Which Pacific War based games should I get?

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Which Pacific War based games should I get? - 5/30/2010 7:47:22 PM

Fastsnake

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Joined: 5/29/2010
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Hey guys!

I'm pretty new in the little closed wargames' world, as well as on the Matrix forums (I actually come from the Ageod's one).

Historically speaking, I got three main interests: Civil war, WWI and the Pacific's War (I mean during the WWII... Everybody have understood, right?).
If the first two have very few as well as very good games, the choice was not too difficult.

But then, concerning the Pacific conflict, it's another ball game.
Just by checking the site (Matrix one, are you lost?) I've noticed War In The Pacific, Pacific War: Matrix Edition, Storm over the Pacific, Carriers at War, Uncommon Valor, Mega Campaign: Watchtower 1942...
I'm more than lost!

And above all, most of these games seem so complicated to me... It's not that it's a bad point, certainly not, especially for a wargame.
But you know, I've started with the Total War, I thought they were complicated and I struggled to master them, and then I move to the Europa Universalis serie, way more hard to handle, besides I moved to Ageod games, even more complex... And I still don't really master WWI: Gold (for instance, I don't understand **** all about all the navy part).
So, when I see those little maps with squares as units, I feel that it's going to kill me. It's even more true since I'm not a hardcore gamer, mainly due to my girlfriend and the fact that I rarely spend more than 3 months only on the same game (don't hit me, you hardcore gamers who play the same game since you bought it on your NES).

So... I'm relying on you now. Which one do you think I should take?

Thank you a lot!
Sincerely yours,
Fastsnake, a.k.a. the half japanese - half american guy.

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RE: Which Pacific War based games should I get? - 5/30/2010 7:50:42 PM

Bamilus

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I can safely say most people here believe that War in the Pacific: Admirals Edition is the best Pacific War game ever made (or possibly the best WW2 game ever made).

However, since you said you do not like complication, I can not recommend it. It is a great game but it is VERY complex and turns take a long time. You control things down to the smallest detail and very little is automated by the AI for you. Filling ships with supplies and then sending them individually to ports is something that is in this game.

The new Storm Over the Pacific looks like a much more toned down version of the Pacific War and might be something you would like. I'd wait for that.

EDIT: Carriers at War seems to be a favorite among a fair amount of people. I have no experience with the game however. It is made up of scenarios, and not a campaign.

Uncommon Valor seems to be just a southeast campaign of the War in the Pacific game. I have no experience with it so someone please correct me if my view of it is wrong.

Mega Campaign: Watchtower 1942 is a campaign series for the game Steel Panthers. Steel Panthers is an old game but still has a large community. The game can be downloaded for free (along with lots of mods/scenarios). I don't like the game but many many people do. It is an operational (or tactical) level game.

Don't be overwhelmed. I'm a pretty recent convert to Matrix Games in general and I've been very pleased. Since I'm only 20 for my previous 7 years of what I consider "basic wargaming" I've mainly played PI games which are less complex and more strategical than Matrix Games (in general). Now I'm getting into more operational games and at first I was very confused and perplexed.

This is a great community and feel free to ask anything you'd like. There are many more knowledgeable people than me that can probably expand more than my post!

< Message edited by Bamilus -- 5/30/2010 7:54:26 PM >

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RE: Which Pacific War based games should I get? - 5/30/2010 7:56:11 PM

Aurelian

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The second in the list is free, so by all means, get it.

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RE: Which Pacific War based games should I get? - 5/30/2010 8:00:55 PM

Hertston

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From: Cornwall, UK
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Regretfully, what Bamilus said about WitP:AE, certainly initially. It's a lifestyle as much as a game.

I'd also agree about maybe waiting for Storm over the Pacific. The devs previous game, WW2: Time of Wrath is excellent having both great historical feel while remaining easy to learn and play and I assume SotP will be the same. You might also want to try Uncommon Valor.. it's the ancestor of WitP but rathjer easier to get a handle on; it's cheap and if you did enjoy it perhaps WitP might be the place to go after all.

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RE: Which Pacific War based games should I get? - 5/30/2010 8:01:30 PM

Hard Sarge

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I would say, try UV, if you like it, enjoy it, then either of the WitP/AE will work for you, as it is more of a smaller set of the bigger game

if UV is too much for you, then the other two will be even more too much

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RE: Which Pacific War based games should I get? - 5/30/2010 8:17:37 PM

SuluSea

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Carriers at War isn't very complicated plus they have a very good tutorial that comes with the game, you will be up to speed in no time. It's more of a beer and pretzels game but that doesn't mean it isn't fun.

