On the fence here, what to do?

[davidepessach]

Now this is quite a dilemma.
I love eastern front way better than the western. I'm curious about the war in the pacific (but I know too little at the moment).
I would love to get WITW but it's pricey as hell, WITE could be an option but it's older (I guess there are many improvements in WITW)...in turn WITP is praised as the very best but, as said, I miss a deep knowledge on that front...

What to do?

[Erik Rutins]

That is indeed a tough choice. [8D]

I would ask for a bit more info first - why are you more interested in the Eastern than Western front? If I understood that, I may be able to better gauge which one would suit you.

WITE and WITW are both easier to learn and play than WITP. WITW is probably the easier of the two. Both games can be quite dynamic and interesting and teach a lot about the history involved.

WITP AE is much more complex, but also different in that it's a WEGO game (simultaneous resolution). You will get a grad-level course on the War in the Pacific out of playing it, it's extremely interesting and replayable once you get over the learning curve.

If you haven't played any monster wargames like these before, I'd advise starting with WITW as it has the easiest learning curve, then WITE and then WITP AE.

Regards,

- Erik

[davidepessach]

I'm new to these kind of games, indeed. I don't mind complexity. Right now I'm playing games like Flashpoint, Graviteam Tactics and Combat Mission; stil the operational level is something I don't play often. I'm really enjoying Flashpoint but I feel I can tackle on much more...hence the interest in these games (I also love learning new game systems and reading manuals).

Also, to tell you the truth, I got scared reading the forum about the bugs WITE had on release; thinking about hours of gaming trashed by a crash is a big no. That would point me to WITE as it is older, well patched, hence "safer". On the other side, WITW surely has new features, easiest learning curve...

Though decision; there's a slot in my christmas present list, right aside Combat Commander expansions...

[Grotius]

It's a tough call. Even though WITE is older and patched, I personally think WITW is a smoother gameplay experience. Smaller unit density, better air system, fascinating logistics system, cool modeling of weather. But if you're more interested in the Eastern front, WITE is certainly an engrossing portrayal of that conflict. I just think it's a slightly less "modern" system than WITW.

WITP/AE is an awesome game, but if I were you, I'd save that for later. It's insanely detailed (which is why I love it). Try WITW or WITE first.

[wodin]

@Patgarret..Honestly WITPAE is in a totally different league to the games you've played so far. To be honest I can only recommend it to those who are obsessed with the Pacific as they will get the most out of it.

I recommend WITW and for your East front fix wait for Decisive Campaigns 3 as that is looking unqiue and fascinating with load sof immersion which can be difficult to get from a high scale wargame.


Have a read of the developer updates..good eh?

http://www.vrdesigns.nl/?cat=20

[cmunson]

Also, to tell you the truth, I got scared reading the forum about the bugs WITE had on release; thinking about hours of gaming trashed by a crash is a big no.

I think a lot of people when commenting on WitE about "bugs" are really referring to play balance or realism gripes. To me a game of that complexity that has crashed maybe 2x in hundreds of hours of gaming over many years is not "buggy". Some people thought blizzard rules too tough or Russian attacks to powerful, well maybe. You can goose Axis logistics and morale through the game interface if you feel that way or open the game editor.

I have enjoyed every WitE game I've every played, first to last.

I would urge you buy all the Grigsby games but WitW is a great start. As Grotius mentions, the air, logistics and weather system are second to none in war gaming.

Enjoy.

[SuluSea]

I have all three games. I don't know enough about WITW obviously to have an opinion on it. WITP AE is my favorite game but I think you'd get better value for your money with WITE as it has a very good AI that can also be customized to your skill level. Moraveal has done a fantastic job with the latest updates.

IMO , WITP AE isn't for everyone because of the time spent with logistics.

[sfbaytf]

Greeting from a fellow Combat Mission gamer. War in the Pacific AE is awesome, but its really about capturing/holding key atoll/islands and land masses where you can build airbases and enlarge ports. Its really focused on air power, sea power and logistics. The land combat aspect of the game is not really as fleshed out as War in the East or West.

Sounds like you love the Eastern Front the most and that was really a land combat theater. The only combat zone in War in the Pacific that comes close to the size and scope of the Eastern Front is the CBI and that really is not the main event.

I have War in the East too, but haven't really gotten into it, but stating to take another look, now that I have war in the west.

You'll spend a lot of time moving supplies in WitP to where it needs to be. That is your number 1 concern.

Also are you planning on playing against the AI or another person, because War in the Pacific against another person is a completely different experience. I haven't played War in the East or West against another person, but being a Combat Mission person too I can tell you playing against the AI and against another person is a completely different experience and what you lean against the AI will get you wiped out quickly against another person.

