|
Heavensmith -> First Playthrough Feedback! (12/2/2016 9:36:24 PM)
|
Hi everyone,
Well after waiting what felt like forever for this game, I'm finally working my way through my first 1939 campaign as Axis [:)] I played a ton of SC2 in the past, most of it against the computer, so I had gotten the feel of that AI quite well. I was really looking forward to the revised AI, since it's been held in high praise by the devs. Anyhoo, as I plow through my game I thought I'd start sharing some thoughts and observations [:)]
MAP AND AI REMARKS
- The map: I LOVE IT. The new design in general is great, it looks really clean and everything is there. The map is great, and the hexes are a welcome change (I got into wargaming with SC2 so I wasn't used to them yet).
- North Africa: The AI really messed up in North Africa, as it showed no reaction to the Afrika Korps arriving: no retreats, no bunkering down, no huddling around HQs and cities... as a result it got absolutely slaughtered, and the situation is currently snowballing into an Axis conquest of the Middle East. I noticed it had boatloads of unupgraded infantry units, which were next to useless since the combination of tac bombers and tanks just cut through those like butter.
- AI defense: The AI is doing a very good job of using the terrain to set up defensive lines, using rivers and forests as cover. However it doesn't seem to plan ahead very well, and it's easy to catch defenders off guard with only 1 or even 0 entrenchment.
ODDS AND ENDS
- HQ move range: When moving my troops forward I tend to select my HQ first to see how far it can go, and then calculate how far I'll send the rest of my troops according to that (to avoid sending them into low supply areas). When selecting the HQ the hexes it can reach become highlighted in green. The problem is that the units assigned to that HQ are also highlighted in a slightly brighter green, which makes it very difficult to read where I can and cannot send my HQ. A different colour would be nice.[:)]
- "Declare War" button: having one of those in the Diplomacy menu right next to the "exit menu" button feels really weird. I picture a situation like: "open menu, invest some chits into diplomacy, exit menu aaaand **** I just declared war on Turkey". I know there is a "are you sure?" failsafe, but why not leave a single "Declare War" button in the War Maps menu?
- Diplomacy: Speaking of diplomacy, I must admit I was a little disappointed to see the exact same mechanics as SC2 show up. It was by far the weakest aspect of the last game, and they really deserve some improving. I'm not suggesting anything too elaborate since the point of the game is to remain streamlined and accessible, but how about being able to negociate basic pacts such as trade or non-aggression instead of just having an ON/OFF switch for countries?
- Partisans: In the USSR, I've had some partisans strike in occupied cities. Is this intentional? Does occupying a city still leave a small chance of having partisans mess with your supply lines?
GAME BALANCE
- Soviet Winter: Compared to SC2 (in particular Assault on Communism), the 1941 "Soviet Winter" felt very light. At no moment did I feel particularly under pressure.
- Destroyers: Allied destroyers seems to be having a tough time taking out my submarines.
I'll keep this topic updated as I go. [:)]
Cheers!
|
|
|
|
