potential patron

[karimp]

All,

I wish to thank folks in advance, for opinions and thoughts. I just built a good gaming machine, however I need some mental stimulation. I noticed these games on newegg.com, and was under the assumption that most of the matrix games (specifically war games) are more simulations, and strategy, than eye candy. This is great news to me, but I am not sure, and before I plunk down some cash, I need some opinions on what to expect from matrix games. I am really interested in the wargame platforms (ww2, ww1, civil war, etc.) If you good folks could give me a good outline on matrix games, it would be appreciated.


thanks

K

[watchtower]

Hi welcome to the forum.

As what to get. All the Matrix games are of a high standard and after buying a fair few of them I can say that I haver never been dissapointed by a Matrix title. You might want to look in the store section of the site there is a good low down on each game.

Each game has a different complexity level from the simple joy of Tin Soldiers to the life sapping War in the Pacific (both of which I love.) So it is hard too say which one. What do you enjoy playing? Slow, detail rich micro manage or fast single session play? or something inbetween?

[Terminus]

Welcome aboard. Matrix's product line is wide enough to accomodate most everyone's tastes. Like Watchtower said, look around the online store section of the website. If you have more questions, ask them on the forum.

[karimp]

Well thats it, lol.

Am I correct to assume, that these games will not rival most of the other stuff out there video wise? Which, by the way I don't mind. However I would like a good war sim, from 1860 - current, with strategy, skill, and some good video. By no means am I looking for just first person shooter stuff, I know where to get that. However, a mix would be appreciated. Something challenging, etc... Whats a good start?

thanks

[Hertston]

ORIGINAL: karimp

Well thats it, lol.

Am I correct to assume, that these games will not rival most of the other stuff out there video wise? Which, by the way I don't mind. However I would like a good war sim, from 1860 - current, with strategy, skill, and some good video. By no means am I looking for just first person shooter stuff, I know where to get that. However, a mix would be appreciated. Something challenging, etc... Whats a good start?

thanks

What do you fancy? There really is an awful lot to choose from (go count the numbers of forums), and any recommendations would be based on personal tilt, which is unlikely to be the same as yours. What period of history interests you? Strategic or tactical? However.. I'll try and compromise by providing two lists of three, the 'best' games (my guess at what the Matrix community would agree on, after a suitable literary bloodbath) and my personal favourites (which they wouldn't). Both lists are in no particular order... I won't give summaries, as there are links to each from the menu at the top of the page.


'Best'

War in the Pacific.
Highway to the Reich
Crown of Glory


'Hert's faves'

Tin Soldiers: Caesar
Highway to the Reich
Flashpoint Germany

None are big on graphics (although all look smart enough, in their way), but all require strategy and skill. I guess my recommendation would have to be Highway to the Reich simply because it appears on both lists. The next game in the series, Conquest of the Aegean, is imminent.

[karimp]

thanks, and that seems to be a great start, also, in the beginning i will be single player vs AI. So that is a prerequisite to any purchase. Any thoughts on that need?


K

[JudgeDredd]

I rhink you'll find anyone who has played the Airborne Assault games (RDOA, HTTR and soon the COTA release) will not disagree with me when I say they probably have the best AI in any strategy game. That's certainly my experience

Anyone care to disagree?

[Hertston]

All of those have AI, of course and will give you a decent game. After some practice you are likely to beat them most of the time unless handicapped in some way, of course, but that's true of any wargame AI. That's the time for multiplayer.. or indeed the next game.

I'd hesitate to recommend any AI opponent other the others as it's hard to compare, there probably isn't much in it, and I think subject matter and scale is likely to be far more relevant to whether you enjoy the game or not. There's no point in worrying about how good or otherwise the AI in Crown of Glory is if the Napoleonic period doesn't interest you, and you would far rather be playing a WW2 game. A game of WitP could take weeks to finish, but you'll play several Tin Soldiers or Flashpoint Germany scenarios in an evening. It all comes down to what you want, really..

[JudgeDredd]

ORIGINAL: Hertston
...but you'll play several ... Flashpoint Germany scenarios in an evening

Can't agree with you there m8....unless, of course, you have nothing else to do in a working day. Most of these scenarios, iirc, took a fair while to play. Defo not more than 2 in a night...you night owl, you![;)]

[Rainbow7]

Matrix Games has quite a few award-winning titles. There really is a wide selection. Take a look at the Decisive Battles series as well as what's been mentioned above (see Korsun Pocket, Across the Dnepr, Battles in Normandy, Battles in Italy). They're of the highest excellence in turn-based games, with sharp interfaces and beautiful maps. Most of the games here, however, have little video ... it mostly being restricted to opening movies. The GAMES section (on top bar of this page) has screenshots of every game being sold.

A.I. is fairly good in the Decisive Battles series, giving a challange to novice and intermediate players. After that, there's a very active online community (run5) that hosts pbem tournaments.

[karimp]

thanks, great answers..

One more question, what are some of the main differences in the games here at matrix, and other mfg's. What keeps your loyalty to matrix games. I am close to buying some games now, so you folks have been great.


K

[Hertston]

ORIGINAL: karimp

One more question, what are some of the main differences in the games here at matrix, and other mfg's. What keeps your loyalty to matrix games.

There's no generic difference, really. You'll find most of us buy games from the other specialist wargames companies as well, and there are games from HPS, Battlefront and Shrapnel in particular that I would quite happily recommend to you.

Matrix has loyal fans simply because they have a habit of producing the wargames that are always well worth playing, and occasionally are completely exceptional. It helps that they KNOW what we want to play because they want to play it too... they know their games, and wargames. Add to that the fact that, unusually these days, they are actually willing to talk to their public (and are a pretty friendly bunch to boot), and you have a pretty good combination.

[Brolin]

ORIGINAL: karimp

thanks, great answers..

One more question, what are some of the main differences in the games here at matrix, and other mfg's. What keeps your loyalty to matrix games. I am close to buying some games now, so you folks have been great.


K

Just one word:

Customerserviceaboveandbeyondthecallofduty [:D]

[Neilster]

Of the Matrix games I'd recommend Highway to the Reich and the soon to be released Conquest of the Aegean. They're operational level games that have a revolutionary interface where you can give orders to higher level HQs who then work out for themselves how to deploy their subordinate units (unless you want to micromanage).

The strategic level WW2 game World in Flames should be released this year too. It's based on a fantastic board game but will offer so much more.

Check out the Combat Mission games by Battlefront. They are ground-breaking WW2 tactical games and critically acclaimed.

http://www.battlefront.com/index.htm

Combat Mission:Barbarossa to Berlin models Eastern Front warfare. Combat Mission:Afrika Korps is set in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. You can get them bundled together for a very reasonable price.

Cheers, Neilster