[Jim D Burns]

If the purchase choice you are making is due to limited finance and you don’t think you’ll ever get the other games, then I recommend WitW. Eventually the entire series will all be merged together and that means the new system for air power will be used. The old WitE system will no longer apply so buying an out-dated system won’t help you in the long run if another limited purchase choice in the future would lead you to the huge mega game that will someday be made for all of Europe.

But if finances are not the issue and you simply want to enjoy the game, then go with your comfort zone and get WitE first. If you enjoy it then you can get WitW at a later date.

WitP AE is a great game and probably is my all time favorite game. But learning how to play it well has been likened to studying for a thesis and is not far off the mark. If you have the massive amount of time to invest it can become your all time favorite game too someday. But if you can’t put in the time to properly learn the game it can be an exercise in frustration.

Jim

[Balou]

I am a 50+ years veteran of wargaming. From my viewpoint - in a daily preventive struggle against Alzheimer - every $ /€ spent for games like WitW (just finished Husky against AI on challenging) is by far cheaper than every prescription.

[Qwixt]

I am making the exact same decision between these three games. I started out thinking this is the year for WITP:AE, then I watched the stream for WITW. I had this impression of GG games that WITE and WITW were nothing more than massive amounts of units on hexes, so I never even really looked at them before. But the video stream of WITW showed me that it was much more than that. A lot of care has gone into making the game easier to learn.

With my research so far, I have found WITP:AE is far more complex, and the micromanagement level is not even comparable between the three. The scope is larger. Much more granular turns. Units can be trained and have skill levels. It's the cheapest price of the three, and the oldest. It still gets regular support and has an active community.

WITW appears to be the easiest of the three to learn and manage. Where it differs from WITE, is that it has naval invasions, and a streamlined/different air combat interface. It might possibly have some interface improvements over WITE so it makes more sense. I think I could get into WITW the fastest. It's the most expensive of the three.

WITE is all about the land war. I have not done too much research into this game. I only started to look at it because of WITW. I could not get a feel for how air combat is handled, or the differences between it and WITW.

I plan on playing single player only. So I have been trying to access AIs between the three. WITP:AE appears to have problems because it so large and complex. It might give you a game early on, but then buckle as time progresses. Maybe in smaller scenarios this won't be a problem or with mods? Not sure. I read some AI complaints in WITE when the AI was suppose to be the attacker. Apparently, the AI could be helped by increasing morale(?) or something. Considering I never know player skill when someone complains about AI, I have no idea how much of a challenge any of the games are. But it seems that everyone steam rolls the AI in WITP:AE, or the people I watched were very good.

If I don't bring money into it, I would pick WITW. I think it would be the most playable of three for me. But I have been thinking about WITP:AE, and watching it for years. I think I could handle some smaller scenarios (which should help the AI issue) and have a lot of fun. I doubt I would ever have the time (or attention span [:D]) to play a full campaign.

[sfbaytf]

ORIGINAL: Balou

I am a 50+ years veteran of wargaming. From my viewpoint - in a daily preventive struggle against Alzheimer - every $ /€ spent for games like WitW (just finished Husky against AI on challenging) is by far cheaper than every prescription.

There is something to be said about this. Keeping mentally active is thought to be a good defense against memory loss.

[Missouri_Rebel]

I'm also on the fence here. Never really got into WitE merely for the fact that I just didn't devote the time needed to learn and for the sheer number of units to maneuver each turn. As I understand it, WitW should be easier in this regard. Plus the air war and logistics seem to be an improvement over the other.

Hmmmm.

Man I have a ton of games that never got the attention they deserve.

Choices, choices.

mo reb

[FroBodine]

Me too, mo reb. Too many games, not enough time to enjoy them all!

But, I'm going to go for it. I have never really gotten into a monster computer wargame, but the West and Grigsby and Billings is just what I have been waiting for.

I will learn this game, yes I will. [:)]

[davidepessach]

Thanks a lot guys; I think I will go for WITW; it makes more sense in any category, except the price one...

[Missouri_Rebel]

Pulled the trigger myself. Somehow I knew I would.

[FroBodine]

We're so weak. It's a good thing we are not being interrogated.

[Rongor]

ORIGINAL: Balou

I am a 50+ years veteran of wargaming. From my viewpoint - in a daily preventive struggle against Alzheimer - every $ /€ spent for games like WitW (just finished Husky against AI on challenging) is by far cheaper than every prescription.

I thank you for these words, as this is exactly the strategy I plan to go when I reach higher age. This gives hope that this idea isn't at all naive. I think games like these are very best matter to keep my brain decently active.
Wish you all the best, me approaching the 40s...

[FroBodine]

A mere child. Enjoy the 40s. I'm at the top end of them myself.

[Erik Rutins]

Wargaming is also my mental health strategy. [8D]