Strange game

Matrix Games Forums

Forums Register Login Photo Gallery Member List Search Calendars FAQ

My Profile Inbox Address Book My Subscription My Forums Log Out

Strange game

View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

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

Page: [1]

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

Strange game - 4/1/2015 10:25:57 PM

HobbesACW

Posts: 419
Joined: 2/20/2004
From: UK
Status: offline

Hi folks, I bought this game when it came out and there was quite a buzz for a couple of months then the forum suddenly died. I've never known a game to give a boardgame feel like this one did. For me the game mechanics are flawed and the maps are too small to allow for much tactical decision making. I enjoyed it for a couple of months then got frustrated - but regretted what might have been. Now I see it has been relegated to the sub-forums. Seems a shame as it was close to being a wonderful game.

Chris

Post #: 1

RE: Strange game - 4/1/2015 11:41:11 PM

Cataphract88

Posts: 728
Joined: 10/5/2012
From: Britannia
Status: offline

Yes, the way the forum died just like that was utterly weird.

_____________________________

Richard

(in reply to HobbesACW)

Post #: 2

RE: Strange game - 4/2/2015 8:08:05 AM

fran52

Posts: 598
Joined: 6/4/2012
From: Italy
Status: offline

quote:

For me the game mechanics are flawed

Why are flawed? Which mechanics are more doubtful?I have produced a mod to reproduce some ASL,or better to say SL scenarios,given the complexity of ASL rules.Now i have revised the mod ,some value for the tank are more similar to the ASL mechanics if not the same.In the previous there was the possibility for a 37mm gun to destroy a T34,now is impossible.
I have not yet published in the forum this new version because,and this is the reason of the sub-forum i think,there is in development a new version of the game(and i want to understand if something change), but not with the collaboration of Matrix.You can find something on the site of LnL publishing.Seem that the development consists in a base program with the possibility to buy modules like Heroes of Stalingrad,Heroes of the Pacific and so on.
The maps are not too small in my opinion,are only few hexagons less than an ASL maps, so enough for the intent.

< Message edited by acropora -- 4/2/2015 9:09:29 AM >

(in reply to Cataphract88)

Post #: 3

RE: Strange game - 4/2/2015 1:58:21 PM

grrrrendel

Posts: 5
Joined: 2/10/2009
Status: offline

Personally I've really been enjoying this game. It's the best fix for old ASL lovers out there. Overall I think the game mechanics are well balanced. If you are dissapointed by map size... try downloading some of the user submitted games, or the campaign maps. The map builder is also impressive, even if not well documented. You can build huge battles if you want to!

(in reply to fran52)

Post #: 4

RE: Strange game - 4/2/2015 9:51:24 PM

HobbesACW

Posts: 419
Joined: 2/20/2004
From: UK
Status: offline

For me I was put off by the lack of indirect fire and the weird spotting rules. You know a unit is in a certain location but cannot fire at it. Other minor oddities like being able to fire through cover hexes if you happen to be able to trace a LoS along a hex spine + the suicidal AI that left cover for no reason. Some of the rules make the game more like a puzzle game. Having so few units - one bad move ends the scenario. A large stack of elite units being disrupted and then taken out by any little unit that can assault them - again makes it play like a puzzle. It's not such a bad thing really but makes it very difficult to play again after a break unless you can remember every non-intuitive rule. I enjoyed it for a couple of months and considered it money well spent - but after a couple of months my interest waned. It seems a lot of other players felt the same way. I'd like to give it another go but can't be bothered to read the manual again.

(in reply to grrrrendel)

Post #: 5

RE: Strange game - 4/3/2015 12:51:38 AM

wodin

Posts: 10762
Joined: 4/20/2003
From: England
Status: offline

^^ I agree. Killed the game for me. Totally goes against German Urban Warfare doctrine used in Stalingrad. So you just can't use proper tactics, with the now you see me now you don't and 'cos you don't you can't shoot LOS\Spotting mechanic. Shame.

