Worth it in 2021?

Matrix Games Forums

Forums Register Login Photo Gallery Member List Search Calendars FAQ

My Profile Inbox Address Book My Subscription My Forums Log Out

Worth it in 2021?

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] >> Carriers At War >> Worth it in 2021?

Page: [1]

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

Worth it in 2021? - 11/24/2021 12:10:40 PM

ObeseMonkey

Posts: 91
Joined: 6/5/2020
Status: offline

Hi, saw this was on sale for only about 6 quid. So I�m wondering if it�s still worth getting in 2021? Zakbloods post shows it runs, but how well does it run on windows 10? Also clearly it is no longer supported so is there any game breaking bugs I should be aware of?

Don�t know if anyone even comes here anymore. But hopefully someone sees this.

Thanks!

Post #: 1

RE: Worth it in 2021? - 11/24/2021 12:42:25 PM

Propitious Crane

Posts: 30
Joined: 9/15/2018
Status: offline

Hi

I'm not aware of any game-breaking bugs, although one thing I have noticed is that periodically, it just won't run. Then a week or two later, it does. This is under Windows 10. The only cause I can think of is that it's something to do with W10 either updating itself or not doing so.

It's better than the previous game graphically and in the interface. It's not as good in others. You don't have control of which squadrons fly CAP, for example. So if you have short-ranged Sea Hurricanes and longer-ranged Fulmars, you'd want the former on CAP, with the Fulmars held in reserve so they can escort outgoing strikes. The AI doesn't consider this at all, and often tasks them the wrong way round. So you have not-very-good Fulmars on CAP while the enemy carriers are out of range of your Hurricanes. The strike transfer facility has disappeared, too.

When it comes to editing, adding aircraft graphics is easy, adding ships is laborious, and the "library" that comes with game includes very few non-US vessels so any scenarios other than USA vs Japan take a lot of work. New maps are time-consuming too. I use Google Earth shots and pretty them in GIMP. But as you're looking down on a dome in Google Earth, the centre is too close to the corners when you flatten it into 2D. So I then fiddle with the map to make the distances correct: Saigon to Singapore should be 600 miles, for example, which takes a bit of editing to achieve.

The biggest issue in editing is that although you can change the nationalities and icons (almost everything actually), you cannot change the text description of the Axis. It's "Axis-Japan" no matter what you do, which is ridiculous for any ETO and MTO scenario you might want to create or edit.

It's fundamentally the same game as the one I started with in 1995 except the looks, music and interface are appropriately better. It says a lot for it that it's still entertaining 26 years later. For the price of 2 coffees I'd say it was worth it.

(in reply to ObeseMonkey)

Post #: 2

RE: Worth it in 2021? - 11/24/2021 3:08:08 PM

mimarsp

Posts: 29
Joined: 2/25/2015
Status: offline

I had the original SSG Complete Carriers at War CD. Excellent, with LOTS of extra user created scenarios. Including Atlantic and Med. I still keep an OLD Mac just to play it and some other old titles. I Will admit that's that very rare. I got the NEW (2007) Carriers at War with ONLY 6 scenarios (somewhere online you may find another handful of user created scenarios which WILL run OK) Again I admit to NOT playing it at all. Purchased 1 year ago while on sale and with ANNIV. coupon. Think I got it for$3.49 US. So I''d say IF you can buy it for about the cost of 2 coffees as P.Crane says..then go for it. If not have a look at.... 'Carrier Battles 4' from Avalon Digital. Actually look at that no matter what.

(in reply to ObeseMonkey)

Post #: 3

RE: Worth it in 2021? - 11/25/2021 11:53:43 AM

ObeseMonkey

Posts: 91
Joined: 6/5/2020
Status: offline

Thanks for the detailed responses!

I think I might grab it then. Hardly lost much if it doesn�t work.

Mimarsp, how is the Avalon Digital title? I was put off because I own a few of their games and they have all been sadly abandoned with poor ai. But if the carrier one is any good might have a look into it.

(in reply to mimarsp)

Post #: 4

RE: Worth it in 2021? - 11/27/2021 3:42:53 PM

mimarsp

Posts: 29
Joined: 2/25/2015
Status: offline

OM,
First off...here is a website from which you can download AND successfully launch and play EXTRA Scenarios on Carriers at War...http://www.alternatewars.com/Games/CAW/CAW_Mods.htm.

Next a history of the original SSG titles thru the present, which also has many CURRENT posts as well. I highly recommend for your viewing.....
.https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=4898721&mpage=1&key=�

And finally... I am very pleased with the title CarrierBattles 4. Having simulated this topic, using u-go/I-go boardgame style gameplay, on MANY media, and from MANY authors and developers since the 1970's, I tell you,
this is the BEST of all of them!

I got mine via STEAM, and if you read their discussions and reviews, you'll see that MANY folks agree! It's also available directly from Avalon Digital.
btw...IF you get it via STEAM..only open the game from the STEAM client. I had a Hugh SNAFU by opening from both the client AND the .exe.

(in reply to ObeseMonkey)

Post #: 5