Interested in any reviews

[thegreatwent]

This game looks good, any polite comments on gameplay or reviews may tip my decision. Please enlighten me[:)].

[aknaton]

As seen on the Ageod forums this game has some "issues". But I am confident that in a month or two it will be a great game. I personally will wait until after Christmas before I buy it.

/aknaton

[elmo3]

I'd love to see a good WWI design succeed.  Will also wait for some professional reviews before deciding on this title.  It's unfortunate first impressions from some buyers are not great.  But as the saying goes; you don't get a second chance to make a good first impression.

[GShock]

You'll have to wait very long for professional reviews. The learning curve for AGEod games is very steep.

Its complexity needs months and months of long study and lots of experience before you really make the pieces do what you want them to do.
You could have a report on the "feel" of the game, but not on how worth it really is, not before at least a 6-month intensive period.

But of course that depends on what you mean by "professional review". [:)] 

[elmo3]

I meant a review from someone like Jim Cobb @ The Wargamer or Armchair General.  Many companies give copies to reviewers prior to release so they can have reviews available soon after a game ships.  No idea if AGEOD did that or not.  If it takes 6 months then so be it.  Alternatively if the forum posters were glowing in their praise that might push me off the fence, but so far that is not happening.

[Hanal]

I was thinking about doing an AAR similiar to the one I did for Guns of August but this is an entirely different beast.....I think it has great potential but there is no way I am comfortable enough with the gameplay to do it any justice at this time....

[DBeves]

ORIGINAL: thegreatwent

This game looks good, any polite comments on gameplay or reviews may tip my decision. Please enlighten me[:)].

I think the statement from the company itself offering a refund is review enough in itself.

[Krasny]

This game looks like a frikkin bijou disasterette.

Alarm bells started ringing when I heard it was based on the great invasions engine. Another game that's a frikkin bijou disasterette.

And I'm too late to cancel my order from Amazon. [:@]

Alarm bells started ringing when I heard it was based on the Great Invasions engine. Another game that's a frikkin bijou disaterette.

AGEOD released this shoddy game on purpose. Screw them.

Matrix should offer a refund to all people who bought it at their site.

[Joram]

Tell us how you really feel why don't you. 
 
I too am interested in a good review.  In many years of gaming I've never really gotten into WWI and am interested in seeing how this one turns out.  Once all the issues are fixed of course.

[Krasny]

ORIGINAL: Joram

Tell us how you really feel why don't you. 

I too am interested in a good review.  In many years of gaming I've never really gotten into WWI and am interested in seeing how this one turns out.  Once all the issues are fixed of course.

Jor

I think my response was a measured one, given the fact that AGEOD are offering a refund. Which I believe is somthing unique in the history of computer games.

It is the publisher, AGEOD that deserve the condemnation for this, not the developer. AGEOD CHOSE to release the game in a parless state.

I just got my copy in the post. Luckily I only spent £17 on it, including postage, and I haven't got the willpower to try and get a refund off Amazon.

Why was this game released? It seems AGEOD's marketing department outranks anybody who actually played the game.

And before you dismiss my remarks are the baseless wibblings of someone who hasen't actually played the game, please note:

THE GAME IS SO BROKEN, AGEOD ARE OFFERING A REFUND!

[Joram]

Krasny I was amused by your response but in no way dismissed it or begrudge you your opinion.
 
Cheers,
J

[Arsan]

ORIGINAL: Krasny

THE GAME IS SO BROKEN, AGEOD ARE OFFERING A REFUND!

I would read the issue a little different than you (you know, the glass is half full, half empty... or broken it deepens of how you want to see it).
Instead of you apocalyptic views (funny to see how you are screaming around before even installing the damned game![:D]) it could also be put like this:

The game has problems as dozens of games have on release version. But ONLY AGEOD has the decency to offer a refund for those who don’t want to wait for the patches to solve them.

Sounds a little different, don’t you think? [;)]

Instead of looking to other side and maybe issuing a patch or two some months after the release and then forgetting completely about the game, AGEOD has compromised to solve the issues as thoroughly and fast as we are accustomed to with them… AND in addition, has gone so far in their support politics as to offer a refund if you don’t want to wait.

For me the refund offer does not mean the games is more broken than many others. It means that the company has more decency than many others, acknowledge his errors and offer the alternative to stick around and see them fixed eventually or jump out of the boat.
You choose

Regards

[Krasny]

For me the glass half full attitude is way too Pollyannaish, and the refuge of the fanboi.

Not only is the glass half empty, it is cracked and caked around the rim. To paraphrase Leonard Cohen.

To be fair to AGEOD, they are doing the honourable thing. Nuff respec. To quote a certain Queen Mother. I'm sure any other company would hide behind weasel words, promise patches and point out that 'caveat emptor' is latin for 'screw you.'

But it doesn't excuse Ageod from the crass error of judgement in releasing the game. It is stupid in every respect. They will sell fewer games becuase of it, and AGEOD have lost a lot of trust and good will. I own all their wargames, but I'm certainly going to look upon future releases sceptically.

Well now I have had the benefit of actually playing the game, well I managed to get part way through Tutorial 2 before the seeming impossibility of merging units and a freeze crash sapped my morale.

My observations based on this limited exposure to the game:

1. The map orientation is an esthetic abomination. Seriously what manner of wuckfittery caused this thing to come to pass?

Designer: We're going to save a bit of memory if we have North to the left.

Publisher: Sounds good, we don't want to sell any copies of this game anyway.

2. Merging units is impossible. Seriously. I followed the instructions in the tutorial for about half an hour before giving up. It transpires from the AGEOD forum that you have to be pixel perfect.

Designer: We're going to make a simple game mechanic and major feat of dexterity to perform.

Publisher: Sounds good, we want our few customers to be pissed off from the get go.

