First Impressions

Matrix Games Forums

Forums Register Login Photo Gallery Member List Search Calendars FAQ

My Profile Inbox Address Book My Subscription My Forums Log Out

First Impressions

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

Logged in as: Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> The Operational Art of War IV >> First Impressions

Page: [1]

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

First Impressions - 11/16/2017 2:08:48 PM

gbaby

Posts: 180
Joined: 2/2/2016
Status: offline

I'm floored. What an incredible improvement.

First I'm playing on a 2560x1440 monitor and everything is sharp and clean. Even the very small text is easy to read. Head and shoulders above the previous version.

1) Zoom changes on the map really surprised me. It is SO FAST! Nothing like the previous version. Absolutely an outstanding job.

2) The UI is just unbelievable. So much easier! The new info panel blows away previous, which I never bothered to glance, now I find I really use it. It is actually helpful! The UI changes overall are brilliantly done, at the same time still making previous TOAW players feel at home.

3) I only played a scenario for a few turns, but experienced BTS and it is very helpful. The new battle report panels are also very helpful. I don't want to play without now.

Overall my expectations are extremely exceeded. The videos previously seen just don't do it justice. I'm already satisfied that the purchase was well worth it.

Thanks to ALL the folks who worked on this. Incredible result.

Post #: 1

RE: First Impressions - 11/16/2017 2:11:18 PM

cdcool

Posts: 660
Joined: 1/25/2005
From: United States
Status: offline

The font and menus are all adjustable within the game and the Opart3/4 Fonts.ini file

< Message edited by cdcool -- 11/17/2017 11:32:54 AM >

(in reply to gbaby)

Post #: 2

RE: First Impressions - 11/16/2017 2:14:32 PM

gbaby

Posts: 180
Joined: 2/2/2016
Status: offline

But I found I liked the default ones at 2560x1440, everything seems perfect. Of course, its nice to be able to experiment with it, but I love the default, for some reason.

I also noticed you can change the UI to the old shool static one. I will be avoiding that. The new floating info boxes are just so much superior.

< Message edited by gbaby -- 11/16/2017 2:18:39 PM >

(in reply to cdcool)

Post #: 3

RE: First Impressions - 11/16/2017 3:08:54 PM

blackcloud6

Posts: 489
Joined: 8/13/2002
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: gbaby

But I found I liked the default ones at 2560x1440, everything seems perfect. Of course, its nice to be able to experiment with it, but I love the default, for some reason.

I also noticed you can change the UI to the old shool static one. I will be avoiding that. The new floating info boxes are just so much superior.

quote:

I also noticed you can change the UI to the old shool static one. I will be avoiding that. The new floating info boxes are just so much superior.

Can you move the floating info boxes to another monitor if you have a multiple monitor setup?

(in reply to gbaby)

Post #: 4

RE: First Impressions - 11/16/2017 3:16:33 PM

Redmarkus5

Posts: 4456
Joined: 12/1/2007
From: 0.00
Status: offline

First impression - it's beautiful! I've owned every game in the series and it's a long time favourite. Looking forward to replaying some of those campaigns via this stunning new interface.

(in reply to blackcloud6)

Post #: 5

RE: First Impressions - 11/16/2017 3:20:27 PM

gbaby

Posts: 180
Joined: 2/2/2016
Status: offline

The floating info boxes remain in place, they just float above the map, allowing the map to extend beyond the old boundary. But everything is statically placed, not movable, not a window to place in other monitor.

However, as would be expected, you can resize the games window to span multiple monitors.

My three monitors are pretty large in physical size, so the games default smallest text for 2560x1440 resolution is very easy to read, so I've been happy to keep on one monitor.

The only issue is the jump map, which is so small, but its the same as the previous versions. It is still helpful to move around quickly, but it is still very hard to see unit placements, too tiny. But everything else is so much improved that this does not hinder me in expressing my appreciation of this new game.

(in reply to blackcloud6)

Post #: 6

RE: First Impressions - 11/16/2017 3:38:03 PM

blackcloud6

Posts: 489
Joined: 8/13/2002
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: gbaby

The floating info boxes remain in place, they just float above the map, allowing the map to extend beyond the old boundary. But everything is statically placed, not movable, not a window to place in other monitor.

However, as would be expected, you can resize the games window to span multiple monitors.

My three monitors are pretty large in physical size, so the games default smallest text for 2560x1440 resolution is very easy to read, so I've been happy to keep on one monitor.

The only issue is the jump map, which is so small, but its the same as the previous versions. It is still helpful to move around quickly, but it is still very hard to see unit placements, too tiny. But everything else is so much improved that this does not hinder me in expressing my appreciation of this new game.

Thanks!

(in reply to gbaby)

Post #: 7

RE: First Impressions - 11/16/2017 4:53:24 PM

olaui13

Posts: 17
Joined: 10/7/2017
Status: offline

I just bought it :) Its very nice :) Thank you very much guys.. And price is very realistic.

(in reply to blackcloud6)

Post #: 8

RE: First Impressions - 11/16/2017 4:58:29 PM

ralphtricky

Posts: 6685
Joined: 7/27/2003
From: Colorado Springs
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: olaui13

I just bought it :) Its very nice :) Thank you very much guys.. And price is very realistic.

THanks for your support!

_____________________________

Ralph Trickey
TOAW IV Programmer
Blog: http://operationalwarfare.com
---
My comments are my own, and do not represent the views of any other person or entity. Nothing that I say should be construed in any way as a promise of anything.

(in reply to olaui13)

Post #: 9

RE: First Impressions - 11/16/2017 5:17:10 PM

nikdav

Posts: 895
Joined: 3/9/2008
From: Italy
Status: offline

I can't wait, but the Download is very fast 800 KB/sec, double my normal wifi data transfer, probably a new TOAW IV features ?

