WW2-RTV compared to Commander Europe at War

[Ras Tshubai]

I am thinking of buying WW2-RTV. I love CEaW and I was wondering what is different and what is similar between the two games?

[Chocolino]

Hello Ras,

I like both games, CEAW and RTV. Since RTV is out I have to admit I don't play CEAW any more. I believe this is not only because RTV is the newer toy. (I am a beginner in RTV compared to the ones playing the AARs, please keep this in mind when reading on.)

Both are somewhat comparable on first sight. Both have research differentiated for different weapons though it is handled slightly differently. Both award an economic incentive for conquest in form of production points. Biggest difference though: RTV has a much larger map though (I should say a hex represents a smaller area resulting in more hexes overall). This results in more tactical options such as encirclements etc compared to CEAW.

RTV's naval simulation is a bit abstracted in some areas. If you read the past posts you see some suggestions on its shortcomings some of which are supposed to be addressed in a new patch to be released imminently (hopefully!) One example is that air and naval forces don't interact. But this is just one negative while the game as a whole is very well done. It offers many different options to play.

One really positive aspect is the diplomacy model that works very well in RTV.

AI is usually of interest. It has some weaknesses of course as expected but compared to CEAW it is at least on par and probably better. Recent patches and mods (Pls see the Russian production mod by Gary Gardner) have improved this considerably. PBEM is of course no comparison I imagine.

Best way to check the game out is to look at some AARs. They cover most of the game options.

For me the game was worth the money since it is one of the games I stuck to for a longer time while I put others aside much quicker.

Have fun.

[gwgardner]

Having only played the demo for Commander, I can only state the obvious, which happens to be pretty critical - and that would be the difference in scale. RTV is not so much a grand strategical game.

[Ras Tshubai]

Thanks for the info and feedback.

I have been reading the threads in the forum and what turns me off so far is the naval system. They should have a look at CEaW where firepowerjohan did a great job in coming up with a playable and very realistic naval system.

How is it playing Axis when you can not disrupt delivery of supplies or PPs to the UK and Russia? There should be no way of winning Axis against the vast amount of resources the Allies can ship.

Also, you could play Axis with no navy but to fend of invasions you would need to have air to sink ships. I understand this is not possible due to the modelling of Air?

Any idea if the next update will change some of the above things?

[cpdeyoung]

You can disrupt the flow of supplies and production points.  The convoys between countries are subject to raiding.  There is a special case when neutrals like the United States are allowed to ship PP to beligerents, ie. Great Britain and the Soviet Union.  Once the USA enters the conflict their convoys must be fought through to their destination too.  The naval module takes a bit more flak than it deserves.  I enjoy it, and like any abstraction, if you accept it and work inside the design you can get things done.
 
Please take a look at the AAR for "Sturm und Drang" to see an active approach to the Axis naval situation.
 
Chuck