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Magpius -> Thoughts (3/31/2011 10:46:27 AM)
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No problems.
I've only played the tutorial through a few times to get used to the interface and the turn/ phase sequences, and started the St. Vith scenario.
So my comments are only initial thoughts.
I do not know anything of the previous history, or earlier iterations of this game, so I came to this title without any expectations; good or bad.
I was surprised at the size of the download too. I mean 24MB! Many recent games total that just for the graphics folder. So given the relatively small footprint, I'm also hoping to try this on my netbook (eee pc) also.
When it 1st loaded I thought, OMG, this game looks 10+ years old, and I also found the forest map graphics too dark. JMass' mod certainly gives it a TOAW-like look, and I further tweaked his set to include waffen and nazi flags. Modding the graphics is relatively easy if you feel inclined to do so.
Don't be put off by the font style or U.I. or criticism of graphics, the mark of a good game is how easily and quickly the graphics just seem right, once you get so engrossed in the play... and this game is in this category.
It is refreshing to play an old-style game, that is one where the reinforcements arrived as historically scheduled. I'm tired of spending half my time chasing down oil or wheat crops, or wondering which tech tree to climb. So focusing on strategy and tactics is where this game shines.
The engineers need to repair bridges, remove obstacles, etc. so you just can't shuffle units around without careful consideration of what each unit's attributes bring to the battle.
The phases are logical and don't stretch out a game turn to an eternity.
The unit postures add an additional level of complexity to the outcomes of the fight.
The use of combat results and movement tables, reminds me of my Avalon Hill games, (a big plus).
The mechanics of unit selection for assaulting attack, direct action, and defensive fire, is similar to Advanced Tactics in some respects, (not a bad thing).
The game supports unit stacking, again a plus, as newer games often don't.
The A.I. can be tweaked or assisted by removing FOW or adjusting CRT column results incrementally to toughen the game, but I'm finding the A.I to be reasonably aggressive.
The manual (PDF) is clear and well written, the rules on paradrops, gliders and amphib. assault, are old-school classics, (Very Grognard), and I'm really looking forward to trying them out.
Again treating this as a new game the price is good. There is a good number and range of scenarios that ship with it, and other user feedback suggests scenario creation may lead to many more.
I don't really play pbem, but the AAR here also looks like it is straightforward. I'm not sure if it protects against multiple turn plays before sending back, (but that's a trust issue anyways).
All in all I'm really pleased I got this title.
I like to support as many developers as I can afford, to keep this genre of game alive, and I'm a matrix fan-boy, But this one is not a charity case, It's a game that I expect I will play for some time to come, and would recommend the purchase.
regards
Agent
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