Best Single-Player ONLY MatrixGame?

[e_barkmann]

I've never played a board or tabletop wargame in my life, just computer ones

When you read these kind of comments you realise you just aren't 20 anymore [:(]

[:)]

[BlackSunshine]

ORIGINAL: sterckxe

ORIGINAL: mlc82

ORIGINAL: BlackSunshine

For best AI either COTA or BIL. BIL has a ton of replaybility with a lot of scenarios and even more being developed.

What's BIL?

Battles in Lapland ?
Battles in Liguria ?

Or else it's a typo for Battles in Italy [;)]

Just so, and given your "best AI" question there are demos for the following games which you might be interested in :

Battles in Normandy (sister game to the above - 95% same game features)
Tin Soldiers - Alexander the Great - the graphics and camera in Julius Caesar are 100% better, but it's basically the same engine.

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx

Lol, yeah what he said. Battles in Italy.

[marcusm]

I second Advanced Tactics, the Ai is quite competent. Though, I'd still give pbem a shot now and then .

Plus. You can never go wrong with TOAW3, the amount of scenarios is second to none. You can probably
play TOAW3 for 5 years withotu re-playing the same scenario. Well designed scenarios offer challenging AI.

Marcus

[Brigz]

Don't let the miniatures look of Tin Soldiers turn you away from these games. I didn't like the look of them either but since ancients is one of my favorite periods I decided to try out Alexander the Great. Once I got it and tried it out I immediately order Julius Caesar. These games are just plain fun. They are simple but challenging and a breath of fresh air. They are the kind of game you can concentrate on 'playing' and not having to constantly check up on rules. Easy to get into but absorbing enough to be very entertaining. Once I start a battle I have a very hard time walking away from the computer until the battle is finished. Even if you only play once through the entire series of battles it is well worth the price of admission. I can honestly admit that I got more game-playing-fun-time per dollar out of these games than most other games I've bought. Take advantage of the Matrix holiday sale and try one of these. I don't think you will be sorry. And best of all, they are designed to be perfect for solitaire play.

[cdbeck]

I would go with Advanced Tactics, so another vote for that. It has a wonderful random map generator, which will keep you playing a long time and the AI is pretty darn good. If you ever decide to PBEM (I'm a solo player myself, but I toy with PBEM as an idea soon), then AT will make that transition smooth. There are lots of player-made scenarios coming out now too, so the fun never really stops. If you like TOAW, you will love AT.

Conquest of the Aegean is very nice as well, but if you did not really jump into HTTR, then you may not want it. It happens to be on sale, so that is always nice.

Nobody ever mentions this, but I have to chime in here. If you loved Massive Assault, and are a mechwarrior fan, Titans of Steel: Warring Suns is a very fun game. It takes some getting into, but the AI is pretty good and there are a lot of things you can do in the game. You might even be able to find it in a bargain bin, paying around $10 for it. I feel many here never played it, or never mention it, but it was the game that brought me to Matrix.

Well, that's about it for me. I would not recommend Carriers at War for solo play, as there are not many scenarios and the scenarios do not last very long. Thus you will have exhausted the game in a very short time. Spartan and Tin Solidiers are good games, both have demos out in the ether, so give them a try first.

Download site for Tin Soldiers: Alexander Demo

Download site for Extended Spartan Demo

SoM

[ravinhood]

 I do find it interesting no one has qualified WitP as a solo game with the best AI. At any rate you've got lots of good choices to choose from Mic, so what's it gonna be? We're all drooling here waiting for you to make your decision so we can say we were the one(s) that made the sale for Matrixgames. loll

[Veldor]

ORIGINAL: ravinhood

He doesn't mean ONLY single player and no multiplayer Veldor he means for a Single Player to ONLY play solo. Besides Hornet Leader suks and has the worst AI in history according to GORF.

Whose GORF? The only problem with the HL AI is the dev programmed in too much randomness to try to keep things more variable and interesting. Typical damned if you do damned if you don't scenario. Don't do that and people complain your AI is too predictable and scripted... do that and suddenly its not realistic or whatever.

If not HL then I'll 2nd, 3rd, 4th or however many votes go to Advanced Tactics. I'm going to go out on a limb here and says its to computer games for me what squad leader was to board games. Meaning its the game anyone who calls themselves a wargamer must have in thier collection. Whether or not its your most favorite game is another story, but you simply don't have a worthwhile computer wargame collection without it. Sorry. [:D]

I liked and loved many a computer game but no game in the last decade is worthy of that title (Though there are many gems even in Matrix's own collection I just don't think any other title has that level of clear universal appeal that literallly ANY wargamer would enjoy it at least to a certain extent).

Before you label me a fanboi you should know I still find notable flaws with the game (The Nightmare on Elm Street Editor and the I dont know what a right mouse button is UI) but the fact that we have a powerful editor at all is a monster plus as is the fact that while the UI could be improved, its still basically more functional/manueverable than the average wargame and 10 times as fun a game. In most other ways its probably near to flawless and Im sure will only improve in all areas in time.

