Matrix Games Forums

I don't know which games will run on a Mac. But some, including aaatoysandmore's suggestion Panzer Command Ostfront, may have a demo you can try. I would see which games have a demo and give them a look first.


The holiday sale still has some time for you to take a look.

Thanks
Rick

I'm a tactical nut of 40 something years.

Get Panzer Command Osfront if you like realism and a good AI and Battle Academy if you prefer more simple play of beer and pretzels and an AI that lets you win. [:)]

He is a beginner..so best with BA2..no point sending him off to Ostfront..just like I wouldn't recommend him Combat Missionx2. Though the original CM maybe OK. Still BA 2 is def the best bet for him.

Close Combat series might be good.

ORIGINAL: wodin

He is a beginner..so best with BA2..no point sending him off to Ostfront..just like I wouldn't recommend him Combat Missionx2. Though the original CM maybe OK. Still BA 2 is def the best bet for him.

That's why I said the difference of the two so "he" can decide what he'd like to jump into first, beer and pretzels easy ai or something a bit more challenging and real.

Oh and you know I'd never send him off to Combat Mission2. [:D]

yeah I know that:)

I do think BA 2 or he goes for Squad Battles if he wants something more "wargame" like.

Now, he didn't say it had to be a Matrix game game, that he was just looking for one so, I was thinking about what he wants, squad level, easy to play, tactical and I couldn't help but think of

Xcom Enemy Unknown. This would be a perfect entry level to squad level tactical and only one squad of 6 men to deal with. Very good game. Even old grogs love this one.

For entry level abstract strategy, I'd have to say Empire Deluxe from Killerbee Software.

They also have The Perfect General which is another great entry level abstract game of war but not really any realism unless you count the maps. Guadacanal looks like Guadacanal. The units are Heavy Tanks, Medium Tanks, and Light Tanks, mobile artillery, Heavy and Light ground artillery, Infantry (looks like a Flag) and Bazooka's (Looks like a flag with a B inside the flag) and of course armored cars.

Both Empire Deluxe and The Perfect General will give you hours and hours of replayability. The Empire Deluxe AI can be very good depending on the settings and size of the maps.

I had a lot of fun with them and still do from time to time. Just played a scenario of Xcom unknown...it was scary one of them big robot hard to destroy robots was in it and came at me right off. Thank god for my robbie the robot, he kept it in suppression till I could blow it up with rockets. [:'(]

ORIGINAL: aaatoysandmore

Now, he didn't say it had to be a Matrix game game....

He didn't?

ORIGINAL: bogert

Looking for a Matrix game on sale for a first time casual wargamer wannabee. Prefer WWII. Suggestions greatly appreciated.

ORIGINAL: Greybriar

ORIGINAL: aaatoysandmore

Now, he didn't say it had to be a Matrix game game....

He didn't?

ORIGINAL: bogert

Looking for a Matrix game on sale for a first time casual wargamer wannabee. Prefer WWII. Suggestions greatly appreciated.

Nope he didn't he just said he was looking for one nothing about HAD to be one was ever mentioned. [:D]

Well, not WWII, but I would really recommend Quadriga--a game about Roman chariot racing. It is easy to play, fun, addictive, and available on the iPad.

ORIGINAL: 76mm

Well, not WWII, but I would really recommend Quadriga--a game about Roman chariot racing. It is easy to play, fun, addictive, and available on the iPad.

if he had some money after WWII purchase that would be a good choice, something different he could enjoy.

ORIGINAL: Zap

ORIGINAL: 76mm

Well, not WWII, but I would really recommend Quadriga--a game about Roman chariot racing. It is easy to play, fun, addictive, and available on the iPad.

if he had some money after WWII purchase that would be a good choice, something different he could enjoy.

Yeah, or he could save all of it and goto Vegas and double it and buy more games. [:D]

Now pay ATTENTION everyone!

ORIGINAL: bogert

I should also note that I have a Mac.

Does that mean you don't have a PC or anything with iOS or Android? This is important for us to know what to recommend to you.

Beginner friendly games available for Mac I can find:
Order of Battle series
Field of Glory series (use search)
Battle Academy 2
Unity of Command series
Battle of the Bulge
XCOM: Enemy Unknown
Sid Meier's Civilization IV (I recommend this over Empire Deluxe and derivatives)

Notes:
Products page for Battle of the Bulge says its complexity is intermediate. I haven't played the game, but it looks very simple to me. Can someone comment why it is intermediate instead basic?
Civilization IV has detailed tutorial scenario where Sid Meier himself explains how to play the game. If you also care to read the frakkin' manual, you'll get in to the game soon enough. Heck, I learned to play the first Civ game before I could read & understand English language, and IV isn't any harder (though expansions add some more elements and complexity). Game & expansions also have got crap tons of mods, some of which put more emphasis on warfare. With 24,99€, Civ4 The Complete Edition is a good buy, and better game than Civ5 (there are different opinions) or Empire Deluxe & derivatives. Alternatively get Civ6 if you've got money and sufficient hardware.

Commander Europe at War is a fun one too. The best thing to do is go to YouTube and check out some "let's play" videos of the games that have been recommended in this thread to see which one(s) interest(s) you the most. Good luck!

I highly recommend Germany at War: Barbarossa 1941. I liked it better than Panzer Corps. Another positive is that the developer Ronald Wendt is still actively supporting the game. A lot of newer titles on this site have been completely abandoned for any updates by their developer.

ORIGINAL: stormbringer3

I highly recommend Germany at War: Barbarossa 1941. I liked it better than Panzer Corps. Another positive is that the developer Ronald Wendt is still actively supporting the game. A lot of newer titles on this site have been completely abandoned for any updates by their developer.

I second this. Very nice game. And as stormbringer3 said, Ronald is still supporting it. though I don't know if it would even run on a Mac.

Rick

ORIGINAL: Rick

ORIGINAL: stormbringer3

I highly recommend Germany at War: Barbarossa 1941. I liked it better than Panzer Corps. Another positive is that the developer Ronald Wendt is still actively supporting the game. A lot of newer titles on this site have been completely abandoned for any updates by their developer.

I second this. Very nice game. And as stormbringer3 said, Ronald is still supporting it. though I don't know if it would even run on a Mac.

Rick

I'm gonna have to pick this up, only $7 right now! I kinda passed it over before because I have plenty of WW2 games of this type, but the scale looks just right to me. Nice mix of easy to play but more historical realism than some other titles.

You should be very pleased if you buy Ronald's game. He's working on a new update which will add additional units etc. It's a mystery to me why this excellent game which is still supported is down in the Current Games section getting little exposure while other titles which are no longer supported are still in the New Releases section.

All of your comments are greatly appreciated! Lots to choose from.

ORIGINAL: Matti Kuokkanen

Beginner friendly games available for Mac I can find:
Order of Battle series
Field of Glory series (use search)
Battle Academy 2
Unity of Command series
Battle of the Bulge
XCOM: Enemy Unknown
Sid Meier's Civilization IV (I recommend this over Empire Deluxe and derivatives)

+1 more I somehow forgot:
Battle for Wesnoth
It's free, it has long list of scenarios & campaigns, and it has been translated to some 50 different languages. Truly a monument for dedication of community & fans. Enjoy.

[edit]
bogert, we'd like to know what game(s) you choose to start with. I recommend you cost free games and demos. Also as someone else has already mentioned, you can look up gameplay videos on YouTube with search words:
let's play *
Where * is game's name. For example:
let's play wesnoth