What do you think are ToS main strength/weaknesses ?
Are you interested in missions/campaigns ?
Do you like the role playing elements or do you favor
random battles ?
What do you play most : Single/hotseat/netgames ?
How much fun is titan design ?
Strength/Weakness
Moderator: MOD_TitansOfSteel
What I favor best is the chesslike element of the game. I have never played a mistake free game and I seriously doubt that I ever will. What I like the least and I'm not sure why this is but in MechWarrior it was possible to play a game with another person 16 vs 16 assaults in 4 to 4.5 hours. This is not possible in 1.4 netplay. So I guess that what I miss is the small unit tactical element that playing with 2 full squads gives you. As for campaigns,never having played one, I don't know. What I can tell you is that Steel and I have been playing up to 8 hours a night recently because we're totally hooked on building experience teams against a 2 level higher AI opponent. The attraction in this (for me) is two fold. The RPG element of building up my pilots is very satisfying. It's scary when your leader is 10 points away from bleeding to death and you're trying to win the game in time to save him. The major attraction however is TeamWork. I have watched Steel grow and grow as player while we have schemed and plotted the AI's destruction. I am fairly proud of my approach to designing assaults but watching his designs in action has caused me to modify my approach to designing light titans twice now. Which brings me to design. Ghod I love the problem solving in figuring out what a titan is supposed to do. Is it supposed to be the best firepower platform that you can create? Is it supposed to generate experience points for a rookie pilot? CC or long range? How will it fit to create a balanced squad? Designing to me is candy, very frustrating candy but candy nonetheless. Anyway Larkin, I hope that this is what you wanted. If not you're welcome to take it out on me on the field of battle :p
Hetzer
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Raining Steel
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Fri Apr 19, 2002 2:46 pm
- Location: USA - Hawaii
The whole kit and kabootle(sp?)
I Always loved playing RPG/Campaign games (Anyone rememeber the Jagged Alliance series?) TOS does a pretty good job of you building a newbie team and bringing them up through the ranks and watching them get better in battles. I love building Each pilot his own Mech that helps become that Jocks Symbol. (Cyan Gidd aka Undertaker and his Nasty DelSabre Series) But I do see TOS getting old once We can beat the AI np at its max lvl and all are Jocks become the Uber of Uber. This is where i'am hoping the Campaigns come in and I would love to be able to create Module's that Folks can download and add to there game. I can see creating Training Missions for folks new to the game to learn how to operate everything, And Missions that would need 2 Players w/team with certain exp to accomplish. Main thing I guess would be Campaigns that you can play Multiplayer. Would love to be able to see it where the teams can work together or against each other. Would love to see one team be able to defend a Fortress while the other tries to break in and destroy a certain mech then high tell it out. As for the HQ I know there are some bugs re jock creation, I would love to see a larger diversity in Jocks then what there is now. (Jock has ability to increase chances for a critical shot but is horrendous at driving his mech, Jock has Uncanny ability to ... but is bad at ... ). The Factory is done nicely and I really have not seen many bugs or problems. Would love to have more goodies to customize and add to the mechs of course
. The thing I play the most is the MP games in TOS just because once you go MP in TOS it is hard to go back to SP against AI. Hope this was what you were looking for Larkin?
Steel
I Always loved playing RPG/Campaign games (Anyone rememeber the Jagged Alliance series?) TOS does a pretty good job of you building a newbie team and bringing them up through the ranks and watching them get better in battles. I love building Each pilot his own Mech that helps become that Jocks Symbol. (Cyan Gidd aka Undertaker and his Nasty DelSabre Series) But I do see TOS getting old once We can beat the AI np at its max lvl and all are Jocks become the Uber of Uber. This is where i'am hoping the Campaigns come in and I would love to be able to create Module's that Folks can download and add to there game. I can see creating Training Missions for folks new to the game to learn how to operate everything, And Missions that would need 2 Players w/team with certain exp to accomplish. Main thing I guess would be Campaigns that you can play Multiplayer. Would love to be able to see it where the teams can work together or against each other. Would love to see one team be able to defend a Fortress while the other tries to break in and destroy a certain mech then high tell it out. As for the HQ I know there are some bugs re jock creation, I would love to see a larger diversity in Jocks then what there is now. (Jock has ability to increase chances for a critical shot but is horrendous at driving his mech, Jock has Uncanny ability to ... but is bad at ... ). The Factory is done nicely and I really have not seen many bugs or problems. Would love to have more goodies to customize and add to the mechs of course
. The thing I play the most is the MP games in TOS just because once you go MP in TOS it is hard to go back to SP against AI. Hope this was what you were looking for Larkin?Steel
I also love the teamwork feeling. I greatly enjoy building titans according to my pilot's various talents and tastes.
