What is the game really like? (Full Version)

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SquidND -> What is the game really like? (6/12/2007 3:40:23 AM)

I've been looking for a good tactical computer wargame using carriers but I have been unable to find one. My personal favorite board wargame is VG's "Carrier". I have three questions;
1. Are there any similarities to the "Carrier" game?
2. Is there a campaign scenario?
3. Is the combat a bunch of "click and drag" or do you give orders and hope?

This appears to be the game I have been waiting on for years. I was a bit dissapointed in "War in the Pacific" by Matrix and "Pacific Storm". I would appreciate nyone with a solid, unbiased review. Thanks a lot.



Brigz -> RE: What is the game really like? (6/12/2007 3:52:49 AM)

Do you remember the old Battleline game "Flattop"? I believe it is a lot like that. At least that's what the original version of Carriers at War was like. But then I haven't bought the newest incarnation yet but plan to. You can't get anymore unbiased than that.



tedhealy -> RE: What is the game really like? (6/12/2007 4:14:23 AM)

1. Don't know.
2. No.  Just individual non connected scenarios, both historic and what ifs
3. Give orders and hope.

Solid unbiased review?  I plunked my 50 bucks down and I likes it.  It's one of those games you can play a scenario in 30 minutes or less and have fun the whole time. 



Adam Parker -> RE: What is the game really like? (6/12/2007 4:36:54 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: SquidND

I've been looking for a good tactical computer wargame using carriers but I have been unable to find one. My personal favorite board wargame is VG's "Carrier". I have three questions;

1. Are there any similarities to the "Carrier" game?


Do you mean the Victory Games solitaire title? No though you do get a carrier deck screen to keep track of things. This game is a map of the South Pacific with say, up to around 6? Task Groups each for a player to control - maybe more in the later war. Imagine each TG comprising numerous ships which you cannot position or control. If a TG contains a carrier you get to set search directions (not micromanaged grids as the map is too large) and set strikes merely by selecting target, squadron icons and finessing time. You maneuver on map with your TG's to obtain position and play cat/mouse/chicken with the enemy. Once the actions starts the game switches to a 2d top down view in which you watch the action unfold. In surface actions you get to make some generic targeting and approach decisions. You do not get to finesse your formations.

quote:

ORIGINAL: SquidND
2. Is there a campaign scenario?


No but all major carrier actions seem to be included. Coral Sea for example runs 8-9 days. But make an error or get lucky and you can wind up finishing early in this game.

quote:

ORIGINAL: SquidND
3. Is the combat a bunch of "click and drag" or do you give orders and hope?


Give orders and hope. Your carriers stay put in their hex whilst strikes are out and that adds to tension. In the early war the Japanese have an amazing operational range that can make a US player jealous if he hasn't gained some situational awareness. Once you get the hang of it, especially understanding the impact of storm fronts, you do get to appreciate the avenues for maneuver available to you.

This isn't WitP. It's more like a table top game where counters represent groups of ships and you have an automated search system with an automated combat and damage control table.

If there is anything I'd like more: It would be more involvement in the search system, some better situational awareness as to what makes a squadron combat ready and possibly the ability to create TG's on the fly and position ships before air combat.

That and MOST IMPORTANTLY - some randomness in TG's both user and AI - as an option for the player to elongate replayability to the extreme.



Gregor_SSG -> RE: What is the game really like? (6/12/2007 6:27:38 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: SquidND

I've been looking for a good tactical computer wargame using carriers but I have been unable to find one. My personal favorite board wargame is VG's "Carrier". I have three questions;
1. Are there any similarities to the "Carrier" game?
2. Is there a campaign scenario?
3. Is the combat a bunch of "click and drag" or do you give orders and hope?

This appears to be the game I have been waiting on for years. I was a bit dissapointed in "War in the Pacific" by Matrix and "Pacific Storm". I would appreciate nyone with a solid, unbiased review. Thanks a lot.


I'm probably just a teeny bit biased, but here's a link to an AAR I did about Coral Sea, which should give you an idea of how the game works.

I personally find that the best games are those that make you yell encouragement/threats of vengeance at the screen, irrational though that is, and just from reading this forum I know I'm not the only one who does that for CAW, so oher must be finding it as tense and exciting as I do.

http://www.matrixgames.com/articles/caw_aar/caw_aar_page1.asp


Gregor



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