What's the verdict, so far?
Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2022 6:41 pm
For those of you who've been giving this one shot, would you kindly enlighten us as to whether the game is worth the current $35 cost. Thank you!
Jeff
Jeff
Matrix Games Forums
What's your Strategy?
https://forums.matrixgames.com:443/
What's the verdict, so far?
https://forums.matrixgames.com:443/viewtopic.php?f=10153&t=382285
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Re: What's the verdict, so far?
Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2022 7:19 pm
Just got it today so way too soon for me to have an opinion. Manual and Quick Start Guide look good. Might have some thoughts by early next week if I get enough time to play over the weekend.
Re: What's the verdict, so far?
Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2022 11:00 pm
How many pages are in each Manual and Quick Start Guide?
Are there any easy-to-follow tutorial scenarios?
Are there any easy-to-follow tutorial scenarios?
Re: What's the verdict, so far?
Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2022 11:36 pm
Quick Start Guide is around 25 pages. Manual is about 120 pages. There is a tutorial scenario.
Re: What's the verdict, so far?
Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2022 2:33 pm
4.9 out of 5 stars for me. Depth plus ease of play (the GUI is superb), and the innovative WEGO system. Many scenarios, and some campaign scenarios. Really good maps. Tooltips for everything.
I only wish there were a grande scenario of the whole campaign, but I'm not at all sure at this scale such a monster scenario would be possible. Hope so.
Modders could have a field-day with this game, and its editor.
I only wish there were a grande scenario of the whole campaign, but I'm not at all sure at this scale such a monster scenario would be possible. Hope so.
Modders could have a field-day with this game, and its editor.
Re: What's the verdict, so far?
Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2022 3:13 pm
Overall a thumbs up from me.
I like;
WEGO formula - I'm biased towards this because I believe it add another layer to decision making i.e. anticipating the enemy's moves.
Tooltips - This is great, when you hover over an icon, information will be displayed. Especially good when you are learning a new game.
Overall balance between complexity and accessibility - It does have a good layer of detail and presents the player with options.
I struggle with the user interface - things like switching the movements types, setting defence postures and bits like that just don't seem intuitive to me.
Not keen on some of the artwork for the units - prefer actual historic pictures of planes, equipment ect, even if they are black and white.
I'd prefer to see the units actually move, rather than flick between hexes - so its presented more naturally.
I like;
WEGO formula - I'm biased towards this because I believe it add another layer to decision making i.e. anticipating the enemy's moves.
Tooltips - This is great, when you hover over an icon, information will be displayed. Especially good when you are learning a new game.
Overall balance between complexity and accessibility - It does have a good layer of detail and presents the player with options.
I struggle with the user interface - things like switching the movements types, setting defence postures and bits like that just don't seem intuitive to me.
Not keen on some of the artwork for the units - prefer actual historic pictures of planes, equipment ect, even if they are black and white.
I'd prefer to see the units actually move, rather than flick between hexes - so its presented more naturally.
Re: What's the verdict, so far?
Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2022 4:58 pm
I truly appreciate all the comments, and as a result, I think I'll give the game a shot!
Thank you again!
Jeff
Thank you again!
Jeff
Re: What's the verdict, so far?
Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2022 6:02 pm
Re: What's the verdict, so far?
Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2022 6:43 pm
Tom,
That is a reasonable enough request, but I'd have to warn you that I'm currently facing off against the computer in the very early turns of the full campaign game in Mr. Tiller's Smolensk '41. But I'm thinkin' I'll pause that because I haven't played a WEGO game in so long.
That thought brings me right back to Evanston in 1974-ish when my friend Tony and I split a Strategy and Tactics subscription. The first game we got with the magazine was Kampfpanzer and we dove into it because the WEGO system was something completely new to us.
Those are great memories!
