Matrix Games Forums

Short review please.

This is only one short battle.

1. Graphics-are not that great but you'll get use them.

2. Res- Needs improvement. Hard to see the little troopers.

3. Fun factor- is good once you understand whats going on with the basics.

4. Sound effects- Not great, but again you can live with it.

5. Losses seem a bit heavy! Could be wrong on this. Just seems the losses are high.

If you are interested in this period I would buy it, if your not put off by dated graphics. There is a game under the hood on this one.

Thanks.

Hi.

I bought this game on June 16th. I have no experience with either of the earlier H&M games.
I've only had a chance to play 1 scenario so far, and it was designed in order to learn the game and only 4 turns.
The game seems pretty easy to learn. I've played a handful of turn based pc games in the past, but I'm by no means a grognard.
After a quick read through the manual to get the general idea, I decided to dive in and give a scenario a shot. I'm sure I missed some things, but I was able to quickly figure out how to bombard the enemy, advance the infantry and eventually managed to mount a successful assault on the enemy's position. The finer points of the command/activation mechanics still escape me, and I'm not really sure what some of the actions do exactly (Cold Steel for instance) but I plan to re-read those portions of the manual carefully.
The graphics are nothing special by todays standards, but are functional. I don't particularly like the cartoon unit portraits though... and sometimes it was hard for me to tell which way my infantry were facing.
I don't know how good the AI is yet, the scenario I was playing had me playing both sides... I'm assuming it was designed that way, but maybe I accidentally set up a hot seat game. The interface is a little clunky I think, I had several mis clicks that sent Friedrich marching off halfway across the battlefield and I had some difficulty keeping my infantry units in the battle line facing the right direction.

There were two things that seemed unrealistic to me, the first is the speed at which units moved, and the second was the number of men in each unit. The speed seemed unrealistic because my commanders were able to gallop halfway across the map in one turn, and my infantry seemed to be able to move very fast despite being deployed in line formation. In regards to the number of men in each unit, I was dissappointed to see that the units were all exactly the same number of men and all were operating at full strength... this seemed overly simplified to me and I would like to see some variation in units and some realism in regards to attrition vs. on paper strength. Both of these are determined by the scenario though, so maybe this is a problem only with the scenario I played.

This game has flaws without a doubt, and despite the recent graphic update it still isn't pretty, but it seems like a very good game and I look forward to trying some of the other scenarios. The Activation mechanic is very good and seems to be a simple but elegant solution for modeling the difficulty of commanding troops.

Thanks for the hard work on this game, I look forward to see where you take this system next.

ORIGINAL: Titanwarrior89

This is only one short battle.

1. Graphics-are not that great but you'll get use them.

2. Res- Needs improvement. Hard to see the little troopers.

3. Fun factor- is good once you understand whats going on with the basics.

4. Sound effects- Not great, but again you can live with it.

5. Losses seem a bit heavy! Could be wrong on this. Just seems the losses are high.

If you are interested in this period I would buy it, if your not put off by dated graphics. There is a game under the hood on this one.

Limited response:

1. Magnus will have to field this one.
2. Eric will have to field any res issue.
3. Agreed. Just remember to take it slow. Play through against the AI so you have the advantage of the redo button, which is not available when playing hotseat.
4. These can be changed if you want.
5. This can be changed in the editor under "Advanced Settings."

I have the game but have only played short scenarios so far. Althrough changes have been made, IMO it has the same feel as the old H&M titles. If you liked those you will like this. If on the other hand you did not, nothing here is going to change your mind, again IMO.

It is hard to see which way the unit is facing(sometimes). I would go to the unit info to make sure about the facing of the unit.

Titanwarrior,

Use your up and down keys to adjust the map size. The "T" key resets the map at 1:1.

You can also use a wheel mouse. you can spin the wheel and it will adjust the size of the map.

Thanks for the info but Ive been using the wheel. Still hard for me to make the troops out sometimes.

ORIGINAL: Sertorius1

Titanwarrior,

Use your up and down keys to adjust the map size. The "T" key resets the map at 1:1.

You can also use a wheel mouse. you can spin the wheel and it will adjust the size of the map.

You're welcome, TW.

I thought of one other thing, but it works only with infantry and artillery. In your reports menu on the lower right you can also access a field of fire button. Anyway, you have matters well in hand.

Bought it, wish I hadn't. Saw the 2009 release and thought the graphics would be better. Save your money.

Did you see editor?
That is great stuff.

I own lots of Matrix games. But in this day and age, there is no excuse for these graphics. Yes, I am grognard, but come on. PS: And how does one take it back? I'd try one of Matrix other games. Many good ones here.

What´s so bad about the graphics, it´s a hexbased wargame, compare it to the HPS Sims series 3D graphics. There is no need for any flashy 3D graphics for a hex based wargame at this graphical scale.

I'd actually prefer a hex and marker approach to this pixelated stuff. Again, I own many fine games from Matrix and am not talking about fancy 3d fps. Just some clean, hex level graphics. Just my opinion.

PS: WitP AE absolutely rocks.

Yes I see what you mean a 2D view with markers? Would have been good if the game had both views I agree with that.

ORIGINAL: Magnus

What´s so bad about the graphics, it´s a hexbased wargame, compare it to the HPS Sims series 3D graphics. There is no need for any flashy 3D graphics for a hex based wargame at this graphical scale.

LOL, I always get a kick out of this argument.




Turnbase needs to be 2D and ugly.................[8|]

Yes why the need for 3D models and 3D terrain in turn based wargame, when you get a clear view of isometric view or top down view?

Or it was ironic?!

Just downloaded the game and to b honest first impressions are,
its just plain ugly.
You have no idea what your units are let alone which way they face its a shame cos i really liked the idea of 7 years war.
Its 2009 and there are no graphic options in this game just basic smudge how can anybody explain that in this day and age.
The screen shots look a lot better than the game does on my desktop and if id have known then i wouldnt have bought it.
For £25 i expect a well presented package,this reminds me of Microproses Fields of Glory and you can buy that for £3.99.
Very dissapointed and feeling robbed.

Sean