Norm Koger's The Operational Art of War III is the next game in the award-winning Operational Art of War game series. TOAW3 is updated and enhanced version of the TOAW: Century of Warfare game series. TOAW3 is a turn based game covering operational warfare from 1850-2015. Game scale is from 2.5km to 50km and half day to full week turns. TOAW3 scenarios have been designed by over 70 designers and included over 130 scenarios. TOAW3 comes complete with a full game editor.
That part just has to be wrong. AT has a very powerful scripting engine; TOAW's little event editor just doesn't compare.
I would certainly argue that TOAW's event engine is "very powerful". Sort of like a sledgehammer. The problem is that sometimes you only need a paperclip.
Anyway, the core of TOAW is the force editor, not the event editor- because it's an operational game where the force is what matters.
"What did you read at university?"
"War Studies"
"War? Huh. What is it good for?"
"Absolutely nothing."
TOAW's AI is better. TOAW is better looking. TOAW is more detailed in its handling of operational warfare.
AT is simple. AT would appeal greatly to people who grew up in the boardgame world. Very simple combat resolutions etc.
As far as editor's go, AT can do more, way more. However, it is far more difficult to use than TOAW's. And if you leave out AT's ablility to handle strategic aspects they are pretty much on par. In other words, as far as operational aspects go, TOAW does what needs to be done. There is always room for improvement, however, and if TOAW 4 ever becomes a reallity, it would be nice to see many of the AT features considered.
That being said, which one do I play more....TOAW hands down.
AT is somewhat amusing. It's strength will be in user made scenarios.
You could argue for the freedom to move these commanders around, but I suspect this would be even less realistic. Rommel dashes over from 7. Panzer to command 10. Panzer because that's where the breakthrough happens to have occured. I don't see it- it wouldn't happen in real life.
I agree, but it would be nice if there was an event that would allow to change a unit/formation proficiency in order to model arrival or departure of key leaders during a campaign.
Wow...
There are discussions like this in the AT forum as well. They are a bit nicer to TOAW than this forum is to AT though.
I own both...I've been with TOAW since the TOAW 1.
I love both games. There are things in TOAW that are superior to AT hands down and believe me, despite what some in the TOAW forum may be saying there are things in AT that are superior.
IMHO...there are 2 things that AT is better at...1. AT has a better scenario editor. Maybe the best I have ever seen in this type of game. I think even the most sceptical TOAW scenario designers would have to agree here if they really delve into the AT editor and learned how to use it's power.
2. this is more a matter of opinion here. I think AT has a better command and supply system.
Most other aspects like, combat system, realism, historical accuracy are I think modeled better in TOAW.
I'm betting that most people who like TOAW would also like AT and viceversa.
They are both similar and different at the same time.(if that makes any sense. LOL)
Oh yea, AT has a random scenario feature that is a lot of fun for some people. Others will only play pre-designed ones. And there are a lot of graphic mods that are starting to make the game a lot better looking. the mods make the game look more like TOAW actually.
Let's face it, Graphics were never very important to gamers like us anyway, just a plus.
Whatever the draw is, AT is gaining quit a fan base, and most of them own TOAW.
A few comments:
1-The "standard" AT is a more generic game, when you look at equipment but it is fully moddable. You can edit essentially every unit you want. Actually you can edit everything you want.
2-The naval and sea supply model of AT is thousand times bettr than that of TOAW
3-TOAW is much better for operational scenarios
4-Due to a more flexible editor plus production system plus multiplayer gaming plus naval system, AT is FAR BETTER for strategic scenarios (a thing that TOAW was not designed for, btw)
5-Editing of more realistic scenarios is more difficult in AT (as you must depart from scratch units) but is possible
My decision. I bought both[:D]. Stay tunned on AT. In a few months there will appear lots of fantastic scenarios. There is nothing preventing you from designing the complete WWII with custom units and a looping map with multiplayer design.
