect/Pass button up and to the left for the same reason.

The graphics are quite nice, and I assume true to the physical board game. There is some blurring as you zoom out, and as the zoom levels have quite large steps (only 4 it looks like?) there really isn't a way to see a little more map while also having the counters nice and sharp. If there were a few more zoom levels/steps added it would make for a better experience I think. Sound is fine, and does well enough that I don't turn the effects off and make my own *pew pew* noises when shooting at the enemy.

Gameplay I really can't speak to as I had absolutely no idea what the numbers, modifiers or die rolls meant, but it looked like when I did something stupid I was punished, and vice versa. I generated a Hero somehow, which was cool, and I got to see the flamethrower in action, which was cooler. The AI popped out of stone building cover a couple of times which didn't seem too smart, but I don't know if that was to try and draw fire so my guys could be shot at by another unit, or if it just isn't too intelligent. A few more games once I go through the tutorials and more fully understand the system will help with that determination.

So after a half hour I'm quite pleased overall, and can see spending quite a lot of time playing through the supplied scenarios and campaigns. I'm probably overstating the obvious, but this would be a Perfect fit for the iPad/tablet and would love to see it brought over to that platform if at all possible. Oh, and the flavour text when exiting got a laugh too.

Post #: 1

RE: A Few Thoughts... - 2/12/2014 4:51:08 PM

Erik Rutins

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

Hi Harv,

Thanks for the first impressions, glad to hear you are enjoying the game.

Just FYI, Windowed mode is not officially supported but it does exist. You can enable it as follows:

Edit the file res.dat and take out the # in front of the line that says 'window'.

Regards,

- Erik

_____________________________

Erik Rutins
CEO, Matrix Games LLC

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

Freedom is not Free.

(in reply to Harv)

Post #: 2

RE: A Few Thoughts... - 2/12/2014 5:11:57 PM

DaveyJJ

Posts: 39
Joined: 9/19/2008
From: Waterloo, Ontario
Status: offline

It's running in Parallels? What sort of OSX machine are we talking about? I have Bootcamp all set up for this and next week's Banished but am curious if I didn't need to reboot to run this, Harv.

(in reply to Erik Rutins)

Post #: 3

RE: A Few Thoughts... - 2/12/2014 5:45:19 PM

Harv

Posts: 38
Joined: 10/24/2006
From: Saskatchewan
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: DaveyJJ

It's running in Parallels? What sort of OSX machine are we talking about? I have Bootcamp all set up for this and next week's Banished but am curious if I didn't need to reboot to run this, Harv.

It's a mid 2011 27" i7 iMac at 3.4ghz with 16gb of ram, newest OSX, Windows 7. Been a pretty robust system, and I've even run Dishonored through Parallels on it. Strangely enough Conflict of Heroes brought it to its knees when it only had 4gb of ram though, so a reboot into Bootcamp was always required for it.

If you are rebooting quite a bit for Windows software, check out a little program called Bootchamp. It had mixed reviews but I tried it anyways, and it's worked 100% with none of the annoying "hold the left Alt button during startup" stuff.

(in reply to DaveyJJ)

Post #: 4

RE: A Few Thoughts... - 2/12/2014 5:53:48 PM

Harv

Posts: 38
Joined: 10/24/2006
From: Saskatchewan
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

Hi Harv,

Thanks for the first impressions, glad to hear you are enjoying the game.

Just FYI, Windowed mode is not officially supported but it does exist. You can enable it as follows:

Edit the file res.dat and take out the # in front of the line that says 'window'.

Regards,

- Erik

Sweet! Thanks Eric, windows are much more handy.

Ran into a bug or something during the moving tutorial. I had moved the stack of three units the 3 spaces north, but then wasn't able to move them the next three hexes to the objective. I unfortunately didn't make a note or grab a screenshot, but I believe the text said something about non-vehicular units needed to be activated at the same time? Or something like that. I ran the scenario another half a dozen times with no issues though, so maybe it was something I did?

Tutorials are ok and helpful so far, and the manual seems pretty good too (found a few errors and typos if you want a list) while being quite easy to read and follow. Nice blizzard is forming up outside, so if SWMBO doesn't have too much planned for me I'm hoping to get some quality time in with this today.

(in reply to Erik Rutins)

Post #: 5

RE: A Few Thoughts... - 2/12/2014 6:25:51 PM

markhwalker

Posts: 951
Joined: 1/29/2005
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Glad you are liking it, Harv. Vehicles have to be moved separately.

_____________________________

World at War: Revelation, a creepy, military action, alternate history, World War Three novel. At Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (http://tinyurl.com/mcgcht8). Only $3.99. What the hell?

(in reply to Harv)

Post #: 6

RE: A Few Thoughts... - 2/12/2014 8:05:58 PM

Harv

Posts: 38
Joined: 10/24/2006
From: Saskatchewan
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: markhwalker

Glad you are liking it, Harv. Vehicles have to be moved separately.

That's the bug I think...there are no vehicles in that tutorial.

