How do you get into WitP?

[richlove]

Hi all, new forum member, potential player. I'm curious about WitP but I'm hesitating at the price - $70 is a lot to plunk down on a whim. Is there a demo? Some other way to tell whether I'd actually enjoy the game?

[DuckofTindalos]

Welcome to the forum. There's no demo, but if you consider what sort of games you like and post them, maybe we can take it from there.

[richlove]

Easy enough. Grand strategy is my sweet spot - I'm currently coming off a Hearts of Iron 2 binge; worked my way through EU2, MOO, Civ1-3, a few others. Played a good deal of tabletop games in my youth - Panzer Leader, DDay, Fleet Series.

The complexity and subject matter appeal...

[AW1Steve]

If you liked the "fleets" (I assume you mean Avalon hill's 6th,5th,7th,and 3rd fleets) you very much enjoy it. Also if you've done any of the Harpoon games, or Starfleet battles, you will love it. [:)]

[Oldguard1970]

Read some of the AARs.  That will let you see a bit of the tension and give you a peek into the game.

[richlove]

Yep, 6th, 2nd, 7th, 5th fleet. Liked harpoon too. Just read Speedy's AAR too - interesting stuff. How good are the in-game tutorials, and how's the manual?

[DuckofTindalos]

ORIGINAL: richlove

Yep, 6th, 2nd, 7th, 5th fleet. Liked harpoon too. Just read Speedy's AAR too - interesting stuff. How good are the in-game tutorials, and how's the manual?

The current manual is basically trash. If you want my advice, wait for Admiral's Edition. The game's much better and the manual's MUCH better.

[Hornblower]

I think like many here i started in WiTP from UV.  I've always been a Naval buff and i saw UV at a store (nope i didn't buy it on line) and it seamed pretty intersting.  6 years later here i am...

[Jim D Burns]

If you like complexity and depth then you'll love WitP. There is a lot of micromanaging in game, so if you're more of a grand strategy gamer who prefers games that abstract a lot of the detail and minutiae, then WitP isn't for you.

If you think this is a game for you, I would recommend you get WitP now and start playing it as a training aid for the upcoming AE edition. AE requires you own WitP to play it, so you don't lose anything by starting in now. Unless of course a discounted bundled version of the two titles is planned, but I haven't seen anything announcing something like that.

The advice to read the AARs is sound, and I can't think of any better way for you to get a feel for how the game plays. If you find yourself fascinated and entertained by the AARs, then I bet you'll enjoy WitP and later AE immensely.

As to the price, I own over 300 games (30+ years building my collection), and WitP is by far the best bang for the buck I've ever gotten out of a game. The only other game I owned that saw as much play time as this one was ToaW in all its different iterations. I'll be playing WitP for decades to come. Or at least until WitP II comes out.

Jim

[DuckofTindalos]

ORIGINAL: richlove

Easy enough. Grand strategy is my sweet spot - I'm currently coming off a Hearts of Iron 2 binge; worked my way through EU2, MOO, Civ1-3, a few others. Played a good deal of tabletop games in my youth - Panzer Leader, DDay, Fleet Series.

The complexity and subject matter appeal...

Far be it from me to try to dissuade you from entering WitP-Land, but the titles you're quoting are PacMan compared to WitP. This game is ship-by-ship, plane-by-plane, gun-by-gun and day-by-day action and strategizing, and you have to understand what you're getting yourself into.

This is not for everyone, but if you get into it, it'll leave all other strategy titles looking pale and bland. Look at the numbers on the Matrix forums. Look at what sub-forum has (by far) the highest number of topics and posts.

You're very welcome to join our cult... er, I mean, community, but this game will suck in all your free time if you let it.

[Hornblower]

ORIGINAL: Terminus


You're very welcome to join our cult... er, I mean, community, but this game will suck in all your free time if you let it.

Isn't that the God's Honest truth!!!!!!! [X(]

[kaleun]

Not to mention cause irreparable damage in your personal relationships.

[Cathartes]

How do you get into WitP?

A better question is "How do I get away from it!?"

[Anthropoid]

I believe it was a Terminus signature that said "WiTP has a learning CLIFF."
 
Even when you are intrigued, motivated, smart and interested, this game is HARD to learn, let alone master.
 
But it is a tremendously engrossing, fun game. My only real complaint is that the AI sucks. Best gaming is to be achieved from PBEM, which I simply do not have the patience for myself.

[witpqs]

Oh just man-up and dive in!

[;)][:D]

[Gem35]

be afraid, be VERY afraid!
Just kidding, $70 for years of enjoyment is only pennies per day if that.

[TOMLABEL]

ORIGINAL: Anthropoid

My only real complaint is that the AI sucks.

Not for long![;)] The AI in AE is much more compentent. [&o]

TOMLABEL

[Anthropoid]

ORIGINAL: TOMLABEL

ORIGINAL: Anthropoid

My only real complaint is that the AI sucks.

Not for long![;)] The AI in AE is much more compentent. [&o]

TOMLABEL

FANTASTIC!! [&o]

[DivePac88]

If you’ve purchased some very good games, but the attraction always wears off after two or three months. This doesn’t happen with WitP; the more you play the more layers you find in the game. It is true that sometimes the AI sucks, but consider it as training for PBEM game (CHS). I have war gamed most of my life, and only dreamed of a game like this, but be warned it sucks up time like a black hole. [;)]

[2ndACR]

WITP is worse than crack........if you love your wife/gf and want to keep them happy, avoid WITP at all costs.
 
If you do jump in and buy, you will find this game still on your hard drive 5 years from now.