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Noob Questions on games - 9/27/2004 11:23:21 PM   
Owlwatcher

 

Posts: 18
Joined: 9/27/2004
Status: offline 		Looking for best Pacific games.
Like the read up on War In The PacificWill War in Europe tie into this game?
How does Uncommon Valor stackup to War In The Pacific.

How good is the Steel Panthers World At War General Edition at doing amphibious assaults.?

Do not like FPS up games.
Post #: 1
RE: Noob Questions on games - 9/28/2004 1:31:16 AM   
Hexed Gamer


Posts: 561
Joined: 6/24/2004
Status: offline 		Hello Owl

First Uncommon Valour is like getting a slice of the war in the Pacific, while War in the Pacific is getting the entire war In the Pacific.
The games are both sort of like family though, if you like one, you will like the other probably.

Uncommon Valour has been out a while, you might be able to find it on a shelf.
But WitP is to some the better ticket (more is after all more).
Both games though are a serious indulgence, I would not call either "light entertainment". This is grognard turf gaming, the amount of "workload" and detail management might over whelm you.

Now as for Steel Panthers and beach assaults, well that is such a massively different scale of action as to make comparing with WitP almost pointless.
Steel Panthers is about landing squads on the beach, not armies.
And I have never played a game that makes it more interesting (beach assaults). But be advised, you get a lot longer turn length game of Steel Panthers when you ask for a scenario that is an entire Normandy beachhead like say Juno.

Playing an airborne drop through Screaming Eagles though is fast furious and not so massive in most of the battles.

I also love playing the marine actions with Operation Watchtower.

I think though, Steel Panthers has the edge over WitP in that it has been around a few years (the game) and has had the greater degree of time put into perfecting it (the software).

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RE: Noob Questions on games - 9/28/2004 1:53:47 AM   
Owlwatcher

 

Posts: 18
Joined: 9/27/2004
Status: offline 		Thanks Hexed Gamer
New to these games. Digging around to see what would catchh my eye.
The money part of playing these games is not that bad, but my time is.
Looks like War In The Pacific is more my stlye of game.

Still Squd or platoon level amphibious assaults done in the pacific are also on my list.
have Taclobsoft rising sun, no company support to fix some of the common errors.
I do not mind doing my own battles.
So what games should I be lookung into.

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Post #: 3
RE: Noob Questions on games - 9/28/2004 3:09:11 AM   
Hexed Gamer


Posts: 561
Joined: 6/24/2004
Status: offline 		Well I am first and last a total grognard, so my enthusiasm tends to get in the way :0

Games that focus on the Pacific never seem as numerous as the European titles.

If you have Rising Sun, but have not played Steel Panthers, get ready for a major surprise. It's a great deal more game. The thing with Steel Panthers is, it isn't just part of the war, it's all of the war. But the Mega Campaign Watchtower has to be experienced. No Pacific fan wants to miss it.

Its an old game, not new, but heck neither is Steel Panthers. Try hunting down Pacific General of the Panzer General series. You might even find it as a download out there.
I discovered it be visiting JPs Panzers.
http://pub131.ezboard.com/bjpspanzers

At the grand strategy level, I don't expect anyone to top WitP any time soon. Well not with a focus on the Pacific at least.

It's a free download here, but Pac War has a fan base that likes it. Might want to give it a look over too. Can't beat the price hehe.

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Post #: 4
RE: Noob Questions on games - 9/28/2004 3:34:16 AM   
EricGuitarJames

 

Posts: 957
Joined: 2/8/2004
From: Not far enough away for some!
Status: offline 		War in the Pacific has plenty of depth but has complexity to match. Definately not one for someone new to computer wargaming!! If it seems like the kind of game you want I would still recommend getting Uncommon Valour first. It has a more limited campaign but has a learning curve that's less steep plus, if it doesn't appeal, it will still have a re-sale value.

