How does ToW compare?

[PoorOldSpike]

Hi guys, I'm part-way through a review of Time of Wrath over at the Few Good Men club-

http://www.thefewgoodmen.com/FGMForum/f ... y.php?f=87

and I wonder if any of you can tell me how ToW compares to other WW2 grand strategy games that are around; i mean what sets it apart from them and makes it better or worse?

[gwgardner]

It gives a more board-game feel, with hex movement, but of course with all the ease of setup and play of a computer game. The scale is small enough to allow for weekly turns as opposed to the grand-strategic games that are out there. Has a real operational feel, at the division/corp level. No game has to be the same, with multiple diplomatic and event options.

Play the demo and get an idea. Realize that there has been a beta patch that improves the play beyond that in the demo.

[PoorOldSpike]

Thanks, this is what one guy says about ToW at the Few Good Men, if you care to comment i'll pass replies on to him-

"The rolling dice thing spoils it for me. Makes it all seem a little random"

PS- alternatively join FGM and post replies yourself and also comment on all the other games we review over there, or start new threads and stuff in any of the discussion forums. I'm second-in-command and you're all invited..

[gwgardner]

I don't know what he's referring to. The only dice roll you ever hear of in ToW is when it reports the battle results or air strike results. If the guy thinks that games don't often use random number generators for determining results, he's wrong. Probably most games do use 'dice' or random number generators. ToW simply reports them, in the effort to show more information, which is something I and others have asked for many times.

[Magpius]

here is 3 reasons...

• The ability to change sides mid-stream, or take the reigns for a portion of the game is a BIG plus.
• The ease of modification, graphic and game values, also sets up this games potential longevity.
• The communication and enthusiasm of the whole production team in creating this product is refreshing and encouraging; and creating an appreciative community as a result.

[PoorOldSpike]

Thanks; incidentally this is how the units display on my monitor, they seem annoyingly streaky as if painted in watercolours instead of solid colours-

[/img]

[Uxbridge]

You're right. This was one of the things that much disturbed me as well. But its also where ToW comes in much better than other games, foremost in that the graphics can be corrected to one's liking. Me and Agent changed the graphics to something more boardgame-like. You can see some results of our experiments here:

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2192644

If you don't feel upp to doing this yourself; just wait. There's bound to be some mods out shortly.

I have played Strategic Command, Commander and Road to Victory (Time of Wrath senior) rather extensively. They're all good games in their own special ways, but the latest comes out the winner in most regards. Mainly, the ground part of the game is much more rewarding, with a more fluent movement and combat system than its competitors. The high modability and excellent developer team backing is other factors that stand out. The only part of ToW that could be made better is the naval aspects of the game, but you can't have it all and its much improved now than when the first game was released.

[Wolfe1759]

ORIGINAL: Poor Old Spike

Thanks; incidentally this is how the units display on my monitor, they seem annoyingly streaky as if painted in watercolours instead of solid colours-

I think the intent was a sort of "brushed steel" look though I prefer the Swatter555 and Agent S counter mods and hopefully we'll be seeing 1.60 versions of these in the near future.

[PoorOldSpike]

ORIGINAL: Uxbridge
You can see some results of our experiments here:
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2192644

Great stuff..
PS- I'm posting some of you guys replies into my ToW review at the Few Good Men, let me know if you object and i'll go delete them-

http://www.thefewgoodmen.com/FGMForum/s ... php?t=3188

[Magpius]

no objections post away

[Uxbridge]

Yes, whatever to spread the word of this game. [:)]

[cpdeyoung]

When I first came upon "Road to Victory" in the matrix forum I knew I had to try this game. RtV was getting some complaints but it seemed worth purchasing. I bought it, and have rarely made a better purchase. At that time the community arround this game was pretty small and was divided into those who saw potential, and others who had no faith that issues with the game could be fixed. I liked the game from the start and started doing AARs and found I was swept up in the grand scale. I got on the beta team as quickly as possible, and have watched as the development team worked hard on every version since. They have listened carefully to the community input, but kept the vision they had, protecting the games integrity. This is important, because some ideas are compelling in themselves, but work against the game system.

ToW is a direct descendent of RtV, with many, many improvements. I have tried one or two of the other games at this scale, and this is the one for me. I thinks it falls between AH's "Third Reich" and SPIs "War in Europe" in complexity. RtV played more quickly, less turns, less player tasks each turn, but I think ToW still gives the feel of the conflict, without too great an investment in time. This game is addictive, quite wonderful, and all this is due to a group of developers who remained true to their vision, and calling. They work very hard.

Chuck

[oldspec4]

+1