Historical WW II game

[WAMedic_slith]

In the grand scheme of things I'm very new to the war gaming genre so I figured I would ask this question of all the experts out there. I am very, very interested in WW II gaming (and WW II history in general). Also looking for a game that doesn't required a tremendous amount of micromanagement (ie - Men of War Assault Squad).

Which is the best historical WW II game/s I should be checking out? At some point multiplayer might be an option but would probably be something PBEM type (where I don't have to sit for a continuous 30-60 minutes playing (might lead to a divorce).

Thanks in advance!

[Mad Russian]

You need to narrow that down a bit. You want a tactical, operational or strategic level game?

Good Hunting.

MR

[WAMedic_slith]

Oh...sorry, yes I guess that would probably help. I guess I would be looking in the tactical to operational arena. A LONG time ago I played the original Close Combat games and really enjoyed them. Are the new games that have come out in that series pretty good and follow a historical path?

[aaatoysandmore]

Panzer Command: Osfront (tactical), Command OPS (operational) two best on the market. (IMHO) of course. [&o]

[Twotribes]

ORIGINAL: aaatoysandmore

Panzer Command: Osfront (tactical), Command OPS (operational) two best on the market. (IMHO) of course. [&o]

How would you know you don't believe in history?

[justadude]

Command Ops lets you decide how much micromanaging you wish to do. While you can give individual units orders, the game really shines when you put yourself in the role of a brigade or task force commander and give Regiments or Battalions orders. I find it to be unique in its approach.

I like Combat Mission, but that is pure micromanagement.

There are a bunch of Close Combat games on this site. They have been upgraded to work on Windows 7 and the result is quite nice. I have Wacht am Rhein. There is one in the works with more up to date graphics.

If you want a robust game that will be able to cover operational and tactical scope as well as different time periods, you can not go wrong with the Operational Art of War. As the name suggests it is more of an operational game, but companies and even squads are possible. It is older, but has some graphics mods as well as a ton of user made scenarios. It is a really good game.

[Mad Russian]

ORIGINAL: Twotribes

ORIGINAL: aaatoysandmore

Panzer Command: Osfront (tactical), Command OPS (operational) two best on the market. (IMHO) of course. [&o]

How would you know you don't believe in history?

Well, I believe in history and I'm pretty partial to Panzer Command Ostfront. It is at the same scale as Combat Mission if you have experience with that series.

Good Hunting.

MR

[MrsWargamer]

So many designs so many aspects.

In addition to narrowing down the scale of action ie squad based company based, operational, grand strategy, you might want to more firmly define how particularly fussy you wish to get on 'historical' as some people here are inclined to think that some games are better then others merely on the basis of how tedious the design is in the process of beating you up over nauseating levels of minutiae.

Because some are micromanagement, and some are merely zillions of mouse clicks as you get to move hundreds and thousands of units each and every turn.

If you want to play a game that is something you can complete a turn in 10 minutes, that is going to leave out a range of titles that will dismay some of the fan boys of the design

[aaatoysandmore]

ORIGINAL: Twotribes

ORIGINAL: aaatoysandmore

Panzer Command: Osfront (tactical), Command OPS (operational) two best on the market. (IMHO) of course. [&o]

How would you know you don't believe in history?

I believe in the GAME that I play though. I don't play them for history's sake I play them like chess. Now quit trying to derail the thread and start something. You'd hate me to have to report you to Erik or Iain now wouldn't you? [:D]

[WAMedic_slith]

ORIGINAL: MrsWargamer

So many designs so many aspects.

In addition to narrowing down the scale of action ie squad based company based, operational, grand strategy, you might want to more firmly define how particularly fussy you wish to get on 'historical' as some people here are inclined to think that some games are better then others merely on the basis of how tedious the design is in the process of beating you up over nauseating levels of minutiae.

Because some are micromanagement, and some are merely zillions of mouse clicks as you get to move hundreds and thousands of units each and every turn.

If you want to play a game that is something you can complete a turn in 10 minutes, that is going to leave out a range of titles that will dismay some of the fan boys of the design

By historical I'm referring to games where the units/equipment are representative of the current time in the game. Battles are fought on maps that depict actual battle locations/terrain/towns, etc. and have some reference to an actual location/battle that occurred in history.

I took a look at Command Ops but that game looks WAY to complicated for my abilities. I'm thinking I need a scale along the lines of squad or company based. Real-time or turned bases isn't necessarily a huge deal. I've watched some videos on Conflict of Heroes...that looks promising. The Close Combat games look promising but since they are 'remakes' of an older game I'm just wondering if there is better out there.

When it gets right down to the nuts/bolts of it, I have always been fascinated by board war games (ie Avalon Hill type stuff). Time and opponent constraints make getting into an actual board game almost impossible so I'm looking for the best computer product. I may try demo of Combat Mission Red Thunder.

[wings7]

ORIGINAL: aaatoysandmore

ORIGINAL: Twotribes

ORIGINAL: aaatoysandmore

Panzer Command: Osfront (tactical), Command OPS (operational) two best on the market. (IMHO) of course. [&o]

How would you know you don't believe in history?

I believe in the GAME that I play though. I don't play them for history's sake I play them like chess. Now quit trying to derail the thread and start something. You'd hate me to have to report you to Erik or Iain now wouldn't you? [:D]

[8|]

[Kuokkanen]

ORIGINAL: WAMedic

When it gets right down to the nuts/bolts of it, I have always been fascinated by board war games (ie Avalon Hill type stuff). Time and opponent constraints make getting into an actual board game almost impossible so I'm looking for the best computer product.

