Airborne Assault - Order of Play

[kam99]

Airborne Assault - Order of Play

I have managed to obtain RDOA, HTTR and COTA. I am currently playing the tutorials in HTTR, it is a steep learning curve! Is there a recommended order to play the games? I know there have been advancements in each title. Should I master HTTR before I attempt COTA? Alternatively, are the advancements in COTA that good that they will hook me, and threfore I should jump straight into that? Is there an argument for going back in the series to RDOA and becoming proficient at that first?

Any advice would be appreciated.

kam

[sterckxe]

ORIGINAL: kam99

Airborne Assault - Order of Play

I have managed to obtain RDOA, HTTR and COTA. I am currently playing the tutorials in HTTR, it is a steep learning curve! Is there a recommended order to play the games? I know there have been advancements in each title. Should I master HTTR before I attempt COTA? Alternatively, are the advancements in COTA that good that they will hook me, and threfore I should jump straight into that? Is there an argument for going back in the series to RDOA and becoming proficient at that first?

Any advice would be appreciated.

kam

RDOA : only if you're interested in how it all got started. Also best looked at with an eye on what other games were on the market at that time. Where are the hexes ? was probably the most asked question, closely followed by "eek, that unit *moved* on it's own !!" [;)]

HTTR and COTA are about equal in complexity. A lot of the new things in COTA are either non-issues in HTTR (no steep slopes, hence no need for mixed-mode movement) or are under the hood (ex : supply)

Short story : HTTR is perfectly playable today. Sure, COTA has some new features that are great but it's not as if you'd feel back in the Dark Ages playing HTTR. And lessons learned in HTTR are equally valid in COTA and vice versa.

So it comes down to what do you prefer most : fighting a set of battles in the well known Market Garden universe or trying a mostly ignored conflict that contained a lot of dramatic moments and exciting though largely forgotten combats.

Or you could just try a couple of battles from each game and see what you like most.

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx

[z1812]

Hi Kam,

On the HTTR forum the following was posted byArjuna regarding HTTR recommended order for scenarios:

( For those newcomers looking to start off with the less difficult scenarios, here is my recommendation. Start with the smaller scenarios and work up to the larger ones.

Raid on Renkum

PI on the Popenberg

Joe's Bridge

Devils Hill

Air Landing Assault

Grave Grab

Dutch Delay at Deest

SecondWave

The Harder Way

Para Rescue

Keeping the Island Afloat

Then move on up to the larger scenarios including the historical and what if campaigns. )


Arjuna's list is a very good to play through. I am playing them now and quite enjoying it. I purchased COTA but I will finish playing this HTTR introductory list first. Have fun and I hope this helps.

Regards John

[kam99]

Thanks for the very useful replies. I did get the list of recommended starter scenarios for HTTR from that forum and this afternoon have played Raid on Renkum as the British twice. It was very enjoyable. This is a very good game system. I think I will play a couple more of the recommended HTTR scenarios then look at the COTA tutorials.
 
Many thanks,
 
kam  

[MarkShot]

Aside from some UI and under the hood improvements (AI and improved delay/withdraw orders), the main adjustments you will need to deal with are: increased fatigue rates, mixed mode movement, and supply lines. Additionally, COTA features less cover on the maps and more unobstructed LOS.

So, the feel/pace of COTA will be somewhat different, but not too bad. I can easily switch back and forth between them.

Both are a lot of fun!

I have even gone back and played RDOA. Aside from an interesting comparative exercise, there is not real reason to do so, since HTTR features all the same subject matter with game improvements as well.

Enjoy!

[MarkShot]

Actually, Eddy, if there was never a HTTR/COTA, I could easily see myself still playing RDOA from time to time. The only issue I would have would be familiarity with the battles and maps. I think it accords itself well to many games which are on the market today.

I think the only thing which will condemn HTTR/COTA to the old games box will be new offerings from PG. No, one else comes close to touching this interface, game engine, or AI.

PS: If anyone thinks I talks like this just because I am a beta tester, I just want to you know that flattering Dave has never gotten anyone here a raise or promotion. It is just not that type of gaming company.

[JeF]

Hi kam,

Welcome to the gang of those who have "The Three". [8D]

As the engine leaps forward from release to release, I'd advise to first give RDoA a go, then play HTTR and finally COTA. As Eddy said, it's not a question of complexity. All games are of equal complexity, though RDoA is smaller in scope.

I'd suggest to play the RDoA scenarios not covered in HTTR. On the top of my head : Heartbreak Ridge, Deelen Day One, Second Lift (it's there, but with different objectives), Juggernaut. First two have been redone for HTTR, but are better in RDoA IMHO.

For mods and other scenarios for all games, have a look at the web sites listed over here : cota.matrixgames.com/Community

Have fun,

JeF.

[kam99]

Thank you to all for your valuable advice. Just got my first decisive victory - I'm hooked!

[sterckxe]

ORIGINAL: MarkShot
Actually, Eddy, if there was never a HTTR/COTA, I could easily see myself still playing RDOA from time to time. The only issue I would have would be familiarity with the battles and maps. I think it accords itself well to many games which are on the market today.

Funnily enough RDOA did not make a favourable impression on me. It all just felt too cramped, too little. Sure there was a great engine under the hood, but that only became obviously clear upon the release of HTTR. The famous Giftzwerg raved about it so I decided to give it another try and the rest is history [;)]

ORIGINAL: MarkShot
PS: If anyone thinks I talks like this just because I am a beta tester, I just want to you know that flattering Dave has never gotten anyone here a raise or promotion. It is just not that type of gaming company.

You’re probably just jealous of my recent promotion to "Dogsbody 4th class in Charge of the Crud behind the Radiator" for my excellent performance in annoying the other Beta Bunnies.

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx