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Von Rom -> (10/12/2002 1:54:14 PM)
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This is a brilliant game. Highly addictive. The strategy is unlimited, and it is highly detailed in layers of information, units, and action.
In just the first three months (in game time) of the main campaign (scenario #17), I have been involved in sweeping carrier battles (8 carriers lost); great naval battles (some involving up to 40 warships including battleships, cruisers, etc); massive bombing operations of Lunga, Port Morseby, etc (often including 120 fighters and bombers at one time); submarine convoy attacks; and vicious hand-to-hand fighting, as the marines fought desperately to re-take Guadalcanal. . .
This game has it all and more. Just when I thought the AI couldn't throw anything more at me, it would launch another well co-ordinated attack.
Currently, the Japanese AI is pulling out all the stops. It has destroyed my surface fleet at Port Morseby, and is conducting on-going air and naval strikes on my port and land forces there. The Japanese have staged several attempts to invade Port Morseby, only to be driven back by my determined air and submarine attacks.
Morale is dropping. . .
During the on-going battles around Port Morseby, I gave orders for several US submarines to attack Japanese naval task forces (that included battleships and heavy cruisers). Several of these subs have been destroyed; others have limped back to Port Morseby for repairs. But still I order them to attack. . .
My air forces at Port Morseby have attacked without let up for almost two months. They are battered, tired, worn out. But still, I order them to attack. . .
There has been an on-going land battle at Gili Gili between the Aussies and Japanese for control of that base. Both sides have been attempting to land more troops and supplies at this location with the resulting clash of surface fleets and airpower.
I have ordered all forces here to continue to attack. . .
Elsewhere, a great naval battle involving 28 warships (including 10 CAs) took place off Guadalcanal. Both fleets retired with many ships sunk and battered.
Shortly after this the Japanese maneuvered north of Tulagi with no lesss than 3 separate Aircraft Carrier Battlegroups (with 5 carriers in total). The Japanese then proceeded to pummel my land and naval forces at Tulagi and Irau, forcing me to withdraw all naval forces to Luganville, except for a couple of submarines.
Faced with over 2:1 odds in carriers, I have withdrawn the carriers Hornet and Enterprise to Luganville. I'm currently building up this base to stage a major attack on Japanese forces.
I have been moving convoys of fuel, supplies and troops to Luganville.
I'm hoping for more reinforcements in CAs, Carriers and destroyers.
In only three months this theatre has taken a frightful toll in ships, planes and men. . .
I play very aggressively. My forces have taken quite a hit, but so have the Japanese. Many of their ships have been sent back to Truk for repairs including several carriers, battleships and CAs. Many of their troop transports and other ships now lie at the bottom of the wide expanse of ocean that stretches from Rabaul to Tulagi, and from Lae to Port Morseby.
All this after only three months. And I still have 17 months to go in the game. Oh, the humanity. . .
The situation has become desperate. . .
Therefore, I plan to attack. . .
Playing UV, more than most books I have read about the Pacific War, has done more to help me to understand the sheer scope and titanic struggle of this theatre of war. It's like living a part of history. It becomes very personal; you really get caught up in the action.
And I have never seen an AI this well programmed in a game before. It has sent land, air, and sea forces to all areas within this theatre of the Pacific, where it has staged surface battles, shore bombardments, carrier strikes, air attacks (on land and sea), amphibious landings, and submarine attacks. And it continues to supply its forces with a well-planned convoy system. At the beginning I didn't respect it; now I do. . .
My only regret is I should have bought this game sooner. . .
Playing UV has now made me anxiously look forward to War in The Pacific.
Cheers!
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