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Watchtower - 5/3/2003 8:06:48 PM   
Alexandra


Posts: 546
Joined: 12/7/2000
From: USA
Status: offline 		Hey all. I've started with Watchtower, and here's my results, and thoughts, thus far.

I decided to start off with landing on the Island itself, instead of one of the smaller ones, so I chose Red Beach One off the bat.

Red Beach One (8/8/42). Result: Draw. Even with the draw I feel I did well. Gambled a little at the end, and lost a tank I should not have. But, took all the objectives except the Grassy Knoll, and I managed to anticipate a couple counter attacks and stop them cold with naval guns and arty. Coolest bit was splhshing a Zero on turn three. It hit the beachhead, zipped over the water, and an inbound transport shot it into the sea.

Moving Inland (8/8/42) My first DV. Again, my plan went very well, and I was able to secure all objectives. Although, I really wish orchard hexes did not block LOS. I started to get a feel, here, for what Marines can do. Got the Bronze star here.

Fire on the Flanks (8/9/42) DV Number Two. This was a nightmare. Supposed to clear out some snipers on the flank of Henderson Field. Turned out there were over 300!!!! Japanese, of whom we killed 275. This irked me a bit, given that only 1000 Japanese were on the island at the time, and that it was, in effect, the third battle on the same map.

Ambush (Option: Jungle Journey 8/10/42). DV Three - barely!! I got the Silver Star, here. This one went well, initially, then the enemy showed up en masse. I pulled the DV on turn 10, by controlling all the VHs, and killing 4 of the 6 men in the enemy HQ. But, had they not broken, I was in a world of hurt, as about 150 or so known Japanese were closing in on my battered marines. Still, I'll take it.

Next up: First Matinikau (no option, 8/18/42)


Thoughts so far:

Navy pilots are good - when they hit the right area!

Naval Guns rock!! To bad they left.

The fights are tense and good, but, yes, there is a but - there are too many Japanese. Again, according to the text filed inclused with the MC, there were only 1000 on the Island when we landed. In the first three days of fighting, I alone have killed 369 confirmed, and, at least 100 more in each of the first two scens, so, call it 550, being conservative. Running the numbers tells that's too many :)

However, my real complaint is the text files. While giving good information they are (Sorry Bill and Neal, this next comment is nothing personal against either of you) horribly edited. There are a number of typos, poorly constructed sentences, etc. And, the pictures are tooo big. I like them, but, we should have used smaller ones, so that we could get more space for the text in place.

If we all ever do another one, and I still hope we do, I volunteer to proof-read as well as play test!

Alex

_____________________________

"Tonight a dynasty is born." Ricky Proehl, then of the Saint Louis Rams. He was right! Go Pats! Winners of Super Bowls 36, 38 and 39.
Post #: 1
- 5/4/2003 6:26:40 AM   
Supervisor

 

Posts: 5166
Joined: 3/2/2004
Status: offline 		BANZI, enjoy.:)

_____________________________


(in reply to Alexandra)
Post #: 2
- 5/4/2003 9:03:36 PM   
Alexandra


Posts: 546
Joined: 12/7/2000
From: USA
Status: offline 		Finished First Matinaku, and, somehow only got a draw!

I had 1200 something points, and the AI had 300 something. I'm still trying to figure out how they got so many points :)

I had 3 of the 4 VHs, for a 400 to 100 point edge there. I also bagged 207 bad guys, killing quite a few whole units, for the bonus points that they bring. I lost many fewer, as, if my math is right, my core, at full strength, totals 126 men, and that's all I had, and I only fully lost one unit, a scout team.

Except for the draw, even with the amazingly high amount of enemy troops, I found this to be a fun scen, and quite challenging.

Next up is the defense as I need to repel the Ichiki Assault. I also have one elite unit, 2Lt Mizerak's squad, the lead squad of the Engineer Platoon, although 2Lt Wilder's 2nd platoon has the most total kills. (26 for 2nd, 22 for 3rd, Engineers 14, and 13 for 1st. Company HQ has 4, and the FO, Mortars, and Btn HQ, well, hmm, TF HQ, really, have none)

Alex

_____________________________

"Tonight a dynasty is born." Ricky Proehl, then of the Saint Louis Rams. He was right! Go Pats! Winners of Super Bowls 36, 38 and 39.

(in reply to Alexandra)
Post #: 3
- 5/8/2003 7:58:52 PM   
Alexandra


Posts: 546
Joined: 12/7/2000
From: USA
Status: offline 		More reports:

The Ichiki Assult (8/21/42)- Draw, with the IJA losing another 557 men. I hated this scen, totally hated it, for a variety of reasons, and, that suprised me, cause I prefer defense scenario's. I'm not going to rant at this point, though, anyone who is curious as to why can ask.

Operation Ka (8/27/42): Kokumbuna Option. I picked up a Moderate Victory here, with enemy losses totalling 194. Again, I was less than thrilled with the scen. But, as it's not a rant, I'll explain why. Firstly, the player has too much to do. I really think that if it had been limited to just your core's mission, it would have been top notch. Also, beyond the fact that MGs are close to useless, I had a 4 turn stretch at game end, where, my FO called in Naval Gun Fire, on a 0.4 delay, and, it never arrived. That was annoying.

