Matrix Games Forums

Just wondering why this game? How does it rate versus other matrix war games? what are your likes, dislikes? THANKS, would like to know before I invest the time learning, already own... but time is money too.

ORIGINAL: mantrain
Just wondering why this game?

So um.......Mantrain.....I'm one of the older generation who grew up with board games from Avalon Hill and Victory Games and S&T and others and when I learned of TOAW I latched on like a leech on a toad frog. It was a smooth transition although there is a learning curve to master the game mechanics, the tactical tricks, and the logistical administrivia ( supply etc. ). But I've been playing TOAW for about three years now and I really really like it. It's all I play anymore. And I've purchased Empire Earth, Civilization I and II etc. and stuff like that and although I dabbled with them I always come back to TOAW. It's that good. IMO. I learned how to really play the scenarios by playing other good players PBEM. I was never in the Army although I've read some of their manuals ( ROTC classes etc. ) and the hands on experience of actually playing a real live player can teach things that just reading about them in a book will never teach. I'm not saying each and every player of TOAW is trying to become master tacticians because of their military career but I think it's worth looking into. The Marines put together a "game" based on DOOM that taught small unit tactics to their infantry dudes and it was a great hit.

TOAW is a game that must be played to be appreciated. I can explain this and that about the game but you won't really KNOW what I'm saying until you do it yourself in real life.

Curt Chambers is the designer of Campaign for South Vietnam ( one of the thousands of scenarios for TOAW ) and he's teaching me how to play better. Right now he and I are in a Fire in the East contest and it's too early to know who is winning but it's exciting and the map is superb and the units are plentiful ( thousands ) and I've started an AAR about our bout. You can find it here:
tm.asp?m=1940151

Did I answer your question? Still have some things you need to know first before you purchase it?

EDIT: I re-read your original question and found out that you already own this masterpiece.

There are people still here that have been playing essentially the same game for 10 years. It's still being actively developed, and people are still writing scenarios for it. Boonierat is up to volume 10 of his vietnam series. http://www.armchairgeneral.com/forums/s ... hp?t=68528

In my case, I like it because it's a combination of a very simple interface, and some very complicated rules under the hood. I find that Norm did an excellent job of creating a game that's simple to play but has great depth.

It's also got some excellent single player and multi-player scenarios.

It's also got the best community of any game.

My advice is to ignore the rules, pick up the Korea scenario and give it a spin and see if it hooks you.

Ralph

Mantrain:

Just wondering why this game?

Indeed, there are ample others, but none really portray the operational art so good. There is the tactical side, and the Strategic, but really understanding the middle level (operational), there is none better than TOAW.
I've had my spin with Steel Panthers (pretty good for tactical level play - its multi versions), and the Strategic games (Civ and other strategic thinking games), but I've been a history nut, and really wanted to know what it was like to drive the D-Day landings (several good D-Day scenarios), the IDF's 1973 war (currently in a PBEM game with a wily Swede (or, are you a Dane?)), and countless others. The Whole Century of War is pretty much covered, along with hypothetical conflicts (Trotsky's war is one of my favorites, and looking forward to working on a new version).

If you ever wanted to know what Ike felt like on 06 Jun 44, you can get some of it by using TOAW.

How does it rate versus other matrix war games?

Very subjective question. All games have their own style, approach, and methods. MG has, oh, three ACW (American Civil War) games, and all take a different method to portray the conflict. I have two of them (AGEOD's Blue/Grey and WC's Forge of Freedom), and both are very different, but very likable.

what are your likes, dislikes?

Likes -
Constantly updated
Diverse/ample scenarios
Clean interface
Excellent community (bunch of good friends whom know it VERY well)
Excellent replay possibilities (I've replayed Korea several times, and have not got the same result)
Dislikes-
Its a bit of a system hog (not so much now, that I got a flippin' fast rig)
Its dated coding (but, Ralph had done yeoman's work to modernize it as best he can)
Editor is a bit of a hassle (but, not bad once you learn how to work with it - better one coming down the road)

THANKS, would like to know before I invest the time learning, already own... but time is money too.

Research, with any major purchase, is a must.

But, the expenditure for TOAW is a good buy. Once you get the hang of it, and learn how the Programmed Opponent (PO - Elmer) operates, then you can tackle the true value of the game - a human opponent. There's a lot of us out there, and a lot of good scenarios to play.

And, we are more than willing to get you up to speed, answer questions, and talk about strategy, play style, and just about anything else involving the game. All you gotta do is ask...

And, welcome. Stop by our sister site and see the rest of us.

ORIGINAL: mantrain

Just wondering why this game?

Because if it couldn't be the best pc wargame it surely is the best compromise.

It's a classic, and the simple fact that the basic idea has worked, and is still working after >10 years is evidence enough for me [:)]

I have owned alll versions of this excellent game and still play it after god knows how many years !
 
Its a great game and you wont regret buying it !