Professional Opinion

[battlevonwar]

Just started with Strategic Command New Edition, yesterday. Modernized interface, still keeps some of the feel of the older editions simplification and mechanics. The map seems much more open in places. France is a bit narrow but that's supposed to be that way to make it a fight. I've played every Strategic Level War Game since 1989(Strategic Simulations Incorporated) and only skipped maybe 1 or 2 like World in Flames.

I am impressed and that's rare! Some of the streamlined events, and newer events make this much more immersive. I can see where this game will take a lot of games to Master. Probably will be at the top of the Heap of Strategic War Games for the next 5 to 10 years. Also it's wonderful it's at Matrix there is a very large fan base which is about 90% of the game. I am in my first Multiplayer experience and look forward to years of more gaming.

Definitely a 10 on a 1-10 scale... Not too big either which is something often impossible to crunch into a WW2 Strategic Game. Thanks Hubert and Company for designing this and if sales aren't kickin' yet give it time. These are games that will sell consistently!

After the Hearts of IV Disappointment I am really happy(get this on STEAM) So many Steam players will die to have this but do not frequent either Slitherine nor Matrix Communities. Trust me if anyone knows I do! So many buyers need to see this title and never even get to hear about it :C

[n0kn0k]

Good to hear.
Imagine what all the expansions will bring. [:)]

[Hubert Cater]

Thanks Battlevonwar

[Dmondragon75]

I must agree , playing all kind of strategic games from Clash of steel time, SC 3 is already a masterpiece.

[xwormwood]

So say we all.

[SGTFENN]

Yep its a good game. A really good game. Sure a great game. A really great game. Ok Ok. Its a 10.

[Erik Rutins]

You, our customers, are also a critical part of spreading the word. While we are always raising attention for our titles, the most trusted feedback is always wargamer to wargamer. Thank you for posting this and taking the time to let others know what you think of Strategic Command. [8D]

[James Taylor]

I told you guys years ago about SC when it was over at BF, but there were very few takers, many of you were locked into Matrix games, which are good, but nothing like SC was for the strategic scale.

I'm glad Hubert and Bill brought the game to Matrix-Slitherine so that the fan base will expand and finally, hopefully, SC will get its due recognition.

I can't even begin to tell everyone how much SC has progressed over the last decade, you had to be there, and there are some here, I'm sure, that can remember.

An endeavor as such SC is didn't just happen, it took a dedicated fan base, lots of feedback, much more testing, great scrutinizing, trial and error and of course Hubert first and then Bill.

Hopefully this is not over, a great game like this, in the mold of PG, should carry through to more generations, not just because of the great game play, but because the inhabitants of this planet should never forget about the tragedy this game is based upon.

[TheBattlefield]

Amen...and in order to make the message even clearer, this game should still deal with many more tragedies in the future. [:)]

[battlevonwar]

James, I remember Bill from somewhere, I just cannot place him right off. It may have been ole Axis&Allies club. I miss those days and I miss BattleFront. SO far the transition hasn't seen you guys learning the curb while I'm studying the Scripts I need competition !!!

When SC started it was this little baby game with tiny hexagons and Fighters that would just obliterate little men boxes. Now it's quite more in depth. Simply beautiful! I never really became a true fan of the PG series but tried it once. One other fully Grand Strategic Title came out in the past 6 years covering WW2 that's not RTS. It didn't take and remained unpolished. I feel the designer felt left in the cold some. Sometimes too complex loses the casual gamer.

I have been trying a lot of games lately. AGEOD got me back into Civil War History and there is something just so immersive about being stuck for a moment in your mind in these old situations, machines or locations that must be remembered. AGEOD's Civil War 2 much like SC 3 seems to have that appeal with depth that keeps people coming. Some games that take a long time don't keep people playing. Give this time......it will catch on stronger.....

ORIGINAL: James Taylor

I told you guys years ago about SC when it was over at BF, but there were very few takers, many of you were locked into Matrix games, which are good, but nothing like SC was for the strategic scale.

I'm glad Hubert and Bill brought the game to Matrix-Slitherine so that the fan base will expand and finally, hopefully, SC will get its due recognition.

I can't even begin to tell everyone how much SC has progressed over the last decade, you had to be there, and there are some here, I'm sure, that can remember.

An endeavor as such SC is didn't just happen, it took a dedicated fan base, lots of feedback, much more testing, great scrutinizing, trial and error and of course Hubert first and then Bill.

Hopefully this is not over, a great game like this, in the mold of PG, should carry through to more generations, not just because of the great game play, but because the inhabitants of this planet should never forget about the tragedy this game is based upon.

[KorutZelva]

I'll be unpopular but I think this one should not have been released yet. Sickness or not, all the more reason to hold on unto it a little longer. Right now, I bought it but it's gathering dust as I'm waiting for allied AI unit bug to be fixed and a stronger german AI. I've picked the last WW1 game by the last patch of the breakthrough expansion and that game was in a stellar state. Admittedly that made my expectation too high but if I'm getting a half-game, sell it half-price. I'll pay the other half when it's finished.