Jeff
That is a reasonable enough request, but I'd have to warn you that I'm currently facing off against the computer in the very early turns of the full campaign game in Mr. Tiller's Smolensk '41. But I'm thinkin' I'll pause that because I haven't played a WEGO game in so long.
That thought brings me right back to Evanston in 1974-ish when my friend Tony and I split a Strategy and Tactics subscription. The first game we got with the magazine was Kampfpanzer and we dove into it because the WEGO system was something completely new to us.
Those are great memories!
Jeff
Re: What's the verdict, so far?
Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2022 8:57 pm
We aregwgardner wrote: ↑Sat Apr 02, 2022 2:33 pm 4.9 out of 5 stars for me. Depth plus ease of play (the GUI is superb), and the innovative WEGO system. Many scenarios, and some campaign scenarios. Really good maps. Tooltips for everything.
I only wish there were a grande scenario of the whole campaign, but I'm not at all sure at this scale such a monster scenario would be possible. Hope so.
Modders could have a field-day with this game, and its editor.
.Re: What's the verdict, so far?
Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2022 1:48 pm
This is an excellent game for people that like planning their turns out in detail, with the knowledge that the WEGO aspect will play havoc with those plans. I am finding it a really interesting game thus far. I also have the NA game, but this theater has much more of my interest - so I didn't fully commit. It's not a speedy game to play (the planning), but I find each aspect engaging thus far.
I agree that there are some UI things that get in the way, rather than add to ease of use. Some AI oddities (HQ's at the front of an attack unsupported in one case so far), but it seems to do be doing a decent job after nearly playing through two scenarios.
I also have a pet peeve against pop-up windows that can't be integrated into the UI itself (having to be constantly re-positioned), and things like artillery planning seem to rely upon that system. I trust these developers to adjust as needed, so I'm sure suggestions are welcomed within reason.
The positive is the WEGO system, and the thought that went into how it is executed. Making a plan that can be disrupted in ways that cannot be in turn-based modes seems especially appropriate for the scale. I'm finding the WEGO phases especially interesting with the urban fighting. This allows pre-planning of things like artillery being called in at the start of a turn, with any given unit being assigned to jump-off at different attack phases during the rest of the turn (10 phases per turn, if I recall).
I agree that there are some UI things that get in the way, rather than add to ease of use. Some AI oddities (HQ's at the front of an attack unsupported in one case so far), but it seems to do be doing a decent job after nearly playing through two scenarios.
I also have a pet peeve against pop-up windows that can't be integrated into the UI itself (having to be constantly re-positioned), and things like artillery planning seem to rely upon that system. I trust these developers to adjust as needed, so I'm sure suggestions are welcomed within reason.
The positive is the WEGO system, and the thought that went into how it is executed. Making a plan that can be disrupted in ways that cannot be in turn-based modes seems especially appropriate for the scale. I'm finding the WEGO phases especially interesting with the urban fighting. This allows pre-planning of things like artillery being called in at the start of a turn, with any given unit being assigned to jump-off at different attack phases during the rest of the turn (10 phases per turn, if I recall).
Re: What's the verdict, so far?
Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2022 2:55 pm
I've also seen the same AI bug in the Tutorial Scenario, the Russians had their HQ in the front which I rushed and almost got a victory in the end (I was losing up until this point but rushing the exposed HQ put me in the lead for a turn).benpark wrote: ↑Sun Apr 03, 2022 1:48 pm This is an excellent game for people that like planning their turns out in detail, with the knowledge that the WEGO aspect will play havoc with those plans. I am finding it a really interesting game thus far. I also have the NA game, but this theater has much more of my interest - so I didn't fully commit. It's not a speedy game to play (the planning), but I find each aspect engaging thus far.
I agree that there are some UI things that get in the way, rather than add to ease of use. Some AI oddities (HQ's at the front of an attack unsupported in one case so far), but it seems to do be doing a decent job after nearly playing through two scenarios.
