Is it worth it?

[rustysi]

Was wondering, with the sale price and latest updates, it the title worth the purchase?

[craigbear]

In my opinion, yes... but all depends on expectations, doesn't it.

[Neilster]

IMHO, absolutely yes.

It's great solitaire, online play basically works now and plenty are doing PBEM (with some negotiation and cooperation). Steve plans to begin coding the AI properly in the New Year and much preliminary work has been done on the AI already.

For the price of a few pub beers, you get a fantastic strategic WW2 simulator that will only improve with time.

[Aranthus]

If you love Wif, then at $20, it is probably worth it. Understand that the game is still in development. Most of it works well, but some parts still do not work very well. Resource transportation and trade are buggy and difficult to use. Check out the technical issues forum. If you can live with the hiccups, then go for it.

[Zovs]

I’d say an emphatic yes.

[Courtenay]

Be aware of what you are getting. The game, as a reproduction of the board game, is just about complete. It does not have an AI, and while, at some point in a few years, it may have one, I don't expect it ever have a GOOD one.

So if an AI is a requirement for you, don't get it. If what you want is a reproduction of a $200 board game for $20, this is the product for you. I personally think that MWiF is better than WiF: I don't have room for WiF in my apartment, I do have room for MWiF on my computer.

Also, the game plays better on the computer. The supply calculations are far more likely to be right than when done over the board, and the computer will calculate how much oil you need. Also, the computer will always tell you what planes can reach any combat, including that Japanese NAV way over there that you had missed completely, and it will keep perfect track of your action limits, no matter how much you might not want it to.

So basically, if you are a board wargamer, get MWiF.

[juntoalmar]

It all depends on everyone’s preferences: if you like this kind of boardgame/wargame, if the prize is expensive to you, etc...

Personally, knowing how much I have played & enjoyed, and how much I paid, it is worth even without a sale. WiF is (probably) the best WWII global-scale strategic wargame ever. The computer version is going to help you to learn how to play, make many of the calculations, etc. Playing solitary is enjoyable, and multiplayer is doable (although not as easy as in other wargames).

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

Was wondering, with the sale price and latest updates, it the title worth the purchase?

warspite1

At this price this isn't even a question you should be asking. Just buy it.

This may seem like a strange thing to say from someone who has only recently publicly stated he's fallen out of love with MWIF (not WIF). But let me explain.

World In Flames is the best war game ever imo - it towers above all other strategic games like Third Reich and Strategic Command, and don't even think about Axis and Allies. This is not because its historically accurate to the nth degree - because its not and its not designed to be - it's a game designed to be won by either side, and that means some liberties must be taken with counter values (one can imagine the liberties taken with Japan!). But that is an acceptable trade-off.

But what you do get thanks to its clever basic framework, is a game that always has a WWII feel about it. You are playing with the advantages and disadvantages of the various major powers. So even if attacking Spain is your thing, or Sweden, the game rarely feels far away from real life WWII.

And remember, this is a strategic game and yet you have under your control almost all the ships (light cruiser and above) that fought in WWII plus some what ifs should you wish to build them. You get to 'play' all the aircraft types available during the war too. The counters are colourful and beautifully presented. The maps are a thing of beauty - simple, clear and elegant (the maps are the only thing that lets the board game down - but Steve has created much, much better versions).

One of the real winners for someone of a certain age with eyesight to match, are the levels of zoom available. No squinting needed, whack up to the highest level of zoom required for any particular part of the game and that is a real bonus compared to some games.

Its an incredibly challenging game, hardly anything is ever guaranteed to work thanks to the way weather, turn initiative, counter mix, counter choice, turn end, and of course the dreaded dice, work together. A player needs to think many, many turns ahead, reacting to opportunities and potential threats.

Just about every action you take as an Allied or Axis player affects US Entry timing and so you have to be careful what you do - its not just a free for all.

Downside of MWIF? Well its still a work in progress. My frustration at present is that the convoy/production system needs some love. But some have it working to their satisfaction (I am too much of a computer numpty to be able to get it to mine). But the game is constantly being worked on and so anyone that buys it should see it as a long term project. I will be back at the game as soon as there are any convoy/production updates to test out.

The regulars on the forum are very knowledgeable and very helpful and patient with questions from newbies and not so newbies too.

I paid full price (less a small discount for doing the naval write-ups) for the game and I don't regret it for a second. At the sale price, just buy it. Worst case, they never resolve the convoy/production issues and you don't play it (although you may be one of those that can get comfortable as is). Is it worth that gamble? Hell yes. Buy it and keep up with the updates and one day...... And if they still sell the glossy hardcover manuals then get them too. They are works of art that I still lovingly caress and sleep with every night.

[76mm]

As others have said, it depends on what you're looking for. Ultimately, I didn't care for this game at all.

Just be aware that in addition to the price of the game, unless you are already familiar with the WiF rules, you are going to have to spend huge amounts of time learning to play this game by reading the manual, watching video tutorials, and researching the forums for info about all the issues not addressed in the manual.

Also, be aware that when you play, your only choices will be between two vey limited and unsatisfying learner scenarios (Barbarossa and Guadalcanal), and a few global scenarios involving the entire war in Europe and the Pacific. The whole reason I bought the game--the "half map" scenarios covering only the European part of the war--have not been released some 7 years after the game was released.

Bottom line: some people love this game but it is certainly not for everyone.