As 'Hexed' has already pointed out, Steel Panthers is free so, as with any free game, there's not much to lose

Now some will differ with me here (shut up Hexed ) but Sudden Strike 2 has a campaign set in the Pacific which is worth playing (I said 'shut up' Hexed) but only if you can pick it up cheaply.

Another cheap option is 'Close Combat 5'. Although the game is set in Normandy there is a mod available from www.closecombat.org which gives a campaign set on Okinawa. Again this game is available on a budget release.

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RE: Noob Questions on games - 9/28/2004 5:07:30 AM   
Hexed Gamer


Posts: 561
Joined: 6/24/2004
Status: offline 		Shutting up here Eric :)

Oh just inquiring, but doesn't Combat Mission have a user made Pacific mod?

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Post #: 6
RE: Noob Questions on games - 9/28/2004 5:28:43 AM   
KG Erwin


Posts: 8981
Joined: 7/25/2000
From: Cross Lanes WV USA
Status: offline 		SPWaW has several excellent amphib assault scenarios, including Bill Wilder's "Iwo Jima" and "A Marine Moment" (Peleliu). Also, Orzel Bialy's recently-released "Terrible Tarawa" is now available at the SPWaW Depot.

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RE: Noob Questions on games - 9/28/2004 10:55:43 AM   
Owlwatcher

 

Posts: 18
Joined: 9/27/2004
Status: offline 		Thanks again for all this insights to the different games and there formats.
Been around war games along time. Does any one here remeber card board
Have all three of the Talconsoft games. Pacific,russua, europe.
Playing flights sims at the moment IL-2 lineup flight games and keeping an eye on http://www.aworldatwar.com/ since its an old favorte .
Il-2 up grading to Pacific figters some time soon.
Aways back I use to play http://www.cincpac.com/ and totatly enjoyed it.
Just letting everyone know where I stand in this area of gaming.

Spent so much time with IL-2 that I am ignorent to the rest of the world of games.
Had a good chuckle on systems regruied to run some of these games . These games seem dated to me.

everyone seems to speak very highly of WitP from all my reading. It has made the list of to buy.

Still looking for the best at recreating a amphibious assault done with the very least USMC units and eguipment .
I like it at squad or platoon level. game level maybe company level..
Aao want to be able to design my own battles.

Do these requirements cut the choices down any.?

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Post #: 8
RE: Noob Questions on games - 9/28/2004 11:14:27 AM   
Owlwatcher

 

Posts: 18
Joined: 9/27/2004
Status: offline 		This Mega Campaign Watchtower What all is required? Is it just one CD.
Would prefer to have a my own CD copy of a game.
Getting picky with age.

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Post #: 9
RE: Noob Questions on games - 9/28/2004 11:24:11 AM   
Owlwatcher

 

Posts: 18
Joined: 9/27/2004
Status: offline 		Sudden Strike 2 has a campaign set in the Pacific which is
is 'Close Combat 5'

Are thses FP shooters? Do not care for FPS types of games.

(in reply to Hexed Gamer)
Post #: 10
RE: Noob Questions on games - 9/28/2004 3:33:34 PM   
Hexed Gamer


Posts: 561
Joined: 6/24/2004
Status: offline
quote:

Have all three of the Talconsoft games. Pacific,russua, europe.


As you mentioned Rising Sun, I am thinking you meant the Campaign Series (East Front II West Front and Rising Sun).

Mega Campaign Watchtower is a secondary purchasable program only from Matrix Games, that is added to the normally free core game called Steel Panthers World at War.

Core game found here.

http://www.matrixgames.com/support/downloads-sp.asp

Watchtower can be purchased separate here

http://www.digitalriver.com/dr/v2/ec_MAIN.Entry16?SP=10024&PN=29&xid=45905&V1=30020201&V2=30020201&V3=1&V4=38&V5=11000294&S1=&S2=&S3=&S4=&S5=&DSP=0&CUR=124&PGRP=0&CACHE_ID=0

But the smart money choses this option.

http://www.matrixgames.com/game.asp?gid=297

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Post #: 11
RE: Noob Questions on games - 9/28/2004 3:39:15 PM   
Hexed Gamer


Posts: 561
Joined: 6/24/2004
Status: offline 		Regarding cd, the Mega Campaigns in their early days were sold online on a cd defacto. but have since moved to being a digital download, and the cd is a 10 dollar extra cost if you wish it sent to you on a physical medium.

