Matrix Games Forums

Hello everyone,

I've recently downloaded the Winter Storm Demo and must say I really enjoy it! I am interested in buying PC Kharkov and have a few questions:

1: How is the overall campaign gameplay (i.e. AI, realism, challange, etc.)?

2: Are there any must have mods?

3: Any advise to a first timer to this series?

Thanks in advance,

Al

If you liked the OWS demo you will love the combo PCK/OWS. Many improvements since the demo was made.
 
1. Ever play Steel Panthers?
 
2. Not many mods yet. Stock graphics aren't that bad. Several new units have been made and will probably be in the next update.
 
3. Forget whatever you know about other game systems.
 
Get the combo while it is on sale (I think it is?)

The Campaign feature is really nice. You can create your own, or play one that was carefully designed by Development team. Or you can play a random Campaign. Even the random battles come with customized briefings that make them feel more than just random.

If you like random games, you should download any new maps/templates as this will give you more variety (there have only been a few so far).

You can incorporate the new vehicles into your random games right away, but for the building you will want to start making your own maps to make use of them.

Theres is now a map maker available (and it's getting better as we speak)!

Some pretty exciting things are happening with this game.

Rick

Debating weather to buy PCK/OWS combo or just PCK.  Thanks for the input.
 
Al

I wouldn't get one without the other. PCK upgrades PC:OWS to the same level. It adds early war vehicles and winter maps. That and you get a discount when you buy the pack.

Just my $.02, but then I already spent my $.02 and got both.

Good Hunting.

MR

1-I don't know enough about it to know if the campaigns are 'real'. They're arranged historically with write-up briefings. They're not fantasy based.

It feels fairly immersive and real to me --though I'm loopy. (Guns are short-ranged compared to RL in my estimate).

2-Any must haves come now in the offical game I think. There are some new maps about; Mraah's sherman is the only up to Stock level model I think; some skins by others; a captured T-34 [with an fileID name that is _too long_]; a special Map Maker program (Mad Scientist in attendance).

There is a sticky thead in the mods subforum here holding some older user mods; The guy doing that ist kaput and the thread doesn't accept new entries, so it's just older mods.

[That "user mods" thread should accept new entries, so we can organize new mods. Hmmm?]

3-Note, PzC:Khark _Stock_ campaings play differently than PzC:OWS because of the To&E (equipment) of that time and place. Germans mostly are fielding Infantry Tanks in early '42. This is different than PzC:OWS (and the OWS demo you're liking) --late'42-- where it's long kanone Germans in open flat country. Kharkov also utilizes a lotta smoke screens; more tenacious infantry, I believe (and an 'undead' tank-comm bug!; some stock maps 'need work').

If you like the PzC engine (game feel etc) --and therefore will use it a bit-- then get both and save the "4.497" dollars rather than paying full price later separately --if you like this game feel in general. (This company is expensive though, I know. ...Consider it 'boutique cottage' gaming lol.)

Oh and Mobius' king Tiger is great.

Well just bought the combo pack.  Thanks for all the input guys!
 
Al

Welcome and you're welcome.
 
Don't hesitate to ask questions (after you read the manual ).

One more question.  In the manual, it states thate there is 48 scenerios with thw combined PCK/OWS install.  I counted 43.  Any ideas?  BTW having a blast so far with this game!!!
 
Al

At the risk of sounding dumb, I have another question.  How do you continue a campaign?  I assume you have to use the LOAD button and select a previous save.  However, after playing the 1st  battle of the Mensk (sp) campaign (marginal loss), I loaded the autosave and noticed the briefing for the new battle is the same as the 1st battle.  When I go to the unit select screen I notice some of my units took casualities, which leads me to assume I am continuing  the campaign. But the briefing and date of the 2nd battle is the same as the 1st battle.  When I play this, it looks the same as the 1st battle.  Am I doing something wrong?  Do I need to win a battle to continue the campaign?
 
Al

You have to win to get to the next battle.

Thanks Mobius.

ORIGINAL: Mobius

You have to win to get to the next battle.

That's not good. Is there anyway that allows you to fight through the series of battles whether you win them or not?

Good Hunting.

MR

ORIGINAL: Mad Russian

ORIGINAL: Mobius

You have to win to get to the next battle.

That's not good. Is there anyway that allows you to fight through the series of battles whether you win them or not?

Good Hunting.

MR

I believe that's what the HQ Helper on the Opening screen Main Menu is. Allows you to get help for a particualr battle in a campaign.

Rick

ORIGINAL: Rick

ORIGINAL: Mad Russian

ORIGINAL: Mobius
You have to win to get to the next battle.

That's not good. Is there anyway that allows you to fight through the series of battles whether you win them or not?
Good Hunting.
MR

I believe that's what the HQ Helper on the Opening screen Main Menu is. Allows you to get help for a particualr battle in a campaign.

Rick

Probably the only fair way to do it. Unlike some other games which might do it unfairly the system doesn't cheat nor skew the data for level of difficulty. The only way to get over a stubborn AI opponent is to put more men on the job . More points for more units.

My point is this....

1) All scenarios are scripted. They are set up by the designer to include where you fight, what you fight with, when you fight and normally for how long.

2) By forcing the player to win a scenario you are adding an extra layer of artificial complexity to the campaign. Not all battles were won.

3) IMO, that is the result of the scenarios included with the games, that aren't fought down to the wire and that you are on the edge of your seat screaming at the computer to fire. Instead all I do is take it nice and slow across the map and kill anything I see. I win everytime. Now I'm being told that if I don't win I won't advance in the campaign. That makes no sense to me. You do realize that Germany lost not only WWII but the war in the East as well. That means the lost more than they won. How can PC be setup for a realistic representation of a campaign where you only fight the next scenario in line if you won?

I'm in the middle of a PBEM right now. We've played more than 24 turns and I've given orders as the Soviet playter TWICE. If that were a CM scenario it would get really bad reviews for a scenario recommended to be played by 2 players. I'm continuing to play it out because I want to learn the limitations of the system and what not to do is just as important as what to do.

I think most of PC's gamers will have come from the CM ranks. There needs to be more adrenaline rush with the combats. Knowing that if you don't win this fight you may not get as many points to choose from etc.....the scenario in the campaign would enhance that for me not make it more desirable. But I may well be in the minority. Rather than hijack this thread I'll start one on gamer preferences to see what other gamers think.

Good Hunting.

MR