HTTR or KP; Which one to choose???

[perpster]

I have extensively read reviews and posts on both KP and HHTR. They both look great, but I only have time to learn and play one of them.

I would appreciate any advice, insights, etc. to help me choose.

My wargaming background fondly goes back to Avalon Hill games. My favorite was/is PanzerBlitz. My computer wargaming background goes back to V For Victory and Harpoon from 360 Games. I currently play the Microsoft/Atomic Games Close Combat series (CC2 ABTF, CC3 Russian Front, and CC4 Battle of the Bulge).

I would like a game that can be played without boredom versus the AI, AND versus a human opponent online or pbem.

One question I have is that there seems to be a large following for KP; is there a similar following for HTTR? I'd like to commit to a game that will still be around and played avidly down the road. For example, CC2, CC3 (and to a lesser extent CC4) are no longer even supported on the Microsoft GameZone, but it is not hard to find online opponents almost any time of the day/night. I'd like that kind of community. Does it exist in HTTR? KP?

I think my preference would be toward the smaller scale HTTR, but the reviews of KP are so overwhelmingly good (compared to somewhat mixed reviews of HTTR), that I just don't know which game to go with. Another factor to consider is that I will try to influence friends to get into computer wargaming with whichever game I choose. So, their ability and patience to learn the game are a factor, but not controlling.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Perp

[HercMighty]

I personally like HTTR more than Korsun.

[Yakstock]

Perpster,

Like you I have a long history of wargaming going back to my fist Avalon Hill board game. I am 43 years old and have played all the computer games you listed and then some. Currently I only play two games; 1) Combat Mission and 2) HTTR. I am also a beta tester so you can take that into account.

Given that background, I will tell you that no other game besides HTTR has been able to keep me interested and provide me so much excitement when playing. I started this game back when it was Red Devils over Arnhem and it just keeps getting better. An investment in HTTR is not an investment in a game, but an investment in a new era in strategic wargaming. I sold all of my hex-based games, as they can no longer give me the thrill of playing that HTTR does. In old games it was a matter of calculating odds, in this game it is learning the feel of the battle. The orders delay adds a dimension to the game that could never be matched in a hex – turn based game.

Looking at other parts of your question, I need to tell you that there is no PBEM option and likely never will be, as it does not fit into the style of the game. Having said that, you can play on the Internet against a live opponent, and once you do, you may never go back to playing the AI. You can play for short periods and save the game to restart later.

As for support, I have seen the game following grow tremendously as of late, and all reviews I have heard have been very positive. The number of online players is not what I would like, but hopefully over time it will grow. I still believe people are worried they have to commit hours at a time to playing, and therefore stay away.

As for support from the developer (Panther Games), you will find no smarter, innovative, and more supportive team than this group. They have no down time and are always interacting with the gaming community. They will support it, I would say, as long as we continue to make it economical to do so – i.e. buy the game and all its future additions!

I truly believe you will never regret your purchase of this game if you answer yes to the following:

1. Are you ok with the battle being a little chaotic (i.e. not orderly lines of battle)?
2. Are you ok not being able to calculate “combat odds” for use in combat resolution?
3. Are you ok thinking one to two hours ahead so by the time your orders trickle out and get executed they still make sense?
4. Are you ok not having a PBEM option?


This game is what I have always felt wargaming of WWII should have been – and now it is a reality. I hope you choose to go with HTTR, it will rock your idea of wargaming. This is all just my own personal opinion. I look forward to welcoming you to HTTR community and more importantly, I look forward to our first online game!

Yakstock

[Arjuna]

perpster,

One other thing to add Gary's response is that the patch to HTTR, which should be available within the next two weeks, will have Battle HQ connectivity. this will mean that you can log onto Battle HQ, check out the HTTR lobby and either join an existing HTTR game or start one up yourself. Too simple, hey!

BTW don't be put off by the apparent absence of recent posts. The HTTR forum has been very busy indeed. It's just that we lost all posts since the beginning of December due to a hacking attack on Matrix's website. It's only been up 24 hours or so.

[perpster]

Arjuna,

When I play CC I usually use Battle HQ (I prefer it to GameSpy's kiddie orientation). I have noted that the HTTR area is almost always empty. Now I know why! Hopefully that will be changing soon!!

[perpster]

Thank you for your informative reply.


>Like you I have a long history of wargaming going back to my fist Avalon Hill board game. I am 43 years old and have played all the computer games you listed and then some. Currently I only play two games; 1) Combat Mission and 2) HTTR. I am also a beta tester so you can take that into account.

I'm 43 also! Never played CM.


>You can play for short periods and save the game to restart later.

This is critical and should be stressed to avoid turning off those who think HTTR will require large uninterrupted blocks of time.


>I truly believe you will never regret your purchase of this game if you answer yes to the following:

1. Are you ok with the battle being a little chaotic (i.e. not orderly lines of battle)? no problem
2. Are you ok not being able to calculate “combat odds” for use in combat resolution? not only ok, but GRATEFUL not to have to do so!
3. Are you ok thinking one to two hours ahead so by the time your orders trickle out and get executed they still make sense? I think so; I'll have to learn to, won't I?
4. Are you ok not having a PBEM option? I prefer h2h to pbem; I understand how this game model doesn't work in pbem. As long as there's enough live comptetition online, h2h is much better imho.


>This game is what I have always felt wargaming of WWII should have been – and now it is a reality. I hope you choose to go with HTTR, it will rock your idea of wargaming. This is all just my own personal opinion. I look forward to welcoming you to HTTR community and more importantly, I look forward to our first online game!

Thank you for the welcome! I'm pretty sure I'll be joining HTTR instead of KP (maybe later on for KP, but for foreseeable future I've only got time for 1).


perpster

[EricGuitarJames]

Perpster, I own both games and can recommend both. Each have their qualities although each are quite different. HTTR is a free flowing 'chaotic' (as Yakstock put it) game which works very well with the real battle. KP on the other hand is a 'slogging match' which again reflects the historical battle well. The AI in both games is good, although not anywhere near perfect - but then what game does have 'perfect' AI[:)]? As regards online play, I've only tried HTTR but it is good fun particularly if you use the 'chat' interface and develop a good relationship with your opponent. This makes the gaming experience much more of a 'social' one.

[dinsdale]

I also own both games. Ultimately, you might want to get whichever game you don't get this time as your next game.

I'm not usually a big fan of operational scale games, prefer strategic, or company (Combat Mission) But HTTR has me playing non-stop. It's a revolutionary game which dispenses with the most annoying features of operational games, leaving you to make decisions, not make mouseclicks.

If Operational Art Of War worked this way, I might not have bought another game in the last 6 years

So I'd recommend HTTR, and Korsun Pocket next time.

[perpster]

My sentiments exactly. Will be seeing you folks soon on BHQ!

ORIGINAL: dinsdale

I also own both games. Ultimately, you might want to get whichever game you don't get this time as your next game.

So I'd recommend HTTR, and Korsun Pocket next time.