[Hubert Cater]

Hi KorutZelva,

Can you tell me which Allied AI unit bug you are referring to? Also have you tried the Axis AI on the most difficult settings? The reason I ask the last question is that we changed things a bit for this release and purposefully made playing against the Axis AI a bit easier on the default and lower difficulty settings and increased it on the higher difficulty settings.

Now it may be that you still find it too easy on the higher difficulty settings but this will help paint a better picture of any further possible adjustments we'll need to consider.

If you can tell us what settings you played with for against the Axis AI that will be helpful.

Hubert

[KorutZelva]

Been around since SC 1, so to me delegating an ally to the AI was the main appeal for this version of the game. I was really interested in trying an Italian Solo game. How big can I get under the German eagle's shadow? Unfortunately in a AI Germany vs AI USSR contest, Germany can't make it very far past the borders before being bogged down. AI Germany can't even conquer the baltic states.

I play at 'normal' difficulty essentially because my allied AI doesn't get any AI bonus so I don't want to make things even worst for him. Maybe things would be different if you could set bonus for your own ally? If all the AI (opposing and ally) be set at Expert maybe things would be different but I doubt it, given that they can stop them cold with resource parity. German AI makes weird choice with plane deployment and operating of armies. It's blitzkrieg lacks blitz.

Another thing happening with AI allies is that the free unit they get won't spawn. Norway garrison event won't fire nor the afrika corp, volkstrum etc. If you switch the AI off, suddenly all the unit script trigger at the same time.

[Hubert Cater]

Hi KorutZelva,

I can see your point here as the friendly controlled majors by the AI will not receive any of the bonuses/extra help that the regular AI side will so in this case the German friendly side controlled by the AI may indeed seem a bit hobbled. I'll have to think about this some more and there are some adjustments we can make to improve this for sure.

With the v1.01 release there have also been some map and supply changes that specifically target the Baltic States area and that should improve the situation already but I'll look to make some further changes for this type of game setup as well.

The AI Allies bug you've described, as well as the Norway garrisons and Afrika Corps etc., should also have been fixed/addressed in the v1.01 release.

Hope this helps,
Hubert

[Hubert Cater]

Hi KorutZelva,

I've just taken another quick look on my end and much of what you mention about having the friendly German side played by the AI should have been addressed in v1.01.

If you are finding there are still some issues please let us know but there were some problems with certain AI scripts not firing for this type of setup as well which should be fixed so there should be a noticeable difference on your end with the latest.

Hubert

[xwormwood]

ORIGINAL: KorutZelva

Been around since SC 1, so to me delegating an ally to the AI was the main appeal for this version of the game. I was really interested in trying an Italian Solo game. How big can I get under the German eagle's shadow? Unfortunately in a AI Germany vs AI USSR contest, Germany can't make it very far past the borders before being bogged down. AI Germany can't even conquer the baltic states.

I play at 'normal' difficulty essentially because my allied AI doesn't get any AI bonus so I don't want to make things even worst for him. Maybe things would be different if you could set bonus for your own ally? If all the AI (opposing and ally) be set at Expert maybe things would be different but I doubt it, given that they can stop them cold with resource parity. German AI makes weird choice with plane deployment and operating of armies. It's blitzkrieg lacks blitz.

Another thing happening with AI allies is that the free unit they get won't spawn. Norway garrison event won't fire nor the afrika corp, volkstrum etc. If you switch the AI off, suddenly all the unit script trigger at the same time.

Hi KorutZelva.

You're indeed a long time follower of the series.
I hope you will give Hubert some time to enhance the AI features. Please don't forget that he stepped boldly into a game area which never had been done very well anywhere before. I'm pretty sure that this feature will enhance with every patch, and even more with every new release. Cut him some slack, this is undiscovered territory.
The game itself is a hell of fun. You're right, there are some points missing. Parts of the UI, and the pbem+ feature. But there is only one Hubert, but so much things to do. Bill and Hubert will polish the engine and campaigns. They always did, and I'm glad that you said so yourself while refereing to SC WW1 / Breakthrough.

SC3 is the best Matrix Game since Steel Panthers / Pacific War. I guess we agree on that. All Bill and Hubert need is time to enhance, to create new things, and, yes, to be allowed to live like you and I.

40$ is / was an extremly fair price for this game. Please be kind to Hubert and Bill.
Thank you!

[KorutZelva]

Was a fan, still a fan and will keep being a fan of the serie. Hubert and Bill are cool dudes to boot. In a world of -75% steam sale discount, I want to pay their game full price. Some people don't mind the trailblazing, but I just hate being a 'betatester'. If most think the game was completed enough, I guess it's on me for jumping too quick.

My bad, Hubert, I did miss in the mention in the patch note that the unit spawning issue was fixed. I think I'll still hold on a patch or two before I jumping back in though...

[sad ham]

I agree with battlevonwar: German AI should be improved 'cause the actual one does several errors that could be avoided.
One example of errors:
-Romanian fighter sent to Egypt when the situation requested it on the russian front, and Egypt was already conquered by the Italians (I was playing as Italian Player letting the German AI controlled by the Computer).