[Centuur]

If one is prepared to spend a lot of time to learn how to play this game, it's worth it.

It is still a work in progress, that's for sure.

[rustysi]

you are going to have to spend huge amounts of time learning to play this game by reading the manual, watching video tutorials, and researching the forums for info about all the issues not addressed in the manual.

Just like all games I've played in this genre I've done all the above many times over. Know that I play WitP-AE.[:D]

[rustysi]

It does not have an AI,

I've never met an AI that I like. To me they are only useful as a tool to play a game while I learn. Trouble is, its often difficult to find an opponent. Today that's solved by PBEM.

[rustysi]

Resource transportation and trade are buggy and difficult to use.

That could be a deal breaker for myself. I'm a bit of a masochist when it comes to things like this, in WitP-AE I play as Japan.

[rustysi]

At this price this isn't even a question you should be asking. Just buy it.

[:D]

and don't even think about Axis and Allies.

That's a game I never really cared for, but TBH I haven't played any of the latest versions. I did go to a game tournament a while back, and it was mostly Axis and Allies. Eh. Thought about picking up a copy of the latest, but still on the fence.

Honestly I kinda look at WiF in a similar light. Read an AAR a while back where Yamamoto and some Japanese air ended up it Scandinavia. A bit too a-historical for my taste.

This is not because its historically accurate to the nth degree - because its not and its not designed to be

That OK. But I reference above. Was that an anomaly, or the norm?

remember, this is a strategic game and yet you have under your control almost all the ships (light cruiser and above) that fought in WWII

I know you like playing with you little boats. Always a Brit.[:D]

And if they still sell the glossy hardcover manuals then get them too. They are works of art that I still lovingly caress and sleep with every night.

OK. Now that explains a load.[X(]

Thanks a lot guys. All comments greatly appreciated. As will all others based on my additional input above.

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

Honestly I kinda look at WiF in a similar light. Read an AAR a while back where Yamamoto and some Japanese air ended up it Scandinavia. A bit too a-historical for my taste.

That OK. But I reference above. Was that an anomaly, or the norm?

warspite1

Whut? [X(] What sort of game was that? Sounds like someone's Axis wet dream than a remotely likely game of WIF....

[rustysi]

Oh, BTW.

Warspite1, you've dabbled in WitP-AE. How do the 'learning curves' of these two compare. Or do they?

I ask because I'm still heavily involve with that beast (AE) and that limits my time for other games. Then again, a slow approach to WiF might not be a bad thing, gives them more time to fix it. I'll be honest, WitP-AE left a lot to be desired when it first came out. A bunch of things were improved over the years.

[rustysi]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: rustysi

Honestly I kinda look at WiF in a similar light. Read an AAR a while back where Yamamoto and some Japanese air ended up it Scandinavia. A bit too a-historical for my taste.

That OK. But I reference above. Was that an anomaly, or the norm?

warspite1

Whut? [X(] What sort of game was that? Sounds like someone's Axis wet dream than a remotely likely game of WIF....

Don't know, but it was from some tourny a while back. It was some kinda reading supplement in the material I got when I purchased the board game a while ago. Never had the time to get into it, and even though I have the space, don't wish to set it up if I'm not gonna be plugging away.

But obviously from you response, its an anomaly.

[rustysi]

I am too much of a computer numpty

Now there's a bit of British slang that I'm unfamiliar with, I'm sure there are tons more.

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

Oh, BTW.

Warspite1, you've dabbled in WitP-AE. How do the 'learning curves' of these two compare. Or do they?

I ask because I'm still heavily involve with that beast (AE) and that limits my time for other games. Then again, a slow approach to WiF might not be a bad thing, gives them more time to fix it. I'll be honest, WitP-AE left a lot to be desired when it first came out. A bunch of things were improved over the years.

warspite1

Well the two are just sooo different I don't think there is really a comparison to be made. I mean seriously different. Both games will appeal to those prepared to put in the hours - and you really need to put in the hours.

Neither game is beer and pretzels and there is so much to learn and even more effort required to even begin to master.

WITP-AE just overwhelmed me. I just didn't enjoy the endless clicking when all I wanted to do was get some sexy aircraft on a carrier. I think had I not played WIF (albeit 20 years previously and a different version) MWIF may well have overwhelmed me too. I am amazed how newbies come to both games and get up and running.

Probably best to ask that question of someone with a brain....

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: rustysi

Honestly I kinda look at WiF in a similar light. Read an AAR a while back where Yamamoto and some Japanese air ended up it Scandinavia. A bit too a-historical for my taste.

That OK. But I reference above. Was that an anomaly, or the norm?

warspite1

Whut? [X(] What sort of game was that? Sounds like someone's Axis wet dream than a remotely likely game of WIF....

Don't know, but it was from some tourny a while back. It was some kinda reading supplement in the material I got when I purchased the board game a while ago. Never had the time to get into it, and even though I have the space, don't wish to set it up if I'm not gonna be plugging away.

But obviously from you response, its an anomaly.

warspite1

Despite some large scale juggling with the counters and their values (so that Japan can give the US a game) I can't even begin to imagine a game where the Japanese player can take their best HQ out of the Pacific and set up a supply line to Scandinavia. I mean unless it was right at the end of a game where the Axis had had unbelievable luck from start to finish?? I can't even begin to figure that one. Some of the grognards on here may provide more illumination on wtf could have been going on to allow that.