Initial Comparisons with TOAW III

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Initial Comparisons with TOAW III - 11/26/2017 2:47:56 AM

mamnich24

Posts: 101
Joined: 12/29/2004
Status: offline

Dear Folk,
What are your initial game play impressions comparing TOAW IV and III? I understand the new features, but am interested in game play differences like speed of battle resolution, differences in intuitive use of the interface, sound, animations, etc. Another way to put it may be what are differences in how the game "feels", "looks", "acts".
Or are most of the differences "under the hood", so only scenario designers notice much difference?
Thanks,
Mike

Post #: 1

RE: Initial Comparisons with TOAW III - 11/26/2017 3:53:49 AM

r6kunz

Posts: 1103
Joined: 7/4/2002
From: near Philadelphia
Status: offline

Good question, Mike,
the big difference I find is the Battle Planner. I could never really understand the rounds per turn, "turn burn", finding the culprit unit using too much of the "ring of stars", and my turn suddenly ending. Battle Planner gives a chance to see how many rounds each combat used before committing. And if one of the planned attacks consumes 2x the turn it is easy to find the outlier and if cancel it. Or leave it as the case me be.
One of many new features.

It may be overstating, but it has revolutionized my gameplay.

At the download price, it is a bargain!

Enjoy! cheers

_____________________________

Avatar image was taken in hex 87,159 Vol 11 of
Vietnam Combat Operations by St�phane MOUTIN LUYAT aka Boonierat.

(in reply to mamnich24)

Post #: 2

RE: Initial Comparisons with TOAW III - 11/26/2017 5:27:32 AM

JPJ

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

Among other things, I find the Combat Chart a great new addition.
The Full Report is still there to read what happened in a combat (like a telex, line by line), and now the Chart shows that a glance, also linking it visually to the rounds. Excellent!

< Message edited by JPJ -- 11/26/2017 5:31:51 AM >

(in reply to r6kunz)

Post #: 3

RE: Initial Comparisons with TOAW III - 11/26/2017 10:16:05 AM

Olorin

Posts: 1019
Joined: 4/22/2008
From: Greece
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: mamnich
speed of battle resolution

Same as before. The big difference is in the initial turn calculations. Much faster in IV.

quote:

ORIGINAL: mamnich
differences in intuitive use of the interface

Here is the big step forward. The new interface is a vast improvement. Combat charts in particular are a big help in managing your forces.

quote:

ORIGINAL: mamnich
sound, animations, etc. Another way to put it may be what are differences in how the game "feels", "looks", "acts".

Sound hasn't changed a bit. Animations are the same, but the map and counters are "prettier" and have a crispier, more modern feel.

The under the hood changes are more important: the naval component is much improved, new supply dynamics and the most important of all, imo, battle stamps.
Plus lots and lots of smaller changes.

_____________________________

"Drang nach Osten"
--A TOAWIII AAR--

(in reply to mamnich24)

Post #: 4

RE: Initial Comparisons with TOAW III - 11/26/2017 12:50:52 PM

gbaby

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

The game play is pretty much the same, which means no one broke it. That is a good thing. So far the changes have enhanced the play without disrupting what worked before.

If you have played previous versions, especially advanced rules, you will feel at home.

However, for veteran TOAW players of previous versions, it is well worth the asking price. I haven't been as pleased on a war game purchase since... well, forever.

It is hard to explain, since I bought the SAME game again! But the folks who worked on TOAW IV obviously play the game themselves, so they didn't break, they enhanced.

UI is the first thing you notice. It improves game play. The UI panel is very helpful, like ability to change from viewing top unit in stack to group composition. Organization of buttons is more intuitive.

Graphics update impact is impressive, much cleaner maps and units, UI, reports, etc. Huge benefit for tired eyes compared to TOAW III.

Battle stamps really helps, gray crossed swords from previous combats, gold crossed swords for planned combats, and red crossed swords for previous combats that apply movement penalties to any unit moving into that hex.

Under the cover improvements are all beneficial, like naval combat, extended supply, new bridge rules (really needed), mud & snow, all of it enhancing, not breaking.

Obviously the folks who brought us TOAW IV are fellow players and love the game.

(in reply to mamnich24)

Post #: 5

RE: Initial Comparisons with TOAW III - 11/26/2017 3:54:40 PM

Cfant

Posts: 473
Joined: 12/12/2010
Status: offline

Mainly better ui and more infos,e.g. turn end because of failed prof check. Much more transparent. Bts makes time burn less tragic and makes the game much better to get in for new players. Navy improved. Same game,much better. Like panzer corps is just panzer general,just better and more modern 😉

(in reply to gbaby)

Post #: 6

RE: Initial Comparisons with TOAW III - 11/26/2017 4:43:04 PM

gbaby

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

quote:

ORIGINAL: larrybush
Well for my two cents the editor is rather buggy now!

I was addressing "play wise", but I agree, the editor didn't seem to get any attention. I've not messed with it yet, has it new problems or just the same as TOAW III?

Anyway, we can only hope that it will get some attention in the future.

Post #: 7

RE: Initial Comparisons with TOAW III - 11/26/2017 5:44:05 PM

DanNeely

Posts: 489
Joined: 10/18/2005
Status: offline

This was posted in regards to scaling for high DPI screens; but since the developer said the editor is all old code I'd assume it's still basically unchanged since TOAW III.

quote:

ORIGINAL: ralphtricky

I can take a look, but the editor is all 'Old Code' so answer will almost certainly be 'not soon.' You'll have to use the other method of setting the overall screen resolution.

_____________________________

Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man ... weighing all things in the balance of reason?
Is not [it] an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful?
--Zachris Topelius

(in reply to gbaby)

Post #: 8

RE: Initial Comparisons with TOAW III - 11/26/2017 6:12:27 PM

gbaby

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

Personally, I'm happy they didn't hold back the release of TOAW IV for editor work, if there is any plan to touch it in the future. Any work there that makes it easier to use is worth it, in my opinion.

Doesn't change one iota about how I feel about the TOAW IV release. I'm glad it is in my hands, I'm glad I can play my old scenarios on it, I'm glad TOAW never died! Count me as one of the satisfied customers, if I didn't make it clear already.

< Message edited by gbaby -- 11/26/2017 6:13:05 PM >

(in reply to DanNeely)

Post #: 9

RE: Initial Comparisons with TOAW III - 11/26/2017 6:51:31 PM

sPzAbt653

Posts: 9511
Joined: 5/3/2007
From: east coast, usa
Status: offline

quote:

since the developer said the editor is all old code I'd assume it's still basically unchanged since TOAW III.

Just to clarify, he said it is old code, not that it was entirely unchanged. For example, open a scenario in the editor and hit 'U' to see some preliminary work. Anyone familiar with III will see the difference.

(in reply to DanNeely)

Post #: 10

RE: Initial Comparisons with TOAW III - 11/27/2017 7:15:22 PM

rtropp

Posts: 30
Joined: 2/12/2011
Status: offline

I just downloaded it and it is much easier on these old eyes. The first few minutes working with time stamps and it seems to be easier for me to grasp and use. But, time will tell.
The one negative I have, so far, is that you cannot generate a jpg of the current map. One of the fun things for me is to generate a jpg, down load to a graphics package and print, and then write all over it as I plan the round. At the beginning of the next round I can reference it to see what I attempted compared to how it came out. Hopefully they will fix that soon.

< Message edited by rtropp -- 11/27/2017 7:16:11 PM >

(in reply to sPzAbt653)

Post #: 11