The only thing that adds a little levity to this game thus far, are the tutorial translations. They made be chuckle and helped stave off the gloom.

[LarryP]

ORIGINAL: Krasny

For me the glass half full attitude is way too Pollyannaish, and the refuge of the fanboi.

Not only is the glass half empty, it is cracked and caked around the rim. To paraphrase Leonard Cohen.

To be fair to AGEOD, they are doing the honourable thing. Nuff respec. To quote a certain Queen Mother. I'm sure any other company would hide being weasel words, promise patches and point out that 'caveat emptor' is latin for 'screw you.'

My observations based on this limited exposure to the game:

1. The map orientation is an esthetic abomination. Seriously what manner of wuckfittery caused this thing to come to pass?

Designer: We're going to save a bit of memory if we have North to the left.

Publisher: Sounds good, we don't want to sell any copies of this game anyway.

2. Merging units is impossible. Seriously. I followed the instructions in the tutorial for about half an hour before giving up. It transpires from the AGEOD forum that you have to be pixel perfect.

Designer: We're going to make a simple game mechanic and major feat of dexterity to perform.

Publisher: Sounds good, we want our few customers to be pissed off from the get go.

The only thing that adds a little levity to this game thus far, are the tutorial translations. They made be chuckle and helped stave off the gloom.

Your post gave me a good laugh. Thank you! I know these are serious issues but there is some good humor here. [;)]

[Krasny]

Never mind, it will be fixed by Christmas!

More humour for you [;)]

[Zakhal]

ORIGINAL: LarryP

ORIGINAL: Krasny

For me the glass half full attitude is way too Pollyannaish, and the refuge of the fanboi.

Not only is the glass half empty, it is cracked and caked around the rim. To paraphrase Leonard Cohen.

To be fair to AGEOD, they are doing the honourable thing. Nuff respec. To quote a certain Queen Mother. I'm sure any other company would hide being weasel words, promise patches and point out that 'caveat emptor' is latin for 'screw you.'

My observations based on this limited exposure to the game:

1. The map orientation is an esthetic abomination. Seriously what manner of wuckfittery caused this thing to come to pass?

Designer: We're going to save a bit of memory if we have North to the left.

Publisher: Sounds good, we don't want to sell any copies of this game anyway.

2. Merging units is impossible. Seriously. I followed the instructions in the tutorial for about half an hour before giving up. It transpires from the AGEOD forum that you have to be pixel perfect.

Designer: We're going to make a simple game mechanic and major feat of dexterity to perform.

Publisher: Sounds good, we want our few customers to be pissed off from the get go.

The only thing that adds a little levity to this game thus far, are the tutorial translations. They made be chuckle and helped stave off the gloom.

Your post gave me a good laugh. Thank you! I know these are serious issues but there is some good humor here. [;)]

[06 Maestro]

ORIGINAL: Joram

Tell us how you really feel why don't you. 

[:D][:D]

Not everyone seems to have faith that the biggest problems will be fixed soon. I am keeping the faith-for now.

[06 Maestro]

ORIGINAL: LarryP

ORIGINAL: Krasny

For me the glass half full attitude is way too Pollyannaish, and the refuge of the fanboi.

Not only is the glass half empty, it is cracked and caked around the rim. To paraphrase Leonard Cohen.

To be fair to AGEOD, they are doing the honourable thing. Nuff respec. To quote a certain Queen Mother. I'm sure any other company would hide being weasel words, promise patches and point out that 'caveat emptor' is latin for 'screw you.'

My observations based on this limited exposure to the game:

1. The map orientation is an esthetic abomination. Seriously what manner of wuckfittery caused this thing to come to pass?

Designer: We're going to save a bit of memory if we have North to the left.

Publisher: Sounds good, we don't want to sell any copies of this game anyway.

2. Merging units is impossible. Seriously. I followed the instructions in the tutorial for about half an hour before giving up. It transpires from the AGEOD forum that you have to be pixel perfect.

Designer: We're going to make a simple game mechanic and major feat of dexterity to perform.

Publisher: Sounds good, we want our few customers to be pissed off from the get go.

The only thing that adds a little levity to this game thus far, are the tutorial translations. They made be chuckle and helped stave off the gloom.

Your post gave me a good laugh. Thank you! I know these are serious issues but there is some good humor here. [;)]

[:D] My eyes started to tear up.

On an upbeat note, I did see something at Ageod about them possibly remaking the map to something more, shall we say, "normal".

[Krasny]

Update: Still working through Tutorial 2. Along side the problem of merging, is the problem of moving, I find it takes me several attempts to achieve a move because when I try to drag a unit, that unit deselects.

Now I know I'm a clumsy old man, with the hand-eye coordination of a corpse, but all other strategy games give me no problems.

I have abandoned Tutorial 2 because of mouse freezing problem on the strategy screen.

BTW Thanks for the apprecation of my humourous critisism. [&o]

Wait for the patch I guess.

[06 Maestro]

ORIGINAL: Krasny
This game looks like a frikkin bijou disasterette.
Alarm bells started ringing when I heard it was based on the great invasions engine. Another game that's a frikkin bijou disasterette.

I too saw the similarities of WW1 and GI, but was not too concerned about it. It is true that GI had some issues; tutorials were outdated/non functioning, rules manual not the best, and the UI issues. It was difficult to learn, but turned out to be a good game (using the JMass Mod).
I had expected WW1 to be somewhat better in its initial release-apparently it is not. I am one of those unlucky enough to have a CPU the game does not like. The patch to correct this should be out on Monday, so I am still not in a tizzy over this.

We should keep in mind that many are apparently able to play the game without any serious problems-luck of the draw. This is not to say that there are a few interface situations that should not be corrected along with the required hardware fixes.