Schwerpunkt Games - World War II Europe 1939-1945

[Freigeist83]

Stumbled upon "World War II Europe 1939-1945" the other night and really like the old school map and counter graphics:

http://schwerpunkt.games/misc/games/wor ... 1939-1945/

Considering that there are not too many operational level wargames nowadays, this seems to fit a niche.

I found a couple of older reviews, which unfortunately do not go into too much detail:

https://kriegsimulation.blogspot.com/20 ... -from.html

http://grogheads.com/review/7117


With 50 USD the game is not really a bargain and it still appears to be in development (last update V1.0.11 from 28th December 2018).

I have to admit that I am a bit sceptical that one person can research, develop and design the complete second world war in Europe on that level with historically accurate results.


Is anyone actively playing this and could share their opinion on the game?

Are there designer notes available for download somewhere?

[Lobster]

The game can seem somewhat clunky. But once you understand how it works it is fun. Most of the scenarios have been completed. There are only a couple of them left. That would be the huge ones that cover all or much of the war. Some people can't get past the way the game works and so give it bad reviews. It's one of those hate it or like it games, no in between. I'm glad I bought it. Reminds me of the old games from SPI, GDW, etc.

Ron, the lone developer, has said he will look into making the game less clunky to new users once everything is done. I'm thinking that may not come to pass but only time will tell.

[Simulacra53]

In light of the competition is it worth USD 49,-?

AI?

[Lobster]

ORIGINAL: Simulacra53

In light of the competition is it worth USD 49,-?

AI?

Yes it has a programmed opponent. Can't think of any game that has a true artificial intelligence.

I spent that much and more on games, played them once and was unhappy with them. So, you have to ask yourself if you want to take the risk. True of any game out there.

[Simulacra53]

Thanks, I know the drill - however I was hoping for something more positive as a recommendation.
Luxury situation, plenty of other titles to play.

Cheers.

[Freigeist83]

The main criticism in the past seem to have been the game interface and not the mechanics, rules or scenario design.

Found this video from the developer on YouTube (funky style to record a video [:D]):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjn0g24Vdu4

Although the interface appears a bit clunky, the explanations of the developer sound pretty logical...


Talking about competitors in the market of operational level wargames, I guess there aren't too many contenders I can think of:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/7926 ... of_War_IV/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3705 ... _the_East/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/6447 ... _the_West/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/4545 ... arbarossa/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3546 ... Case_Blue/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3377 ... _to_Paris/


Would love to hear the opinion of someone who is playing WWII-E on a regular basis. [:)]

[MrsWargamer]

It is a grognard game all the way.

If you would like Gary's titles, then Ron's game is your thing.

If you like John Tiller's games, then Ron will be your thing.

My only beef with Ron, payment methods.

[pkpowers]

the order of battles and research on scenarios are excellent, but the interface will drive you mad....[:@]

[Simulacra53]

I like John Tiller campaign games.
Before getting WW2E I’ll force myself to play more WitE/W.

...came very close to ordering WW2E but JTS a sale soon and Scheldt 44 must be around the corner.
Last but not least the Steam summer sale is getting very near - with potential a couple of titles and dlc on my wish list.

Not even talking about real life.
Temptation is sometimes hard to resist.

WW2E can wait a little longer I guess
[:D]

[Lobster]

So many games. So little time. [:D]

[Freigeist83]

John Tiller's Panzer Campaign Series is great.

But I really like about WWII-E that it shows detailed combat results including modifiers and the map and counter style are just awesome.

I guess we need to convince Ron to start a summer sale at Schwerpunkt Games as well... [;)]

There will be a lot of competition in the coming weeks.

Found the unofficial manual and reference sheets if anyone is interested to take a closer look:

http://dogsofwarvu.com/forum/index.php/ ... 538.0.html

[sPzAbt653]

Link to my thoughts, having had Anglo-German War since around 2006, and the newer World War II Europe since its release:
http://dogsofwarvu.com/forum/index.php/ ... 790.0.html

I think the only competition is TOAW, the others mentioned in this thread aren't as capable as TOAW or WWII-E in designing scenarios from other time frames. WWII-E is much more limited than TOAW in this respect.

