Matrix Games Forums

As title says. Held off for a long time with two of Matrix Games biggest titles. I got burned out with War in the Pacific, it was too much micromanaging and limited AI, but I loved Uncommon Valor, that was a greatly niche game and for such a small theater that made it all the more playable and interesting. WitP was just too much for me, too big and having to spend over an hour on each turn?
Anyway, the choice at the moment is War in the East (getting scared with another WitP monster, but really like the period and the challenge) or Command Ops (played Conquest of the Aegean and liked that concept, love the fact they have redone HTTR too), or even possibly Ageods 1936 Spanish Civil War game?
So, folks, not been on here for awhile, but would like to buy myself something with a bit of depth this Christmas. Thanks.

ORIGINAL: kev_uk

As title says. Held off for a long time with two of Matrix Games biggest titles. I got burned out with War in the Pacific, it was too much micromanaging and limited AI, but I loved Uncommon Valor, that was a greatly niche game and for such a small theater that made it all the more playable and interesting. WitP was just too much for me, too big and having to spend over an hour on each turn?
Anyway, the choice at the moment is War in the East (getting scared with another WitP monster, but really like the period and the challenge) or Command Ops (played Conquest of the Aegean and liked that concept, love the fact they have redone HTTR too), or even possibly Ageods 1936 Spanish Civil War game?
So, folks, not been on here for awhile, but would like to buy myself something with a bit of depth this Christmas. Thanks.

warspite1

WITE or Command Ops? That's easy - Matrix World In Flames

World In Flames

Umm, ok thanks for the heads up on this, but probably not. If you could choose between my Command Ops and HTTR expansion or the base game of WitE, what would you choose? Thanks for the suggestion and pointer, but maybe that in the future, or at least tell me why World in Flames would and should equal my two possible choices (as well as 1936)?.

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: kev_uk

As title says. Held off for a long time with two of Matrix Games biggest titles. I got burned out with War in the Pacific, it was too much micromanaging and limited AI, but I loved Uncommon Valor, that was a greatly niche game and for such a small theater that made it all the more playable and interesting. WitP was just too much for me, too big and having to spend over an hour on each turn?
Anyway, the choice at the moment is War in the East (getting scared with another WitP monster, but really like the period and the challenge) or Command Ops (played Conquest of the Aegean and liked that concept, love the fact they have redone HTTR too), or even possibly Ageods 1936 Spanish Civil War game?
So, folks, not been on here for awhile, but would like to buy myself something with a bit of depth this Christmas. Thanks.

warspite1

WITE or Command Ops? That's easy - Matrix World In Flames

You can get the same experience as World in Flames but much cheaper if you pour salt into a cup of water until it stops dissolving and then down it in one.

I'd say Command Ops. Fantastic AI makes it forever re-playable without the worry of finding PBEM opponents (there's also a demo floating around out there if you want to try it out).

ORIGINAL: kev_uk

World In Flames

Umm, ok thanks for the heads up on this, but probably not. If you could choose between my Command Ops and HTTR expansion or the base game of WitE, what would you choose? Thanks for the suggestion and pointer, but maybe that in the future, or at least tell me why World in Flames would and should equal my two possible choices (as well as 1936)?.

warspite1

Okay fair enough - was only supposed to be a light-hearted comment. Reason I would choose MWIF is because it is the best war game ever imo but that's not what you wanted help with so apologies.

..looked at it; it seems another monster. Hows the AI?

You can get the same experience as World in Flames but much cheaper if you pour salt into a cup of water until it stops dissolving and then down it in one.

Wth does that even mean? I'd actually say that describes nearly all your posts; bitter and hard to swallow. Are you as big of a joy offline as you are here?

Back on topic. Between the two listed, I prefer Command Ops especially the HttR expansion.

Mo reb

ORIGINAL: kev_uk

..looked at it; it seems another monster. Hows the AI?

warspite1

It is a monster - but a different sort of monster, a more fun monster to WITP-AE. BTW, I found WITE only slightly less daunting that WITP-AE so if you didn't get on with the latter, the former may prove not your cup of tea either. WITE is certainly more intuitive - easier to play out of the box - but still a monster.

MWIF currently has no AI and netplay has issues. But at least you have time to learn, what is a brilliant game through solitaire, before being expected to take on an opponent [:)]

Thanks, but maybe skip WiF until later. I have limited finances and this would be my Christmas present so to speak. I loved HttR, but that was lacking and I brought Conquest of the Aegean and that a step up, but still lacked that 'punch', a campaign I think. I really liked the supply aspect from that game, but still no campaign it seems WitE I am very very interested in too. But, if its anything like Pacific, gotta leave it alone; too much. But still loved the theater and the challenges it faces. I mean, trying to stem the Soviet horde, or trying to stem the Wehrmacht is a great gaming experience depending on the AI etc.
Decisions!!!!!

