Prepare yourself for a wargaming tour-de-force! Conquest of the Aegean is the next generation of the award-winning and revolutionary Airborne Assault series and it takes brigade to corps-level warfare to a whole new level. Realism and accuracy are the watchwords as this pausable continuous time design allows you to command at any echelon, with smart AI subordinates and an incredibly challenging AI.
I know everyone is coming by here day after day for the patch or news of it. Of course, I would like to think that you guys and gals come by daily to see if I have added more content to the Mini-Guide.
Well, in any case, let me propose an interesting topic for discussion so everyone's time can be productive while waiting:
Feel free to answer for both HTTR and COTA:
(1) What's your favorite scenario? Why?
(2) In your opinion what makes for a good scenario in this game?
Thanks.
2021 - Resigned in writing as a 20+ year Matrix Beta and never looked back ...
Although it might have just sounded like I was suggesting killing time. In fact, the team is very interested in which scenarios you like and why. By sharing your thoughts on this matter, you help those who are in the process doing scenario design.
Thanks.
2021 - Resigned in writing as a 20+ year Matrix Beta and never looked back ...
Partially because I haven't played any Cretian scenarios (want to experience them for the first time with the patch.)
Why? The Greek games are mostly breakthrough/exploit types, with clearly defined channels to attack through. I like the empty canvas a campaign such as Malta provides: Go East? Go West? Broad Front? Slow calculated advance with sufficient force? Rapid gamble to save lives later and cut the allies out of Valetta?
Particularly with this scenario, day 1 and day 2 results can require a total rethink based on AI reaction and the success/failure of your operational plan.
Finally, most of the games I've played have resulted in a nice parallel of Cretian results: I force a surrender or seize enough victory points, but my Paras suffer 50% or 60% casualties. A pyhrric victory such as that gives a nice sour taste and the motivation to do it again without slaughtering my troops
I've only played two scenarios and only one of those to completion (the tutorial)...the other one (Iraklion Airfield Falls) threw an error and I cannot complete it until the patch. I didn't want to start another scenario in case I received the same bug...that would just have infuriated me...so I'm waiting patiently for the patch.
The bug was a supply issue, by the way.
As a general rule, I don't like the smaller scenarios. I like scenarios to last at least 2 or 3 days.
I like the small to medium scenarios. Sometimes the large ones I fimd a little daunting. Well actaully I like it when your not inundated with units BUT the battle plays out over 3 to 4 days.
Would have been nice to see a couple of new scenarios in the patch.
So far I have played Malta 4 times, Maleme Historical 1.5 times, Iraklion Historical 1 time, Storm over Iraklion 1 time, Rethymnon Historical 3 times and Corinth Canal once.
For a small scenario I really like Rethymnon Historical, especially sionce there are at leat three distinctly different initial drop patterns that require completely different attack plans. Ech replay was a completely fresh experience.
For a large scenario I am partial to Malta as I was a huge, huge fan of Avalon Hill's Assault on Malta game. I have wanted to design a sceario for Malta around the one portrayed in the AH game, but alas, I left my game with an old gaming buddy who moved away so I lost my copy of the game. Researching the OBs for a recreation of the AH game is something I haven't found time for lately so the intended project is on a back burner.
I did discover something encouraging in my 4th game of Malta. In the first game I pressed an attack on Luqa on day two with insufficient forces, was resoundingly repulsed, and determinied to try a new approach in the next game. The second game I spent day two obtaining outlying day 3, 4 and 5 objectives in the east and west while maneuvering to outflank Luqa on three sides. I then pressed home a determined assault on Luqa from three sides on day three, precipitating a decisive cauldron battle that broke the back of the island's defense force. I repeated this in game three. In game four, the British didn't take the bait and instead of defending Luqa all out, they fell back into the fortresses of Valetta presenting me with a determined, well manned urban fortress to tackle. I am currently fighting a costly battle of reduction for these fortified positions. The difference in response of the AI form one game to the next makes for great replayability and keeps scenarios from becomeing stale and predictable. I am anxious to try this scenario with the more aggressive new AI.
ORIGINAL: wodin
Would have been nice to see a couple of new scenarios in the patch.
Consider that alot of the scenarios will be very replayable with substantial changes to the AI coming.
I also haven't played any of the longer scenarios - the basics resupply bug seems to nix that for me. I've been waiting for the patch for quite awhile!
I'm hoping that some custom scenarios will be out soon as well.