The file size is normally fairly small of size for the Mega Campaigns.
It's the core game file that weighs in at a hefty 429 megs that adds the size to the end result.

Burning them to a cd is a fairly simple process if you have a cd burner. But the option to get a cd is there if you need it.
You get a great cost saving buying the 4 Mega Campaign option, plus you get the whole deal on just one cd (no need for more than one cd is good :)).

On scale of action, I can only gush on at length like a shameless fan boy I guess :)
You will not have experienced amphibious invasions ever like you get with Steel Panthers.

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Post #: 12
RE: Noob Questions on games - 9/28/2004 8:02:08 PM   
Owlwatcher

 

Posts: 18
Joined: 9/27/2004
Status: offline 		As you mentioned Rising Sun, I am thinking you meant the Campaign Series (East Front II West Front and Rising Sun).

Yes these are the games I have. I could not remenber there real names. Just remembered the theaters that they covered.
The games have errors in the software that causes it to crash and burn. There are work arounds ,but with no company support I did not want to waste my time with these games any more.

Will look at Steel Panther, It does look interesting .
Thanks again for all your help.

(in reply to Hexed Gamer)
Post #: 13
RE: Noob Questions on games - 9/28/2004 9:26:17 PM   
wodin


Posts: 10762
Joined: 4/20/2003
From: England
Status: offline 		Squad level try Squad Battles Pacific War by HPS games. It also has a user made mod to turn it into Africa at War.

Since Close Combat made a gap in my life, Ive discovered Squad BAttles which is a fine replacement.

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Post #: 14
RE: Noob Questions on games - 9/28/2004 9:46:22 PM   
EricGuitarJames

 

Posts: 957
Joined: 2/8/2004
From: Not far enough away for some!
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Owlwatcher

Sudden Strike 2 has a campaign set in the Pacific which is
is 'Close Combat 5'

Are thses FP shooters? Do not care for FPS types of games.


No, they are 'tactical' level games. Force level varies but you rarely control more than a battalion of troops in a battle. Of the two, 'Close Combat 5' has vastly superior gameplay although not quite the scope of 'Sudden Strike 2'. Apparently 'Sudden Strike 3' focusses on the Pacific Campaign but I've not seen a release date, any reviews, previews or even a screenshot. 'Combat Mission' (Hexed mentions it above) is another game that is set at a tactical level and may be worth checking out if there is a Pacific mod out there. I've never seen it so I can't say.

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RE: Noob Questions on games - 9/28/2004 10:19:26 PM   
Owlwatcher

 

Posts: 18
Joined: 9/27/2004
Status: offline 		No, they are 'tactical' level games. Force level varies but you rarely control more than a battalion of troops in a battle.

Are rhese games on the same lines as Advanced Squad Leader board games?

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Post #: 16
RE: Noob Questions on games - 9/28/2004 10:26:55 PM   
EricGuitarJames

 

Posts: 957
Joined: 2/8/2004
From: Not far enough away for some!
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Owlwatcher

No, they are 'tactical' level games. Force level varies but you rarely control more than a battalion of troops in a battle.

Are rhese games on the same lines as Advanced Squad Leader board games?


In terms of the scale then I would give a qualified yes in answer to that question. But both games are played out in 'real-time' rather than being turn based.

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Post #: 17
RE: Noob Questions on games - 9/28/2004 11:21:11 PM   
Owlwatcher

 

Posts: 18
Joined: 9/27/2004
Status: offline 		Thanks for replying to all my stubid questions.

