Seeking Solid Pacific War Game

[ChadS]

I'm actually looking to unload my copy of World In Flames...

I have several "monsters," including A World At War, Pacific War, Next War: Korea, Pax Britannica, and WiF Final Edition Deluxe (for sale...)

[Lokasenna]

Then clearly you should take the plunge!

[BBfanboy]

+1 to what temagic said. The game has layers of detail so you can start shallow and just get it going and have fun. Over time you add all the tricks of the trade you learn from the forum about how to use the myriad of controls and options to control units and then execute an overall strategic plan. The small scenarios are great for learning how-to.
The AI opponent give you a feel for risk taking or avoidance situations. When you are sure enough of your grasp of the game, take on a human opponent and test yourself to the limit.

[ChadS]

Trigger pulled. Thanks to all for comments! I look forward to having you each explain to me every last nuance of the game! [:'(]

Best to all!

Chad S.

[JocMeister]

ChadS

Congratulations! I´m sure you won´t be disappointed. They game certainly have some quirks I don´t like but I have played this game for the last six years so the quirks are certainly outweighed by the positives! About the command structure you really don´t need to bother with it. Its impossible to keep a "proper OOB" in the game. The game doesn´t care if a division has its Corps HQ in range as long as you any Corps HQ in range. Only difference you need to know is "restricted and unrestricted".

Don´t get intimidated by the game the first time you start it up. I suggest you begin with one of the smaller scenarios (Coral Sea or Guadacanal)and prepare to start over about 100 times before you get it "right" [:)]

Good luck! [:)]

[pws1225]

Welcome aboard.

[ChadS]

Thanks!

Now, if I can just figure out how to get started.... [;)]

I started a Guadalcanal scenario last night. Guadalcanal is something I know a little bit about, so I thought having some understanding of troop commitments, and how the battle played out might help some. I could use a really solid "walk through" of what to do and when. If there's one out there, I'd be much obliged in knowing where to find it!

Chad S.

[aphrochine]

Not much to add in the way of comments on content and mechanics but I'll add this...


I've been playing war games for over 20 years. I'd consider myself a semi-grog. WitP:AE PBEM with the right opponent is easily the best, most satisfying and rewarding war gaming experience I've ever had.

[LoBaron]

ORIGINAL: ChadS

I could use a really solid "walk through" of what to do and when. If there's one out there, I'd be much obliged in knowing where to find it!

Chad S.

Try this link. Not Guadalcanal but pretty much what you are looking for:

Training Vids

[wga8888]

Although I have two games of WITP-vanilla in progress (vs human and AI), the drawback of the game is it is intensely detailed and a huge consumption of time, limiting other uses of discretinary time, such as staying active in tournament level boardgame play. Player attrition makes any conclusion of a campaign game started unlikely. I have started 8 of the much smaller Uncommon Valor games vs a pool of 5 opponents and only one is still progressing 6 months later now past Oct-42 with several mulligans employed (unintended decisive CV battles due to TF settings). Scenario preferences of opposition tend to be the non-historical with the entire CV fleets of both navies commited to the SWPac for 18mo; IJN has a decisive advantage in numbers and quality of CV fleet. Both WITP/UCV break down if played more than one day/turn as daily resolution still occurs regardless of the number of days per turn (a bad situation becomes a disaster). UCV flaw is it comes down to the CV battle with using ahistorical scenario (CVs dominate the seas and other ships hide off board); but with majority turns of little action, LBA raids of little significance other than training. My guess is WITP, there is much incremental activity all over, but Allies are largely impotent during the first 6 mo. Playing daily turns with an opponent who send a turn every 3-4 days, means 3-4 years to get to the end of 1942.
-
The Pacific War game I most enjoy and continue to play (vs Human opposition) is DOS Pacific War; free matrix download, using Brad Kay's modified campaign. [This deals with issues created during SSI-Matrix conversion.] Weekly turns (clock progresses noticably) with weekly combat phases (2 naval, 2 air, 2 land). Lacks the doctorate level detail of WITP, but can complete an entire campaign in reasonable time (about 6 months of real time). Like most games, its the quality and attitude of the opponent that makes the game worth the effort. I get nothing out of winning/losing by playing A. IJN players who abandon the game if they are not winning decisively or refuse to play the midgame/endgame to see who actually wins when it is no longer 'fun' for the IJN (same problem with professional German and Confederate players]; is the critical decision when starting a new game. AI is a tool to learn how to do something. IMHO, AI is an unimaginitive opponent, who cannot learn, cannot socially interact, demands all your time, and really couldnt care less; why marry such a person?
-
Like any game of this scope, it is a good choice only if you wish to commit to a lifestyle/religion and withdraw from any other competing life pursuits. For the most part you will be playing AI or other like minded individuals.

[bigred]

ORIGINAL: LoBaron

ORIGINAL: ChadS
At the price, I can't afford to buy it for both me and my brother (I do that periodically). We can probably hot-seat, as he's only a few miles away, but we have conflicting schedules.

Let me just say that this game (and its predecessors) have delivered the by far best bang per buck for a game since I can remember. And this
comes from a guy who close to never plays short lived play-through and dump games but focuses on replayability and longevity when
chosing what to buy. I always have times where RL interferes with my gaming, and the game I always return first to is WITP AE, without
even thinking twice.

