Worth picking up?

[76mm]

I've always been interested in Napoleonic warfare but have never found a game that really interested me. This one is on sale, is it worth picking up? Is the AI half-way decent?

I'm looking at the AGEOD game as well, and am sorely tempted, but I've bought a couple of their games so far and didn't enjoy them much for some reason.

Any words of wisdom?

[Recognition]

I would say a definite purchase especially for the price of around Euro 10.

I have AGEOD games and enjoy them, but I've found Im playing and enjoying COTD more in a very different and relaxed way......if that can be said when getting the true feeling of being the C in C strapped to the map scratching ones head.

Im running Win 8.1 and have absolutely no problem running the game btw.

[76mm]

Yeah, for the price it seems pretty hard to turn down...will probably buy tonight.

[Recognition]

Has a very decent AI also in my opinion.

Make sure to check out Chemkids very nice map and counter mod.

tm.asp?m=3884743&mpage=2&key=&#3893391

[76mm]

Yes, I'd seen those mods, I would definitely install when/if I buy the game.

[Ostwindflak]

This is a good game 76mm. New patch was just released too fixing a few problems, so now it is better than before. A must buy indeed.

[76mm]

I guess the fact that there is anyone on this forum more than 10 years after release (?!) is a good sign...

[Recognition]

That`s true and a classic in my book.

[Rasputitsa]

ORIGINAL: 76mm
I've always been interested in Napoleonic warfare but have never found a game that really interested me. This one is on sale, is it worth picking up? Is the AI half-way decent?

I'm looking at the AGEOD game as well, and am sorely tempted, but I've bought a couple of their games so far and didn't enjoy them much for some reason.

Any words of wisdom?

I have enjoyed this game immensely, even with the faults in the previous versions. The AI will do odd things, your subordinate commanders will not always do exactly as you intend, they have minds of their own and the orders you select can have unintended consequences.

The FOW is strong in any of the settings, but it captures the period very, very well.

The game scale is just right, not trying to fight the whole Napoleonic wars on a European scale, but down in the mud at the operational scale, where Napoleon excelled.

Tactically small combat events and skirmishes are resolved by the computer as part of the move process, major battles will be presented for you to select your forces' battle stance, the available choices will depend on your basic movement orders (e.g. units set to 'probe' are not configured to launch a massive frontal assault in battle). The computer will resolve the battle and present the casualties and it is very important to check the state of commanders and units after major combat, before deciding on further action.

You play to a result in a reasonable number of turns, which doesn't take forever to play. You can select a scenario with a month, or so, of game time, or select the 'campaign' version of each scenario to extend the playing time to several months.

Game interface is simple, but effective, leading to potentially complex effects, choosing the combination of orders to produce the results you want is easy to accomplish, but demands some thought to get it right. Sending troops into battle with the wrong orders can be devastating, but history is littered with examples of such situations.

In this AAR (v3.03) I have tried to portray the depth in the game and the thinking processes it provokes.

tm.asp?m=3884678

Most of the 'known issues' in v3.03 seem to be fixed in v3.04.

I would recommend this game to anyone interested in the Napoleonic period.[:)]

[Recognition]

Rasputitsa`s excellent after action reports are well worth a read and helped me to get a understanding of Campaigns on the Danube.

[76mm]

I bought this last night; reading the manual now. So far the manual seems to describe a lot of interesting features in a comprehensive way while not running 300pp--a good sign. Will check out the AARs, thanks!

Also, I took a look at the screenshots at the AGEOD game and just couldn't pull the trigger; it brought back memories of past AGEOD games--beautiful yes, but very high-maintenance play. Maybe later...

[Ostwindflak]

Welcome to the party 76mm! You'll be yelling at your supply trains in no time! [:)]

[76mm]

I see that this game allows for battles to be resolved with miniatures, which I think is a very cool feature which other games should have.

Well, actually not miniatures, but rather a tactical computer wargame. I actually bought Les Grognards (Histwar) several years ago hoping to use it as the tactical level for a Napoleonics operational game, but we all know how that game turned out...

Has anyone tried using this game with Scourge of War: Waterloo? I know that Waterloo covers a different period but I haven't looked yet to see if anyone has done an appropriate mod, etc.

[jack54]

I just picked this up... I've been looking for something Napoleonic, (I know NOTHING about this era), figured I'd start here with the Christmas sale. I enjoy Ageod Games but wasn't ready for anything that Massive considering my lack of knowledge on the subject.

Wife is yelling it's for Christmas so all I can do is put the manual on my Kindle. Anyway Thanks for the recommendations,the AAR's, and mods.

[76mm]

I'm playing my first game now, let me know if you'd be up for a PBEM.

[deeter]

Hi 76mm,

Deeter here from the old FOG days. We had many an epic battle. I picked up this game the same day you did, but only now have I sorted out being able to post here or even to get the game running, which it is.

I'm going to fool around with it for awhile and eventually be capable of PBEM play. Maybe we can game together again?

You asked about SOWWL. I highly recommend it as the best black powder era tactical game ever. The stock version has some problems, but these are mostly fixed by the KB mods which introduces all the other nations of the period. With this, it might be possible to play a campaign using COTD for the operational level and SOWWL to resolve the battles.

Hope to play you soon,

Deeter

[76mm]

Hey Deeter, great to "see" you again. Unfortunately, I tried playing a PBEM game and it does not seem playable; as Coalition player many of my divisions did not appear on the map. My opponent was also able to replicate this in a couple of scenarios (PBEM only).

I also had a problem playing hotseat where at some point the game would not advance any further beyond a certain turn.

Games vs the AI seem to work OK though!

I will probably pick up SOWWL sooner or later but have been busy with other stuff lately, but thanks for the recommendation!

[Rasputitsa]

ORIGINAL: 76mm

Hey Deeter, great to "see" you again. Unfortunately, I tried playing a PBEM game and it does not seem playable; as Coalition player many of my divisions did not appear on the map. My opponent was also able to replicate this in a couple of scenarios (PBEM only).

I also had a problem playing hotseat where at some point the game would not advance any further beyond a certain turn.

Games vs the AI seem to work OK though!

I will probably pick up SOWWL sooner or later but have been busy with other stuff lately, but thanks for the recommendation!

I have only played CotD using the AI and have had no major issues since v3.04, but the problem with PBEM games needs to be resolved. It might help to raise it as a Support item and actual running game saves may be called for.

[76mm]

OK, I thought my opponent was going to post about it, but I'll check with him and if he doesn't I will do so.

[Rasputitsa]

Thanks, if Frank really is working on other Campaigns (and I hope he is), this is an issue he needs to know about. [:)]