I love creating a team that works as a team, and not a couple of independent titans ganging up on an enemy.
In network, I love playing teams with other players. Missions with different objectives for each team would be cool, so you have to trust the other to achieve their objective in time so that you can achieve yours, like: "I'll go up the hills and blow the fort guarding the pass by turn 1250, so you can make your charge to the valley below" or something like that.
I will be sure to create some missions like that, should the map and script creator be a decent thing.
(Unless, and I am sorry to say that, Morrowind keeps me enthralled for the rest of my life, which is not as unlikely as it sounds.)
I love creating a team that works as a team, and not a couple of independent titans ganging up on an enemy.
In network, I love playing teams with other players. Missions with different objectives for each team would be cool, so you have to trust the other to achieve their objective in time so that you can achieve yours, like: "I'll go up the hills and blow the fort guarding the pass by turn 1250, so you can make your charge to the valley below" or something like that.
I will be sure to create some missions like that, should the map and script creator be a decent thing.
(Unless, and I am sorry to say that, Morrowind keeps me enthralled for the rest of my life, which is not as unlikely as it sounds.)
In the radiated smoke, the engines burned brightly and lit the darkness like a thousand fireflies.
Try taking a look at armor specs (internal and external) for BT Mechs and ToS Titans. As weapon damage specs are about the same...Originally posted by GROND
What I like the least and I'm not sure why this is but in MechWarrior it was possible to play a game with another person 16 vs 16 assaults in 4 to 4.5 hours. This is not possible in 1.4 netplay. So I guess that what I miss is the small unit tactical element that playing with 2 full squads gives you.
Iceman
First of all, thanks for a great game.
Designing titans is by far what i enjoy most about it. Of course, designing them wouldn´t be any fun if you didn´t get to try them out on the battlefield when your done...
RPG element is also crucial. Loosing your favorite jock should sting, aswell as getting your brand new 500 000$ assault titan blown into oblivion. There´s no thrill in random battles.
What I would love to see when TOS:WS comes out, other than a single player campaign/campaigns ofc, is some sort of online league. Where anyone could challenge anyone, with ranking/cash earned going up in proportion to the ranking of the team beaten. Sorta like lasersquad nemesis perhaps, but with the rpg element.
Designing titans is by far what i enjoy most about it. Of course, designing them wouldn´t be any fun if you didn´t get to try them out on the battlefield when your done...
RPG element is also crucial. Loosing your favorite jock should sting, aswell as getting your brand new 500 000$ assault titan blown into oblivion. There´s no thrill in random battles.
What I would love to see when TOS:WS comes out, other than a single player campaign/campaigns ofc, is some sort of online league. Where anyone could challenge anyone, with ranking/cash earned going up in proportion to the ranking of the team beaten. Sorta like lasersquad nemesis perhaps, but with the rpg element.
See: Hall of Duelists
See: Post victories here 5/8/02
See: The latest rankings
See newcomer to netplay discover that what he thought was a great game (having only played the AI) is actually a GREAT game when played against non-artificial intelligences
Wanna make some wonderful new friends in far away places and laugh and giggle while you get to kill them over and over and over again (not, of course, that I... would do such a thing). Want to spend 200 game seconds sneaking up on Larkin so that he can attack you from behind (suprise, no one, Ever, sneaks up on Larkin)? Want to find out why Rosary's name is one of the random pilot names (hint, the skull tileset in the dungeon arena is his self portrait)?
