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Dry spell for computer gaming? - 9/12/2004 3:44:01 PM

bartholimew

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Joined: 2/23/2004
From: Swastika Ontario Seriously I am
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Is it my imagination or are things pretty soft out there for half decent games at this moment? I am not into 3D shooters no way. Nor AOE RTS clones, hate em. I really like strategy, turn based or real time is OK. And role playing strategy hybrids. I appreciate graphics (MY opinion but I'm not partial to board game markers in this modern CPU age). Whats around the corner? Well all kinds of stuff, The Fall, Silent Storm 3, UFO 2, Combat leader (hurry-up!), Close Assault (don't shelf it please!).
But right now there is squat for my taste. I just bought a couple discount games from EB and threw my money away. Time to go back and replay...well reload first then replay my old favorites. Medival Total war, not into expansions tho, but we had fun. Squad Assault, yep put time into that, maybe try the new mods, I read the forums there. S2 great graphics there, but no replay value. Close Combat Normandy loved it, too easy tho. Cbt mission, ya I could reload that and play until something new comes along. If there is something out there along those lines let me know. What are you guys playin?

Post #: 1

RE: Dry spell for computer gaming? - 9/12/2004 4:11:24 PM

Hexed Gamer

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Depends on what you call "substance" in your wargame.

I am wondering, do you have any of these games?

Panzer Campaigns several of them.
Squad Battles, several of them.
Campaign series, several of them.
The Operational Art of War
Uncommon Valour or War in the Pacific
Highway to the Reich
Korsun Pocket
Russo German War
Strategic Command
Spartan
Panzer General series

And those are just the WW2 opportunities.
I will allow another member to list the non WW2 listings.

Some of my list are new some are old, and if you haven't played them yet, the age is not relevant.

(in reply to bartholimew)

Post #: 2

RE: Dry spell for computer gaming? - 9/12/2004 4:36:39 PM

W Thorne

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From: Houston
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bartholimew you really need to take a look at Highway to the Reich and War in the Pacific. Both are tremendous games and from Matrix so you don't have to go far in these forums to check them out.

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Post #: 3

RE: Dry spell for computer gaming? - 9/12/2004 6:45:21 PM

Belisarius

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From: Gothenburg, Sweden
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On the light entertainment side, I'm actually looking forward to Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War.

Yes, RTS it is, but with much less of that annoying resource gathering stuff. Your base size and control of territory is what helps you get reinforcements (from orbital ships to your base)

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Post #: 4

RE: Dry spell for computer gaming? - 9/12/2004 8:23:50 PM

ravinhood

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I thought Battles in Normandy went gold? Shouldn't it be around the corner?

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RE: Dry spell for computer gaming? - 9/12/2004 8:41:44 PM

Hexed Gamer

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Rule #1 of wargames, it is never "arrived" until AFTER it is on sale :)

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Post #: 6

RE: Dry spell for computer gaming? - 9/13/2004 12:36:10 AM

Hertston

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From: Cornwall, UK
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Rome: Total War is only a couple of weeks away (if that).

Glad to see somebody else looking out for "The Fall" - I'm eagerly awaiting that one. Silver Style's previous game was Soldiers of Anarchy which is one of my favourite games ever - probably the ultimate "fabulous game nobody bought"

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Post #: 7

RE: Dry spell for computer gaming? - 9/13/2004 1:18:50 AM

wodin

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If you love Close Combat and like turn based then buy Squad Battles Advance of the Reich. With all the new user made scenarios, squad combat in Stalingrad ha snever been as much fun. I was wary of thsi one. Played it a couple of times and thought...........hmm I know a game is here somewhere but Im not getting it............then I read some articles over at Team Echo replayed and now I love the game. Great playing PBEM in the ladder over at The Blitz too. The 3d is dman awfull and should never have been made. Hwoever with the new unit,vehicle,sound and counter mods in 2d it really starts to take a character all of its own. The best thing is that you start to feel for the soldiers. This hasnt happend for me in a game since Close Combat.

