Returning wargamer seeks advice

[Elwro]

Hi! Elwro from Cracow, Poland here.[:)] As a teenager I spent hundreds of hours with hex-based board wargames (we've had quite a few great titles developed in Poland, including the battle of Vienna in 1683). I also played computer wargames, including Talonsoft's Battleground and Campaign Series. (Of those, „Eastern Front” was my favourite.) After a few years of playing something completely different I'd like to return to the trade.
So, I grabbed two Matrix games: Gary Grigsby's World at War (the original) and Steel Panthers World at War General's Edition. I like both of the games, but have some qualms with them, and that's why I'm writing this post, having a nagging suspicion that you get hundreds of similar ones every month, so apologies in advance.
In short:
1) I like GGWaW but after playing it for some time I think that I prefer hex-based games, and perhaps of a smaller scale
2) I also like SPWaWGE, but it seems very complicated and I just don't have as much time for gaming as I had years ago.

Therefore, what I'm looking for is a good hex-based game a bit less complicated than SPWaWGE. The problem is that I don't want to buy the games online, as they're quite expensive for a Polish citizen freshly after studies. But some of the titles were released in Poland, for a very reasonable price! The list of games I'm considering consists of:

War in the Pacific
War Plan Orange
Battles in Normandy
Battles in Italy

but (and now for something completely different) I also can get the following dirt-cheap:

Crown of Glory
Tin Soldiers: Alexander the Great
Tin Soldiers: Julius Caesar

So, which of the games on my first list would you recommend? For example, War Plan Orange is newer, but War in the Pacific seems to have a more active community. Is any of the games on my second list a must-buy?
I also have a suspicion that Operational Art of War III might be ideal for my taste... too bad it hasn't been released in Poland yet.
Also, the release date for Matrix editions of Campaign and Battleground Series is still unknown, right?

I'll be very thankful for any suggestions.

[Hertston]

ORIGINAL: Elwro

2) I also like SPWaWGE, but it seems very complicated and I just don't have as much time for gaming as I had years ago.

Hi Elwro,

I think '2' rules out WitP and WPO. I've just bought WitP and although it's actually rather easier to get to grips with than I suspected, one thing it demands is TIME and lots of it! BiN and BiI aren't exactly quick-play, either.

I'd suggest you go for one or both of the Tin Soldiers games.

[Elwro]

Thanks, I'll get the demo for Alexander, then!

edit: Uh, could anyone help me here? (the word "here" is a link)

[elcidce]

Try buying a copy of Uncommon Valor. Its the predecessor to WiTP and can be had inexpensively. Its operating on hexes and is limited to the South Pacific. Im still playing it since it was released and there are still quite a few players. A new patch is due out soon. If you like ancients try Spartan and Age of Troy too. Very good games without excessive micrmanaging required.

[Elwro]

Thanks! I'll look into that; too bad I don't see a demo anywhere...

[Erik Rutins]

Elwro,

Here are some Demo links:

http://www.matrixgames.com/games/demos.asp?gid=298

http://www.matrixgames.com/games/demos.asp?gid=281

http://www.matrixgames.com/games/demos.asp?gid=295

http://www.matrixgames.com/games/demos.asp?gid=327

And there are more, if you look through our Games section and check the major game/demo sites. Enjoy!

Regards,

- Erik

[JSS]

I highly recommend both BiN & BiI. There is a BiN demo available (full 32 turn Ardennes Offensive scenario... you get play as the German side).

BiI is the better game of the two (both in terms of game engine and available expansion battles). Fall Weiss 39 battle is available as an expansion for BiI.

On the other hand if you're interested in the Normandy Invasion and/or like to play smaller scenarios then BiN would be better. 1st Polish Armored Division is a key unit in the decisive phase of the 76 turn BiN Campaign and a makes a late appearance in the Breakout scenario.