The price is above average, given, but you can expect to play for an extremely long time, and with multiplayer and mods the replayability
perspective is nearly unlimited.
So don't view the price from a conventional game PoV, it might be well worth to invest into two games. Suggest you buy a copy and then decide.
Depending on you ability to spend time you can expect grand campaign durations of 1-3 or even 4 years.

There are great smaller scenarios as well which introduce you to game mechanics, and are also an interesting way to get to know your
potential opponent should you decide to search for one. Shorter, less demanding, and the dropout rate is much lower.

As a reference I started my recent PBEM GC 30 Months ago, the guys I play with/against I now see as friends. It is now spring 44 and
I expect the game to still last another year after which there its time for a rematch. [8D]

ps. Make sure your marrige is on a strong footing and your job is secure.

Sometimes it will take a full hour to make an organized turn. Hotseat idea is probably impractical. better to send him an email so he can work on something other than AE.

[LoBaron]

ORIGINAL: wga
Like any game of this scope, it is a good choice only if you wish to commit to a lifestyle/religion and withdraw from any other competing life pursuits.

Although what you say is a common joke on the forums, this is the first time I have actually seen anybody believe that BS. [:D]

OTOH if you tried to handle 8 UV PBEM games at once this hints on how you approach the game, and this easily explains your comparision.

Besides that, using UV, or even WitP vanilla, as gameplay critique on WitP AE, makes as much sense as explaining a Grumman F2F to somebody who wants to fly a Bearcat.
Usually that explanation lacks and contains a lot of errors. [;)]

[ChadS]

Well, in any event, the decision was made--the money spent, the HD space allocated. Several years ago my wife met my high school sweetheart, and the first thing the old girlfriend asked--"does he still play computer games all the time?" (Back then, though, I was usually writing them myself...) So, the "lifestyle" thing is really a non-issue for me, anyway. I do have other pursuits, including old-fashioned board games.

At this point, what I'm trying to figure out is, when is the appropriate time to switch from playing Guadalcanal and Marianas, to trying to tackle one of the big boys. Part of me thinks, "no time like the present!" Part says, "you have much to learn, young jedi..."

I've got Tracker up and running, and I'm also using Combat Reporter (which I think I like even better). I assume I'll have a spreadsheet or two eventually, once I better understand what is important to track. The game makes a big deal out of the pilots and upgrades, but I'm not sure I yet have an understanding of the urgency that seems to be placed on those topics. Seems that, at least on Japan's side, Production is the biggest bear to wrestle, with the Allies having coordination issues in moving stuff across a big ocean.

[LoBaron]

Don´t worry about the best moment to switch to a more complex scenario. There is none.

In my opinion both, a slow start with Coral Sea, 1000 Mile War, Guadalcanal, Marianas, and then the GC, or a jump into the cold water
without prep, have their advantages and disadvantages.

If you enjoy a scenario and want learn the details, why switch to the next, if you want to see more complexity, more units and the big pic, then look at the GC.

I suggest you take a look at Scenario #1 as Allies. If you feel a bit overwhelmed, no worries. Look around and then decide if you want to give
it a go or go back to Guadalcanal to focus on game mechanics before tackling the beast.

Personally I enjoyed Guadalcanal for a very long time, not only because it covers many major technical aspects of the game, but also because
it is large enough and has enough units to enable you to develop complex tactics, try deception moves, engage in attritional warfare, and learn
the finesses of naval, sub, asw, carrier, amphibious, air and land war.

It is also a blast in PBEM, fast turn rate, less complex than the GC, and shorter timespan.



The game puts a lot of emphasis on Pilot trainings and upgrades, but against the AI it is neither important nor requires immediate attention.

You got it right, Japans key to long survival is the production system, but I reccommend you start with Allies first. IJ industry is a big additional
layer to grasp, and very complex, more so if you have no understanding what your requirements are and how they are influenced by your
operational tempo and number of operations. To get an overview on how it works, and how much there is to consider, go through this great
guide by Damian:
JEcon 101 setup

The Allies have less coordination issues as in the real war (no national or interservice rivaltries, and the benefit of 20/20 hindsight), but they
simply don´t have enough of anything at the beginning. Worse pilots, worse airframes, outclassed ships, less carriers, low morale and badly equipped
troops, and too much of an area to defend to cover everything. So your main problem will be to set up a defensive line and decied where to abandon
completely (Brave Sir Robin), where to make a fighting withdrawal, and where your do not cross lines are.

Whatever you decide, forum is there to answer questions, good hunting. [;)]

[ChadS]

Great comments. And, I was actually reading the JEcon 101 Setup doc when I got notified that you'd written this post.

I think that my biggest trepidation has been the sheer size of the front (from either perspective). How can I possibly remember what's where, what needs supply, what can be forgotten for a few months, etc.? I need to remind myself that this game moves fairly slowly, and, from what I can tell, losing a key (but minor) area (not talking about Pearl for instance, but maybe Midway, or similar) isn't the end of the game, and more importantly, isn't instantaneous. I believe I will start a GC as Allied to get a feel, and continue to study the Jap Econ model, before jumping into a PBEM game. I may look into a PBEM GC game soon, though.

[Odin]

Simply start playing and you will have a new style of life.[:D]

You will get lost completely man.