advice for buying

[SergejK]

if i have stand alone admiral's edition would it be good also to have war in the pacific?
thanks to all in advance

[dougmichel]

I believe AE is sort of an upgrade of WITP with new features, better AI, a bit better graphics, otherwise it is the same. I would see no need to buy both.

[Misconduct]

ORIGINAL: Rommel 1942

if i have stand alone admiral's edition would it be good also to have war in the pacific?
thanks to all in advance

Well basically WITP is good for learning if you haven't played WITP before it's good to learn after, AE is pretty overwhelming for me even when I played WITP for over a year.

Best advice I can give, if your starting out, try WITP in a campaign game for few months to learn the basics, then perhaps switch to AE to build off what you know.

I basically haven't switched to AE yet because my 3rd WITP Campaign as allies is still going and its only 8/43 - which I am pretty much going to finish this campaign and transition over to AE.

[SergejK]

thank you both
i was planing to learn the basics with shorter campaign (guadalcanal) than to start with long campaign
how much campaigns does WIP have? is there some tutorial campaigns?

for the time being i'm waiting for a physical disc to arrive - with Manual and then to start after reading it...
bit offtopic: what is your opinion on war plan orange in comparison with WIP?

[jwilkerson]

WPO is more of a pure naval game - far less emphasis on air units - especially in the 1922 scenarios. I love it!

[tocaff]

I cut my teeth with UV and then eased into WITP, played with WPO and am now fiddling with AE.  It's hard to think of somebody using WITP as a training tool for another game.  You might as well just go with AE, taking your lumps as you learn.

[Alfred]

WITP classic has two advantages over the new WITP:AE.  Firstly, it is less complicated.[:D]  Secondly, it basically has ironed out the significant bugs/play balance issues.  Over at AE, you will find many (although that is really mainly a matter of opinion) who still find significant play balance/bug issues to be sorted out.
 
Alfred

[mbar]

I've been buzzing around the different threads of UV, WitP and AE. I'm really interested in these games. It would be my first real strategy game. I like the idea of AE being the up to date version but reading that some of the automation AI is removed makes me a little nervous and so I lean towards purchasing WitP. Listening for any thoughts if anyone wants to share. [:)]

[tocaff]

Back in 2002 when UV was released it was a very detailed and complex game.  Later along comes WITP and the learning curve was trashed and called the learning cliff.  WITP is intimidating and gets easier, as all things do, as you use it.  AE addresses some of the bug issues of WITP and refines other things.  There is a lot more technical and micro management in AE than WITP.  Automated searches are now manual settings of search arcs, way points for TF are available to be set manually, loading and unloading of shipping is much more complicated, repair of ships is not computer driven any longer and well you get the idea.

If you're into micromanaging a war on a vast scale dive in and don't forget about withdrawing those units on schedule.  There are many other differences between WITP and WITPAE that I haven't mentioned and some people thing they are good and others disagree.

[mbar]

Thank you. That does give me an idea of some of the differences which, as you say, are a big list.

[SuluSea]

ORIGINAL: mbar

I've been buzzing around the different threads of UV, WitP and AE. I'm really interested in these games. It would be my first real strategy game. I like the idea of AE being the up to date version but reading that some of the automation AI is removed makes me a little nervous and so I lean towards purchasing WitP. Listening for any thoughts if anyone wants to share. [:)]

If you intend to play against the AI ----AE is the only way to go IMO. Good luck.

[tocaff]

Forget the AI and think of it as a training tool.  Once you think that you're up to speed try PBEM and you'll never look back.  There's nothing like a human doing exactly what you didn't anticipate.

[mbar]

ORIGINAL: SuluSea
If you intend to play against the AI ----AE is the only way to go IMO. Good luck.

I took the plunge and bought AE. I've let the PC play itself (Coral Sea) to get to grips with what's going on and I just finished Coral Sea playing as Allies. I know it's early but I think I'm HOOKED. I plan to play through these shorter scenarios on both sides quite a few times before diving into a Grand Campaign. But I'm already curious about reinforcements, production, training, proper supply and TF creation. I'm really enjoying it. The time flies and I can play the game even when I'm not at my PC by planning, questioning, imagining and the like.

I plan on writing an AAR from a newb perspective. This is my first taste of this type of game and I though it might be of interest to potential new buyers and maybe even a veteran or two. I am so glad I didn't talk myself out of it. I almost did.

[lolz]

AE is great,really.
but i still love witp and still playing it.

[Misconduct]

I am quite happy I switched to AE, WITP while still a great game is useless unless you play PBEM, I believe the AI in AE surpasses what I expected and it was well worth the $90 I spent.

[lolz]

too bad AE does not have scenerios that start in 42/43/44/45 and control zones like WITP.