The Tokyo Express (8/29/42): Koli Point Option. I crashed on turn 7!! I think the sinking of the freighter caused the crash, but, I am not 100 percent sure! Argh :)

Alex

_____________________________

"Tonight a dynasty is born." Ricky Proehl, then of the Saint Louis Rams. He was right! Go Pats! Winners of Super Bowls 36, 38 and 39.

(in reply to Alexandra)
Post #: 4
- 5/8/2003 8:50:02 PM   
Jim1954

 

Posts: 1393
Joined: 5/15/2002
From: Dallas
Status: offline 		There is an icon problem somewhere in WT that this file from gmenfan will fix but I can't seem to find the post. I don't know if it would cause a crash or not but what have you got to loose?

Attachment (1)

_____________________________


Jim1954
KMC/T

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Post #: 5
- 5/8/2003 11:58:23 PM   
rbrunsman


Posts: 1837
Joined: 1/31/2002
From: Phoenix, AZ
Status: offline 		I don't like this. With Jim's recommendation and your AARs, I may have to spring for Watchtower and I still haven't finished MCLV and haven't even opened MCDF yet!:mad:

_____________________________

Everyone is a potential [PBEM] enemy, every place a potential [PBEM] battlefield. --Zensunni Wisdom

(in reply to Alexandra)
Post #: 6
- 5/9/2003 12:02:18 AM   
Jim1954

 

Posts: 1393
Joined: 5/15/2002
From: Dallas
Status: offline 		You do, you do!!!!! Given the propensity of your battles to be at such close range ( substitute trees for smoke) you should be right at home on this one.

.:D

_____________________________


Jim1954
KMC/T

(in reply to Alexandra)
Post #: 7
- 5/10/2003 8:15:45 AM   
Supervisor

 

Posts: 5166
Joined: 3/2/2004
Status: offline 		The wrong icon never caused a crash on me, but anyhting is possible, the wrong icon is a Minerva(SP) plow.

rbrunsman: If you like fast and furious hand to hand combat then WT is the ticket. It is very well designed and flows extremely well. Besides it's a Wild Bill creation so how could you wrong?:cool:

_____________________________


(in reply to Alexandra)
Post #: 8
- 5/12/2003 7:37:34 PM   
Alexandra


Posts: 546
Joined: 12/7/2000
From: USA
Status: offline 		I already had that patch, so, an icon's not what caused the crash. I may replay that battle, or restart, and take some different options :)

Not sure yet.

Alex

_____________________________

"Tonight a dynasty is born." Ricky Proehl, then of the Saint Louis Rams. He was right! Go Pats! Winners of Super Bowls 36, 38 and 39.

(in reply to Alexandra)
Post #: 9
- 5/14/2003 12:11:04 AM   
rbrunsman


Posts: 1837
Joined: 1/31/2002
From: Phoenix, AZ
Status: offline 		What's the purpose of choosing "No Option" when playing? Do you get more campaign points if you go it alone? I just don't see the purpose of passing up having more toys to play with.:confused:

_____________________________

Everyone is a potential [PBEM] enemy, every place a potential [PBEM] battlefield. --Zensunni Wisdom

(in reply to Alexandra)
Post #: 10
- 5/14/2003 12:14:36 AM   
Jim1954

 

Posts: 1393
Joined: 5/15/2002
From: Dallas
Status: offline 		Sometimes it seems to affect the scoring, Bob. Gary T had some interesting observations in a post he put up a while back. The location of which eludes me for now. It seemed like you got those screwy scores that didn't seem to add up right when you selected options. If I do, then I try not to worry TOO much about the final score.

:)

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Jim1954
KMC/T

(in reply to Alexandra)
Post #: 11
Bob - 5/14/2003 2:39:18 AM   
Gary Tatro

 

Posts: 1213
Joined: 2/1/2002
From: MA, US
Status: offline 		One of the things I noticed is that asking for additional troops plays a big roll in your final score. I did some tests with this on a senario where I requested additional reinforcements on a assualt senario, where the computer was assualting me in Lost Victories. I replayed the senario a number of times always crushing the computer, but only coming up with a draw. What I think was happening is that the game bases your score of the total number of points in the senario. So if your core force was 2500 points and then you asked for additional forces, they come in as reinforcements, since they come in as reinforcements the computer gets 25% of there battle value. Thus a higher score and makes it more difficult for you to get DV or MV. I have tested this and is seems to be the case but I am not sure.

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"Are you going to do something or just stand there and bleed"

(in reply to Alexandra)
Post #: 12
- 5/14/2003 4:56:13 AM   
rbrunsman


Posts: 1837
Joined: 1/31/2002
From: Phoenix, AZ
Status: offline 		Thanks guys. That's a perfectly reasonable explanation to me. I like the extra toys to play with so I'll keep taking them. I don't care so much about my overall score. I just like to move forward (so far) and was wondering if I'm missing some good action by never opting out.

