Afraid of this one? (Full Version)

All Forums >> [Current Games From Matrix.] >> [Napoleonics] >> Crown of Glory: Emperor's Edition



Message

pvthudson01 -> Afraid of this one? (8/1/2009 1:04:54 PM)

Reading up on this game for weeks now and still afraid to take the plunge, I think I just will. Have had several let downs with EU3 and found it not grognardy enough for me, I need to get in there on my battles and get my hands dirty.

I am primarily a hexed based wargamer when it comes to fights, so I like the combat in this game, don't mind province movement for overland stuff.

Reading some beginner threads just a few questions:

With the latest patch how would you NOW rate the status of the manual and the gameplay?

Has the introductory factor gotten any easier?

Can you automate much of the game to allow a person to get into the flow quickly?

What would you say to detractors that railed on this game with claims like "To me – a strategy gamer, mind – it was boring, unintuitive, extremely hard to learn, user-unfriendly and very hard on newer gamers, and the 196 page instruction booklet – in PDF format – didn’t help anything"

I am really worried about the manual and if Matrix will make efforts to help this game appeal to all wargamers.

I have played games like Korsun Pocket and COTA a lot, so just wondering where the complexity lies in this one and how many options I can turn off and on




terje439 -> RE: Afraid of this one? (8/1/2009 2:07:14 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: pvthudson01
a) What would you say to detractors that railed on this game with claims like "To me – a strategy gamer, mind – it was boring, unintuitive, extremely hard to learn, user-unfriendly and very hard on newer gamers, and the 196 page instruction booklet – in PDF format – didn’t help anything"

b) I have played games like Korsun Pocket and COTA a lot, so just wondering where the complexity lies in this one and how many options I can turn off and on



a) If any self proclaimed strategy gamer has stated that about CoG:EE he is either stark raving mad or no strategy gamer.
Boring? Hah, I've spent up to 4 hrs on one battle, smoking waaay too much trying to fight off a stronger enemy. Hard to learn? Sure, but tell me any GOOD strategy game that ain't. However a few short runs against the AI and you will start to learn by your mistakes, and besided the really selling points with ANY matrixgame title is the forum. There are no stupid questions.
b) I guess what some/many/all may find somewhat difficult in the beginning is the economy part, but by now there are alot of guides, so even advanced economy should be understandable to any player that will take his time to read in the forums or who is willing to restart the game a few times as he learns from his/her mistakes.

Terje



barbarossa2 -> RE: Afraid of this one? (8/1/2009 2:43:51 PM)

It has been my favorite Napoleonic game of all time. Mostly because of the diplomatic options. And because of the economy. In most Napoleonic games, you sit around and get bored if you are not involved in some major war--mostly because there is nothing else to do. CoG:EE keeps you nicely busy (and relatively entertained) even in times of peace. In other Napoleonic games, conflicts erupt because often there is nothing else to do. In CoG:EE, trade issues are real, and can and do raise tensions. FINALLY we have a game like this.

PBEM games are the best. Human players are much more interesting than computer ones any day (in any game).

Learning curve is normal for a good grognard wargame. IMHO, anything you can "learn and play" in 15 minutes is a waste of time. If you want to play, 1) watch the included video tutorials, 2) read the manual taking a few notes (realize that some minor items in the manual are now out of date), 3) play a game as Sweden (choose Sweden because it doesn't have a ton of provinces, 4) IMHO, use advanced economy from the beginning, so you don't have to make major memetic changes as you get better in the first 4 days of play.

During my first games I turned on the trade "expert", and the economy "expert" until I got used to ordering units around on the strategic map. Then, within a couple of days, I turned each of them off and began delving into the economics of it. IMHO, the advanced economy is actually rather simple if you ask me (usually), I would be ready for a whole bold new step with added options now. In fact, most players in PBEM would probably agree that we want a few more options now.

PBEM has run flawlessly, and since the update, I haven't had a single real technical issue while playing. Of course, there are still a few minor bugs, but no one in PBEM is really complaining about them majorly, because they really are minor, and rarely effect game play now. Good news is: WCS is active in the forums, listens to user feedback, and is continually working on improvements.

That's my review for you.



pvthudson01 -> RE: Afraid of this one? (8/1/2009 4:49:42 PM)

Well I took the  plunge, I just could not resist. Another 50 bucks gone! It all goes for a good cause though. Besides, I sold crappy consoles games for the money anyway :)

Now, back to Birth of America 2 for a bit



06 Maestro -> RE: Afraid of this one? (8/1/2009 5:57:48 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: pvthudson01


What would you say to detractors that railed on this game with claims like "To me – a strategy gamer, mind – it was boring, unintuitive, extremely hard to learn, user-unfriendly and very hard on newer gamers, and the 196 page instruction booklet – in PDF format – didn’t help anything"


I had to smile when I read this. This can't be taken seriously, except that it really looks like someone has an "ax to grind".

When I first start playing a new game, I usually spend very little time with the game instructions-I just start playing. I found that I was able to very quickly get the main features of CoG EE and was playing right along. As I become familiar with how it all came together, questions began to come up about certain little things. With the exception of perhaps two issues, I was able to quickly find the answer in the PDF manual. With the large number of CoG veterans here, my other questions were answered very quickly.

