Buy this game?

[greensheen]

Considering joining the "team". Some basic game / mechanics questions:
1. Can Japan or the allies build/upgrade roads or railroads, (like the Famous Burma RR & bridges built by POWs)?
2. Is it possible in the game to build new "bases", rather than just modify existing ones?
3. What is a 0,0 base? Is this what an invadable beach hex is?
4. What is considered a optimum mod and patch set for this game, assuming I want the full micro-management experience playing as Japan?

[Platoonist]

Considering joining the "team". Some basic game / mechanics questions:
1. Can Japan or the allies build/upgrade roads or railroads, (like the Famous Burma RR & bridges built by POWs)?
2. Is it possible in the game to build new "bases", rather than just modify existing ones?
3. What is a 0,0 base? Is this what an invadable beach hex is?
4. What is considered a optimum mod and patch set for this game, assuming I want the full micro-management experience playing as Japan?

1. No. Some have come up with intricate mods in the past that add infrastructure as the games progresses, but basically no.
2. No.
3. A 0,0 base is just a very primitive or small location like Howland or Kure islands that take a great deal of effort to upgrade. You can invade most coastal hexes on the map if you wish, but without a port supply will run short pretty quick.
4. The DaBabes mods have always been the most popular. Then there is the Bottlenecks mod which slows down the pace of Allied development. Even without these mods you get plenty of micromanagement as Japan.

[btd64]

1. There is an advanced mod called RHS that allows you to switch map art and map data to slowly add Roads and Rails. But I caution you to not try the RHS mods until you have a good understanding of the game....GP

[Chris21wen]

1. There is an advanced mod called RHS that allows you to switch map art and map data to slowly add Roads and Rails. But I caution you to not try the RHS mods until you have a good understanding of the game....GP

The same goes for mods.

[PaxMondo]

Considering joining the "team". Some basic game / mechanics questions:
1. Can Japan or the allies build/upgrade roads or railroads, (like the Famous Burma RR & bridges built by POWs)?
2. Is it possible in the game to build new "bases", rather than just modify existing ones?

So the final answer is, YES, this is one of the most moddable and comprehensive WWII Pacific theatre games available. It takes a lot of experience to create these, and to get them working in game, but in addition to RHS a number of other modders have all of these items built into their mods. In addition, the ability to control the IJ economy allows for a game experience unparalleled since it was first introduced.

Having said the above, say good-bye to your free-time. This game takes years (literally) to complete and even more years to create the above types of mods and get them worked in. You should not venture from the stock scenarios until you have played Scen 1 (and don't start there, start with Guadacanal/Marianas first/second) on both sides through at least late '43. This will ensure that you have learned how to create/defend large, opposed beach landings in addition to a long list of other game skills. At this point, you can decide if you are primarily an allied player (winner) or an IJ player (masochist/rare winner). Then focus on honing those particular skills.

Once you are handily winning the Guad/Marianas scenarios, you can choose to go PBEM. Just be honest about your experience level. Generally, it is not hard to find an opponent matching your skill level. Or if your schedule does not permit PBEM, then after you have mastered Scen 1 & 2, go look for the Ironman mods.

A lot of the other, most popular/best mods don't work so well with the AI; they are primarily supported for PBEM. So, Da-Babes is best played PBEM. Take that one on after you have played at least one PBEM scen 1/2 and I would suggest a quick game against the AI (which will break pretty early, don't worry, so it will be a short game) to allow you to see the HUGELY expanded ship roster.

Enjoy and GOOD Hunting!

[RangerJoe]

Considering joining the "team". Some basic game / mechanics questions:
1. Can Japan or the allies build/upgrade roads or railroads, (like the Famous Burma RR & bridges built by POWs)?
2. Is it possible in the game to build new "bases", rather than just modify existing ones?

So the final answer is, YES, this is one of the most moddable and comprehensive WWII Pacific theatre games available. It takes a lot of experience to create these, and to get them working in game, but in addition to RHS a number of other modders have all of these items built into their mods. In addition, the ability to control the IJ economy allows for a game experience unparalleled since it was first introduced.

Having said the above, say good-bye to your free-time. This game takes years (literally) to complete and even more years to create the above types of mods and get them worked in. You should not venture from the stock scenarios until you have played Scen 1 (and don't start there, start with Guadacanal/Marianas first/second) on both sides through at least late '43. This will ensure that you have learned how to create/defend large, opposed beach landings in addition to a long list of other game skills. At this point, you can decide if you are primarily an allied player (winner) or an IJ player (masochist/rare winner). Then focus on honing those particular skills.

Once you are handily winning the Guad/Marianas scenarios, you can choose to go PBEM. Just be honest about your experience level. Generally, it is not hard to find an opponent matching your skill level. Or if your schedule does not permit PBEM, then after you have mastered Scen 1 & 2, go look for the Ironman mods.

A lot of the other, most popular/best mods don't work so well with the AI; they are primarily supported for PBEM. So, Da-Babes is best played PBEM. Take that one on after you have played at least one PBEM scen 1/2 and I would suggest a quick game against the AI (which will break pretty early, don't worry, so it will be a short game) to allow you to see the HUGELY expanded ship roster.

Enjoy and GOOD Hunting!

Actually, I suggest the Coral Sea scenario first to get used to using your fleets, air units, and not having to worry about land units and invasions. There is also a Burma Scenario somewhere to help learn the land system although I have never played it.

[PaxMondo]

Actually, I suggest the Coral Sea scenario first to get used to using your fleets, air units, and not having to worry about land units and invasions. There is also a Burma Scenario somewhere to help learn the land system although I have never played it.

You are correct (of course). I mixed up Coral Sea for Marianas. Coral Sea is the preferred learning scen. I've never played the Burma scen either, so I keep to recommending the Guadacanal. It's pretty short, and defintely teaches the air/land portion pretty well with some of the sea thrown in.

[RangerJoe]

Actually, I suggest the Coral Sea scenario first to get used to using your fleets, air units, and not having to worry about land units and invasions. There is also a Burma Scenario somewhere to help learn the land system although I have never played it.

You are correct (of course). I mixed up Coral Sea for Marianas. Coral Sea is the preferred learning scen. I've never played the Burma scen either, so I keep to recommending the Guadacanal. It's pretty short, and defintely teaches the air/land portion pretty well with some of the sea thrown in.

Here is a thread about the Coral Sea scenario with advice from many forum members.

https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 3&t=361051

[LargeSlowTarget]

Then there is the Bottlenecks mod which slows down the pace of Allied development. Even without these mods you get plenty of micromanagement as Japan.

1. There is an advanced mod called RHS that allows you to switch map art and map data to slowly add Roads and Rails. But I caution you to not try the RHS mods until you have a good understanding of the game....GP

Bottlenecks mod slows things down for both sides.
It also has the ability to add certain railroads and roads for which - unlike RHS - it is not necessary to switch art and map data and which actually does requires engineering assets and supplies for the construction.
However, it has been designed for PBEM only.

[btd64]

Then there is the Bottlenecks mod which slows down the pace of Allied development. Even without these mods you get plenty of micromanagement as Japan.

1. There is an advanced mod called RHS that allows you to switch map art and map data to slowly add Roads and Rails. But I caution you to not try the RHS mods until you have a good understanding of the game....GP

Bottlenecks mod slows things down for both sides.
It also has the ability to add certain railroads and roads for which - unlike RHS - it is not necessary to switch art and map data and which actually does requires engineering assets and supplies for the construction.
However, it has been designed for PBEM only.

Really!! LST, tell me how? ....GP