The HPS games

[madgamer2]

OK this is just one man's opinion but even though the HPS games MAY have a slightly better AI the graphics are sub standard IMO. I used to think that I did not think graphic quality was important if the game was good. It must be to much Playing the newer games that have changed my mind, I have had a couple of there games when I had 98SE (including a tac level tank game with great AI) and they played great but even if I could get them to run on XP I wouldn't because they look so...well .... over the hill. I must be getting smug in my old age
The folks at Matrix are no fools. They buy up old games set them set them up to run on the latter OS's like xp, not bothering to improve them, Its kind of like Disney who brings out there old animated films every 7 years. There always is a new generation out there but one day they will discover that the new generation of players demand more than just a good game but better graphics and improved AI.....I for one hope it is soon.

Lawrence

[berto]

The HPS 2D graphics are great. You should know that there are mods available to fix the (in some people's estimation) sub-par 3D graphics.

See ACW Campaign Games Design Center for more details.

With the 3D graphics mods, and the superb default 2D graphics, I have no qualms whatsoever about the HPS games in this regard.

As for the disappointing AI, there are workarounds for that.

But, is your complaint directed at HPS or Matrix (two different companies) or both?

[Brigz]

ORIGINAL: madgamer
The folks at Matrix are no fools. They buy up old games set them set them up to run on the latter OS's like xp, not bothering to improve them, Its kind of like Disney who brings out there old animated films every 7 years. There always is a new generation out there but one day they will discover that the new generation of players demand more than just a good game but better graphics and improved AI.....I for one hope it is soon.

Lawrence

Your statements about HPS's treatment of these BG games makes me wonder if you own one or have even played one. Your statement "....not bothering to improve them," is totally wrong. There are dozens of improvements to the old BG games in HPS's new Campaign series. The engine is basically the same and the AI is the same but they have added lots of game features to give the player many more options. Some of these include: Defensive opportunity fire during movement, bridge distruction and repair, weather, spiked guns, a different combat equation that includes single man losses instead of 25 man losses, mounted cavalry skirmish rule, night movement and attack penalties, on map combat results, new target density rule, artillery prolonge and many, many more additions and enhancements. This short list doesn't even get into the Campaign game that can be played with the individual scenarios. And speaking of scenarios there are hundreds of scenarios and varients included with the games.

Sure, I'll agree that the basic game is the same and that the AI sucks, but these games really shine when played against another human player. Even playing against the AI can be worked around using the "Command Control" option or just being a bit more inventive in your game play.

To say that HPS has not improved these games is just not true.[:-]

[madgamer2]

I must admit I have not checked them out for several years after I bought Eckmuhl and found the graphics lacking. I really find the 3D graphics hard to use and have no problem with playing 2D so I will check them out again. As for Matrix I love most of there games but when they purchase an old series like the talonsoft games and just put them on a disk without improving such things as the AI it looks to me to be a pure profit kind of move.
At the time I bought the battleground games I had several friends to play head to head with and single player did not happen till later. As for being historical I found the AI in these games to do down right stupid things that bore little likeness to history. I will check out HPS again however if I ever stop playing AACW,WitP and Oblivion.

Lawrence