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Post #: 8

RE: Dry spell for computer gaming? - 9/13/2004 5:17:28 AM

bartholimew

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From: Swastika Ontario Seriously I am
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hmmm. 2 mentions for squad battles. My local EB has a copy, strange tho since HPS are usually not in commercial retail stores. Thx for the suggestions. They got a Korsun and a HTTR, between the two if I had to chose one......

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Post #: 9

RE: Dry spell for computer gaming? - 9/13/2004 5:35:37 AM

Hexed Gamer

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If it was a contest between Korsun or HTTR, pick HTTR, only because the command aspect of the design is a nice change.

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Post #: 10

RE: Dry spell for computer gaming? - 9/13/2004 5:45:02 AM

Kevinugly

Posts: 438
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From: Colchester, UK
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Hexed Gamer

If it was a contest between Korsun or HTTR, pick HTTR, only because the command aspect of the design is a nice change.

I'd second that and would add that HTTR has a quite forgiving learning curve too.

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Post #: 11

RE: Dry spell for computer gaming? - 9/13/2004 6:25:11 AM

Jane Doe

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quote:

ORIGINAL: wodin

If you love Close Combat and like turn based then buy Squad Battles Advance of the Reich. With all the new user made scenarios, squad combat in Stalingrad ha snever been as much fun. I was wary of thsi one. Played it a couple of times and thought...........hmm I know a game is here somewhere but Im not getting it............then I read some articles over at Team Echo replayed and now I love the game. Great playing PBEM in the ladder over at The Blitz too. The 3d is dman awfull and should never have been made. Hwoever with the new unit,vehicle,sound and counter mods in 2d it really starts to take a character all of its own. The best thing is that you start to feel for the soldiers. This hasnt happend for me in a game since Close Combat.

I felt exactely the same way.
It took me half a year to really enjoy the game. then heard of team echo and their scenarios, then took a closer look to the LARGE maps of Stalingrad and other places. Finally, even though their is NO campaign (which is a shame, because it's one of the only SB to not include one) it's still one heck of a fun game to play.

Now though ,it's been 6 month since i lent my SB AOTR copy to a friend. Each time he comes by, he always forgets to grab it and give it back to me.

It was the only tactical game that I really enjoyed. I hope i'll play it again one day...
It's on the top of my favorite wargames along with HttR and KP...

I also recently bought the whole campaign series while waiting for Battlefields to come out. Anyone novices pbem?

I also own a couple of PzC games, but not the good ones. They also seem to suffer the same fate as most of my HPS games, namely, from the "I lent it to a friend who lives a little too far away" syndrome...

and for the non-ww2 : Tacops v4 period.

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Post #: 12

RE: Dry spell for computer gaming? - 9/13/2004 7:38:40 AM

Fred98

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From: Wollondilly, Sydney
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Wodin, can you provide a link to screen shots?

When Squad Battles came out it looked like a board game of the 1980's. So I never bothered with it.

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RE: Dry spell for computer gaming? - 9/13/2004 9:40:36 AM

Hertston

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From: Cornwall, UK
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quote:

ORIGINAL: bartholimew

hmmm. 2 mentions for squad battles. My local EB has a copy, strange tho since HPS are usually not in commercial retail stores. Thx for the suggestions. They got a Korsun and a HTTR, between the two if I had to chose one......

HTTR. KP is good, HTTR is wargaming genius.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Joe 98

When Squad Battles came out it looked like a board game of the 1980's. So I never bothered with it.

They still do, but in an odd way that's almost the point. Wodin is right on the 3D, it's pretty pointless. I'm a fan of the series too, and would certainly recommend them. I prefer the `Nam games to the WW2 ones.... helicopters are implemented very well.

