Battlefield. Impressons

TheBattlefield · Post by **TheBattlefield** » Sun Jun 26, 2016 8:10 am

The map is large and clear. The expansion to the north with a freely navigable sea route to Arkhangelsk makes sense and opens up new strategic possibilities. On my system the map scrolls smoothly and quickly. When scrolling the Interface menu disappears. This is getting used to but not annoying. However, it should reappear instantly at standstill that happens to me with a little too much delay. I think that this fact will annoy with progression of the game somewhat. The Medium Bomber, Fighter and armies of the Italian armed forces are not shown to me in the 3D view. The counter spites remain empty! The font of the strength indication (3D view) appear on my screen a bit thin and small. The presentation looks much more pleasing and clear in the NATO-icon view. The new presentation of the HQ's I like very much. However, for the maritime units I lack the choice of an “open” units counter. The bitmaps for the display of mines and oil fields are hardly to identify at first glance. Unfortunately, the same applies for the ports. But here is the placement of an "anchor symbol" very helpful. Maybe you should put similar symbols for the resources described above. The game menu I find quite appealing and clearly. The Upgrade Tool, the Reinforcement Tool and the Sleep Tool seem to have not been assigned a function. That was my first impression. Poland is now waiting...

Ason · Post by **Ason** » Sun Jun 26, 2016 8:16 am

mines? There are mines?
I always wondered when I got those recommendations about laying mines on convoy routes, but I figured it was just for immersion and really it just meant to move my naval units there.
Can I actually put mines on convoy routes?

TheBattlefield · Post by **TheBattlefield** » Sun Jun 26, 2016 8:19 am

Ore Mine, not sea mine![;)]

Ason · Post by **Ason** » Sun Jun 26, 2016 8:27 am

ohh I see, haha:D

TheBattlefield · Post by **TheBattlefield** » Sun Jun 26, 2016 11:54 am

I started the game on the highest difficulty level. Contrary to the description in the manual, the German units on the French border can perform an upgrade, although enemy units reside in an adjacent hex...

TheBattlefield · Post by **TheBattlefield** » Sun Jun 26, 2016 12:18 pm

Ok. Only on the first turn...France turns enemy on the second! [:D]

TheBattlefield · Post by **TheBattlefield** » Sun Jun 26, 2016 4:40 pm

The Polish border units appear somewhat more robust than the previous game. By contrast, the capital defense appear quite weak. In the overall picture that is ok, because the Wehrmacht remains engaged in the initial phase and it's more difficult to move troops towards France. My earlier attack on the Netherlands (December 1st) is answered promptly with a mobilization of the Belgians. Very good. That should strengthen the Western Allies defence a little which otherwise collapses too fast in case of early attacks. The British carriers appear to operate a fairly good maritime patrol. Together with the Home Fleet they attack my submarines unusually violently on their way to the Atlantic. For me, a graphical misrepresentation shows along the entire map below the line "137". No other bugs so far...

TheBattlefield · Post by **TheBattlefield** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 10:17 am

After a few turns I really want to note something very positive:

The game is gaining immensely from the new movement mechanism of the units and the return to the good old hexes. Well done!!!

On the negative side:

As initially feared, the disappearance of the menu bar annoys increasingly. Especially if you want to end the round, the mouse pointer is slipped a bit too far to the edge and the corresponding button disappears. The menu fading should (if this ever results in technical sense) be optional.

A minor tactical AI error:

At the end of my turn (axis) a decimated Belgian fighter unit was right next to my Panzer Corps. This unit was not withdrawn but (expensive) reinforced to full strength. In the next round, this unit was completely destroyed with a single (prepared) attack. I think the AI should know that (expensive) Air Force units are not appropriate troops to block the enemy or for holding a resource. Particularly if many suitable infantry units are available.

A small impression for balancing:

After the fall of Poland, the Western allies should afford delaying tactics to the advancing Wehrmacht. But a conquest of Paris should not be completely prevented. Everything worked pretty well until I should get Norway surprising and completely without a fight. Two immediately free airborne units could be relocated to the western front and then there was a second medium bomber on top. Already in the next round, two German units appeared behind the French lines and there was panic and distress. The Maginot Line was dissolved and the French army gathered to the last capital defense already in early April. I think for the highest degree of difficulty, this constellation is too simple. I suspect most players will love the "handmade". Whether it is the struggle for Iran, Iraq or even Norway: if the script provides the required units, these operations should also have to be carried out even. Perhaps the "Norway script" should be triggered only for the simplest of difficulty. In a multiplayer game this event should be turned off in any case!

