Quality of AI

[lparkh]

I am thinking of getting this game but would like opinions on the AI. For context I found the AI in for example HOI2 (original) rather lamitable. Similarly in Commander: Napoleon (I use this here because the same company did a WWII version which I think had same AI) the AI was pretty passive and feeble both tactically and strategically. I understand AIs are inherently limited. But for example, the AI in Strategic Command II is pretty challenging (for me). So it can be done. I'm a bit worried about this game because an early AAR that was published on TOW had the human player walking all over France and Russia early on (I understand he was an expert player, but was still worrisome). And this does not look like a 'quick' game so I don't want to waste the hours and find no challenge.
Bottomline what do others think of the challenge provided by the computer player. I am ok with giving the computer AI some handicaps as long as not absurd.
Lin
p.s. SeaMonkey I believe you frequent the SC2 boards so would know both games. Your opinion might be especially interesting. Thanks.

[Flaviusx]

The AI is much improved in the latest patch and will give you a pretty good gaming experience, especially a novice at the game. It will not beat a veteran gamer, however.
 
You can crank up the AI to get bonuses to increase the challenge. But the best challenge is always going come from another human player.
 
It's worth getting, even as a solo game. There's also a ton of replayability in it, not to mention mods from the community. Probably the best computer wargame I've bought in years and I'm still enjoying it months after purchase. Especially after the massive disappointment I recently had with HOI3. (What a turkey that turned out to be.)
 
 

[gwgardner]

dittos on the much improved AI, which is capable of defending the key supply centers, developing a front, counter-attacking, exploiting. It's not perfect, but fun to play against.

I don't think its depths have been plumbed until more players start modding, giving the AI different mixes of forces, build priorities, trying out different strategies, or even house rules. Example, lots of players are impatient to launch Barbarossa, which leaves the Russian AI flat-footed in terms of buildup. An historically timed attack gives it a whole year to prepare. Not to say that it's wrong to do the early attack, just using that as an example.