I am Hetzer (picture of kindly beaming slighty daft old man). You can reach me on ICQ at 143948813. The first game against me is always free. If I win I will not post it. If you win you will have bragging rights. ICQ is a great way to deal with questions as they arise in a game. You will find that every one of us will be glad to help you get started and to advise you about the nuances of the game. Just remember to mention ToS in your contact request. Hope to see you around
See: Post victories here 5/8/02
See: The latest rankings
See newcomer to netplay discover that what he thought was a great game (having only played the AI) is actually a GREAT game when played against non-artificial intelligences
Wanna make some wonderful new friends in far away places and laugh and giggle while you get to kill them over and over and over again (not, of course, that I... would do such a thing). Want to spend 200 game seconds sneaking up on Larkin so that he can attack you from behind (suprise, no one, Ever, sneaks up on Larkin)? Want to find out why Rosary's name is one of the random pilot names (hint, the skull tileset in the dungeon arena is his self portrait)?
I am Hetzer (picture of kindly beaming slighty daft old man). You can reach me on ICQ at 143948813. The first game against me is always free. If I win I will not post it. If you win you will have bragging rights. ICQ is a great way to deal with questions as they arise in a game. You will find that every one of us will be glad to help you get started and to advise you about the nuances of the game. Just remember to mention ToS in your contact request. Hope to see you around
Hetzer
i'm in the random database too, aren't i? IIRC that would be because of the 21 duels on record of mine (i don't play much and haven't played in way too long) i've only lost 4.
well taht and that i've been going to the forum since sometime in late late 1999/early 2000 (?? been too long, can't remember).
well taht and that i've been going to the forum since sometime in late late 1999/early 2000 (?? been too long, can't remember).
www(dot)attnam(dot)com
The last time I played through the Titans of Steel:Warring Suns campaigns I had to rescue my team about 4 times($2,000,000) and I even cursed the existance of the designer of maps that I myself created. It was strange.
Anyways, You will laugh, cry and pull your hair (if any) out at times. By the end of the 3rd campaign you will be as kind as a Scorpion and as loving as a jellyfish. In other words, a TOS commander.
Anyways, You will laugh, cry and pull your hair (if any) out at times. By the end of the 3rd campaign you will be as kind as a Scorpion and as loving as a jellyfish. In other words, a TOS commander.
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Peter Yearsley
- Posts: 84
- Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2001 8:00 am
- Location: London, England
- Contact:
The hq is pretty straightforward IMO, and the factory has extensive help through F1 in every field. The only steep learning curve I can think of is designing titans, but that's not something for a tutorial IMO. Most fun is exactly trying to figure out how to do it. Most if not all info you need is in the guide, the rest requires some brainstorming and testing.
ToS is a game of great depth, there's no shallow stuff here. Hope there'll never be. It's that depth that makes it what it is, and separates it from crappy games.
ToS is a game of great depth, there's no shallow stuff here. Hope there'll never be. It's that depth that makes it what it is, and separates it from crappy games.
Iceman
We can't change the basic nature of the game but we have made some tutorial maps that teach how to move your titan and how to attack your enemies in a nondangerous setting so new players can practice without getting an AC20 up their arse while learning.
I have added a How to build a Squad section to the manual as well as tips. There is also a very nice Design Tips section ala Iceman which is fantastic IMO. I'm sure he'll eventually regret giving out this highly secret and valuable info to newbies.
I have added a How to build a Squad section to the manual as well as tips. There is also a very nice Design Tips section ala Iceman which is fantastic IMO. I'm sure he'll eventually regret giving out this highly secret and valuable info to newbies.
Newbie comments
Hi,
I downloaded ToS 1.4 few days ago. I usually play games like SPWaW, althrough I've played my share of mech games. So I know something about this genre.
ToS is very addictive. It's been a while since I've wanted to play 'just one more turn'. Reason to that is excellent combat system. It works very well with few units.
Weapon systems seems to be believable, and I think it allows (wide) variety of tactical choices.
Fog of war is exellent.
Weaknesses:
Game does not look inviting, nor is easy to learn. Tutorials would help here.
Information must be searched. I would like to see important statistics, weapon information (loading time left & range), as quickly and easily as possible. For example, titans maximum attacking range could be drawn in map.
Too much micromanagement. For example, I'd like to give waypoints, and start playing after enemy I've found enemy.
Other comments.
I've played only single games, and if I buy this, I'd still play mostly them. So good campaign or mission system is very important to me. Far too often campaigns are something like this: there's story which explains why you have to make bad guys' life miserable, and finally you meet the big boss. Very boring. Instead I would like to see designed missions with other objectives than just 'go out and kill everyone'. There is good fighting engine in this game, it deserves more than random battles! (Oh yes, and campaign could have special campaign equipment.)