1) download ok 10min.
2) installation ok 15min. (damned directX)
3) WOW
4) fantastic zoom
5) .........sorry but i must return to game

< Message edited by nikdav -- 11/16/2017 5:57:52 PM >

(in reply to gbaby)

Post #: 10

RE: First Impressions - 11/16/2017 5:21:39 PM

jnpoint

Posts: 549
Joined: 8/9/2007
From: Holstebro, Denmark
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: olaui13

I just bought it :) Its very nice :) Thank you very much guys.. And price is very realistic.

(in reply to olaui13)

Post #: 11

RE: First Impressions - 11/16/2017 5:23:03 PM

zakblood

Posts: 22687
Joined: 10/4/2012
Status: offline

speeds is dependent on how many previously have grabbed it, as it's cloud storage, so will in theory on a big game max out almost everyone's home lines, except maybe the swedes

(in reply to nikdav)

Post #: 12

RE: First Impressions - 11/16/2017 5:31:49 PM

griffon29200

Posts: 16
Joined: 11/16/2017
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: zakblood

except maybe the swedes

The swedes ..... and me

(in reply to zakblood)

Post #: 13

RE: First Impressions - 11/16/2017 6:11:27 PM

VegasOZ

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

How is it zakblood? I'm waiting for your official recommendation, as I almost always do... Thanks

(in reply to zakblood)

Post #: 14

RE: First Impressions - 11/16/2017 6:20:02 PM

nikdav

Posts: 895
Joined: 3/9/2008
From: Italy
Status: offline

quote:

except maybe the swedes

Damned Swedes

(in reply to griffon29200)

Post #: 15

RE: First Impressions - 11/16/2017 7:15:31 PM

Hoeist6634

Posts: 16
Joined: 11/15/2017
Status: offline

Thanks to everyone who made this game! It's so rich in content and looks beautiful. Will have many hours of happy wargaming ahead of me!

(in reply to nikdav)

Post #: 16

RE: First Impressions - 11/16/2017 7:28:22 PM

zakblood

Posts: 22687
Joined: 10/4/2012
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: VegasOZ

How is it zakblood? I'm waiting for your official recommendation, as I almost always do... Thanks

looks really good and interesting but atm i haven't the time to play it, didn't do the beta, but have watched a few twitch stream and it really interested me in the amount of options and ability to play almost anything in the time frame, i want a good Arnhem battle to really get into, so with the editor could throw one together in a short space of time and just that one would be worth the money for me.

but yes i'd recommend it just for the scale and options and what's on offer, 300 battles and the amount of mods that will come out will be large, and the price is very good, which helps sales imo

(in reply to VegasOZ)

Post #: 17

RE: First Impressions - 11/16/2017 7:29:43 PM

zakblood

Posts: 22687
Joined: 10/4/2012
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: griffon29200

quote:

ORIGINAL: zakblood

except maybe the swedes

The swedes ..... and me

i only have a 200/200mb cable line but have more than a few friends in Finland and elsewhere with much much quicker

(in reply to griffon29200)

Post #: 18

RE: First Impressions - 11/17/2017 4:08:04 AM

FlyByKnight

Posts: 245
Joined: 10/8/2016
From: West Coast
Status: offline

This is my first experience with this "Operational art of War" series. I am impressed by the variety of scenarios that are available.

(in reply to zakblood)

Post #: 19

RE: First Impressions - 11/17/2017 7:11:12 AM

Marc von Martial

Posts: 10875
Joined: 1/4/2001
From: Bonn, Germany
Status: offline

Happy you like the UI and art changes guys :)

This was a long walk, with many hurdles for the complete core development team of just four guys. But I really think we gave this absolute classic, which is one of my all time favorite games along with the Close Combat series, some fresh and useful changes. I know we can not please everybody, but I'm happy with the first reception! Thanks again guys.

The marketing team did a fantastic job with the short video tutorials on YouTube. Damn, I wish this would have been the case a decade or two ago :D

_____________________________

Marc von Martial
instagram stream

(in reply to FlyByKnight)

Post #: 20

RE: First Impressions - 11/17/2017 7:17:50 AM

JPJ

Posts: 124
Joined: 7/15/2017
Status: offline

Many thanks to the developers and testers! Great improvements and additions compared to earlier versions! My first impression of the game and the manual definitely is positive. I'm very happy with the result.

(in reply to Marc von Martial)

Post #: 21

RE: First Impressions - 11/17/2017 9:23:27 AM

gerardo

Posts: 53
Joined: 3/12/2014
From: Italy
Status: offline

I have read that in some scenarios, the AI does absolutely nothing and you win. How this can be an 'incredible improvement'?

(in reply to JPJ)

Post #: 22

RE: First Impressions - 11/17/2017 10:04:16 AM

Shadrach

Posts: 727
Joined: 10/16/2001
From: Oslo, Norway
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Marc von Martial

Happy you like the UI and art changes guys :)

This was a long walk, with many hurdles for the complete core development team of just four guys. But I really think we gave this absolute classic, which is one of my all time favorite games along with the Close Combat series, some fresh and useful changes. I know we can not please everybody, but I'm happy with the first reception! Thanks again guys.

The marketing team did a fantastic job with the short video tutorials on YouTube. Damn, I wish this would have been the case a decade or two ago :D

Thanks for your hard work - the game is a massive improvement, the UI is smooth and the maps beautiful. There are certain things like minor usability issues and DPI scaling that hopefully will be sorted in patches.

I tried to get into TOAW3 a couple of years ago, but couldn't, it felt too late-90s, this is a proper game for 2017

(in reply to Marc von Martial)

Post #: 23