Matrix Games Forums

Since I'm here: would it be so hard for Matrix to update their website/download process? It's been the same for how many years now? It's rather outdated. Also, GOG might be a better fit for WarPlan.

Oh, what the hell, I just bought the game via the Matrix store. When I saw Panzer Mike's map mod I couldn't control myself any longer.

Thought about starting a new Strategic Command game instead, but the one thing that always bothered me was the lack of fuel in those games.

Welcome aboard drommarnas!

And thank you to mod makers for your effort to give the game a fresh coat of paint!

ORIGINAL: sveint

HoI is a junk wargame. It's a fantasy game.

Not with Black ice Mod.

ORIGINAL: bairdlander

ORIGINAL: sveint

HoI is a junk wargame. It's a fantasy game.

Not with Black ice Mod.

Black ICE is garbage. Sorry but it is. It is a clutter of complexity that adds to micro management but not to strategy. Complexity is good if it deepens strategy. Black ICE does not do that. It only adds clutter. I don't need to be micromanaging separate factory lines for three different uniform items and separately producing sniper teams and mortar teams etc. It is a mess.

Strategic Command is a far far better representation of WW2 than any HOI4 game regardless of which mod is being used.

Sorry I did not clarify.Yes,HOI4 is garbage I agree.I meant HOI3 with Black Ice mod.I just purchased Warplan and so far it is pretty good.Reminds me a lot of AH "Third Reich".

ORIGINAL: Dalwin

ORIGINAL: bairdlander

ORIGINAL: sveint

HoI is a junk wargame. It's a fantasy game.

Not with Black ice Mod.

Black ICE is garbage. Sorry but it is. It is a clutter of complexity that adds to micro management but not to strategy. Complexity is good if it deepens strategy. Black ICE does not do that. It only adds clutter. I don't need to be micromanaging separate factory lines for three different uniform items and separately producing sniper teams and mortar teams etc. It is a mess.

Strategic Command is a far far better representation of WW2 than any HOI4 game regardless of which mod is being used.

Ironically I used to say exactly the same thing about BICE.
However, in the recent months I re-tried it and immediately liked it. Either BICE has changed or I have changed over the past couple of years.
There are indeed a lot of great features in BICE that aren't mere clutter. For instance the civilian oil consumption. That was a major factor in WW2 and it's not represented anywhere else. Or the resource stockpiles for steel, rubber, chromium and tungsten.

The production is a mess, I wholeheartedly agree on that.

-------------

Btw. first impression of Warplan vs. Strategic Command:
The UX is definitely better in SC from a technical perspective (the engine feels smoother). However, lots of great quality of life features in Warplan such as the automated airstrikes, multi-attacks (I can't imagine living without the "shift always on" function etc.
I already miss the historical events and decisions of SC whereas Warplan is a lot more sandboxy.
The biggest drawback of Warplan is that you have to play the entire faction which is particularly bad for the Allied side. That kind of negates the advantage of the more streamlined macro approach.

Overall it feels like a very good addition to the genre. If I had to pick only one, then I think the SC games offer a more complete WW2 experience. But then again, these games are meant to be played for years and who buys only one wargame?
Most of my friends are satisfied if they get 40 hours out of their new 50 quid PS4 game. I wish that most people weren't so shallow.
Game designers like Alvaro deserve a bigger customer base!


PS: Another all-time great is "Darkest Hour" (based on a pimped HoI2 engine) with the developer's own "World in Flames 2" mod. You haven't experienced the Russian winter before you played that game.

Big difference is that WarPlan is a pure wargame. As you play it you will understand.
SC has immersion in the events
WP has immersion in the depth of strategy which constantly evolves throughout the full war.

I am quite pleased with the sales. Exceeded Matrix's expectations and mine. Means I can make more games. WP was my very 1st coded game.

Thank you for the kind words and honest comparison which is all I ask for from customers.

ORIGINAL: Richard III

The sad fact is steam has 6 guys doing HOI IV play through vids on UTube whereas you/matrix has 1 as far as I see ( good guy though)

I found at least 3-4 doing play throughs on Youtube

For those that don't know, for Matrix published games that are also available on Steam, you can purchase the game directly from Matrix to better support Matix and designers like Alvaro financially. You will still get a Steam code that can be used to activate the game on Steam. If you actually like using Steam as I do for a universal launcher and updater, it's the best of both worlds.

Yes it supports me better when my games are bought on Matrix and you still get a Steam key.

ORIGINAL: AntoneT

For those that don't know, for Matrix published games that are also available on Steam, you can purchase the game directly from Matrix to better support Matix and designers like Alvaro financially. You will still get a Steam code that can be used to activate the game on Steam. If you actually like using Steam as I do for a universal launcher and updater, it's the best of both worlds.

Yes, Paradox fans are doing that as well: buy the game directly in the Paradox store for the same price. The publisher and developer benefit the most that way.
However, the customer should not have to pay a higher price on Matrix than on Steam. That is stretching the loyalty and support factor too much.
I've rarely seen cases where the game is priced higher on the publisher store than on Steam.

It's the same price on both $40