Matrix Games Forums

I bought the original Harpoon back in the late 80s or something, I was still a teenager. Then I got the Harpoon '97 edition which for reasons I don't remember, never liked it enough, I still have the CD somewhere.

After 12 years I see there are two different versions of Harpoon available. I won't ask about why on Earth there are two different games/series, there are and that's all that matters about it.
Could someone please let me know the basic differences between the two versions? I don't ask for a list of hundrends of small differences, just few important ones.

I now have Vista 64 system, if that matters at all.

So many differences come to mind. You might just want to spend 30 mins on each of the demos to see for yourself:

http://computerharpoon.com/public/Harpo ... mo_394.exe
http://www.harpgamer.com/downloads/HCEDemo-2009.020.zip

Some things that come to mind are:

ANW databases allow for a few more variables/flags. i.e. you can specify radar/sonar frequencies

HCE is easier to launch and group large numbers of aircraft

ANW has a mission editor that allows the AI to act a bit more independently with a few more behaviours.

HCE allows for more control over EmCon. You can distinguish between ordering your air radar active and your surface search radar active. When you go active in ANW, all of your radar is active.

Submarines in ANW may go out of contact when they submerge, but all units on your side (or the AI's side) in HCE is always in contact.

ffs, can't they just make one version that has the good parts of both?


Thanks for your reply.

Well, but that would involve somehow getting broad agreement on *what* the good parts are ... [:D]

ORIGINAL: BlueMak

ffs, can't they just make one version that has the good parts of both?

Preaching to the choir, pal... [;)]

Both games have a lot of good things to offer. It certainly would be a day of Jubilee to have all the features within the same game and then allow the user the choice of what he wants to use.

Bluemak, like Herman says, take the demos for a spin.  It is difficult to steer you one way or another without knowing more about what you desire.  Buying them both always works

ORIGINAL: TonyE

Buying them both always works

I bought both and I have never looked back...

Two eqaully brilliant games indeed!!

Quite often while I am playing a HCE scenario I have ANW open also playing another scenario... (but then I play mostly in realtime so I can get away with it LOL)

I would highly advise playing the demos if you cant decide, that way you will find what fulfills your enjoyment the most. They both have their own *flavour* which appeals to some and not to others.

ORIGINAL: Stalintc

Quite often while I am playing a HCE scenario I have ANW open also playing another scenario...

Now, that's what I would call Talent! Can you also chew gum at the same time? [;)]

ORIGINAL: hermanhum

ORIGINAL: Stalintc

Quite often while I am playing a HCE scenario I have ANW open also playing another scenario...

Now, that's what I would call Talent! Can you also chew gum at the same time? [;)]

No but I can drink tea if thats close?

I've always wondered why English speaking North Americans didn't seem to drink Mr Twining's finest. Now I do, they chew gum?

Stick with a good cuppa [&o] Stalintc

Cheers

Darren