Harpoon III first Impressions

[Motomouse]

I played the first computer Harpoon (dont remember on which platform[:)]) and got my hands on the Harpoon II Multimedia edition for a very fair price long ago. Sadly my pc was not very good at running Harpoon II back in time, but I enjoyed the sweet memorys from the first Harpoon and the very good manuals, especially the guide to nw.

From time to time i was tempted to get Harpoon III (Harpoon II not XP compatible). But I was very reluctant to get Harpoon III soon (Damned Matrix rereleasing the old classics faster than I can earn my cash). Especially as I got my hands on Dangerous Waters not long ago.

But while Dangerous Waters is a very enjoyable game (I really like the voice input), its no Harpoon (different approach). I wanted both! Once more I shelled out my precious, hard earned cash.

And I really like what I have seen until now. The vcr playbacks are a great addition and help to evaluate different approaches. I am not a power harpoon gamer and only tried my teeth on the tutorial missions and on dawn patrol (inspired by the other thread) yet. But I had great fun experimenting to achieve a victory for both sides.

Some hints for newcomers. First things I did to enhance my experience: I customized the interface colors, and while the methods to do this are a little bit antiquated (put in the numbers) the gui and game colors are fully adjustable to your preferences. Next I slowed down the mouse and changed to fullscreen. This way the gui is quite a contender for me. By the way dont be frustrated when you loose while playing the later tutorials, the ai is very aggressive and capable. Use the tutorials as a introduction to the gameplay, not to naval warfare [;)].

Some hints for further development. I dont think a 3D view is very high on the wishlist (Its really not necessary for the Harpoon gameplay). I would like to see little enhancements to the gui, like right click context menus, buttons for functions that can only reached via keyboard yet (ctrl F1 bearing only attack) and improvements to the platform, weapons and scenario info browsers. (no artificially constrained text widgets). I think a voice interface would be a great addition as well and very well in line with the game design. I also would appreciate a scenario browser with some info on the complexity and difficulty of the scenarios (perhaps a pdf in the first step).

Keep up the good work.
Regards Motomouse

[BrucePowers]

This is a good place for this question. I have wanted Harpoon "forever". How is it playing. I have a brithday coming up. Decisions. Decisions.

[Motomouse]

Basically you plan and give orders to your forces to spot and destroy the enemy first. You have to consider different sensor and weapon ranges and coordinate your units to achieve this in the given context.

You give orders for navigation, sensors (active/passive), weapon allocation and formation.

(To get a taste of the game experience you can look at the after action reports in this forum or you have a look at http://www.harpoonhq.com, there you find a wealth of information, reports and scenarios)

Regards
Motomouse

[hermanhum]

ORIGINAL: Motomouse

<< snip >>

Use the tutorials as a introduction to the gameplay, not to naval warfare [;)].

Some hints for further development. I dont think a 3D view is very high on the wishlist (Its really not necessary for the Harpoon gameplay). I would like to see little enhancements to the gui, like right click context menus, buttons for functions that can only reached via keyboard yet (ctrl F1 bearing only attack) and improvements to the platform, weapons and scenario info browsers. (no artificially constrained text widgets). I think a voice interface would be a great addition as well and very well in line with the game design. I also would appreciate a scenario browser with some info on the complexity and difficulty of the scenarios (perhaps a pdf in the first step).

It's very nice to hear that you are enjoying the game. Way to think outside of the box! [8D]

There are a large number of fora that host After-Action Reports, too.

The Matrix H3: After-Action Report section is

Admin Edit - What did I tell you about posting site and DB info Herman?

[Vincenzo_Beretta]

I'm not following this discussion: if posting links to sites offering free material (AARs, DBs, scenarios et al) for Harpoon is forbidden for some reason in this forum (I see this done daily on other Matrix's forums; examples: tm.asp?m=1162253 and tm.asp?m=1162234), then we should have a page dedicated to listing *all* the resources - but I can't see this link just now.

[IMHO we should be allowed to point to outside sites hosting material for the game, like on other forums, so that these links are readly available on the thread when a player is interested in them - but this is not my call]

While we are at it, I would suggest to start making a known bugs page, too - where confirmed bugs are listed, like this one --> tm.asp?m=1151523 - so that the players will have a reference before posting twice the same bug [:)]

[Anonymous]

[Deleted by Admins]

[David Heath]

Hi Guys
&nbsp;
This is a minor issue... in the future please post it in the links section as requested by the MOD.&nbsp; I would also suggest that instead of deleting a post we simply just move it to the prefered forum section.
&nbsp;
David Heath
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

[rhondabrwn]

ORIGINAL: David Heath

Hi Guys

This is a minor issue... in the future please post it in the links section as requested by the MOD. I would also suggest that instead of deleting a post we simply just move it to the prefered forum section.

David Heath

There is a tone of hostility in this forum that I've never seen on other Matrix forums. I sense some personal animosities surfacing here and I don't like seeing that. My immediate reaction is to unsubscribe and not follow this forum. There are plenty of other sites for Harpoon info and comments.

Sorry to sound like a B*TCH, but I really do not feel comfortable here.

It's your forum, of course, run it the way you want.

[Hertston]

ORIGINAL: VCDH

Because I set up a place for people to put those links. I stated that very clearly in that thread. You should check that out HERE

If you can't accept that then please go elsewhere.

Uncalled for.

Vincenzo asked a perfectly reasonable question, the answer to which was puzzling me, and I suspect others, as well. We are reading THIS thread not "that" thread!

[Awac835]

ORIGINAL: Hertston
Uncalled for.

Vincenzo asked a perfectly reasonable question, the answer to which was puzzling me, and I suspect others, as well. We are reading THIS thread not "that" thread!

/signed

This aint the forum for counter strike and we arent 13 year old kids flameing each other. No reason to be rude.

[David Heath]

Hi Guys
&nbsp;
There is some history here I just put it on hold.&nbsp;&nbsp;This new release of Harpoon will be bringing many new gamers to this section and I want them treated in the same manner as on our other forums.&nbsp; Everyone please try to enjoy yourself and let the history stay in the past.
&nbsp;
David
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

[SlapBone]

ORIGINAL: David Heath

Hi Guys

There is some history here I just put it on hold. This new release of Harpoon will be bringing many new gamers to this section and I want them treated in the same manner as on our other forums. Everyone please try to enjoy yourself and let the history stay in the past.

David

Yea, you guys do really well for the most part without Supreme Commander having free reign over your customers.

[Terminus]

Time for a rousing round of "Kumbaya", followed by all combatants returning to their corners...[;)]

[rhondabrwn]

ORIGINAL: David Heath

Hi Guys

There is some history here I just put it on hold. This new release of Harpoon will be bringing many new gamers to this section and I want them treated in the same manner as on our other forums. Everyone please try to enjoy yourself and let the history stay in the past.

David

Very good! Thank You! [&o][&o][&o]

[Temple]

ORIGINAL: David Heath

Hi Guys

There is some history here I just put it on hold. This new release of Harpoon will be bringing many new gamers to this section and I want them treated in the same manner as on our other forums. Everyone please try to enjoy yourself and let the history stay in the past.

David

Thanks David. Part of the reason I participate in these forums is that they seem to be able to maintain a more reasonable tones in the posts than on Usenet.