One recent opponent of mine was moved to tears by his enjoyment!!

[mikul82]

I'm not 100% sure yet, I'm mainly planning to get one or two from my girlfriend for Xmas but will probably blow some of my own money on a game as well... 

I'm leaning toward the Tin Soldiers games right now, as I said "Ancient Era" is really my favorite and good games in this setting are really hard to find. 

Also even though it wasn't mentioned, Harpoon Commander's Edition is high on the want list because I remember having fun attempting to play this game on my old Mac when I was 12 or so- It always seemed like it would be fun if I could just understand everything in it, but back then I was too busy playing Red Baron (the 1990 Dynamix flight sim, IMO the all time reigning God of computer games, greatest ever made, and so on) to spend much time with it.

Hornet Leader just doesn't look like something I'd get into but I may give the demo a shot soon anyhow, thanks for the idea Veldor!

I honestly hadn't even thought much about Advanced Tactics- I'm like JudgeDredd in that the random/generic unit/faction/city names really put me off as well.  No idea why, I just don't like it (I'm thinking it's AT that I saw him mentioning this about).  That sort of thing is a real immersion killer for me.  I also thought this one was kind of said to be at a "Panzer General" level of complexity, and while I loved PG, I'd usually rather play with something more complex, though not quite at Hearts of Iron (micromanagement hell- but I loved Europa Universalis II!!) level either.  I really haven't looked into that one at all otherwise, so it sounds like I need to, but for now I really need to force myself into bed.

Thanks again for all of the replies, and feel free to keep them coming!

[Hertston]

Tin Soldiers (go for Caesar of the two) would be a great choice, in view of your preference for the period. The only reason it doesn't have a higher profile here is that most people's preference is WW2, and they never bought them. You can hardly complain about the price, either. Legion Arena is designed as a solo game, too.. although that wasn't the original intention as I recall. That's fast paced, addictive and, again, well worth the money.

[JudgeDredd]

ORIGINAL: mlc82
...I honestly hadn't even thought much about Advanced Tactics- I'm like JudgeDredd in that the random/generic unit/faction/city names really put me off as well....

Don't let me sway you from that title (I know you're a big boy and can make your own mind up [;)])...but I appear to be very much in the minority with my view of AT.

Besides, I prefer to promote games to people rather than suggest they avoid a game. Everyone has personal tastes and it isn't for me to diss a game to someone just because I don't get on with it.

And I'm currently giving AT a second look...I'm not sure I'm going to find anything to change my mind...after all, it was only really the naming convention that drove me away.

Like you said...an immersion killer. The mechanics are good, AI seems more than capable and the game was rock solid stable. There are also some graphics mods coming out which take away the "cartoony" feel (sorry to dev...that's how I see them)...so I expect over the future, as scenarios are created (and there is no need to rely on the random battle generator), then there will be a lot of fun to be had.

[Adam Parker]

Best AI in a game published by Matrix is SSG's "Battles in Normandy".

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: Adam Parker

Best AI in a game published by Matrix is SSG's "Battles in Normandy".

While I own and enjoy playing all of the games in the Decisive Battles series (including Across the Dnepr) and the AI can definitely be categorized as very aggressive, it is almost too aggressive for it's own good. It can easily be baited into overcommitting against a "vulnerable" unit and end up leaving gaping holes in it's lines or leaving itself totally out of position to counter my next moves. I would categorize the DB AI as "good" but not "great".

[ravinhood]

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

ORIGINAL: Adam Parker

Best AI in a game published by Matrix is SSG's "Battles in Normandy".

While I own and enjoy playing all of the games in the Decisive Battles series (including Across the Dnepr) and the AI can definitely be categorized as very aggressive, it is almost too aggressive for it's own good. It can easily be baited into overcommitting against a "vulnerable" unit and end up leaving gaping holes in it's lines or leaving itself totally out of position to counter my next moves. I would categorize the DB AI as "good" but not "great".

Yep couldn't have said it better myself. The Decisive Battles AI is far from the BEST that Matrixgames has. But, then again you have to consider the source of Adam he likes VISTA as well. lol

[Veldor]

ORIGINAL: mlc82

I'm like JudgeDredd in that the random/generic unit/faction/city names really put me off as well.  No idea why, I just don't like it (I'm thinking it's AT that I saw him mentioning this about).  That sort of thing is a real immersion killer for me. ......

Huh? [&:]

Advanced Tactics is the only game on the list that even LETS you play randomly created games in the first place. If anything about that randomness puts you off just pretend its like every other game and that you can only play the fixed scenarios.

Then you still get more scenarios by far than the average game comes with, and certainly more variety (WWII, WWI, Civil War, Fantasy, etc.). All the historical scenarios have accurate names, units, and maps..

With supply and anti-supply rules as well as production and complex ZOC rules I don't think its really all that simple of a game. It certainly feels and plays like a wargame to me. There are certainly more complex games out there but the main strength in AT is how flexible and smooth it plays.

