A few questions, for one recently back in Da ring.

[mantrain]

This game was just dusted of da shelf, and maybe now it's the right time and da right place, but I am amazed again about this game.
It is designed in a highly intuitive manner -- I think.

My one criticism, if you could call it that, is the narrow realm of scenarios. There are plenty to choose from, perhaps however some excellent mods would broaden the game flavor?

Are there any excellent scenarios that complete with the excellence of the stock scenarios?

For those of you that have played this game for some time, how are you over time impressed with the A.I ?? Has it kept up with your increasing skills? If not so much, how would you rate the multi-player community and capability?

Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments on these topics.
Yours,
The Mantain

"All aboard the Mantrain. "Hey, I'm jumping the off."!

[sweeteye]

Hello mantrain... I am just new with this game and have only played a few of the stock scenarios. I decided to create some scenarios and maps. I have only made two so far. My Omaha beach scenario still needs a lot of work...really needs to be redone completely. The XII Corps MLR scenario I am working on right now is turning out much better and I am having a lot of fun testing it out. You might try it out. I have not played anyone elses scenarios just yet although I intend to. I do not think there is a whole lot to choose from just yet. From what I have read in the forums the ones that are available are pretty good.

[Phoenix100]

The Woensdrecht scenario (you can get it from the Matrix games downloads section) is fantastic. One of the best I've played, for sure, because there is great balance, but also great opportunity to win, or seriously lose. The Epsom scenarios are also great. I haven't tried Sweeteye's second scenario yet, but will. All the stock scenarios are fantastic, in my opinion. Many people start with Hofen, which is short, and deceptive, because not so simple. But you can control the small numbers easily enough and learn. Read the AARs if you want to get an idea, I suppose.

The AI is THE thing with this game. It's marvelous and really gives you a good game. Mostly, when I start a scenario, the AI can beat me, or draw, quite easily. It becomes easier and easier to beat it as you go on, however (obviously - you play and re-play and you accrue really significant intelligence advatages because, even though there's no scripting, you learn the VPs, which largely seem to control the AI strategies, and learn all the ways they can be covered etc). The more you play in detail, on slowest speed, I think, the more you can trounce the AI. I don't mean you should micro-manage (you certainly shouldn't), but timely and continuous interventions, especially with artillery and reserves, really make or break it (aside form having a good plan, of course)

I haven't noticed a huge MP community here, sadly. Maybe there is and I missed it somewhere. I've played one HtoH game (Hofen) and really enjoyed it. Much harder than playing the AI, of course.

Enjoy. It's a game that requires a little more imagination than others (less eye candy) but it has an awful lot of info buried in there to fire your imagination and it's all historical. I play with google earth up all the time (you can get overlays that show you exactly where the battlefields are) and that really lets you envisage the terrain properly. Everything is very accurate. Fantastic game. The only game (of all the games I've tried, replete with eye-candy and action or not - which is a lot) which I keep coming back to. The only one that really engages your intellect and imagination properly. The rest are just toys.

[mantrain]

Hello Phoenix, thanks for your recommendation on that scenario. I did not find it though and am hoping you can provide a link as to where to locate? thanks!

[Pawsy]

Its about 6 topics down in the 'The Woensdrecht Isthmus scenario released' topic

[Phoenix100]

And also, at www.matrixgames.com, click the 'Community' tab at the top, then 'scenarios'. It's then in the list there. You might have to join the Matrix games community to get access.