In other news, I just lost to the AI, again, in A Partisan Defence. I suck, but it's still a fun way to lose. He left a Soviet hero standing in the open street for a few turns this game, I'm assuming just to taunt me, but otherwise kept me at bay quite easily with nothing more than soft potatoes and harsh language. I need to start thinking more and doing less pointing and clicking while watching the pretty dice roll around.

Also, some of the German rally cries sound suspiciously American. Were there some sound files that got mixed up? Or will more German sounding voices hopefully be added in an update?

Maybe I'll see how forgiving the campaign is now...

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Post #: 7

RE: A Few Thoughts... - 2/13/2014 4:17:54 PM

markhwalker

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The German rally cries are German. Sehr German.

_____________________________

World at War: Revelation, a creepy, military action, alternate history, World War Three novel. At Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (http://tinyurl.com/mcgcht8). Only $3.99. What the hell?

(in reply to Harv)

Post #: 8

RE: A Few Thoughts... - 2/13/2014 8:10:34 PM

martimer

Posts: 10
Joined: 10/31/2007
Status: offline

I am also running the game on Parallels (v9) and cannot get past the second screen. After I press "Plat..." on the game menu I get a pretty screen and some music but no buttons to start play. I think the problem might be screen resolution related because I can see a "ragged edge" around the top, bottom and left of the screen but the picture goes flush to the right (with the right side of the display). I can see both the Matrix and LNL logos in the lower right corner.

How do I progress beyond this screen to get to the actual game?

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Post #: 9

RE: A Few Thoughts... - 2/13/2014 8:15:23 PM

markhwalker

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Joined: 1/29/2005
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Can you post a screen shot, please?

_____________________________

World at War: Revelation, a creepy, military action, alternate history, World War Three novel. At Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (http://tinyurl.com/mcgcht8). Only $3.99. What the hell?

(in reply to martimer)

Post #: 10

RE: A Few Thoughts... - 2/13/2014 9:38:19 PM

martimer

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Joined: 10/31/2007
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No, because I am not allowed o post a link util 7 days after my tenth post and I have the screenshot shared from my DropBox folder. I am not smart enough to get the image tag to work. Sorry.

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Post #: 11

RE: A Few Thoughts... - 2/13/2014 9:40:33 PM

Tom Proudfoot

Posts: 1357
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From: Alameda, CA
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What resolution is your desktop?

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Post #: 12

RE: A Few Thoughts... - 2/13/2014 10:35:03 PM

martimer

Posts: 10
Joined: 10/31/2007
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1877 x 1126.

I am able to see the whole image in fullscreen mode. No buttons appear beyond the splash screen.

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Post #: 13

RE: A Few Thoughts... - 2/13/2014 10:53:29 PM

martimer

Posts: 10
Joined: 10/31/2007
Status: offline

I sent Mark a PM with the link.

< Message edited by martimer -- 2/13/2014 11:56:38 PM >

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Post #: 14

RE: A Few Thoughts... - 2/13/2014 11:06:33 PM

Tom Proudfoot

Posts: 1357
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From: Alameda, CA
Status: offline

I forced my resolution to 1377x1126, this is what I can fit on my screen. Look at the bottom there - do you see that edging of the image on your screen or is that cut off as well? I'm wondering if the Mac has a big bar down there shortening the screen or something.

< Message edited by Tom Proudfoot -- 2/14/2014 12:07:11 AM >

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Post #: 15

RE: A Few Thoughts... - 2/13/2014 11:12:18 PM

martimer

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Joined: 10/31/2007
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I get the underlying image, but not the overlay with the OK button and text.

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Post #: 16

RE: A Few Thoughts... - 2/13/2014 11:28:25 PM

Tom Proudfoot

Posts: 1357
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From: Alameda, CA
Status: offline

Can you email me the screenshot or the link to the dropbox? tomp@matrixgames.com . Thanks.

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Post #: 17

RE: A Few Thoughts... - 2/13/2014 11:57:26 PM

Harv

Posts: 38
Joined: 10/24/2006
From: Saskatchewan
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: martimer

I am also running the game on Parallels (v9) and cannot get past the second screen. After I press "Plat..." on the game menu I get a pretty screen and some music but no buttons to start play. I think the problem might be screen resolution related because I can see a "ragged edge" around the top, bottom and left of the screen but the picture goes flush to the right (with the right side of the display). I can see both the Matrix and LNL logos in the lower right corner.

How do I progress beyond this screen to get to the actual game?

A few things/questions...

Are you running Windows in full screen, a window, or coherence?
Are you running HoS full screen or in a window?
Have you tried starting HoS from the Quick Start instead of the game menu?

(in reply to martimer)

Post #: 18

RE: A Few Thoughts... - 2/14/2014 12:17:37 AM

Tom Proudfoot

Posts: 1357
Joined: 4/25/2000
From: Alameda, CA
Status: offline

I misunderstood, I thought you were at the part where it says Welcome to Lock n' Load. Did you try 1.02 yet - does it change anything? http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3546087

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Post #: 19

RE: A Few Thoughts... - 2/15/2014 3:59:12 PM

martimer

Posts: 10
Joined: 10/31/2007
Status: offline

Yes, the 1.02 update solved the problem.

