[Deleted]
Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 6:40 am
[Deleted by Admins]
ORIGINAL: MarkShot
I guess I was being overly dramatic. Well, I'll keep my nose clean from now on. Time to make my 2008 resolutions early. Thanks.
Mark,
don't worry. There is no problem in discussing the differences between ANW and HCCE, and there is no risk of flamewars or other unpleasant happenings in this kind of discussion. Actually, the basic question that makes sense, since, being both them games developed by AGSI about the same topic (modern naval warfare), one has the right to ask for the conceptual differences so to make an informed decision.
Generally speaking, they are both good. What HCCE does is to present a more operational view of naval operations while sacrificing some detail at the lower levels. Sure, platforms and weapons in HCCE are detailed on an individual basis, but what matters to the operational commander is their general capability in the various fields (ASuW, ASW and AAW), while his job is to concentrate on the "big picture" at the grand tactical-operational level. Seen this way, HCCE is the best "conversion" you can get for PC of the old "Fleet Series" by Victory Games - and actually playing (or reading about) the old FS is always the best incentive for me to return home and fire up a game of HCCE.
ANW paints a more detailed, more realistic portrayal of modern naval operations at the tactical level. Both platforms and sensors/weapons operations are recreated in minute details, and you can "see" what happens down to the single ship with little abstraction. Sure, you can find "monster" scenarios for ANW, but they are exactly that: "monsters" - whereas in HCCE the would only be "big ones". So, we could say that ANW is moder naval warfare portrayed at the "Red Storm Rising" (by Clancy/Bond) level: seen through the eyes of the local commanders and people being there.
As you can see, both games complement themselves nicely, and this is why they are both considered a "must buy" by anyone with an interest in modern naval warfare. Another good example of the difference in scale and purpose could be HCCE = John Tiller's Campaign Series, ANW = Steel Panthers.
Regarding the polemics, they surround mostly ANW, and mainly do steem from two issues: how the game MUST be played (I kid thee not) and a pernicious case of Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder in the collective unconscious of that community (again, I kid thee not, and actually the first issue could be considered the most visible sympthom of this one; it would be possible to write an interesting paper on this issue, and if someone getting a degree in psychology is interested I can give some leads). As long as you stay clear of both, you are safe [;)]
Cheers! And, again, don't worry! [:)]
Vince