Designing titans is probably fun, I just have not played ToS that long. I do appreciate well designed model titans, they ease my gaming.
One humble wish: music is good, but I'd like to hear something darker too.
ToS is fast paced tactical game. I could imagine myself playing ToS:WS campaign and (user designed?) missions.
-Sasa
I downloaded ToS 1.4 few days ago. I usually play games like SPWaW, althrough I've played my share of mech games. So I know something about this genre.
ToS is very addictive. It's been a while since I've wanted to play 'just one more turn'. Reason to that is excellent combat system. It works very well with few units.
Weapon systems seems to be believable, and I think it allows (wide) variety of tactical choices.
Fog of war is exellent.
Weaknesses:
Game does not look inviting, nor is easy to learn. Tutorials would help here.
Information must be searched. I would like to see important statistics, weapon information (loading time left & range), as quickly and easily as possible. For example, titans maximum attacking range could be drawn in map.
Too much micromanagement. For example, I'd like to give waypoints, and start playing after enemy I've found enemy.
Other comments.
I've played only single games, and if I buy this, I'd still play mostly them. So good campaign or mission system is very important to me. Far too often campaigns are something like this: there's story which explains why you have to make bad guys' life miserable, and finally you meet the big boss. Very boring. Instead I would like to see designed missions with other objectives than just 'go out and kill everyone'. There is good fighting engine in this game, it deserves more than random battles! (Oh yes, and campaign could have special campaign equipment.)
Designing titans is probably fun, I just have not played ToS that long. I do appreciate well designed model titans, they ease my gaming.
One humble wish: music is good, but I'd like to hear something darker too.
ToS is fast paced tactical game. I could imagine myself playing ToS:WS campaign and (user designed?) missions.
-Sasa
Re: Newbie comments
ToS:WS has improved graphics and sound, we'll just have to wait for the release. There are a few preview pics in the matrix site. Eric also designed some tutorials.Originally posted by slehtine
Weaknesses:
Game does not look inviting, nor is easy to learn. Tutorials would help here.
Information must be searched. I would like to see important statistics, weapon information (loading time left & range), as quickly and easily as possible. For example, titans maximum attacking range could be drawn in map.
Too much micromanagement. For example, I'd like to give waypoints, and start playing after enemy I've found enemy.
All the info you mentioned *is* available easily *within* the game, you probably didn't read the manual too close
Check the lines of LEDs in the right side of the battle screen for ammo and recycle, or the numpad keys for displaying weapons ranges (color coded, yellow=cannon,...) and scanner ranges as circles in the map.WS will feature an auto-move option which will come close to waypoints. And you do have an option for waiting for enemy titans to show up, see 'wait on units' 'next foe'.
It's all there, you just have to look
Iceman
This is an answer to slehtine's question about easily determining range.
Use the '/' key on the keyboard and all your weapons ranges will come up as circles around your TOS. I use it all the time.
If you prefer to get a little bit of info about the game at a time rather than read the manual that is absolutely o.k. Just press F1 while in battle or Factory and you'll get a nice list of quick commands that are useful.
One command in the factory which is useful.
1) highlight a system/weapon and press F1 and an info box containing General information, Details and in the case of weapons some Special information will be shown. If you're not sure what something does this is an easy way to find out.
Use the '/' key on the keyboard and all your weapons ranges will come up as circles around your TOS. I use it all the time.
If you prefer to get a little bit of info about the game at a time rather than read the manual that is absolutely o.k. Just press F1 while in battle or Factory and you'll get a nice list of quick commands that are useful.
One command in the factory which is useful.
1) highlight a system/weapon and press F1 and an info box containing General information, Details and in the case of weapons some Special information will be shown. If you're not sure what something does this is an easy way to find out.
Never meant anything of the sort. I just think that people often don't read manuals cause they think they're wasting time, and in the end they waste more time trying to figure out how to play and end up going for the manual anyway. So reading the manual would actually save them time. And the manual for ToS is not that big, in fact it only has the info necessary to start playing.
When I start playing a game, I go through the manual first, and make my own short version of it, with the important info. That's how the guide came to existance.
When I start playing a game, I go through the manual first, and make my own short version of it, with the important info. That's how the guide came to existance.
Iceman