I think for a lot of people its their favorite Matrix Game, but the reason Im confident in recommending it is that whatever your likes or dislikes there is something in that game for everyone and while it may not ever rank as your most favorite game it will always be a game thats fun to play and (something that shouldn't be discounted) VERY easy to find opponents for.

Though of course your looking for single-player only... The one neat thing about the random games there is if you play with shroud on you dont have an advantage over the AI because you don't even know the layout of the map etc. Think of the random game as a bonus game for free. It plays entirely different from the fixed scenarios. The AI is currently being patched to address the main concerns players had about it in the fixed scenarios (How it used air units etc.)

Check out some of the AAR's (Maybe the one the talks about Amphibous Assaults and how to build forward naval ports and fortifications as part of island invasions)..

Let us know what you end up buying...

[cdbeck]

Well, if you loved Europa Universalis II, then EUIII with the Napoleon's Ambition add-on is a sure-fire success (not to steer you away from Matrix). Also, if your budget is lower, you could get Crusader Kings with the Deus Vult expansion for a bit cheaper to have some old fashion medieval fun (I am a medievalist and it gets my seal of approval).

For the price of Crusader Kings + Deus Vult, you could get those and come back here and get Tin Soldiers or Advanced Tactics - why not have the best of all worlds? [;)]

SoM

[ravinhood]

STOP PROMOTING PARADOX GAMES ON THE MATRIXGAMES SITE THANK YOU AND HAVE A NICE DAY! [:D]

Do you people not read the OP's TOPIC?? Did is not state BEST MATRIXGAME??!! Yes it did so SOM why are you promoting Paradox games and "going OFF TOPIC"? huh why huh? We all wanna know!!! [:'(]

[Erik Rutins]

Ravinhood,

You really want to be a moderator, don't you? [;)]

Regards,

- Erik

[ravinhood]

Just practicing Have a Merry Christmas

[mikul82]

ORIGINAL: Son_of_Montfort

Well, if you loved Europa Universalis II, then EUIII with the Napoleon's Ambition add-on is a sure-fire success (not to steer you away from Matrix). Also, if your budget is lower, you could get Crusader Kings with the Deus Vult expansion for a bit cheaper to have some old fashion medieval fun (I am a medievalist and it gets my seal of approval).

For the price of Crusader Kings + Deus Vult, you could get those and come back here and get Tin Soldiers or Advanced Tactics - why not have the best of all worlds? [;)]

SoM

I've got CK + Deus Vult and really like it EU III + NA will eventually find a place on my hard drive as well

[mikul82]

ORIGINAL: Veldor

ORIGINAL: mlc82

I'm like JudgeDredd in that the random/generic unit/faction/city names really put me off as well.  No idea why, I just don't like it (I'm thinking it's AT that I saw him mentioning this about).  That sort of thing is a real immersion killer for me. ......

Huh? [&:]

Advanced Tactics is the only game on the list that even LETS you play randomly created games in the first place. If anything about that randomness puts you off just pretend its like every other game and that you can only play the fixed scenarios.

Then you still get more scenarios by far than the average game comes with, and certainly more variety (WWII, WWI, Civil War, Fantasy, etc.). All the historical scenarios have accurate names, units, and maps..

With supply and anti-supply rules as well as production and complex ZOC rules I don't think its really all that simple of a game. It certainly feels and plays like a wargame to me. There are certainly more complex games out there but the main strength in AT is how flexible and smooth it plays.

I think for a lot of people its their favorite Matrix Game, but the reason Im confident in recommending it is that whatever your likes or dislikes there is something in that game for everyone and while it may not ever rank as your most favorite game it will always be a game thats fun to play and (something that shouldn't be discounted) VERY easy to find opponents for.

Though of course your looking for single-player only... The one neat thing about the random games there is if you play with shroud on you dont have an advantage over the AI because you don't even know the layout of the map etc. Think of the random game as a bonus game for free. It plays entirely different from the fixed scenarios. The AI is currently being patched to address the main concerns players had about it in the fixed scenarios (How it used air units etc.)

Check out some of the AAR's (Maybe the one the talks about Amphibous Assaults and how to build forward naval ports and fortifications as part of island invasions)..

Let us know what you end up buying...

Maybe I will have to try it out... I was thinking it was a randomized system set with WWII as a backdrop (but not any specifically die hard WWII scenarios) but able to simulate other periods as well. Not to sound like I keep bashing it (I don't know anything about the game besides what I've heard here so I'm really not!), but I also generally don't like game sets that try simulating everything from Napoleon to WWII... I just don't see how they can have the proper "feel" for the different periods, but if that one is geared toward WWII then I might really like those. I've always liked the 1930's to modern scenarios in TOAW, but couldn't ever really get into the ones set in WWI, or the US Civil War, or before just because the game system doesn't feel right to simulate those conflicts.