[Elwro]

@Erik - thanks for the links! I tried the Alexander demo but it makes my computer hang up. I made a topic about this in the tech support subsection: tm.asp?m=1334327&mpage=1&key=&#1334327
Also, one of the links to BiN demo, http://gr.bolt.com/download/pc/strategy ... rmandy.htm , does not link to the demo anymore but just to a 318 byte text file. No problem since I'm downloading it from elsewhere, but I just thought I'd let you know.

@JSS - thank you very much! Downloading BiN demo now.

[Erik Rutins]

Elwro,

Did you install the DirectX version that came with the demo? That includes Managed DirectX, which most folks don't have - even though the general DirectX version may be the same as what you already have. If you're not sure, reinstall it from the /redist sub-folder under the demo and you should be set. Also, please do post a DxDiag for us in that tech support thread.

Thanks for the heads up on the broken link, I know it worked once upon a time, but the internet is a rather dynamic place.

Regards,

- Erik

[TheHellPatrol]

ORIGINAL: JSS

I highly recommend both BiN & BiI. There is a BiN demo available (full 32 turn Ardennes Offensive scenario... you get play as the German side).

BiI is the better game of the two (both in terms of game engine and available expansion battles). Fall Weiss 39 battle is available as an expansion for BiI.

On the other hand if you're interested in the Normandy Invasion and/or like to play smaller scenarios then BiN would be better. 1st Polish Armored Division is a key unit in the decisive phase of the 76 turn BiN Campaign and a makes a late appearance in the Breakout scenario.

I second that...classics IMHO[8D].

[Kuokkanen]

As a teenager I spent hundreds of hours with hex-based board wargames

If BattleTech was among of them, I recommend you MegaMek and MekWars. MegaMek is faithful computer version of board game and follows its rules to letter (by book of Total Warfare). MekWars is MMO type on-line campaign game and MegaMek is part of it.

[Elwro]

Thanks! I loved Battletech, too. Unfortunately I never fulfilled my plans of playing a big campaign tied with Aerotech.

I'll try the games you linked to later during the holiday break, thanks again!

[Erik Rutins]

In that case, you may also want to give Titans of Steel a try. I've yet to meet a Battletech player that doesn't enjoy it - steep learning curve, but lots of possibilities.

[Kuokkanen]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

In that case, you may also want to give Titans of Steel a try.

Titans of Steel has a lot of common with Classic BattleTech, but it's not identical like MegaMek. Units are called Titans, they weigh up to 200 tons and are only units in game, scale is 333,333 meters per hex, weapons and equipment are mix of CBT and some new ones, pilots have lots of variables etc. Interface of Titans of Steel 1.4 is clumsy and hard to get-in when compared to MegaMek. Most notable difference is with turns: Titans move one hex at time which takes certain amount of time and time itself is indicated on chronometer (think about Combat Mission). When Titan has completed its task, game is paused for new instructions.

There is also chargeable version of game which goes with name Titans of Steel Warring Suns. It has some improvements, but I've not been told what these are. You can find more information from game's forum (near bottom of forum main page).

[stevel40831]

ORIGINAL: TheHellPatrol

ORIGINAL: JSS

I highly recommend both BiN & BiI. There is a BiN demo available (full 32 turn Ardennes Offensive scenario... you get play as the German side).

BiI is the better game of the two (both in terms of game engine and available expansion battles). Fall Weiss 39 battle is available as an expansion for BiI.

On the other hand if you're interested in the Normandy Invasion and/or like to play smaller scenarios then BiN would be better. 1st Polish Armored Division is a key unit in the decisive phase of the 76 turn BiN Campaign and a makes a late appearance in the Breakout scenario.

I second that...classics IMHO[8D].

I third that! Based on what you said you were looking for, and what you grew up on, you will be very happy with either (or both!) of these titles. I discovered KP by accident about 2-3 years ago and have been playing nothing but KP/BiN/BiI ever since. This series is very solid and there are many user-made scenarios which can be downloaded and are quite good. You won't regret it if you try them!

Steve