Which JTS Panzer game should I buy first ?

[76mm]

ORIGINAL: Blond_Knight
If you open the scenarios in the editor you'll see the list of AI orders. Most are either start moving to a hex on turn X or hold in place. Theyve expanded the AI functionality so you can also give orders to individual units, not just higher formations. But if you want the AI to attack aggressively you'll probably want to add some additional orders for the AI to follow.

Yeah, understood, but if I'm going to do that it is probably just easier to play hotseat vs myself, which is what I usually do.

ORIGINAL: Monkie
Squad Battles is not bad but at that level it just doesn't seem to have the detail needed to really be a tactical simulation.

I agree with this; I enjoy PzC but was pretty disappointed with Squad Battles, too simplistic.

I haven't tried Panzer Battles...is it better than the excellent new Campaign Series here at Matrix (so far Middle East, Vietnam coming up next), which is AFAIK at the same scale and also based on a JTS design?

[Monkie]

I haven't tried Panzer Battles...is it better than the excellent new Campaign Series here at Matrix (so far Middle East, Vietnam coming up next), which is AFAIK at the same scale and also based on a JTS design?

Well it's interesting because while they both seem to be the same scale they feel a lot different. PzB Normandy has very well done artwork and sounds that kinda change the whole feel, not sure if the sounds are updated to the new Campaign series or not, I haven't updated my Middle East in awhile. So maybe it's just me and not having played the older campaign series in awhile but PzB drew me in much more, I felt more interested in the formations and the battles.

The included campaign notes and OOB information along with the descriptions of the scenarios also made me feel as if I had invested not only in a fun simulation but a good historical book on the subject. It's also nice to be able to play small scenarios that give you bits and pieces of a larger battle or if you are wanting total overload try commanding an entire Corps at the Platoon level... good luck

[76mm]

ORIGINAL: Monkie
Well it's interesting because while they both seem to be the same scale they feel a lot different.

Interesting, thanks. I've heard good things about PzB, so I guess someday I'll get one of the games, so far I haven't cared much for the battles represented.

For the Campaign Series, it is the only WWII game that I have were I enjoy playing in 3D mode; the 3D units and terrain are well-done and have adequate zoom levels. Can't wait for it to return to the Eastern Front!

[coachi]

How is market garden game

[Simulacra53]

ORIGINAL: Profender

Let me know if you enjoy it. Doubting to get that to. Only the graphics 3d-ish look is withholding me

If you like the archaic 3d look of the Campaign Series you might enjoy it, personally I think that it looks like warmed up dog vomit. Absolutely horrid, ages beyond its expiration date,,,

IMO they should either invest in a new 3d engine, or concentrate on crisp 2d only.
...but hey, to each his own.

[Profender]

ORIGINAL: Simulacra53

ORIGINAL: Profender

Let me know if you enjoy it. Doubting to get that to. Only the graphics 3d-ish look is withholding me

If you like the archaic 3d look of the Campaign Series you might enjoy it, personally I think that it looks like warmed up dog vomit. Absolutely horrid, ages beyond its expiration date,,,

IMO they should either invest in a new 3d engine, or concentrate on crisp 2d only.
...but hey, to each his own.

thank you for your reply
Nah dont like it rather have 2d hexes then what i see on the screenshots

[ringoblood]

Where I've been, I've missed this thread. [X(]

[HeinzBaby]

Is this a troll...which JTS sim to buy?

Everyone has their own favorite Theatre, IMO the Russian Front has has been flogged to death,
my fav is North Africa and this is where JTS shine. no one else has really touched this Theatre except the "other" company which is a hard grind to get through.
Down load the panzer battles demo, its FREE, there are three theatres of operations; Russia, Franch 40' and Libya 41.
I really enjoyed the Demo and ended up getting 'North Africa 1941'

[jmlima]

ORIGINAL: HeinzBaby
...
Down load the panzer battles demo, its FREE, there are three theatres of operations; Russia, Franch 40' and Libya 41.
...

Also, Pacific.

[Duck Doc]

Played a lot of the JTS Panzer Campaigns and others (eg. Squad Battles). Be aware that the Ost Front titles can be real static slugfests (attrition warfare) and may not be everyone's cup of tea. For mobile warfare the Modern Campaigns titles in Germany are great. They were my favorite PBEM titles. The Bulge title is good also in this regard. I have the Kursk Pz Battles title and have played it a bit. Have mostly abandoned Tiller games because of the funky Automatic Defensive Fire feature but they have modified this feature in the Battles series allowing the player more flexibility to choose how much to use. For me, the designer notes for the Battles series are extensive and worth reading. They are available to see on the JTS website. I emphasize that all the games are best enjoyed PBEM. I can't tell you how many hours of pure gaming fun I had with the Tiller games PBEM. Enjoy!

[nukkxx5058]

ORIGINAL: Duck Doc
Be aware that the Ost Front titles can be real static slugfests (attrition warfare) and may not be everyone's cup of tea. For mobile warfare the Modern Campaigns titles in Germany are great. They were my favorite PBEM titles.

That's interesting. I didn't consider these cold [became-hot] war titles ... Interesting. Will do more research.
Anyone in particular that you would recommend ? Thanks.

[rommel222]

Greetings Duck Doc,
+1 and Spot on!

[rommel222]

Greetings nukkxx5058,
Earlier Panzer Campaigns titles on Eastern Front with more manuever and fluid battles are Smolensk '41 & Kharkov '42.
There are several small sized scenarios that are well designed.

Somlensk '41 video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvnCBA3c0B4

[nukkxx5058]

Ok, after some thinking, Doc sold me the idea !

Now need to decide which one ...

- Fulda
- North German Plain
- Danube front.

My first choice would be Danube but I'm fully opened to other titles ...

Will still need a ww2 eastern front title anyway ... will soon have to file for chapter 11 (
John Tiller is killing my wallet [:D]

[nukkxx5058]

Forgot to ask : how are air ops modelled in this modern campaign series ? Is it somehow abstracted ?It seems I haven't seen air counters. [&:]

[nukkxx5058]

ORIGINAL: rommel222

Greetings nukkxx5058,
Earlier Panzer Campaigns titles on Eastern Front with more manuever and fluid battles are Smolensk '41 & Kharkov '42.
There are several small sized scenarios that are well designed.

Somlensk '41 video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvnCBA3c0B4

Thanks!Will definitely have a look !

[jmlima]

ORIGINAL: nukkxx5058

Forgot to ask : how are air ops modelled in this modern campaign series ? Is it somehow abstracted ?It seems I haven't seen air counters. [&:]

Abstracted, just like in the Panzer Campaigns series. Note that helicopters (and heli transported troops) have counters and are on the map. If you are looking for a recommendation, I started with Fulda Gap and I still find it to be one of the best. There's scenarios to suit every taste and even the big campaign is quite playable:

http://www.johntillersoftware.com/Moder ... Gap85.html

[76mm]

ORIGINAL: nukkxx5058
John Tiller is killing my wallet

Take your time, pace yourself, the campaigns are BIG and can take quite a while to play. Some of the JTS games have been around for 20 years, I doubt they're going anywhere soon!

[coachi]

How is the ai ? Has it improved at all.

[jmlima]

ORIGINAL: coachi

How is the ai ? Has it improved at all.

Same as 99% of other wargames, once you know how to exploit it it does not stand a chance and in really massive scenarios, it will be ok tactically but appalling strategically.