Ramblings

[tocaff]

I find myself missing the "simplicity" of WITP as my GC using AE enters mid 1943. Some of the differences are good, but I find others require more management than I like. I'm even starting to lean towards another war using good ole vanilla WITP.

[ndworl]

I have to admit I can not get into AE. No doubt I'm used to the fiddly things required for WitP and don't want to get into the fiddly things for AE, which to an extent are the result of fixes to the gross simplifications of WitP. But at a philosophical level, I can't get my head around a war game that requires the commander in chief to remember to check the torpedoes carried by a certain AD will fit the tubes of the ships in the intended area of operations. I've yet to reach late 1943 in a game so some later war issues may change my mind, but I think WitP achieves the balance between complexity and playability.

Of course, if I'd played six or seven campaigns, the underlying strategic barrenness of the war would be coming home to roost. I can well understand how folks who've been playing the game for many years would be looking for something different. But that aint me yet.

[tocaff]

Even though it's the same war time after time it's different due to the opponent, how they play, the sheer scope of the PTO and so many other variables.

[ndworl]

No doubt there will be large differences in approach, but the underlying strategic situation can't be changed. Japan takes advantage of its relative superiority and grabs as much territory as seems reasonable, then grimly defends it. There are different ways to do this, but my experience in other games (I'm thinking WIE here) is that after a few runs through, there is a temptation to adopt a less valid approach, just to do something different. From there, the next step is to change games. As I say I'm not there yet and perhaps I never will be, given the time it takes to play this thing out.

[tocaff]

Considering how long a GC takes to play I'd say that if you do 3 or 4 of them they'll all play out differently with pretty much the same ultimate result. But, the bang for the buck is awesome.

[ndworl]

On side there. Love this game.

[BPRE]

+1 [:)]

The one thing I do miss is the possibility of getting bug fixes though. In AE there's a chance but unfortunately not in WitP. The ones I know about are not destroying the game so I can live with them but it's irritating sometimes.

/BPRE

[Admiral DadMan]

I was a beta tester for both WitP and WitP:AE, and I had to walk away from AE after about 6 months, I was just too overwhelmed with the fantastic amount of detail. I'm toying with the idea of diving back in, but... yikes.

[mogami]

Hi, I guess I have to get AE in order to have an opinion. But I am a micro manager who needed 10 days just for turn 1 as Japan in the vanilla game.