Matrix Games Forums

Hi

Just noticed these games and am looking at buying them. There seems to be a lot of support for them. Do all the add-ons come with the game or is there a site I should view to see whats available.

Thanks

Any general comments on the game would help. How is the AI? Are there many scenarios? What is it like? etc

ORIGINAL: darken92
There seems to be a lot of support for them.

Modder support, yes, but not developer support. The developer, John Tiller, has moved on to a new company, HPS.

For other, older games in Matrix Games' lineup, including at least one John Tiller game (John Tiller Campaign Series), Matrix has assembled developer/modder teams to release patches, upgrades, mods, new scenarios, etc. This is unlikely in the case of the JTBGS, since Tiller develops and markets new games via HPS that are more or less in direct competition with his older games--i.e., JTBGS.

Do all the add-ons come with the game or is there a site I should view to see whats available.

Try these:

Napoleonic Archive
http://nap.phxsim.com/

Napoleon in Russia Project
http://www.nir-project.com/
http://www.nir-project.com/indexb.html

John Tiller Games SiteRing
http://pub26.bravenet.com/sitering/show ... 2223323790

There are others, but because this is an old game series, there are many older, outdated, unmaintained, and even abandoned websites out there. You have to look around and be discriminating.

Any general comments on the game would help. How is the AI? Are there many scenarios? What is it like? etc

The AI is scripted and with a few exceptions (on a scenario-by-scenario basis) is generally weak. AI is not this game series' strong suit. Still, there is PBEM, and my preference, hot-seat solitaire. You can also handicap yourself vis-a-vis the computer AI opponent by you the human playing in Commander Control mode (where, at a higher, commander level, you hand out orders for the low-level AI routines to implement).

Tons of scenarios, especially from modder groups like the Napoleon in Russia Project.

2D graphics are superb. 3D graphics are mixed, not to everyone's taste. The graphics and UI are not up to modern standards, but you play these games for the detail and historical accuracy, not for the graphics or the flash.

For myself, with the possible exception of the John Tiller Campaign Series of games (also marketed by Matrix), these (also the later-generation HPS games) are my favorite game series.

With the hundreds of scenarios available (packaged direct or available from mod sites); if you're into the periods (ACW, Napoleonics); if it appeals to you being able to play dozens and dozens of battles, large and small, famous and obscure; if you like the tactical focus; and if you don't mind playing yesteryear's games (hex and turn based); you'll find years and years of enjoyment in the BGS (and HPS) games. These are timeless classics.

The games are reasonably priced; graphics for the original games are also very good. Gameplay is pretty straightforward. Installation - some people have issues with Vista, some don't. I'm still addicted after 12 years of playing. There are a number of scenarios with each game. You can even modify scenarios with a Scenario Editor. The AI is weak so if you get the games, familiarize yourself with the mechanics, and consider the Play By Email option - not to everyone's taste but there are several clubs fo this. And various websites discussing particular issues to improve your gameplay.
There are certainly some initaitives for improvements of the scenarios and the engine itself. As Berto says, be discerning in what you look at and download. There's good stuff and crap out there.