By the way:

As an old Modder I dared a quick look into the bitmaps folder. The 3D models still look patchy. Only the German units appear "completely". Are the 3D views of the italian and allies still in development?

n0kn0k · Post by **n0kn0k** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 10:26 am

At the end of my turn (axis) a decimated Belgian fighter unit was right next to my Panzer Corps. This unit was not withdrawn but (expensive) reinforced to full strength. In the next round, this unit was completely destroyed with a single (prepared) attack. I think the AI should know that (expensive) Air Force units are not appropriate troops to block the enemy or for holding a resource. Particularly if many suitable infantry units are available.

I've had the exact same thing happen. Aircraft are not valued much by the AI atm.
They use them as frontline units. [:D]

TheBattlefield · Post by **TheBattlefield** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 3:21 pm

Oooops. Paris has long fallen, but the Frenchman will not give up easily. I am fighting with difficulty through the French countryside. (August '40) No Vichy script in sight. Is this a bug or a special offer for people who are crazy enough to play in the highest degree of difficulty???[:D]

TheBattlefield · Post by **TheBattlefield** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 3:31 pm

Ok, barely finished already capitulated. It was probably due to the national morale of the French. The battle for France is (unfortunately quite late) ended...

TheBattlefield · Post by **TheBattlefield** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 4:16 pm

Maybe it would be helpful to put back the National Morale of enemy nations in the menu bar? Currently I have found these details only a bit awkward in the reports...

BillRunacre · Post by **BillRunacre** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 5:47 pm

ORIGINAL: TheBattlefield

Ok, barely finished already capitulated. It was probably due to the national morale of the French. The battle for France is (unfortunately quite late) ended...

Their National Morale must have remained high to the end, either due to low casualties, a good British presence, or not losing too many National Morale Objectives?

TheBattlefield · Post by **TheBattlefield** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 6:35 pm

After the surrender of Belgium most British units have fled through the port of Antwerp. Assuming France would give up after the fall of Paris immediately, I have focused on this objective and not looked after NM-objectives or destruction of the French units. Evil mistake in retrospect. But a surprising and exciting turn when the government moved to Bordeaux. [:)]

TheBattlefield · Post by **TheBattlefield** » Tue Jun 28, 2016 10:50 am

By the way:

In my opinion, the naval forces greatly benefit from the new movement system. Until now, the battles (almost) always resulted in a final and devastating for a side meeting. Now the numerically inferior vessels of the axis can venture a cautious attack. It is now possible to drive into a war zone, firing a volley, and (apart from random encounters) if necessary and if possible, depose again a little. I like it very much. Same for the sub-warfare. After one year of war at sea I lost adequate two submarine units. Despite a surprisingly intractable submarine hunting by the British Navy, I was able to bring crippled "iron coffins" in the French ports and and let these also march back to the areas of use. Very good! [8D]

TheBattlefield · Post by **TheBattlefield** » Tue Jun 28, 2016 1:51 pm

A small error of AI?

The British bombers attacked the empty oasis "Msus" for the last two turns. Why this? The besieged Tobruk should be the goal. Or at least Benghazi?

n0kn0k · Post by **n0kn0k** » Tue Jun 28, 2016 5:45 pm

ORIGINAL: TheBattlefield

A small error of AI?

The British bombers attacked the empty oasis "Msus" for the last two turns. Why this? The besieged Tobruk should be the goal. Or at least Benghazi?

Perhaps it goes for the easy targets?
Which isn't very helpfull in this case. [:D]

TheBattlefield · Post by **TheBattlefield** » Tue Jun 28, 2016 6:05 pm

And quite expensive! [8|]

TheBattlefield · Post by **TheBattlefield** » Thu Jun 30, 2016 7:31 am

Have launched Operation Barbarossa on early May. My campaign in the Balkans and the return of my units from France was still a bit hectic in the end by the fierce winter time lapse. Anyway, my units in the north and in the center were not yet in optimal position. The southern group had only about 70% of their nominal strength. So my first attack was not unfold on full power what appeared somewhat remiss in view of several Russian armored infantry. But I just did not want to pass more time. The second turn in the East went punchier, now with massive support from my artillery and Luftwaffe. Riga and Minsk are in firing range and Odessa firmly in Romanian hands. A big hello in Africa. My four entrenched Italian armies in Tripoli were reinforced completely surprising with an entire German army group. For narrow money and without time delay or risky transport from southern Italy. Thus, the previously unstoppable approaching British Desert Rats transform within two turns in sad sacrificial lambs. I would now expect a quick and decisive victory in Tripoli. Then the "Afrika Korps" head towards Cairo. Whether the Allies also get such gifts? It would be better, otherwise the British will quickly lose Africa...

TheBattlefield · Post by **TheBattlefield** » Thu Jun 30, 2016 8:00 am

The march on Tripoli was and remains a death trap for the British. Despite air support of the British carrier groups the Allies fighting against two enemies. The poor supply and a now overwhelming axis.