Scared Noob

[sabre1]

I have followed the forums for UV, WITP, and WPO for years. You guys scare me to death. These simulations seem so dang complicated that I am afraid [X(] to try them.

It took me forever just to figure out how to play Steel Titans, which I might add is an excellent game system. The WITP series almost doesn't feel like a game but more of a historical simulation or lifestyle.

Don't take me wrong I really want to try these simulations, I just hate spending the money on something that I will stare blankly at the screen wondering what the heck I'm suppose to do.

If I "were" to purchase, I assume the learning path would be UV, WPO, WITP. I gather that WPO has no tutrorial other than what is posted on the forums? I also assume the other simulations have tutorials, but I am unsure as to how helpful they are.

Anyway, thanks for listening, I just kind of needed to get that off my chest. [:)]

[tocaff]

I started with UV in 2002 and fell in love with it from the start.  I've recently gotten into WPO and yes it's less complicated than WITP because there's no production system (Japan) to run and all of the planes aren't there yet.  WPO takes tons of patience though as encounters with the enemy will be rare because it's almost impossible to patrol the Pacific without planes and those you have are severley limited in range and numbers.  Ships are very slow also.

The best thing about UV is it's scope and you do have to plan ahead for supplies and positioning.

[radar]

I purchased UV 18 months ago and started playing the short senarios against the computer almost immediately after reading the manual and playing around with the tutorial, having had no experience with these types of games or particular knowledge of Pacific War history.

I now have WITP, but I still prefer the "complex simplicity" of UV. I cannot imagine you would regret purchasing this game.

[OG_Gleep]

I have only played the large scenarios, and while daunting at first, the forums (and spooky's) really helped me wade through the more complicated parts of the game.
 
I just decided to load up the game again, and am finding I seem to have forgotten everything. Unfortunatley I can't find the old threads that pointed me on the right path. I still have some of the docs tho, and thats helping.
 
Once you get over the hump, its a really compelling game. I haven't found a game that made me care about my assets as much. I became particularly attatched to my Pilots, and nervously checked the rosters after each battle to make sure my aces, or the elite bomber crews survied.
 
I tried WITP, but there is just so much going on. This is more my speed.

[borner]

once you get the hang of it, UV is very playable. WiTP to me looks unplayable. I tried the tabletop version once, and while the computer version saves 5 tables of space, the scope is too huge. I would rather play a few UV games at once than one WiTP.

[Ike99]

once you get the hang of it, UV is very playable. WiTP to me looks unplayable. I tried the tabletop version once, and while the computer version saves 5 tables of space, the scope is too huge. I would rather play a few UV games at once than one WiTP.

I actually did my first Japanese turn in WITP, took 3 days. Then said the hell with it.

[OG_Gleep]

Yep that sounds like me. Thought I was just impatient and loaded it up a year later. Stuck around for 3-4 turns and swore off wargames for a bit.

[decaro]

ORIGINAL: sabre1

... Don't take me wrong I really want to try these simulations, I just hate spending the money on something that I will stare blankly at the screen wondering what the heck I'm suppose to do.

You can download PacWar for free at the bottom of the Matrix forums; it's a DOS-based precursor to WitP/UV and has a lengthy manual that you can download.

It would give you something of a taste of these games w/o the monetary investment.

[HansBolter]

I don't find WitP to be that bad. Then again, I have played just about every mega-board game ever published with a few notable exceptions.

The worst part of WitP is the 4-5 minutes the AI spends issuing it's orders....I usually get up and leave the room and go glue a few parts on my latest model project and return to find the game has progressed to the report screen of the first submarine encounter or the first beach landing and then I can sit down and watch the action.