I also have a pet peeve against pop-up windows that can't be integrated into the UI itself (having to be constantly re-positioned), and things like artillery planning seem to rely upon that system. I trust these developers to adjust as needed, so I'm sure suggestions are welcomed within reason.
The positive is the WEGO system, and the thought that went into how it is executed. Making a plan that can be disrupted in ways that cannot be in turn-based modes seems especially appropriate for the scale. I'm finding the WEGO phases especially interesting with the urban fighting. This allows pre-planning of things like artillery being called in at the start of a turn, with any given unit being assigned to jump-off at different attack phases during the rest of the turn (10 phases per turn, if I recall).
Re: What's the verdict, so far?
Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2022 6:14 pm
Totally agree on why WEGO is great for this scale and campaign. I have been thinking a lot on what other non eras/theaters could be explored.benpark wrote: ↑Sun Apr 03, 2022 1:48 pm This is an excellent game for people that like planning their turns out in detail, with the knowledge that the WEGO aspect will play havoc with those plans. I am finding it a really interesting game thus far. I also have the NA game, but this theater has much more of my interest - so I didn't fully commit. It's not a speedy game to play (the planning), but I find each aspect engaging thus far.
I agree that there are some UI things that get in the way, rather than add to ease of use. Some AI oddities (HQ's at the front of an attack unsupported in one case so far), but it seems to do be doing a decent job after nearly playing through two scenarios.
I also have a pet peeve against pop-up windows that can't be integrated into the UI itself (having to be constantly re-positioned), and things like artillery planning seem to rely upon that system. I trust these developers to adjust as needed, so I'm sure suggestions are welcomed within reason.
The positive is the WEGO system, and the thought that went into how it is executed. Making a plan that can be disrupted in ways that cannot be in turn-based modes seems especially appropriate for the scale. I'm finding the WEGO phases especially interesting with the urban fighting. This allows pre-planning of things like artillery being called in at the start of a turn, with any given unit being assigned to jump-off at different attack phases during the rest of the turn (10 phases per turn, if I recall).
Btw, the `roving HQs' had been spotted in Beta. I think the designers are working on `HAL1942' ...the AI
to find a way to keep the HQs away from harm.Re: What's the verdict, so far?
Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2022 8:09 pm
Suggestions are very much welcome!benpark wrote: ↑Sun Apr 03, 2022 1:48 pm I also have a pet peeve against pop-up windows that can't be integrated into the UI itself (having to be constantly re-positioned), and things like artillery planning seem to rely upon that system. I trust these developers to adjust as needed, so I'm sure suggestions are welcomed within reason.
I am always interested to hear any ideas you have about how to improve the UI.
Not sure why you say the Artillery planning system seems to rely on the pop-ups though? All you need to go is press R when over an artillery unit to get into fire mode, and then just click on the target hex, so no pop-ups.
Or am I misunderstanding you?
Thanks,
Brian
Re: What's the verdict, so far?
Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2022 8:10 pm
Re: What's the verdict, so far?
Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2022 8:15 pm
Thanks for the reply.
I do use the artillery hotkey (R) as often as possible, appreciated. The unit information box is often something that I like to check in conjunction, however. That gets in the way, and I haven't found a way to lock the windows position (bottom left in the Map area window would probably work). That may be possible, currently!
I do use the artillery hotkey (R) as often as possible, appreciated. The unit information box is often something that I like to check in conjunction, however. That gets in the way, and I haven't found a way to lock the windows position (bottom left in the Map area window would probably work). That may be possible, currently!
Re: What's the verdict, so far?
Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2022 8:20 pm
Ah, I see what you mean. I'll look into it!benpark wrote: ↑Sun Apr 03, 2022 8:15 pm Thanks for the reply.
I do use the artillery hotkey (R) as often as possible, appreciated. The unit information box is often something that I like to check in conjunction, however. That gets in the way, and I haven't found a way to lock the windows position (bottom left in the Map area window would probably work). That may be possible, currently!