My opinion is that Ron, as genuinely nice a guy as he is, is oblivious to how truly poor the UI is. Watching his video makes it look easy, but this only serves to demonstrate an inventor operating his invention and not how others would use it. This game could up-end TOAW as the best Operational Game, but both titles suffer from very limited and very one sided development.

[Gilmer]

I've almost pulled the trigger once or twice on one at least of the Schwerpunkt games. And I've never gone through with it. It intrigues me. I've seen how the interface works and it is a little wonky, but it kind of makes me think, "Yeah, I could do that."

[Freigeist83]

Quoting Ron from the discussion sPzAbt653 posted:

"Many times the conversation comes to why can't your games be like "Game X". When I talk with the developer of "Game X", they tell me that their users ask why can't they be like Schwerpunkt games!"

That's a funny statement... [:D]

Is it true that he works at NASA?

[sPzAbt653]

From my own personal Game Review notes, I'll add - The successor to 2005's 'Anglo-German War 39-45' is 2016's 'World War II in Europe', but it doesn't seem to have improved enough to be worth buying. The main issues are the interface, and the editors. There is no map maker or map editor, there is no event editor, and the Scenario Text Editor is easy to mess up and limited in its abilities. This title has suffered the same complaints for YEARS.

[sPzAbt653]

ORIGINAL: Freigeist83
Quoting Ron from the discussion sPzAbt653 posted:
"Many times the conversation comes to why can't your games be like "Game X". When I talk with the developer of "Game X", they tell me that their users ask why can't they be like Schwerpunkt games!"

That's a funny statement... [:D]

Yes, that is why I say he is oblivious. I've never seen anything like that, and I'd like to see anybody provide a link to such a thing.

I should add that I do recommend that folks that are interested buy WWII-E, because maybe they could be one of the handful of folks that find it acceptable. I've played the heck out of it and constantly find it very frustrating. I never get used to it. THen when I go back to TOAW I have to relearn it. Why can't life be easy?

[sPzAbt653]

My only beef with Ron, payment methods.

I understand your personal preferences and respect that, but for what it's worth I went ahead and purchased and had no issues. If you balk at the outdated payment methods, wait til you hear this about the purchase. I expected to get a download or physical option, but did not. During the purchase I provided a fake e-mail as I always do [no reason for an e-mail, I won't provide one]. A couple hours later I got a call from Ron himself, on a Sunday, explaining that he was trying to e-mail the link to the game download and my e-mail wasn't working. lol. I gave him my real e-mail. It seems he doesn't have a site to host the game.

[RangerJoe]

Maybe, just maybe, if you made a video of your problems with the interface and possible suggestions for improvements and then sent it to him, then the issues that you have with it could be taken care of. Or maybe not. But you won't know until you try.

[sPzAbt653]

I picked what I thought were easy to explain and understand examples and posted them to him. I did this as a test of his desire to improve the game. The results of that effort are what I linked to in post #12 above. Therefore, I don't think the effort of making a video would help, at this point.

[MrsWargamer]

ORIGINAL: Freigeist83

Quoting Ron from the discussion sPzAbt653 posted:

"Many times the conversation comes to why can't your games be like "Game X". When I talk with the developer of "Game X", they tell me that their users ask why can't they be like Schwerpunkt games!"

That's a funny statement... [:D]

Is it true that he works at NASA?

Don't know if it is Nasa, but his day job is in aero industry or something like it.
But it is just him and his wife doing this out of their basement.

I will likely get his game when I can manage the money through Paypal (which I find a dreadful pain in the ass... no fan of Paypal).

But it is possibly true, that if one has AGW (I do), it might not be enough of an improvement to merit the dedication.

I would like to point out, if one is not an ASL fanatic, playing Tigers on the Hunt can be a less than ideal experience. I think the interface and methods of that design were mangled too.

And only a hardcore gamer and World in Flames fan will say anything polite about the computer version.

Some of our greatest games are a pain to play. Europa Fire in the East is a 6'x8' who has that much table monster.