I'm new, any game suggestions?

[ojuzu]

Hi everyone. I just discovered this site after reading some strategy game previews on IGN. I love wargames but for some reason I was under the impression that there were no more old school style turn-based strategy games. I guess they're just not as visible in places like EB. So anyway, I've been buying games like Codename Panzers, Blitzkrieg and other RTS WW2 and Sci-Fi games like them. These games have their place and I do enjoy them a lot but lately I've been craving a true strategy game like say, Perfect General. Not that it was the greatest game but I associate it with this genre. Basically, I just miss that type of strategy and planning that you can't get out of an RTS.

So my question is: What two or three Matrix games would you guys recommend for someone like me? Steel Panthers and Battles in Normandy look very interesting. Are there any demos out there? I can't seem to find them.

I notice that a lot of the major gaming sites and magazines don't review the more hardcore strategy games so it's hard to know which games are better. Although I realize it's very subjective, I'm just looking for opinions on which games do what they're designed to do very well. I'm leaning towards Battles in Normandy at the moment.

Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions!

Ojuzu

[EricGuitarJames]

Steel Panthers is free so you can't go wrong there[:)]

Battles in Normandy is probably the best of the 'old-style' (I mean that in the best way possible) turn-based games available at present. It's not a game I like personally but I can see why many others do.

If you've been playing RTS games but would prefer something a bit deeper then you should definitely acquire 'Airborne Assault: Highway to the Reich'. It's 'real-time' but it is so much deeper than any RTS and as a 'command simulator' (at an operational level) it's unparalleled.

[Bill Durrant]

Try Uncommon Valor - South West Pacific - and then if you like it you can go for the big one - War In The Pacific

Korsun Pocket and BIN are very good also.

[Sarge]

Take a look at Highway to the Reich, Its on operational level as EricGuitarJames stated. Being a fan of RTS and looking for more depth out of a game this title looks to be just what the Doc. orderd. I have been playing HTTR since the release and have found a ton of re-playability in the title.

There is a virtual tour demo of the game (non-playable) at HTTR home page give it a look **LINK**

[Fred98]

Battles In Normandy "BIN"

Uncommon Valour

Airborne Assault - Highway to the Reich

All great games.

[ojuzu]

Thanks for the all the feedback! I think I'm going to go with Battles in Normandy for a start and then maybe follow it up with Highway to the Reich.

Thanks again,

Ojuzu

[Kung Karl]

Excellent choice!!

[SeaMonkey]

Ojuzu, since you mentioned Perfect General and strategic turn based gaming you might try Strategic Command over at the Battlefront website. There's a demo, but these games mentioned here are great, my fav is HttR.

[Mr.Frag]

When you are ready to make the real commitment, War in the Pacific will be waiting for you. It is not for the faint hearted, but for those who want something they will be playing 10 years from now ... still ...

[ravinhood]

but for those who want something they will be playing 10 years from now

and what he means by that, 10 years from now you'll be playing that very same first initial game.(this game is HUGE and takes a long time per turn) lol j/k

[Mr.Frag]

and what he means by that, 10 years from now you'll be playing that very same first initial game.(this game is HUGE and takes a long time per turn) lol j/k

No one can ever accuse it of being short on content ... look at it from the other standpoint, think of all the money you'll save by giving up every other hobby you have just to to have more WitP time [:D]

[Oleg Mastruko]

ORIGINAL: ojuzu

Thanks for the all the feedback! I think I'm going to go with Battles in Normandy for a start and then maybe follow it up with Highway to the Reich.

Thanks again,

Ojuzu

Great choice for a start.

Keep an eye on WITP, my personal favorite wargame of all times, if you ever want to switch to monster games, and GG WAW (Gary Grigsby World at War), which is among most enjoyable, and least time consuming games in the Matrix offering(s). GG WAW will be out soon, so you have just enough time to read the AARs and info on the WAW public board by the time beta cycle is over [:D]

Flashpoint Germany is fine if you have interest in modern warfare, and NATO-WP WW3 scenarios.

And of course tell your gaming friends true strategic gaming is not dead - I believe there are many that don't know this site even exists.

O.

[ojuzu]

SeaMonkey, I'm downloading Strategic Command now. Just from looking at the screenshots it does remind me of Perfect General. Thanks for the tip.

Oleg Mastruko, You are correct, most of my friends have never even heard of this site or this company. But it's very nice to see that this type of strategic gaming is still alive and well.

I haven't had much time to play it as I just bought and downloaded it last night but so far BIN is looking very cool and VERY complicated. If you guys are saying that War in the Pacific is even deeper and more hardcore, I can't even imagine jumping into that right now!

I assume it will get easier as I get more familiar with it. Right? I think I've been dumbed down a bit by all of WW2 RTS' I've been playing. I haven't played this type of a game in close to 10 years!

[Sarge]

ORIGINAL: Oleg Mastruko


Flashpoint Germany is fine if you have interest in modern warfare, and NATO-WP WW3 scenarios.

O.

That is one title I can't wait till its release.

[freeboy]

ok, witp is NOT a game, IT IS A LIFESTYLE!
Decisive Battles Normandy is great too, lots of expandibility due to the endless user add ons, see the ssg link...
I am also surpeised at how good RTW and HOI2 are.. but again not true grog games,

[EricGuitarJames]

ORIGINAL: ojuzu

I assume it will get easier as I get more familiar with it. Right? I think I've been dumbed down a bit by all of WW2 RTS' I've been playing. I haven't played this type of a game in close to 10 years!

See this is why myself and Sarge recommended HTTR to you. I'd been playing RTS games before acquiring this great title and found the transition very easy. If you play it in the most realistic fashion it can seem very intimidating, but you can play it in a similar manner to RTS games like 'Sudden Strike' or 'Ground Control' and so ease your way into it.

[ravinhood]

I think I've been dumbed down a bit by all of WW2 RTS' I've been playing.

Yep, RTS games will ruin a good strategy wargamer and just about any regular wargame will seem complex after playing any RTS games. To me RTS games are just a real simplified version of real strategy wargames. Not much thought goes into them, once you build a schematic you play that schematic over and over and over gain "age of empires anyone?". They are ok when you want a beer and pretzels game, only thing is, if you take time to drink your beer or eat your pretzels you will normally lose. lol

[ojuzu]

I'll definitely be checking out HTTR at some point as it does seem a little bit more in line with RTS style games. But I think I'll be fine with BIN once get used to the more in-depth approach. I still haven't had a lot of time to play it but it's already starting to become more intuitive and make more sense.

At first the sheer volume of stats and numbers were really overwhelming but it's starting to come together now. And after all, the complexity is what I've really been craving since that's what has been lacking with the RTS games I've been playing. [:)]

Thanks again for all the feedback and opinions. It's very helpful for a wargaming noob such as myself.

Ojuzu

[EricGuitarJames]

I think you'll be fine with BiN if you persevere. But it must be like removing your 'water-wings' for the first time and jumping straight into the deep end[:D]

[JSS]

ORIGINAL: ojuzu

I'll definitely be checking out HTTR at some point as it does seem a little bit more in line with RTS style games. But I think I'll be fine with BIN once get used to the more in-depth approach. I still haven't had a lot of time to play it but it's already starting to become more intuitive and make more sense.

At first the sheer volume of stats and numbers were really overwhelming but it's starting to come together now. And after all, the complexity is what I've really been craving since that's what has been lacking with the RTS games I've been playing. [:)]

Thanks again for all the feedback and opinions. It's very helpful for a wargaming noob such as myself.

Ojuzu

If you have any questions feel free to post on the Run5 forums. Players are helpful and can assist you to understand the basics.