Uncommon Valor, War in the Pacific, Admiral's Edition are all the same series of games, Uncommon Valor will give you a good feel for the series and it's still a pretty good game, if you buy it and its to your liking and you find yourself wanting more buy Admiral's Edition.

Storm over the Pacific hasn't been released as of yet and I haven't played mega campaigns.

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RE: Which Pacific War based games should I get? - 5/30/2010 8:28:04 PM

mcissell

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Before wip:ae I was playing War Plan Pacific (Shrapnel Games). This is advertised as start to finish in 3 hours, but after four or five runs it is no longer exciting. It only has ships from CV to CL and although islands are taken it's a win/lose screen.

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RE: Which Pacific War based games should I get? - 5/30/2010 9:42:44 PM

Wolfe1759

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Agree with all that has been said above.

As a comparison to the Ageod games, from the games I own I would rank them as follows, easiest to hardest (in terms of complexity and play time)

Carriers at War
War Plan Pacific
Birth of America
Uncommon Valour
Wars in America
Napoleons Campaigns
Ageods American Civil War
WW1 Gold
War in the Pacific: Admirals Edition

Based on what I have read (and ownership of Time of Wrath) I'd put Storm Over the Pacific between WiA and Nap Camps

As a first PTO game CAW is good fun if you want something that focuses on individual carrier actions, each scenario comprises a few days of action at an operational level, War Plan is fun and covers the whole of the war but after playing it half a dozen or so times I found myself wanting something a bit more involved. In general and for the price it is I would recommend UV as it has a range of scenarios from a week or so in duration to many months, also if you find you like it you could take the step on (or to be honest giant leap) to WITP:AE, though if you do you might find youself scurrying back to a "beer and pretzels" game such as AACW

I know I did.

Overall the best first step into the Pacific for me looks like a competition between Uncommon Valour and Storm Over the Pacific.

< Message edited by Wolfe -- 5/30/2010 9:44:52 PM >

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RE: Which Pacific War based games should I get? - 5/30/2010 10:52:23 PM

htuna

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From what you've said, I'd definitely say NO to War in the Pacific... if Storm of the Pacific is anything like Time of Wrath, I'd say that would be a good choice.. easy to learn and jump in.. a Beer and Pretzels type strategy game.. and Time of Wrath was very addicting to me as well..

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RE: Which Pacific War based games should I get? - 5/31/2010 1:59:00 AM

Fastsnake

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Joined: 5/29/2010
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Ok guys, basing on what you all gentily said to me, I've just bought Storm Over the Pacific. However, regarding their forums, I foresee that the game will be delayed at least one month. Whatever, for now I am supposed to pass my exams instead of being here.

Thank ya'll once again, and Bamilus, the way you described yourself made me doubt... Are you me?!

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RE: Which Pacific War based games should I get? - 5/31/2010 2:20:32 AM

jomni

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Just try PacWar.� You have nothing to loose.
Though less detailed, the decisions that you make is very similar to WitP.� Less micromanagment as well.� That's why I like it better for grand campaign.�

WitP is still the best though I only play the limited scenaiors. You can actually play the UV setting and much more in this game. Game engine is more polished as well.

You might also want to wait for Storm over the Pacific and see what it has to offer.� It's for sure simpler than WitP and but has politics (like HOI? hehe).� Though games like this will be very unrealistic at some point.

Carriers at War gets old after a while because of limited scope and not a lot of decisions to make.

If you want a simple WW2 pacific game, look beyond Matrix.� Try War Plan Pacific from Shapnel games.

HPS Sims also has a Midway game that is rival to Carriers at War. It has more details.

Finally for tactical land battles, I still am avidly playing Campaign Series (Rising Sun). Banzai!

< Message edited by jomni -- 5/31/2010 2:28:04 AM >

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RE: Which Pacific War based games should I get? - 5/31/2010 11:01:50 AM

MajFrankBurns

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Fastsnake you really should start off with some very light wargames I know you will enjoy. They aren't specific to the Pacific War but they are there own little generic wars. So you could pretend they have a Pacific in them.

I recommend Empire Deluxe and The Perfect General by killerbee software @ killerbeesoftware.com

These are very simple very basic games to get into and have some of the greatest ai you will ever play against and won't cost you $80 either (ducking lol) I have been playing them for years now and still go back to them when I just don't feel like playing these more complex wargames you mentioned.

Upgrading from those try to find a copy of Panzer General Pacific War. It has many of the Pacific War scenarios (Guadacanal is one of them I enjoy) and once again pretty basic play without being complicated.

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Post #: 12