Impressions after Tutorial & 2 Turns

[Motomouse]

I played KP, BIN, BII, and BF and liked them all quite a lot.

Was reluctant to buy because of:
1. screen resolution
2. one scenario
and
3. Was interested how the areas of operation works out

On 1. I fired up Battlefront again and remembered that I like the look of the 1024x768 on my 1680x1050 widesceen. Quite readable that way (I prefer it over the 1280 res) and the scaling adds a nice filtering to the graphics. Naturally I would also prefer customizable resolutions, but only if a scaling of the units is added as well, no need for tiny counters over here.(I dont like widescreen distortion on 3d games, but dont mind using it with 2d map/units, also use it with the steel panthers games by the way)

On 2. After only 2 turns against German AI, I know that I will not regret the deal, quite interesting scenario, naturally more scenarios would be welcome (Looking forward to play pbem (where I suck), 16 turns are quite manageable for me)

On 3. I like the feel for the overall plan that is induced by the areas of operations. I think this one is done right, time will tell

bottom line: I think it is worth to get engaged with this one [:)], further impressions will be added later

[JudgeDredd]

On 2. After only 2 turns against German AI, I know that I will not regret the deal, quite interesting scenario, naturally more scenarios would be welcome (Looking forward to play pbem (where I suck), 16 turns are quite manageable for me)

I appreciate your feedback, but can you clarify...is there only 16 turns in this one scenario?

[Fred98]

Yes, 16 turns

[JudgeDredd]

Well, in that case I'll bow out and let the people that want to enjoy it enjoy it. There are a large amount of games out there that have more than 1 16 turn scenario.

I was willing to keep an open mind and for people to tell me otherwise, but I fail to see how you can get 100's of hours out of 1 16 turn scenario. You'd have to be bloody Paul Daniels.

You people enjoy.[;)]

[Erik Rutins]

Everyone has their own criteria and we respect that, but scenario complexity is usually measured more like (# of units x map size x # of turns x player options). In this case, the other areas add replayability and play time.

[TheWombat_matrixforum]

Those 16 turns take a while; the AI processing/display certainly doesn't fly by![:)] I kinda like the turn length because it means no getting bogged down in lots of turns where nothing happens--here, pretty much every turn is crucial. But then, I have a short attention span...ooh, look, a birdy!

[JudgeDredd]

Erik

I realise the calculation. Sure if it was 2 units per side, 16 turns, it'd be small. But regardless of that...in 16 turns (be that it takes me 10 hours or 10 days)...in 16 turns the game is over. I'm not a big fan of turns that take hour(s) to complete. I want to have my turn over in 5-10 minutes.

Meant to say...GGWitP has one scenario...but it last a whole war and how many turns and how many units? My point mostly is SSG have produced something which others have surpassed time and again and will continue to do so.

A single battle 16 turns in length is not worth £30 to me. Sorry.

As for this...

But then, I have a short attention span...ooh, look, a birdy!

That is funny. [&o]

[Noakesy]

ORIGINAL: JudgeDredd
A single battle 16 turns in length is not worth £30 to me. Sorry.
As for this...

But then, I have a short attention span...ooh, look, a birdy!

That is funny. [&o]

I think it's going to be "each to their own" and it may be that this game doesn't appeal to you. Personally I think it's very good from first impressions (I bought BF and never really go into it at all). 16 turns suits me, and maybe 1hr/turn suits me too (which I think this is probably close to). There are a number of 50 turn scenarios knocking about on the SSG forums, and they are all excellent but the problem is often to keep the momentum going (I mostly play PBEM, if you play AI then of course this is different).

Agreed, the "birdy" joke was good.[:)]

[JudgeDredd]

Of course you are right...alot of people are going to like it.
 
Me? I don't mind being in a game for the long haul...as long as the turns are quick. One of the things that constantly stops me getting past the tutorial in WitP is the sheer amount of time I'm going to have to dedicate to "a turn"...not the fact that the game lasts for the duration of the war.
 
£30 really is just too much for a 16 turn game for me...sorry...but it is. I have precious few pounds left after bills are paid.

Saying that, who's to say that I won't get £30 worth of play out of it??
 
I don't know. I did not like CaW one bit. The size of those ships on those maps was bordering on ridiculous. I did not get on with Korsun Pocket...although if I was brutally honest with myself, I didn't give it much of a chance because I didn't like the play style...the "mimicking" of a boardgame. But I see that's the appeal of SSG games...I even bought Korsun Pocket a second time...still didn't play it past the tutorials which made my eyes bleed if I remember.
 
Lets see if the forums warm up.