In that case already mentioned Conflict of Heroes could be near perfect choice, becouse it is also a board game. Lock 'n Load series could be good choice as well. From operational scale games I recommend you Panzer Corps serie. From that serie Afrika Korps and Grand Campaign Mega Pack (second requires first to work) provides historical battles in simple & easy to understand game. Warning: Panzer Corps: Wehrmacht is historically least accurate and most undetailed of the lot.

[aaatoysandmore]

ORIGINAL: WAMedic

ORIGINAL: MrsWargamer

So many designs so many aspects.

In addition to narrowing down the scale of action ie squad based company based, operational, grand strategy, you might want to more firmly define how particularly fussy you wish to get on 'historical' as some people here are inclined to think that some games are better then others merely on the basis of how tedious the design is in the process of beating you up over nauseating levels of minutiae.

Because some are micromanagement, and some are merely zillions of mouse clicks as you get to move hundreds and thousands of units each and every turn.

If you want to play a game that is something you can complete a turn in 10 minutes, that is going to leave out a range of titles that will dismay some of the fan boys of the design

By historical I'm referring to games where the units/equipment are representative of the current time in the game. Battles are fought on maps that depict actual battle locations/terrain/towns, etc. and have some reference to an actual location/battle that occurred in history.

I took a look at Command Ops but that game looks WAY to complicated for my abilities. I'm thinking I need a scale along the lines of squad or company based. Real-time or turned bases isn't necessarily a huge deal. I've watched some videos on Conflict of Heroes...that looks promising. The Close Combat games look promising but since they are 'remakes' of an older game I'm just wondering if there is better out there.

When it gets right down to the nuts/bolts of it, I have always been fascinated by board war games (ie Avalon Hill type stuff). Time and opponent constraints make getting into an actual board game almost impossible so I'm looking for the best computer product. I may try demo of Combat Mission Red Thunder.

I felt the same way about Command Ops when I first got it. But, the tutorial it has makes the game seem so easy to play now. If you'll just play that tutorial and do everything in it until you understand it, Command Ops is an easy game to get into. Much easier than Achtung Panzer I'll tell you that. In fact it's like playing Norbsofts Civilwar series now to me. I like Command decisions games more now than I ever did before. It's the way war ought to be played. Whoever heard of a general or commander controlling all of his subordinates anyways like most old boardgames and digital wargames as well. It makes giving orders to a lot of units 1000-5000 a lot more fun than one at a time like the old days. I wish they could make a Pacific War like WitP with this engine model. I'd buy that one but never WitPAE.

[MrsWargamer]

Although I am a VERY big fan of Panzer Corps, it has that puzzle game feel to it in other words the challenge is more in the manner of play style. Damned great game, but might be lower on the historical 'feel'.

Command Ops might not be so hard for you. It has a graphically pleasing look in that it looks just like you are working from maps. But the game design itself is very credible feeling and very realistic in the way command is simulated.

I can also support Conflict of Heroes. Very pleasing experience. Looks a bit board game like due to the actual board game it is derived from.

TOAW III has been out for some time now, but so what, it has always been easiest to describe as 'every board game wargame you ever owned'. It's very historical feeling.

Commander Europe at War is also a popular grand strategy title.

[barkman44]

The Decisive Campaign series aren't bad.

[Neilster]

The tutorials for Command Ops make it easy to get into and the game is excellent. It has a superb AI.

The Operational Art of War 3 is still excellent and the AI is very solid now. There is a major patch in the works as well that should improve it too.

Combat Mission is great. I agree with most of the other suggestions in this thread too.

Cheers, Neilster

[WAMedic_slith]

Thanks so much for everyone's input. I've got the demo for Command Ops installed and am going to play around with it. It seems daunting but I'm not looking for a 'click feast,' looking for more of a 'thinking man's' game. It may take lots of practice and studying but anything worth doing usually does.

[Werewolf13]

ORIGINAL: WAMedic

In the grand scheme of things I'm very new to the war gaming genre so I figured I would ask this question of all the experts out there. I am very, very interested in WW II gaming (and WW II history in general). Also looking for a game that doesn't required a tremendous amount of micromanagement (ie - Men of War Assault Squad).

Which is the best historical WW II game/s I should be checking out? At some point multiplayer might be an option but would probably be something PBEM type (where I don't have to sit for a continuous 30-60 minutes playing (might lead to a divorce).

Thanks in advance!

The Operational Art of War 3 - Good AI - good graphics - lots of scenarios that cover WWII as well as hypotheticals, WWI and some in between stuff. Easy to learn and still going strong even after being released I thinik - what - 15 or so years ago.

[tammybilla]

I AM ALSO WILLING TO PLAY IT WHERE CAN I GET IT?

[harry_vdk]

ORIGINAL: WAMedic

In the grand scheme of things I'm very new to the war gaming genre so I figured I would ask this question of all the experts out there. I am very, very interested in WW II gaming (and WW II history in general). Also looking for a game that doesn't required a tremendous amount of micromanagement (ie - Men of War Assault Squad).

Which is the best historical WW II game/s I should be checking out? At some point multiplayer might be an option but would probably be something PBEM type (where I don't have to sit for a continuous 30-60 minutes playing (might lead to a divorce).

Thanks in advance!

I was starting a year ago with wargaming with Unity of Command (including the 2 dlc) and this give a global historic overview of the war on the east front (not the west).

It start in 1941 with "Operation Barbarossa" and finish in Berlin 1945. Most scenarios are not to long and can played in one peace.

For me was this a good choice.

Harry