ORIGINAL: kev_uk

Thanks, but maybe skip WiF until later. I have limited finances and this would be my Christmas present so to speak. I loved HttR, but that was lacking and I brought Conquest of the Aegean and that a step up, but still lacked that 'punch', a campaign I think. I really liked the supply aspect from that game, but still no campaign it seems WitE I am very very interested in too. But, if its anything like Pacific, gotta leave it alone; too much. But still loved the theater and the challenges it faces. I mean, trying to stem the Soviet horde, or trying to stem the Wehrmacht is a great gaming experience depending on the AI etc.
Decisions!!!!!

warspite1

Have you thought of Commander The Great War? That is a nice little game (albeit it could do with the patch being tested at the moment and due for release "soon"). Played that almost solid for the best part of a year. Great fun!

Well WitP:AE will take up alot of timing, depending on scenario. And it quite complex game, but be warned the AIs will cheat. Try to learn as much you can then find a opponent by PBEM.

Its more and more looking Command Ops and HttR, but still am eyeing up WitE. Mmm

Thats cool, im looking forward to get this game next week (Supreme Ruler 1936)...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN3qdX1Y7VY

ORIGINAL: warspite1


Have you thought of Commander The Great War? That is a nice little game (albeit it could do with the patch being tested at the moment and due for release "soon"). Played that almost solid for the best part of a year. Great fun!

I second this nomination. Never really played much WWI stuff before, but it is a very fun little game with the AI being a decent challange

Commander The Great War

I like the look of Supreme Commander, but folks, I had my eyes set on maybe three games and now all of these pop up! Arghh! Tell it how is...

I'd go with Command Ops. Best AI in wargaming and as little or as much management as you like.

World in Flames is definitely worth keeping in mind though; perhaps when the AI version is available. You have total control of the Axis or the Allies; all military, political and economic decisions. It teaches you a lot about aspects of WW2 that may be unfamiliar, like convoying resources to where they are needed, supply or dealing with strategic bombing.

Aside from the usual fronts, there are less played ones like the war in China, which is vast. Then there are all the hypotheticals, like Operation Sealion, invading Spain and Gibraltar, a Japanese invasion of Australia, conquering Suez and fanning out into the Middle East to score all that lovely oil and potentially launch a two-pronged Barbarossa...

It's based on a brilliant and proven boardgame system and has a variable amount of chrome through optional rules. Almost anything you can think of from WW2 is in it. The (converted ocean liner) "Queens" racing and zig-zagging across the Atlantic unescorted, V-weapons, atomic weapons, auxiliary convoy raiders, partisans, Chinese warlords...

Cheers, Neilster


Cheers, Neilster

although the consensus is command ops and it is indeed one that will spare youtoo much micromanaging, i quite like WitE and WitE has a lot of scenarios of varying size and length. Also although WitE has alot of information, you dont need to go through it or make use of it every turn. I think WitE has a great atmosphere to it too, helped by its soundtrack also . I have command ops Battles from the Bulge and its definitely got the realistic thing to it, but perhaps i havent played it enough yet as i have been a little bored with just looking at units bogged down in attrition fighting and doing little else - perhaps it is too realistic to think that i can really effective command the units once all the firing commences

ORIGINAL: Agathosdaimon

although the consensus is command ops and it is indeed one that will spare youtoo much micromanaging, i quite like WitE and WitE has a lot of scenarios of varying size and length. Also although WitE has alot of information, you dont need to go through it or make use of it every turn. I think WitE has a great atmosphere to it too, helped by its soundtrack also . I have command ops Battles from the Bulge and its definitely got the realistic thing to it, but perhaps i havent played it enough yet as i have been a little bored with just looking at units bogged down in attrition fighting and doing little else - perhaps it is too realistic to think that i can really effective command the units once all the firing commences

There is an art to keeping the tempo of operations up. Attritional warfare isn't always required. A key is to keep a strong reserve and to commit it at the decisive place and time, reforming another strong reserve for commitment from those units released (or the original reserve if the first echelon still has legs). Think of the ground in 3D, and look for positions that provide domination without undue exposure, and covered approaches... make these the focus of your defence (both when formally attacking, and for the base of fire or key elements of an economy of effort).

The main requirement is to anticipate requirements for 3-12 hours ahead and have the right forces converging on the right locations at the right times... and keep the supply lines viable... obviously this will never work out perfectly, but if you get it right more often (and get it wrong in smaller ways) then you'll accomplish your tasks relatively easily.

Command Ops has a demo. IIRC I decided to buy it only after finishing the tutorial scenario for the first time.

Come on guys, why would you be recommending World in Flames when it doesn't even have single-player AI? If he was going to run the whole boardgame by himself or via PBEM, he might as well do it through VASSAL.

Anyway, to answer the OP's question directly, I'd consider Command Ops to be the better game unless you really prefer the scale and/or setting of WITE.