Thanks. The game seems quite playable now.

I note that if I try to update the software using the "Update" button, it hangs while "Creating a handle" and the application stops responding and has to be forced to exit.

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Post #: 20

RE: A Few Thoughts... - 2/15/2014 4:30:30 PM

chemkid

Posts: 1238
Joined: 12/15/2012
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.

< Message edited by chemkid -- 4/26/2018 6:02:38 AM >

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Post #: 21

RE: A Few Thoughts... - 2/17/2014 1:57:13 AM

Harv

Posts: 38
Joined: 10/24/2006
From: Saskatchewan
Status: offline

Auto rally is not my friend. I had a German leader decide to pick up a Molotov cocktail and lose 2 movement points. I forgot to flip a MG34 from tripod to bipod, and later from bipod to tripod. I failed to shift a MG from a full squad to a half squad like I'd planned to. My attention span is apparently too short to be trusted with such a powerful tool. Not the game's fault by any means, but I'm never clicking that button again. Might even wire an electric shock to it as an added reminder to check all my stacks and units before hitting the Finish button.

And I'll second the motion to be able to turn off the voices for rallying. They really get old when there are a few dozen rally attempts during a game.

In other news, I'm still on mission 3 of the German campaign. Getting better though. Still not good, but better.

(in reply to chemkid)

Post #: 22

RE: A Few Thoughts... - 2/18/2014 12:51:32 AM

markhwalker

Posts: 951
Joined: 1/29/2005
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Well...the voices are fun at first.

_____________________________

World at War: Revelation, a creepy, military action, alternate history, World War Three novel. At Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (http://tinyurl.com/mcgcht8). Only $3.99. What the hell?

(in reply to Harv)

Post #: 23

RE: A Few Thoughts... - 2/18/2014 7:52:56 PM

Harv

Posts: 38
Joined: 10/24/2006
From: Saskatchewan
Status: offline

Decided to tackle a few standalone scenarios while waiting for the next patch, and had a great time. Revisited A Partisan Defence for the third or fourth time, and finally pulled off a win! WhooHoo! I'm starting to suck less!

Ambush looked like fun one also, so fired it up and saw my impending demise once again. A mixed armor/infantry force against a few partisans, a leader and a hero. Oh, and an anti-tank rifle. Ah well, worst that can happen is a loss I figured. The first turn went fairly well, shaking a couple of squads, advancing up a couple of buildings and watching to see where the enemy was going to move. The second and third turns were...well...wow! I have now officially used up all of my favours with the dice gods. On turn 2 every shot seemed to shake the enemy, and the hero Moratov assaulted the armored car and turned it to wreckage, while on the third turn Moratov assaulted and destroyed the Panzer and the partisans made short work of the infantry. After that it was a matter of mopping up while dodging the reinforcements.

Sure a challenge is nice, but occasionally it's just plain fun to crush the opposition.

< Message edited by Harv -- 2/18/2014 8:54:50 PM >

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Post #: 24

RE: A Few Thoughts... - 2/19/2014 3:38:52 PM

markhwalker

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Joined: 1/29/2005
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Harv... what level of difficulty are you using?

_____________________________

World at War: Revelation, a creepy, military action, alternate history, World War Three novel. At Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (http://tinyurl.com/mcgcht8). Only $3.99. What the hell?

(in reply to Harv)

Post #: 25

RE: A Few Thoughts... - 2/19/2014 6:04:27 PM

Harv

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Joined: 10/24/2006
From: Saskatchewan
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: markhwalker

Harv... what level of difficulty are you using?

Normal. My fragile ego wouldn't be able to withstand Hard.

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Post #: 26

RE: A Few Thoughts... - 2/19/2014 6:07:16 PM

markhwalker

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Joined: 1/29/2005
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Nah, you'll be doing hard in no time.

_____________________________

World at War: Revelation, a creepy, military action, alternate history, World War Three novel. At Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (http://tinyurl.com/mcgcht8). Only $3.99. What the hell?

(in reply to Harv)

Post #: 27

RE: A Few Thoughts... - 2/21/2014 5:30:13 PM

Harv

Posts: 38
Joined: 10/24/2006
From: Saskatchewan
Status: offline

Aaaaarrrrggggghhhhh. I Hate my Magic Mouse! It keeps randomly seeing a right click as a left and I shoot instead of closing to melee. My kingdom (such as it is) for an actual two button mouse.

Or a second click for shooting. That would work too I guess.

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Post #: 28

RE: A Few Thoughts... - 2/26/2014 3:00:44 PM

Harv

Posts: 38
Joined: 10/24/2006
From: Saskatchewan
Status: offline

Has anyone tried this on a MacBook or MacBook Air with Parallels or Bootcamp? I'm in the market for a new portableish computer, and would hate to select one that HoS didn't work well on (Hi. My name is Harv, and I'm addicted to Heroes of Stalingrad). Or maybe one of the new Surface tablets? Haven't looked at any of them since the first round of horrible reports came out when they were first released.

(in reply to Harv)

Post #: 29