Great Game

[RandomAttack]

Just bought this, and have only played a couple of scenarios, but I'm really impressed. [&o]

What really hit me is that it reminds me of nothing so much as Avalon Hill's "The Russian Campaign" boardgame. Which I consider one of the all-time greats. The "entire front" scope isn't there (yet?), but this is what I mean:
- Airstrike points (like AH's "stuka chits")
- All the other neat specialists (kinda like AH's Soviet "artillery chits", but more of them!)
- Partisans!
- The "feel" of sweeping manuever and the vital importance of supply lines.
- Probably a lot more stuff that I'll notice as I play more.

A really elegant approach & kudos to the developers. Can't wait to see how this "expands"!

[vonRocko]

I never thought of that. You're right! Now that you mention it, it is similar. That game is one of my all time favorites also.[;)]

[Rosseau]

Also, very easy to tweak unit_types, and also add units and change some game parameters (such as prestige and turn length). I tried creating a brand new unit, but that was over my head. Still, there's quite a bit that can be done by us, as devs seem too busy to mod right now.

[RandomAttack]

How do you change prestige and turn length? I tried to open the campagn/scenario files with either excel or notepad, but couldn't get it to open. What's the secret? [:)]

[Missouri_Rebel]

Great game indeed. Bought the game last week but, it sat as I played another new release. Fired it up tonight and I can not express how 'fresh' this game feels. I love the graphics, the subject, interface and just about everything so far. I'm really excited to see where they take this gem next and hope others will give it a try. Am I correct in that this is a debut title from this firm?  Very polished. I swear, this title just begs for a playable demo. Others need to see how it plays and the general flow.

Going on in my campaign. This might just be the best game I have bought in some time. Kudos guys.

[Rosseau]

First back up your scenario file; then right click on scenario file and "open with... WinRAR.
Extract "game.json" and "units.json". WinRAR will create a folder with a copy of these two files.
Open them with Notepad++ (That's all I use and it's worth downloading for free)
game.json you can change turn length, objective turn deadlines and prestige; units.json, you can carefully edit and even add units and specialist attachments via copy/paste, but you gotta be sure the x/y location is valid on the map, change the unit number to a higher number, etc. A bit of trial and error.
Make changes in Notepad++ and save the file(s)
Drag your saved file(s) back over to the open WinRAR archive box and it updates the archive with your edited files. Just close WinRAR. No need to save anything.

[RandomAttack]

Thanks rosseau! So it was a compressed file-- who woulda thunk it! [:)]
Works fine.

[Rosseau]

Yes, I discovered that on the dev's forum. For me, this adds a lot of life to the game, so $30 was a bargain. If I can't mod or edit a game, I don't buy it. Have fun.

[pzgndr]

I've gotten through the first four scenarios over the past week and I'm happy with the game. It is one of the more simple and intuitive games I've played in a long time. It's simple in the sense of the interface being very easy to use and you don't have to micromanage anything - just focus on maneuver and combat. And it's intuitive in the sense of being able to make sound military decisions based on the situation without having to doublecheck rules minutiae every time you want to do something. Just play and have fun, and versus a challenging computer opponent to boot! [&o]

[Krupinski]

+1

[Kipper]

Instant classic. Best PC game I ever played that models "deep" (as in manoeuvre-based) operations. It's great to see a game with a clear design vision, carefully and faithfully implemented in a restrained way (how easy it is to throw "cool" stuff into the design mix until the whole thing sinks into confusion!). Also appreciated is an obvious dedication to producing a high-quality end product.

Word of caution to all those requesting their favourite campaigns: this system is designed to model WW2 mobile operational warfare and deep operations, so a Kursk slugfest might not be the best use of it. Eastern Front is ideal (Barbarossa, Bagration spring to mind) as might be Invasion of France, some elements of North Africa. It would also model WW3 Europe (North German Plain) very well too, by the way - at least the way it was planned!

Congrats & thanks. Always a great day when a new game desgin and development talent arrives. And thanks to pzgndr for the NATO icons!

[jack54]

Thanks Kipper,

That is an awesome post! You've provided 'Great' incite into the current game and a well thought out plan of where it could head effectively in the future...

I ordered ... downloaded.... but now I am supposed to wait for Christmas--- [;)] (I may have to renegotiated that with my wife)

[sabre1]

Took the plunge, you guys were killing me with your posts about how good this game is. I won't get to try it out until this weekend.

[cherryfunk]

ORIGINAL: Kipper
Word of caution to all those requesting their favourite campaigns: this system is designed to model WW2 mobile operational warfare and deep operations, so a Kursk slugfest might not be the best use of it. Eastern Front is ideal (Barbarossa, Bagration spring to mind) as might be Invasion of France, some elements of North Africa. It would also model WW3 Europe (North German Plain) very well too, by the way - at least the way it was planned!

Ooooh, a North Africa expansion... now that would be amazing. You're right, this system would be perfect for the sweep of the African campaigns!

[jack54]

Thanks for all the positive reviews or I might have missed this excellent game!

Lots of fun so far... and I just started[:)]

As mentioned in other posts I would also love a zoom feature and the ability to play either side against the AI; with that said it is still a very enjoyable gaming experience.

I am surprised to say I even like the spinny head things; something different!

A big 'Thanks' to the developers[:D]

[Killjoy12]

This is one great game!

[Forwarn45]

Add me to the group praising this game! It's a lot of fun - has depth to it without getting bogged down in details. I like the way that airstrikes, supply, and partisans are incorporated into the game. Also, the AI is quite good as far as AI's go. It just loves to mess with my supply routes! Good job, and I look forward to more campaigns on the Eastern Front (or other fronts for that matter)!

[TPM]

ORIGINAL: Kipper

Instant classic. Best PC game I ever played that models "deep" (as in manoeuvre-based) operations. It's great to see a game with a clear design vision, carefully and faithfully implemented in a restrained way (how easy it is to throw "cool" stuff into the design mix until the whole thing sinks into confusion!). Also appreciated is an obvious dedication to producing a high-quality end product.

100% agree with every sentence above.

[OnTheContrary]

Absolutely brilliant and easily the best purchase I've made from Matrix Games so far (and I've made quite a few). I am still stunned by how fluid the whole experience is. I hope this sells well, because I would love to see another game/expansion with this engine.

[parusski]

ORIGINAL: IDontThinkSo

Absolutely brilliant and easily the best purchase I've made from Matrix Games so far (and I've made quite a few). I am still stunned by how fluid the whole experience is. I hope this sells well, because I would love to see another game/expansion with this engine.

I agree with you that this is a brilliant game. Oh well, what you said +1.