[Noakesy]

I know what you mean - I bought WitP and gave it away, it was just way too much micromanaging and I lost interest after about 30mins. I also bought CAW and that's the first SSG game I haven't enjoyed - I love the boardgame feel and thought I'd risk it for a theatre I have nil interest in, but didn't work out right. However I really think all others (TAO, KP, AtD, BiN and BiI) are excellent, but it wasnt until I played some of them PBEM that I really enjoyed them (especially KP, couldn't be bothered with it, but now I've played it PBEM so often it's one of my most enjoyable PC/board games). PBEM has in some ways ruined PC games for me - they are for me so much more enjoyable I get bored of the AI quite quickly.[:(]

[Redmarkus5]

What I want from a WW2 game:
[ol][*]Combined operations (land, sea, air).
[*]The scale of WiTP without the mico-management.  I want to determine strategy and have the battles I fight derive from that and influence the strategic outcome, but I don't want to have to decide on each aircraft that needs a new wing strut in every squadron across the entire Pacific theatre!
[*]Diplomatic options.
[*]A basic economic model that has a basis in reality - I liked the Paradox WW2 game right up to the moment that conflict breaks out and then it become rather silly.
[*]The play style of Kharkov at the operational level.
[*]Modern graphics - CAW without the huge ship icons.  The CAW animated strikes were quite gripping, I thought.
[*]Support for high res screens - TOAW looks fantastic on my widescreen.[/ol]
Unrealistic wish list?

[hank]

Have any of you who wanted to "like" WiTP tried Uncommon Valor?  Its suppose to be a trimmed down version of WitP.
 
I have it and would let go of it for someone to enjoy.  Its just not my cup of tea.  I know its a good game based on the forums but I can't get into it. 
 
Also, I'm going to buy K:DotD because of the future scenario's that are in the works.  I've bought other games with just one battle.  I'm hoping the AO feature will provide alternative experiences around the same battlefield.  I like BF and BiN and look forward to a new SSG game that they've settled on and plan on supplimenting with subsequent SSG produced scenarios in the future.
 
 

[JudgeDredd]

Strangely enough, Uncommon Valor was "too lite" and I yearned for more...go figure.

If just I am that fussy, how are developers of games ever going to win by pleasing a whole world full of people with variations of my nuances!!

Poor sods!

[jmlima]

ORIGINAL: JudgeDredd
...£30 really is just too much for a 16 turn game for me...sorry...but it is. I have precious few pounds left after bills are paid.
...

Same here. To be quite honest I would have bought battlefront, but the price was ridiculous. Now , £30 for a scenario I'm not particulary interested, it's a big waste of money. We must be realistic , and so does SSG, their products are amongst the most expensive computer wargames I've seen. They must realize that (and this goes to Erik) alot more people will sit on the fence as this continues. Specially since each new release seems to make previous versions of their games redundant since the engine changes are not carried back (a la HPS). Why should I buy this game if in a year's time or potentially less, another will be out probably making this engine redundant and with it mine £30?

Why not offer us a special sale for a weekend or so? I bet many of us would be ready to take it on a smaller price tag. Even if the sale is only for digital download version.

[V22 Osprey]

errr....1 scenario and only 16 turns.....that doesn't sound like much,not much at all.Infact,it sounds like an expansion.(not even)

Panzer Campaigns are really good games and focus on 1 battle,but they have smaller scenarios on different parts of the battlefield including the easy to use sub map,OOB,and scenario editor and lets not forget about the great mods.

I enjoyed Battles in Italy and Normandy,and I when I saw scenario editor I gave it a look.Why can't I just select a river a place it?There's a whole bunch of settings to put in just to place a single terrain hex.I can't imagine trying to make a whole map.

I'll pass on this one.I won't be spending my hard earned money mowing lawns and doing yard work in the hot summer sun on a 16 turn scenario.

[GBS]

Well, I have been playing for three days and I am just finishing round 2. This will last long enough to satisfy my usual attention span for a new game.

[TheHellPatrol]

This title needs some, hell "a", small scenario. You are forced to just dive in and there's alot to do/absorb/rule changes etc. that makes it a tad overwhelming. I am tempted to play BF as a refresher but that's redundant...
I love the new changes but i don't know if i want to have to play this one 10 times...i must be getting old and my ADD has come back in my mid 40's[8|][;)].

[Kung Karl]

Smaller scenarios would be very nice indeed!

[Gregor_SSG]

ORIGINAL: Kung Karl

Smaller scenarios would be very nice indeed!

The thing about the Kharkov battle is that it's a very dynamic situation with both sides having to conduct both offensive and defensive operations, often simultaneously. This is not all that common in WWII battles and the integrated nature of the battle means that scenarios don't really make sense. There's no point in modelling the Russian drive on Krasnograd if it isn't in peril from the German Barvenkovo/Izyum assault and from a drive south by the German forces around Kharkov. You can't allow the Germans to drive south from Kharkov unless you have resolved the fate of the massive Soviet drive on the city itself.

I would like to say that it would seem that everyone who has bought the game has found enough, or even more than enough, to keep them at the keyboard and playing the game. Those passing, sight unseen, are missing out on great game.

As for the system changes, as I said in an earlier post, this game would never have been possible using earlier game systems. We could have chosen to live in the past, and it would probably have paid better, but we want to be able to do justice to any battle, not just the easy ones.

Having said that, we are very happy with the new system and will be using for our two two games and we're already working on bring our Across the Dnepr battle across to the new system, so there will be plenty of content for those that want to enjoy it.

Gregor

[Kung Karl]

ORIGINAL: Gregor_SSG

ORIGINAL: Kung Karl

Smaller scenarios would be very nice indeed!

Having said that, we are very happy with the new system and will be using for our two two games and we're already working on bring our Across the Dnepr battle across to the new system, so there will be plenty of content for those that want to enjoy it.

Gregor

Will Across the Dnepr be a free addon?