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Post #: 18
RE: Noob Questions on games - 9/29/2004 12:04:29 AM   
Hexed Gamer


Posts: 561
Joined: 6/24/2004
Status: offline 		To clarify, Eric's comment of real time applies to Sudden Strike.

Steal Panthers is turn based of course.

And Steal Panthers is so close to looking like ASL, that there is almost no point in making a computer version of ASL, you might as well just get a copy of Steal Panthers.

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Post #: 19
RE: Noob Questions on games - 9/29/2004 12:52:33 AM   
EricGuitarJames

 

Posts: 957
Joined: 2/8/2004
From: Not far enough away for some!
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Owlwatcher

Thanks for replying to all my stubid questions.


No worries, we were all newbies once... and sometimes I think we still are

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Post #: 20
RE: Noob Questions on games - 9/29/2004 2:06:43 AM   
Fred98


Posts: 4430
Joined: 1/5/2001
From: Wollondilly, Sydney
Status: offline 		In the early 1990’s Avalon Hill and Atomic Atomic ( www.atomic.com ) got together and made a series of operational level wargames, known as the World at War series.

These were top down 2D and were similar to the old hex based turn based board games of past. But they added hundreds of variables that could never be managed manually by players and the series was very popular among wargamers. And could be played by email.

About 1994, Avalon Hill and Atomic, began work on a game that was intended to be Advanced Squad Leader for computer. But instead became Close Combat.

Close Combat is top down 2D squad level combat. You control a re-inforced platoon or a half a rifle company – depending on your view.

From time to time you get a tank in support or an AT gun for defence.

It is a tactical level game and can be described as “continuos time tactical”. Its not turn based.

You have a maximum of 15 teams to control, but normally you rest those not currently engaged so you only control a few at a time.

The thing about Close Combat 1, is that when one of your soldiers is killed you feel it. There is a great desire to preserve the lives of your soldiers

It is a great game and I have been a fan since September 1996 when it was released. Playing online against a human opponent completely changed by ideas about wargaming.


In December 2000, Close Combat 5 was released. There was a demo released. I suggest you try it. You will be hooked.

There is a fan site here : www.closecombat.org

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RE: Noob Questions on games - 9/29/2004 2:54:57 AM   
Hexed Gamer


Posts: 561
Joined: 6/24/2004
Status: offline 		Yep Close Combat is a good deal, probably the only not turn using game I openly endorse totally (and that is saying something from me hehe).

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RE: Noob Questions on games - 9/29/2004 3:16:17 PM   
Owlwatcher

 

Posts: 18
Joined: 9/27/2004
Status: offline 		Thanks for the detailed information on Close Combat .
Sounds interesting, but not what I am looking for at this moment.
Funny you mentioned Avalon Hill . The first wargame played and owned was Panzer Blitz.
Use to work near thsir store. Corps level Panzer Leader,

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Post #: 23
RE: Noob Questions on games - 9/29/2004 3:33:26 PM   
Hexed Gamer


Posts: 561
Joined: 6/24/2004
Status: offline 		It should be mentioned, because there ARE people that have not seen the program, but you can get a lot of good wargaming in through your computer, and never have to settle for just computer games.

Look into VASL or Cyberboard if you are unfamiliar with it.

http://www.vasl.org/

http://cyberboard.brainiac.com/

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Post #: 24
RE: Noob Questions on games - 9/30/2004 2:33:26 AM   
wodin


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

I really think Squad Battles Pacific War would suit you fine. Turn based boardgame feel with some added benefits of PC technology.

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Post #: 25
RE: Noob Questions on games - 10/10/2004 2:22:27 AM   
arax3

 

Posts: 2
Joined: 10/10/2004
Status: offline 		The Pacific Campaign is of no interest to me, sloughing thru jungles, shooting snipers out of trees, machine gunning human wave assaults, mass suicides, cowardly admirals. I have played severa Pacific games including Rising Sun and Grigsby's War in the Pacific. Also, played some carrier games. Unsatisfactory. A3

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Post #: 26
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