Should I get this game??

[mashkis]

Hi.

A newbie here. I have been playing mostly RTS games and I like to try something a bit more challanging.

I have been looking at a few of these strategy games and this game, HTTR, looks good. Would you recommend that I get this game or should I wait for some new releases or maybe another game to get started with?

War in the Pacific looks good also but it seems very complicated. I guess I like to learn my way up so I can play that eventually.

Thanks for your thoughts and recommendations.

[EricGuitarJames]

I've already replied up on the 'General Discussion' board. However, I'd recommend reading the some of the AAR's in their section here, scour through the older threads as well to find various thoughts on the game. I can't give you a truly objective opinion on this game because I rate it so highly but what I would say is that if you buy it and have any problems with the game mechanics and concepts this is a good place to come. The game designers regularly frequent this board and are very helpful as are the corps of (relatively) experienced players who post quite regularly. We're a friendly bunch[:D]

[JeF]

Hi,

ORIGINAL: mashkis
A newbie here. I have been playing mostly RTS games and I like to try something a bit more challanging.

I think that HTTR would fit you. There is no turn, so it is "real time" (*)
It is very easy to learn the basics. The AI and some tricky scenarios will give you a good run for your money.

HTTR is different from classical RTS in that the units have a kind of intelligence : they properly compute movement pathes, they retreat, ... They are not the half-brained units from RTS. It sounds like all advantages, but you'll have to learn to use them wisely. Moreover, don't try to give orders to each every unit, HTTR implement a very nice command structure that permit you to delegate the micro-management of subordinates to the AI.

You'll find more info here : The Drop Zone

Should you buy HTTR or wait for COTA ? Tough decision. I think you can base your choice on your liking of the depicted battles : Op Market Garden or Campaign of Greece and Creta.

I hope this helps,

JeF.
(*) designers prefer to talk about "pausable countinuous time" to differentiate from canonical RTS games.

[Hartford688]

Oh, yes.

WitP is a remarkable game, a tour de force etc. But you have to be REALLY into micromanagement and be willing to invest vast amounts of time. Some people really love it beyond all else, but it leaves me personally slightly cold. I admire it, but...

HTTR on the other hand I reckon is just tremendous. It manages detail (know how many men, rifles, MG, rounds etc in a unit) but the command structure and AI mean it is no chore at all. The "feel" of it for me seems just right. BiN etc are also very good, but seem much more abstract to me (I know, different scale etc). Best game I have.

Re COTA vs HTTR, as JeF says, depends on which battles interest you more (note JeF is in Belgium and I am in Netherlands [;)]) but I for one will have both.

[Agema]

It depends on what you are into. If you're used to RTSs (by which I'd assume you mean Warcraft, C&C type stuff) then heavy wargames of this type are a very different affair.
Those sorts of RTS marry strategy with a strong arcade aspect of frantic action, which I guess is why they exploded into large-scale popularity. A hard wargame is essentially more like chess, maybe. It's all about what you plan, what you try to execute, and you've got plenty of time to do everything.

HTTR and the forthcoming COTA are amongst the most complex strategy I've come across. I do think they are near the pinnacle of accomplishment in terms of the detail that they try to recreate, and the quality of the AI that opposes you. Wargames such as Korsun Pocket, or maybe the older Talonsoft games were unsatisfying as they simplify to an extent which didn't make good use of the powers of modern computers. We can forgive the old Talsonsoft stuff for having very poor AI as well, as it's very difficult to get right and they were years back.

What you could try is taking a look at the Combat Mission series which are probably still in the shops. Whilst actually turn-based, they add a level of AI and complexity above that of RTS, and act as a pretty decent half-way between HTTR and C&C type stuff (although they lean more towards HTTR ultimately.)

If you like what you experience there, you might want to think about more immersive stuff like HTTR. It is intensely rewarding, but if you have little experience of this sort of game, you might not want to jump right in at the deep end.

[Arjuna]

mashkis,

Now some say I might be a little biased but of course you should buy HTTR. [;)]

Another way of looking at this is to view HTTR as a thinking person's RTS. Yet at the same time it is "brain without the drain", if you get my drift. The AI is poweful enough to do a reasonable job of managing your subordinates. This means you can simply give them their orders and they will develop their own plan of action, react to enemy and reassess as events unfold. So unlike that sinking, frantic feeling you get in most RTS when the great swarm of units you committed suddenly run into an ambush, you know that in HTTR your units will at least stop, retreat,l return fire, maybe bypass or change formation or even bunker down, but they are certainly not going to continue the headlong rush into oblivion. [:)]

And the sooner you buy HTTR, the sooner you will get up to speed and be ready to take on the new challenges in COTA, not to mention playing other players online. So don't hold back. Go for it.! [:)]

[MarkShot]

I am a beta tester for PG products. With that said, take a look at the attached link. It describes what makes HTTR one of the truly unique products available in the strategy/war gaming niche.

fb.asp?m=505832&key=

[mashkis]

Thanks for your suggestions.

I was stuck between purchasing this game or WITP. I decided to go with HTTR and I just downloaded it. I started playing the training mission and it is really a nice game. I think the game is between RTS and the board games but what got me sold was the following items that I did not see for WITP.

1. Price. This is a big factor. I think companies who over price their product are loosing new customers. They think it is a low volume product or don't have enough staff to provide support. I just don't get why small companies charge such high prices?

2. Virtual Tour - a demo would be better but the virtual tour or a movie was very good to provide the features of the game. WITP has nothing.

3. Great reviews - Could not find anything for WITP. There is the loyal and established users but no reviews from new or 3rd party reviewes.

Panther games - Keep up the good work and keep your prices reasonable and you definitely will have a customer for your next games.

Happy customer and user.
Thanks.

I guess I will wait till get WITP once it hits ebay

[EricGuitarJames]

ORIGINAL: mashkis

I guess I will wait till get WITP once it hits ebay

You might have trouble acquiring it that way given the way Matrix now sells its games. However, you will be able to acquire its predecessor 'Uncommon Valour' via the s/hand market. Whilst it lacks the scope of WitP it uses the same game mechanics and will definitely give you the idea as to whether WitP is for you.

[Rooster]

Glad you picked HTTR!

I don't think you'll be dissapointed. Plus, next week, I am going to post my new map with a "slapped together" scenario that I think everyone will find a tough go as the Germans.