_____________________________

My website

https://www.awargamersneedfulthings.co.uk/

(in reply to HobbesACW)

Post #: 6

RE: Strange game - 4/3/2015 9:10:29 AM

fran52

Posts: 598
Joined: 6/4/2012
From: Italy
Status: offline

I don't know what to say.With some conversion of ASL scenarios ,made by me,i have found a quite good playability.The rules are not so difficult compared to others game and are intuitable.If you look at the rules of ASL(boardgame) or a PC game like War in the East you become crazy.
I agree with Wodin when speak about the spotting mechanics ,but in my converted scenarios was not so determinant.
About the LOS in the cover hexes:is easy to change,in my mod there is a change also in the terrain.The wood is always a blocking LOS.

quote:

For me I was put off by the lack of indirect fire

But there is the indirect fire,why you say the lack?
Are wrong some calculation for the LOS at different level but, more serious,are totally wrong the calculations for the bog into the mud.
I hope to see corrected this bugs in the new version.
The game is not so bad and ,since i was an ASL player,is also the game more close to this board game.

< Message edited by acropora -- 4/3/2015 3:03:23 PM >

(in reply to HobbesACW)

Post #: 7

RE: Strange game - 4/3/2015 9:32:06 PM

HobbesACW

Posts: 419
Joined: 2/20/2004
From: UK
Status: offline

For indirect fire I mean being able to fire at a position that you suspect contains an enemy even if they are not currently spotted.
Maybe I should have said suppressive fire.

Cheers,
Chris

(in reply to fran52)

Post #: 8

RE: Strange game - 4/4/2015 6:36:31 AM

fran52

Posts: 598
Joined: 6/4/2012
From: Italy
Status: offline

The off board artillery need to be placed in a hex with los,so,with the scattering,is possible that you damage units not spotted.
Different is the indirect fire on the map,in this case you can only fire to a spotted hex.
Reading the rules,seem possible to have a sort of barrage.
Speaking about the reproduction of the reality,the spotting rules seem better than a board game where you know all,what seem strange is the fact that any turn you must spot the unit/units already spotted the turn before.
For sure this rule is very different in comparison with the ASL mechanics.

(in reply to HobbesACW)

Post #: 9

RE: Strange game - 4/4/2015 7:14:02 AM

VegasOZ

Posts: 295
Joined: 7/30/2014
Status: offline

I bought this game on sale awhile back and I also find that the mechanics or phases setup is very uncomfortable. It prevents the player from doing some basic tactical things. The art and so forth are nice. The other thing I really dislike is the large size of the text boxes that almost cover up the map and unit counters from view.

It would be great if somebody would do a mod that changed (fixed?) the sequence of play or turn phases.

I do not recommend the game in it's present format.

(in reply to fran52)

Post #: 10

RE: Strange game - 4/4/2015 7:28:09 PM

fran52

Posts: 598
Joined: 6/4/2012
From: Italy
Status: offline

quote:

It would be great if somebody would do a mod that changed (fixed?) the sequence of play or turn phases.

Mod for this kind of things ,i don't think is possible.In this case you must change the program,not the bitmap or the units datas.

(in reply to VegasOZ)

Post #: 11

RE: Strange game - 4/4/2015 9:58:49 PM

HobbesACW

Posts: 419
Joined: 2/20/2004
From: UK
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: VegasOZ

I bought this game on sale awhile back and I also find that the mechanics or phases setup is very uncomfortable. It prevents the player from doing some basic tactical things. The art and so forth are nice. The other thing I really dislike is the large size of the text boxes that almost cover up the map and unit counters from view.

It would be great if somebody would do a mod that changed (fixed?) the sequence of play or turn phases.

I do not recommend the game in it's present format.

I think there is a very good game here and it's a shame that they made some bad design decisions about the mechanics. It's a five out of ten game that could have easily been a nine at least if a few changes were made.

(in reply to VegasOZ)

Post #: 12