< Message edited by Hertston -- 9/13/2004 7:40:53 AM >

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Post #: 14

RE: Dry spell for computer gaming? - 9/13/2004 10:03:03 AM

Fred98

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From: Wollondilly, Sydney
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I found a screen shot here:

http://www.strategypage.com/strategypagegamestore/squad_battles_korea.asp

To me, the game looks and feels like a 1977 board game. In the screen shot above, there is a counter to represent a crater. Surely, with computers, we don�t need to place counters!

And see the next screenie:

http://www.wargamer.com/reviews/advance_of_the_reich/balta_large.jpg

Does each counter represent 1 man or 1 squad?

Why does the AT gun face AWAY from the enemy?

What is the counter representing a rifle ??

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Post #: 15

RE: Dry spell for computer gaming? - 9/13/2004 6:20:32 PM

riverbravo

Posts: 1320
Joined: 1/16/2003
From: Bay St Louis Ms.
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Belisarius

On the light entertainment side, I'm actually looking forward to Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War.

Yes, RTS it is, but with much less of that annoying resource gathering stuff. Your base size and control of territory is what helps you get reinforcements (from orbital ships to your base)

Link link link....please!!

I have been waiting for a RTS 40k game since I first got my hands on the TT version!!

F#$^king-A,vookoodinkydau!!...numba-1 numba-1...starcraft...numba-10---WH numba -1

I always wished someone would have made a CC mod into WH40k.

Woot!!!

I heard somthing about a demo...is it out?!!

< Message edited by riverbravo -- 9/13/2004 4:21:05 PM >

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RE: Dry spell for computer gaming? - 9/13/2004 7:28:28 PM

Kevinugly

Posts: 438
Joined: 4/2/2003
From: Colchester, UK
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: riverbravo

quote:

ORIGINAL: Belisarius

On the light entertainment side, I'm actually looking forward to Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War.

Yes, RTS it is, but with much less of that annoying resource gathering stuff. Your base size and control of territory is what helps you get reinforcements (from orbital ships to your base)

Link link link....please!!

I have been waiting for a RTS 40k game since I first got my hands on the TT version!!

F#$^king-A,vookoodinkydau!!...numba-1 numba-1...starcraft...numba-10---WH numba -1

I always wished someone would have made a CC mod into WH40k.

Woot!!!

I heard somthing about a demo...is it out?!!

Could someone please translate into a language I might recognise...... like English

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Post #: 17

RE: Dry spell for computer gaming? - 9/13/2004 7:28:34 PM

wodin

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Joined: 4/20/2003
From: England
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Joe,

Dont judge a book by its cover, as your really missing out big time if you like sqaud based tactical games. Besides it looks better in the flesh so to speak. With the sound mods it sounds superb. This game has LOADS of atmosphere, real edge of your seat stuff.

The best place to go is to the Team Echo site and download the grunt school article.

I find the graphics give this game a real charater. Do NOT be put off by them. If you are then you are going to miss out on one superb game.

The new graphic mods arent a full overhall of the game but my fav are the counter backgrounds. You need to remember that each hex is 40 square metres. This is very important for you to get to grips with the whole system. Also officers are of the prime importance in this game. If one gets sniped the relevant platton is in big trouble.

TEAM ECHO LINK

Their is a review on AoTR and Vietnam on the wargamer site. Also check the forum over at Blitz.

< Message edited by wodin -- 9/13/2004 5:31:36 PM >

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Post #: 18

RE: Dry spell for computer gaming? - 9/13/2004 8:06:04 PM

Mr.Frag

Posts: 13410
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From: Purgatory
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Warhammer Demo is out and somewhat amusing. Pure RTS with all the trimmings.

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Post #: 19

RE: Dry spell for computer gaming? - 9/13/2004 8:27:18 PM

SlapBone

Posts: 269
Joined: 7/27/2004
From: Houston, TX
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Hexed Gamer

I will allow another member to list the non WW2 listings.

