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iberian -> RE: Cross-marketing unappreciated (2/14/2005 10:39:17 AM)
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I bought both the FG '85 and NGP '85, and played them a few times, but I also bought Flashpoint Germany as soon as it went on market. As all of you say, these games are totally different, and have their strength and weakness. They also share some common problems.
I consider myself a "grognard", whatever that implies, and I'm the kind of wargamer that goes nuts when PzKpfw III Ausf.J of the early series is portrayed with an L/60 instead of a KwK 38 L/42... you get the idea. Still, I believe that most of the wargamers are "grognards", specially the ones that go through the trouble of buying products that are marketed online, and not readily available in department stores. That's why I find somewhat strange that wargame designers take steps to make the wargame "more fun", by modelling warfare in an unrealistic or simplified manner. (It's not like you are attracting 15 year old Quake gamers to Flashpoint Germany by portraying certain aspects unreallistically, because is deemed to be more fun)
As such, I don't find that Flashpoint Germany is less detailed than the above mentioned operational wargames, specially taking into account that we are dealing with Version 1.0 of the engine. Let's see where this engine ends up in a few years, or after a few patches.
My biggest gripe with FPG is the way they modelled helicopters operations, an aspect of the game that I find lacking and somewhat unrealistic, as I explained in other threads. The fact is that helo operations are somewhat artificial/simplified in FG '85 and NGP '85 too, and as such, they are also prone to "gamey" tactics. I've yet to see a wargame where modern aspects of warfare, such helo operations or electronic warfare, aren't treated in a problematic way.
On the dismounted infantry affair, I share your pain, but I don't find it too problematic. You already have mechanized infantry, that dismounts when they are given "Hold" orders. It's a wargame of mechanized warfare, and foot infantry would be interesting, but would add little to it (but if you ask me, I prefer to have them than not). Sorry, but I find helicopters that have infinite loiter time, that can refuel and rearm anywhere, anytime, a more urgent problem.
But overall, I believe that Flashpoint Germany is a good wargame, and I recommed it to any wargamer that misses the feel of the NATO/WP boardgames of the '80s.
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