ORIGINAL: GoodGuy
ORIGINAL: MajFrankBurns
You just proved my point you even said it in your post. You CAN issue orders and just sit back and watch the ai play itself and it looks just like a presentation and/or simulation. That's my point. You can do it in Mad Minutes Bull Run & 2nd Manassas as well. You don't have to do anything after giving initial orders but just scroll around and watch the ai play itself.
Actually, your reply proves that 1) you haven't read my post thoroughly, and 2) that you don't understand what the game is about.
1) I said you CAN issue orders and then sit back, which may indeed lead to the impression that the game is rather like a presentation than a fully fledged game, AT FIRST GLANCE.
This is not the case, though.
I should have added another sentence there (I typed so much, I simply forgot it): You actually
have to intervene, readjust plans, cater for unexpected events, etc., IF you want to WIN (and make a difference), despite having an excellent player AI, because the enemy AI is superb, too.
2) Understand the game (and its depth) first, before emitting assumptions in forums:
Just like a real general, you're pretty much supposed to be a crisis manager, where you don't bark just one order, where then everyone has to stick to this golden rule, but where you have to make sure (by assigning/detaching the proper contingents) that the subordinated officers have the troops/resources they need (for the task ahead), and where you have to develop an operational plan in your head. Still, say you've started a scenario and you have given all vital orders, if you then just sit back without intervening, you will get average results, if at all. Major victories take quite some effort, a good strategy, and proper execution, and, last but not least, some babysitting for weaker/less experienced units, most likely.
So, your last sentence shows everyone (who's familiar with the series), that you either have not played the game at all, or that you did not play it for more than say 2-3 hrs.
Basically: you don't know what you're talking about.If one tries to win with one set of initial orders only, like you suggest, then the enemy AI will kick the player's a$$, as the enemy AI is reassessing the situation continuously, making it absolutely unpredictable. Sure, both sides have their objectives, but everything else (this involves plan execution, shifting plans, reacting to most recent events, force allocation, etc.) will be different each time you play a scenario.
With a set of initial orders the player AI may strike at abandoned locations/villages, with the enemy having moved behind the player's positions to cut him off, or with the enemy AI either trying a three-prongued attack or even a pincer movement. The AI is that smart.
Sorry, but you have no clue.
