Difference in Europe between War in Europe & World at War

[Akmatov]

I have both and just looking at the map, the two games look very similar, no surprise really as it geography. But wondering what is the difference in European play between the two.

[Hartmann]

The difference is the scale. European map in WIE is two times as big as in WAW and the gameplay differs accordingly. WAW feels crowded in the invasion of Benelux and France and the war in Russia is sooooo much more epic in WIE. The war in northern Africa is also more interesting in WIE because of the scale.

[DeriKuk]

Repeat from WiE folder:

Of course scale is the big difference, but under the hood WiE has the advantage of longer and deeper development. WaW has some irritating "features" [underdeveloped scripts] that more development and refinement can sort out. As much as I like WiE, my clear preference is for WaW. It lacks the "needless" minutiae of the smaller scale, and I feel that it has better balance and historical soundness.

On the other hand, its AI - especially the Allies - is as dumb as a box of rocks; e.g., when playing the Japanese I was waiting for the Allied counter-attack across the Pacific. Apart from a one-time scripted invasion of Java from the south, no other land invasions materialized. The USN "obediently" lines up on parade off the coast of Japan where you can pick it off piecemeal at your leisure. When the game ended, I was horrified to discover that New Guinea was covered in a solid carpet of Allied land units that were going nowhere. That was quite the disappointment, but with enough effort and time the scripts can be developed and refined to make it a great game. WaW has the greater potential. Play it as the Allies if you itch to play it.

[Hartmann]

In a certain way, WAW might be more fun because of less micromanagement in Europe, e.g. transferring troops from defeated Poland to the western front (and then later, after the fall of France, back to the East for Barbarossa) goes so much faster than in WIE. On the other hand, other players may like the minutiae of meticulously setting up invasions. I like both games, but WAW feels much more "beer and pretzels" than WIE.

[Mercutio]

I am kicking myself for not getting WiE on the steam sale. I went to get it and didn't remember that date correctly and missed it. I mean, I could afford it, but it is a sale!. Then a lightning strike and college kids needing money and there went any dream of what I want for a month or two. Just the way life goes.I am intrigued by more space in the European theater (and hope for that scale in the east as well one day)

[nnason]

I have said before but the developers should have fielded a SC3 WiE and a WitP and had a way to join them into one game with two scales and two timelines. This would have allowed a scale for the West and the East that better approximated the difficulties each theatre had.

Maybe a project for the future.

[Hartmann]

ORIGINAL: Mercutio

I am kicking myself for not getting WiE on the steam sale. I went to get it and didn't remember that date correctly and missed it. I mean, I could afford it, but it is a sale!. Then a lightning strike and college kids needing money and there went any dream of what I want for a month or two. Just the way life goes.I am intrigued by more space in the European theater (and hope for that scale in the east as well one day)

Take a peek at the shop, mate! It should be 50% off right now, until August 5.

[Templer_12]

Is the map in the Europe area 100% identical in both games (scale etc.)?

[BillRunacre]

Europe in the War in Europe map is larger than in World at War.