Would Have Liked To Get This But...

[Missouri_Rebel]

I can't justify the $85 price hit as I don't own the original. I guess one day they might offer a package, but who knows? Seems like there should have been a sale on the original for those looking to grab the expansion.

mo reb

[wodin]

Reb, Just buy BftB for now mate and get HTTR at a later date or the next payday. Honestly it is worth the money, I'd rather have this than pretty much any other wargame in my collection bar CMx2. So that means god knows how many games and money spent on them I'd still rather just have BftB.

HOWEVER you do have to be a wargamer to appreciate it, not sure what games you buy here.

[rfrizz]

BftB will keep you plenty entertained for a long time by itself. Not only do you have a boatload of scenarios, they play out differently every time. Even without computer-supplied randomness/luck, the timing of when you issue your orders and where you send your units will always vary from game to game. But than is the way it happens in real-world combat. Say your light infantry company is trying to sneak into the enemy's rear; the attack could succeed or fail on the most trivial, "dumb luck" event.

Say the company's left-most flank is juuuuust brushing up to a minefield. The left-most soldier could make it through without a problem, or he could step on a mine, which would alert the enemy to your presence.

Even the simple hypothetical Return to St Vith scenario can have vastly different outcomes even when you do the same thing each time.

[Perturabo]

I'd say play the demo for a longer time. If you'll have fun trying out various possibilities in the demo scenario and playing it from different sides, the game is probably well worth the money. If not... It's possible that you'll end up with an expensive game gathering dust on your shelf.

Also, the NWS store sells BftB for $49.99.

[Missouri_Rebel]

Oh, I didn't even realize they had a demo for BftB. I'll get it now and try it out.

Thanks

[Phoenix100]

The demo - as has recently been noted - is not patched though - so there's a chance you could get put off by bugs which aren't there now.

[Bazza042]

ORIGINAL: Missouri_Rebel

I can't justify the $85 price hit as I don't own the original. I guess one day they might offer a package, but who knows? Seems like there should have been a sale on the original for those looking to grab the expansion.

mo reb

Clearly everyone has to make their own choice, and it must also depend on your interest in the scale and battles covered, but I would unhesitatingly recommend this game. If you can afford it you will get many many hours of playing pleasure out of it. More I would suggest than with 2-3 cheaper games which, if you are like me, you probably will not play again after the first couple of months of ownership. If you like the demo I would also get hold of the training videos and then make a decision. That will give you an excellent idea, for good or bad, as to whether to invest such a considerable sum.

I paid the (old) full price but have not regretted the purchase.

However each to their own.

[Grim.Reaper]

Agree that everyone has to make their own choice based on what they can afford and how much they enjoy a game like this. I have purchased all the games (except the very first one since it is no longer around) produced by this developer at the original release price and have not regretted at all. It offers something very unique that other wargames do not offer and comparing how many hours of play you get out of it, over time is well worth it. I had some initial concerns how pricing would end up for the current and future expansions, but I have gotten over that and the current price seems fair. Certainly if you try and "catch up" by buying the older games or base Bulge game combined with the expansion, could be expensive for you depending on your situation, but as others have mentioned, you can buy a piece at a time so your not having any single big expenses.

[Missouri_Rebel]

It's definitely not a lack of funds per say. The family could skip a few meals if it came down to it. I guess it is more of deciding if I will play this enough as I already have a large collection of Matrix games that never get played or not enough. I am right now just extensively playing WW1 Gold after owning it since May 10, a fine game in its own right.

The Arnhem battles have always intrigued me since early years and I guess I need some time with the demo to see if it my cup of tea. What I was hoping for was some sort of bundle package that could help the initial hit. Seems like a good model would be for customers to pay full price if you only buy BftB or slightly a reduced one for those making a larger initial investment. Personally, I think it would make good business sense to do so that way they are actually selling 2 games to people with the assumption of more expansion sales in the future as people owning the original are more prone to purchasing the various expansions. Not really a big deal though as you are only talking maybe a $10 difference, but it very well could spur further revenue streams.

Yet, that is Matrix's call and they know what is best for protecting their profits and business. Lord knows I have made some bad business decisions. Something to ponder I guess.

In the end I have to decide what the price point is for me.

mo reb

PS...About the demo. Is it supposed to be so quiet as far as battle sounds are concerned? Not sure If I am missing some kind of files or if the battle sounds are not really represented?

[wodin]

Mo Reb, You hear different sounds one a unit fires etc. Also the demo is an old version, so i wouldn't really go by how that plays out.

Also I understand where your coming from about buying a game then hardly ever playing it even if it is supposed to be amazing.

Oh and I agree WW1 Gold is an overlooked classic..sadly tainted by the previous version. It's the only Grand Strategy game I've played that I actually enjoyed.

[Missouri_Rebel]

Yeah wodin, I think people are making a big mistake if they do not give WW1 a good look. The game is very deep with an incredible amount of options and scope.

As far as BftB demo goes, what the heck am I supposed to be doing?

My units are near the bridge and getting hammered until they fall back. I tried attacking with a couple of them but they didn't get far. I'm just not sure what I should be doing as the game seems to be doing everything by itself. The one thing I'm unsure about is what is in range. It seems like all of the enemies are attacking and disrupting across very wide area. I have one detachment far into the woods across an open field and over a river from an enemy and they are somehow getting smashed. Clearly it is too far for small arms, yet my units are taking damage as if they were fighting close quartered. I assume I 'square' is 1km? If so the enemy is shooting at my guys bout 1 1/2 km away across a river and far into the woods while being in another set of woods across the river.

Am I just supposed to watch something happen or what is the interaction part of this game?

Thanks. I want to get it, I just don't.

mo reb

[Missouri_Rebel]

For instance, look at what I have circled. Those 2 units surrendered. But to whom? Surely not the units across the river. Wouldn't they have just retreated more. Heck, I'm not sure what was even harming them because the 2 units are so far away and mine being deep woods?

Can someone explain?

mo reb

[wodin]

Mo Reb, the best advice I can give you is watch all the tutorial videos. You can interact as much as you wasnt\micro manage as much as you want or macro, however to get the most out of the game a good middle is best say battalion level orders. You could I suppose issue one order and watch, but one you will loose and two what would be the point?
Anyway there is so much to the game I say watch the tutorials and read some AARs.

Oh is that two untis surrendered or just one? I see the 2 coy have but has the other unit aswell. I expect that a fair few troops have run away totally (surrendered) and the rest amalgamated into the other units.

Also the DEMo is an old version. Alot of oddities have since been fixed. To be honest with you I wouldn't even bother with it until a new version is released. When the game first game out for instance the tutorial scenario was easy to win, now it isn't anyhwere near as easy.

[Missouri_Rebel]

Well the scenario ended. I received Peiper and just clicked attack on the bridge icon and watched. What followed was a chaotic scramble until the scenario ended.

I must have done good because a car has been sent for me. Probably want to give me some kind of medal I bet. News has reached the top and I will finally get some recognition.

Ok...off to the video tutorials

mo reb