Thinking of buying...couple questions (Full Version)

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Terl -> Thinking of buying...couple questions (11/27/2007 2:30:08 PM)

I have been waiting on this one to release as I have always been interested in the Harpoon series (but not a pbem version as you'll see). The only thing holding me back right now is I am unsure of how accessible it may be.

I was in the Infantry and have predominantly played land based war games as I had training in that area. I am somewhat familiar with naval equipment (no expert by far) but a total noob to naval warfare, especially modern naval warfare. Are there tutorials to help get me started? Or would the frustration level be too high?

Thoughts?



CV32 -> RE: Thinking of buying...couple questions (11/27/2007 3:17:58 PM)

I honestly believe that HCE is easy to learn how to play. I am seriously doubtful that anyone could not pick it up pretty quickly.

There are no tutorials as such, but there are plenty of beginner level scenarios, including one in Westpac that will walk you through the basics.

And, if you do get stuck, they will always be someone around to help. Some of us crusty old sea captains have been following the Harpoon series for the better part of twenty years now. [;)]



JudgeDredd -> RE: Thinking of buying...couple questions (11/27/2007 4:02:09 PM)

Terl

I am an Army bod and know nothing really, to speak of, of naval warfare. But this game is great fun.

I haven't as yet, been frustrated by it (a couple of interface things niggle me). Gameplay wise, it's fairly easy to pick up I think.

The most frustrating thing I'm finding is which scenario to play!

Seriously, it's good fun and not very hard to kick off (although I'm finding out loads as I go...especially from here).

Was taken out by 2 torpedos and I had no idea where they came from. Turns out I was lighting myself up like a beacon!



wazza -> RE: Thinking of buying...couple questions (11/27/2007 4:04:46 PM)

I tend to think the same as CV32 - Harpoon's quite easy to pick up, and I could only assume that having a military background like yours would make it even easier.

The tutorial scenarios, and the tutorials/walkthrough in the manual were how I learnt Harpoon many versions ago. They were more than enough to teach me the basics of how the program is driven - and the rest was just messing around and seeing what would and wouldn't work (in tactical terms).



SireChaos -> RE: Thinking of buying...couple questions (11/27/2007 6:56:30 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Terl

I have been waiting on this one to release as I have always been interested in the Harpoon series (but not a pbem version as you'll see). The only thing holding me back right now is I am unsure of how accessible it may be.

I was in the Infantry and have predominantly played land based war games as I had training in that area. I am somewhat familiar with naval equipment (no expert by far) but a total noob to naval warfare, especially modern naval warfare. Are there tutorials to help get me started? Or would the frustration level be too high?

Thoughts?


Don´t worry. I learned how to play WinHarp, HCE´s distant ancestor, when I was a 14-year-old boy whose only naval warfare experience had been playing Battleship with my little brother.



SteveF2006 -> RE: Thinking of buying...couple questions (11/27/2007 7:00:46 PM)

Well, this is from a guy whose MOS was 11B if you know what I mean. [;)] Harpoon is not only a game that is easy to learn but is also difficult to master. This is why you see so many people have played it for years. It offers great platforms and websites for support such as this one and many others. You'll see questions from the newest beginners to guys like me that have 10+ years of have happy 'Pooning under their belts! Actually, now is a great time to take the plunge as it were because of the wonderful support systems in place. Additionally, with the new technologies in place, the game is better than ever!

Best of Luck! [X(]



darknite -> RE: Thinking of buying...couple questions (11/27/2007 7:09:25 PM)

I remember shepherding a convoy across the Atlantic in less-than-real-time on a 386 over college winter break many moons ago.  Things have come a long way since then and there are still challenges to master!

DN



Terl -> RE: Thinking of buying...couple questions (11/27/2007 7:11:57 PM)

Thanks all, CV32, Judge, wazza,SireChaos and SteveF2006, I appreciate the input.. Order getting placed right after this post [:)]

Steve, oh yeah, I know 11B as that is how I started. Then someone let me in OCS and I just stayed Infantry.



NefariousKoel -> RE: Thinking of buying...couple questions (11/27/2007 7:22:51 PM)

Terl-

If you kinda know the weapons systems, you should be good. Even then, it'll only give you the option of useable ones so it just kinda boils down to getting your tactics straight and using them. [8D]

When you start a scenario, browse through each of your ships/subs/ac and get to know them beforehand. This is quite fun for me, learning the abilities of each unit and using them in the best way I see fit for each scenario.



Terl -> RE: Thinking of buying...couple questions (11/27/2007 7:54:50 PM)

Downloading now (at work [:D] ) and will try it out tonight.  I like learning as well and I will definitely try your methods to get used to the abilities of my units. 



SireChaos -> RE: Thinking of buying...couple questions (11/28/2007 12:38:25 AM)

Start with the less complex scenarios. In the original GIUK battleset, start out with the first scenario, a confrontation between two groups of gunboats. Gatekeeper - using ASW aircraft. Duel - a huge but fairly straightforward surface battle. In the original IOPG battleset, the third scenario, The Storm, is almost purely air warfare, with a background you might be familiar with[;)].
Once you are familiar with the basics, one of the Designer´s Series GIUK battlesets has three advanced training scenarios, Matrix Shield, Matrix Siege and Matrix Lance (no connection with Matrix Games, as far as I know [;)]), that are also not very complex but can give you valuable experience.



22sec -> RE: Thinking of buying...couple questions (11/28/2007 5:43:58 AM)

Definitely picking htis up (actually my 32nd BDay is Saturday, and hope to get it then). Loved the original Harpoon some 17 years ago?? Seeing these screens bring back lots of good gaming memories. Played H3ANW, but just never have enjoyed it as well. I had one question. If I wanted to design a scenerios sans naval units, say just airfields and targets, how well would the AI handle trying to either attack from or defend from airbases?



CV32 -> RE: Thinking of buying...couple questions (11/28/2007 5:49:24 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: 21SEC
I had one question. If I wanted to design a scenerios sans naval units, say just airfields and targets, how well would the AI handle trying to either attack from or defend from airbases?


Very well, imho. It used to be that you were stuck with whatever air defenses the code had assigned to a particular airfield or installation. And often you didn't even know what they were.

Now, however, with the introduction of an editable database and mobile land units (MLUs), you can insert customised air defenses into the formation of a given installation. You can place radars, SAM batteries, AAA batteries, etc, wherever you like in defense of an installation.



Terl -> RE: Thinking of buying...couple questions (11/28/2007 1:13:34 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: SireChaos

Start with the less complex scenarios. In the original GIUK battleset, start out with the first scenario, a confrontation between two groups of gunboats. Gatekeeper - using ASW aircraft. Duel - a huge but fairly straightforward surface battle. In the original IOPG battleset, the third scenario, The Storm, is almost purely air warfare, with a background you might be familiar with[;)].
Once you are familiar with the basics, one of the Designer´s Series GIUK battlesets has three advanced training scenarios, Matrix Shield, Matrix Siege and Matrix Lance (no connection with Matrix Games, as far as I know [;)]), that are also not very complex but can give you valuable experience.


Excellent, thank you! Real life got in the way last night so I did not get to try much. I just got started with the westpac walk-through mission when I got interrupted. Hopefully, I will pick that back up tonight. It seemed like a very nice walk through intro. I can hardly wait to get started.



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