In this list (besides Tacops 4 mentioned above) i will give honarable mentions to:

Korea 85
North German Plain 85
Fulda Gap 85

all from HPS' Modern Campaigns series

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Post #: 20

RE: Dry spell for computer gaming? - 9/13/2004 9:46:16 PM

Hertston

Posts: 3564
Joined: 8/17/2002
From: Cornwall, UK
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Joe 98

To me, the game looks and feels like a 1977 board game. In the screen shot above, there is a counter to represent a crater. Surely, with computers, we don�t need to place counters!

It's actually a very effective way of identifying a particular terrain type, and I like the board-game feel (as I do with Korsun Pocket, come to that). These games are not masterpieces of graphics sophistication, are the creation of (to all intents and purposes) one man, and are aimed at a niche not a mass market. You accept that or you don't.

Another reason is that Tiller obviously designs the games with a construction kit, which is one reason he churns them out so quickly. He has never released map full map/scenario editors, much to my irritation, although I understand the reason.

quote:

Does each counter represent 1 man or 1 squad?

Squads. There are exceptions, particularly leaders who have their own counter.

quote:

Why does the AT gun face AWAY from the enemy?

Because the counter graphic was drawn that way round !

quote:

What is the counter representing a rifle ??

There are discarded weapons in the hex (either dropped or the carriers are KIA). Weapons can be picked up, dropped, swapped etc.

quote:

ORIGINAL: wodin

I find the graphics give this game a real charater. Do NOT be put off by them. If you are then you are going to miss out on one superb game.

The new graphic mods arent a full overhall of the game but my fav are the counter backgrounds.

In all honesty the counter and portrait graphics that come with games are pretty awful. The good news is that some very skilled artists have done excellent replacements for all (I think?) of the games now, as well as for the Panzer Campaigns games.

quote:

ORIGINAL: SlapBone

In this list (besides Tacops 4 mentioned above) i will give honarable mentions to:

Korea 85
North German Plain 85
Fulda Gap 85

all from HPS' Modern Campaigns series

The Middle East one is very good - the best game representing the Arab/Israeli wars I've come across. I don't have those games, so can't compare.

< Message edited by Hertston -- 9/13/2004 7:49:20 PM >

(in reply to Fred98)

Post #: 21

RE: Dry spell for computer gaming? - 9/13/2004 9:57:18 PM

wodin

Posts: 10762
Joined: 4/20/2003
From: England
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Hertston

quote:

ORIGINAL: wodin

I find the graphics give this game a real charater. Do NOT be put off by them. If you are then you are going to miss out on one superb game.

The new graphic mods arent a full overhall of the game but my fav are the counter backgrounds.

In all honesty the counter and portrait graphics that come with games are pretty awful. The good news is that some very skilled artists have done excellent replacements for all (I think?) of the games now, as well as for the Panzer Campaigns games.

Thats what I said, check out the new graphic/art mods.

I was debating for over a year whether to buy a SB game. The screenshots put me off asell. However due to the same reasons as this thread I was desparate to find something decent. So I took the risk and Im damn glad I did. I asked plenty of questions over at Blitz and downloaded and read all the articles at Team Echo. I still wasnt 100% sure but I went for it. Like many others who fell for this game at first I just couldnt warm to it. So I re read the strategy articles, took my time,played a couple of scenarios then played a PBEM game. That was it I was converted. The game also has a small dedictaed following and "The Boardgame Project" is a long running project in which they are converting many ASL scenarios for both Eagle Strike and Advance of the Reich.

Joe,

The counters for trench,pillbox etc etc are put there by the scenario designer. There comes with the game so massive maps including the whole of stalingrad. Sections of these maps are used by scenarios designers. i.e. A designer would use Pavlovs house section within the Stalingrad map to make a recreation of that particular firefight. Anyway BTW the beauty of having the counters is that you can place your Pillboxes.Dug out etc wherever you choose when designing a scenario.

This game is as good as the scenario designer. A good scenario will be a joy to play (All the user made ones are fantastic).

Below is an example of the new backgorunds to the counters, far better than blue or reddy/orange. For the SS you get an SS symbol. You also get the relevant badge in the units info screens.