Bob

_____________________________

Everyone is a potential [PBEM] enemy, every place a potential [PBEM] battlefield. --Zensunni Wisdom

(in reply to Alexandra)
Post #: 13
- 5/14/2003 7:25:45 PM   
Alexandra


Posts: 546
Joined: 12/7/2000
From: USA
Status: offline 		Also, no option gives you the baseline scenario. Picking options may give you the baseline with more men, or, it may give an entirely different scenario, which does a lot to make the MCs replayable.

Alex

_____________________________

"Tonight a dynasty is born." Ricky Proehl, then of the Saint Louis Rams. He was right! Go Pats! Winners of Super Bowls 36, 38 and 39.

(in reply to Alexandra)
Post #: 14
- 5/14/2003 10:52:06 PM   
Grenadier


Posts: 981
Joined: 5/10/2000
From: Newport Beach, CA USA
Status: offline 		And just like in real life, you may ask for it and not get it, especially those Stukas and Naval cruisers:D

_____________________________

Brent Grenadier Richards




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[url=http://

(in reply to Alexandra)
Post #: 15
- 6/16/2003 10:18:22 PM   
Wild Bill

 

Posts: 6821
Joined: 4/7/2000
From: Smyrna, Ga, 30080
Status: offline 		First, let me say welcome back, Alexandra. It is very good to see you back in the war. You've been missed.

Secondly, my apologies if anything in the campaign has irked or displeased you.

The text was proof read and if we did leave in some mistakes, I regret that. When I finish writing this, I will go over some of the documents. I wish I knew which ones troubled you. There are dozens of documents in the game, over 100 I think.

Without trying to offer a lame defense, let me say that doing a Mega Campaign is without a doubt the hardest, most time consuming and frustrating experience I have ever undertaken.

That does not mean to say that I do not enjoy doing it. But it will devour you to the point of near burnout before it is done.

We are talking here about the coordination of sometimes over 100 scenarios, hundreds of pictures and articles and making sure all the links and twists and turns in the game work as they should.

I put in literally hundreds of hours of work on both Desert Fox and Watchtower.

I personally am pleased in general and I realize that some things could have been done better. And if I get the chance I will.

I've been in charge of the production of two mega-campaigns and spent a lot of hours working with Brent in his great effort of Lost Victories.

So if I ever get the chance to do another one (who knows?), I think we can learn from our mistakes.

Are you willing to stand by your offer? I may take you up on it. Drop me an e-mail and let me know if you are willing to do that...proof reading, etc.

[email]bwilder@bellsouth.net[/email]

If you couple that with the fact that at that time SPWAW was en evolving game with ever changing OOBs, and some problems in the game itself that have nothing to do with Mega Campaigns, well. you can see my point, I think.

Still, I do not excuse myself from anything wrong in either. I take full responsibility for the whole thing.

One more point. You complained about the pictures. I can't change that. The Mega Campaign is set up to display pictures in one size only. THe fact that so little text appears is something I complained about also, but it was never fixed. That was a matter beyond my control.

I'm wondering if you ever finished this one. I see no new posts. There were some good and unique battles that you never approached in your comments. Its a shame if you missed them.

Welcome back.

I'll be reading with avid interest any further posts on any of the MCs from you.

Oh, and it is "Neil," not Neal. I don't think his feelings will be hurt. He's a tough old Aussie! ;)

Wild Bill

_____________________________


In Arduis Fidelis
Wild Bill Wilder
Independent Game Consultant

(in reply to Alexandra)
Post #: 16
- 6/17/2003 8:29:50 PM   
Alexandra


Posts: 546
Joined: 12/7/2000
From: USA
Status: offline 		Hi Bill!

(and everyone else, too!)

For my comments, don't take them too hard, typos get past everyone, and it's just a minor gripe, doesn't effect enjoyment at all! I just like to comment on everything!

And, yes, I'll proofread anything, anytime. I like to help, as you should know!

I understand how hard it is, I recall how stressful testing could be, and, that's not much compared to everything else that needs to be done to make one!

I do hope that we do do another. I'd vote for East Front, either as the Russians, or a sequel to Lost Victories!

As for no more notes, I just need to decide which crashed battle to replay - Watchtower or Lost Victories :) I'll get back to them both.

Alex

_____________________________

"Tonight a dynasty is born." Ricky Proehl, then of the Saint Louis Rams. He was right! Go Pats! Winners of Super Bowls 36, 38 and 39.

(in reply to Alexandra)
Post #: 17
- 6/18/2003 3:01:01 AM   
Wild Bill

 

Posts: 6821
Joined: 4/7/2000
From: Smyrna, Ga, 30080
Status: offline 		Your zeal is matched by your determination, Alexandra. You'll do both. You are that kind of a wargamer.

I'm just thrilled to see you back and to be able to read your most entertaining and informative AARs.

Wild Bill

_____________________________


In Arduis Fidelis
Wild Bill Wilder
Independent Game Consultant

(in reply to Alexandra)
Post #: 18
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