User unfriendly? I don't understand that. The only issue that could refer to was the lag which occurred when going into the economic windows prior to the patch. Everything else is laid out very well and the map (and its functions) rank with the best I have ever seen.

As far as the difficulty goes; this is a game with options that span a huge area. If someone thinks that this game is too difficult when they have it on simple economics, and are using the "strategic" and "tactical" advisers, they should look for another form of entertainment. If one prefers a deep strategy game, the advance economy settings, diplomacy, and detailed battles certainly fit that bill. You can spend hours on a single battle if you choose. You can also go for a quick resolution of a major detailed battle (even after fighting pat of the battle) if one so desires. The distinct differences in the various nations coupled with the multitude of difficulty options give this game a huge re-playability rating.

If you want to know about the game you should toss out that seriously flawed analysis that I quoted. Read some AAR's here.

I am not a big fan of the Napoleonic era by any means. However, I have found this game very interesting, challenging and enjoyable. It also has a WEGO PBEM system for up to 8 players. This is a great game.

There were bugs in the initial release (that;s amazing[8|]) and there may still be trade issues in PBEM, but the developer is here keeping an eye on things incase real issues should come up.



06 Maestro -> RE: Afraid of this one? (8/1/2009 6:01:25 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: pvthudson01

Well I took the  plunge, I just could not resist. Another 50 bucks gone! It all goes for a good cause though. Besides, I sold crappy consoles games for the money anyway :)

Now, back to Birth of America 2 for a bit




I'm confident you will really enjoy the game. After you get a good feel for it, check out PBEM-a new dimension.



pvthudson01 -> RE: Afraid of this one? (8/1/2009 6:02:47 PM)

No not at all, it is always good to hear from others so I know what to expect.

Just finished a simple 6 turn game of BOA1 and now have to head out so COG:EE will have to be started tonight.

I am sure I will have plenty of stupid questions



06 Maestro -> RE: Afraid of this one? (8/1/2009 6:17:37 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: pvthudson01
I am sure I will have plenty of stupid questions



As I have found here, there is no shortage of guy's that will answer questions in a friendly manner. I've asked a couple of odd one's. The answer was right in front of me, but the eye's just don't register info 100% of the time.
100 sets of eyeballs are better that two.[;)]




pvthudson01 -> RE: Afraid of this one? (8/1/2009 6:30:10 PM)

Well I also didnt know the game came with 7 tutorial videos, that is pretty nice. Watching number two now because I was always curious about movement. Nice touch to include those



Queeg -> RE: Afraid of this one? (8/2/2009 5:24:28 AM)

Just dive in and learn as you go. I started a short 1792 campaign as GB and read Brian Morgan's advanced economy guide (it's in one of the threaded stickied above) and followed his advice until I got the hang of things for myself. I didn't win the campaign, but I think I now have the strategic game down. Still working on the detailed combat, but that will come next.

I, too, am a refugee from EU3. I admire the scope of the game. But, in the end, EU3 comes down to a game of warfare, and the combat model if far too simplistic and sometimes frustrating. COG:EE does a very nice job of balancing the strategic and tactical games. The strategic campaigns are sufficiently complex to make the tactical battles actually worth fighting.

I'm really enjoying this game. It has matured a great deal since the original COG.



Marshall Thomas -> RE: Afraid of this one? (8/2/2009 9:43:51 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Queeg

Just dive in and learn as you go. I started a short 1792 campaign as GB and read Brian Morgan's advanced economy guide (it's in one of the threaded stickied above) and followed his advice until I got the hang of things for myself. I didn't win the campaign, but I think I now have the strategic game down. Still working on the detailed combat, but that will come next.

I, too, am a refugee from EU3. I admire the scope of the game. But, in the end, EU3 comes down to a game of warfare, and the combat model if far too simplistic and sometimes frustrating. COG:EE does a very nice job of balancing the strategic and tactical games. The strategic campaigns are sufficiently complex to make the tactical battles actually worth fighting.

I'm really enjoying this game. It has matured a great deal since the original COG.

I was probably going to buy COG:EE anyway, but this post makes it a definate buy for me. Thanks



pvthudson01 -> RE: Afraid of this one? (8/2/2009 4:28:40 PM)

I like the fact that the advanced economy guide is included in PDF with the purchase. Nice touch



Queeg -> RE: Afraid of this one? (8/3/2009 12:54:55 AM)

One other tip: F1 is your friend. You can access most of the game's basic rules in-game.



Anthropoid -> RE: Afraid of this one? (8/3/2009 1:29:11 AM)

I don't think I've read a single page of the rulebook and I've done fairly well!



ubik -> RE: Afraid of this one? (8/12/2009 2:28:01 AM)

This game is worth it. One of the best strategy games around imo. If you are an old school strategy gamer you'll love it.


I disagree with you on EU3, though. ;)



ubik -> RE: Afraid of this one? (8/12/2009 2:29:21 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Anthropoid

I don't think I've read a single page of the rulebook and I've done fairly well!


But you have a pet shark and laser rays![;)]

I think the manual is essencial, unless you are already a CoG veteran.



Page: [1]

Valid CSS!




Forum Software © ASPPlayground.NET Advanced Edition 2.4.5 ANSI
1.578125