Should I buy this game?

[Kevinorf]

I have War in the East and War in the West. Enjoy both. I'm not a grognard but I found these games relatively easy to get into.

I know this game is massive and super deep.

Is it relatively easy to get into though? Are there smaller scenarios that help you learn? Is the interface similar to WiTE and WiTW or clunkier?

[Bo Rearguard]

ORIGINAL: Kevinorf

I have War in the East and War in the West. Enjoy both. I'm not a grognard but I found these games relatively easy to get into.

I know this game is massive and super deep.

Is it relatively easy to get into though? Are there smaller scenarios that help you learn? Is the interface similar to WiTE and WiTW or clunkier?

There are a lot of similarities as WITPAE is based on the original WITP Gary Grigsby design.

However, the thing that makes the game such a monster is the time scale. War in the East and West have weekly turns. You can do three day turns in WITPAE, but you sacrifice a lot of control. Most player probably prefer the one day per turn option, which can make the game pace feel like herding glaciers. Plus, instead on just land and air forces, you have the huge naval and seaborne logistics component as well.

That being said, I found this game easier to get into than WITE or WITW. I struggle with War in the West in particular as it feels like you are playing two games in tandem. The strategic air war over Germany and the land struggle as well.

[RangerJoe]

I don't know about the interfaces of the other games but there are scenarios used to learn the game. There are a lot of people to help as well.

[Trugrit]

This is asked sometimes. The answer is not simple. It depends on you.

Some people find it easy to get into.
For others it is like a sharp stick in their eye.

It has small scenarios.

You need basic intelligence, slightly above average computer ability, attention to details, patience, persistence and the ability to read and understand.
Also, the ability to search for answers and not to give up.

It uses a WEGO system, which means you will sometimes be out of total control, like in real war.
Can you handle that?

Watch how it runs and see what you think:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvfldZrFGpc

I posted this back in 2014:
fb.asp?m=4195034

[Kursk1943]

I played WitE for years mainy because I'm a history fanboy and a retired tank soldier. But then I got bored with it and fortunately remembered WitPAE. I enjoy doing the Allied side for nearly a year now being near the finish line (April 1945). I'm already looking forward to doing the Japanese side for the years to come.
It's an excellent game for war gamers, I strongly recommend it, it provides many happy game hours for small money.

[Shellshock]

From an administrative viewpoint I've found always found War in the East more tedious to play. Which units to refit, what support level to assign to whichever corps/army/front/panzer army HQ. Keeping track of truck losses. Which factories to evacuate or not. What levels to set TOE at. Who's too fatigued to fight. Setting reserves. Rail lines to fix. Which airbases to disband or move or no. Which units to motorize. Where the hell my hundreds of combat support units are going? Which sapper or construction units to disband or build. Trying to keep partisans active or keep them down. Fort levels, air doctrine, attachments ...on and on.

Then eventually there is combat. Which in WITE is a function of movement unlike WITP.

If you can handle all that you can probably handle WITP. [:)] Especially the Japanese side where you do have to deal with factories and production more.

[Ian R]

ORIGINAL: Kevinorf

I have War in the East and War in the West.

I have those, meaning the original SPI boardgames. And WitP.

Any complaints about the play-ability of the computer version tends to fall on deaf ears.

[jagsdomain]

I have never played war in east or west. In fact most hex games always seem the same to me no matter the era.
This is different because of the scale and its one day at a time. Having 1 day at a time really adds suspence to game that coyld be boring. You have to set everything up then hope it works.
Its a great investment. I spent a few bucks more to get the CD and the Book

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: jagsdomain

I have never played war in east or west. In fact most hex games always seem the same to me no matter the era.
This is different because of the scale and its one day at a time. Having 1 day at a time really adds suspence to game that coyld be boring. You have to set everything up then hope it works.
Its a great investment. I spent a few bucks more to get the CD and the Book

The suspense comes not just from looming combat, but from trying to get all-important logistics done, knowing enemy subs and bomber and raiders could hit almost any time. You begin to feel like delivering a Base Force to a forward island is a decent victory!

[jagsdomain]

For me the only frustrating thing is trying to get air and navel support units.
I just got all my crusier and dd force to Fiji and relised I dont have enough admin! So its on its way.
But that all part of the show.

[Kevinorf]

Thanks for all the replies. I've played a lot of war games. I probably lean more toward the casual side, than the hardcore side, though I'm opposed to reading long manuals and delving into YouTube videos.

I was surprised at how accessible War in the East is. I didn't look under the hood of every unit, but I capably completed a number of the scenarios...

Still on the fence I guess...

[Trugrit]

I didn't look under the hood of every unit

That is the thing.

The fact that you did not look under the hood, or want to look under the hood, gives you your answer.

In WITP-AE you don't just have to look under the hood, you have to crawl under the whole car.

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: Kevinorf

Thanks for all the replies. I've played a lot of war games. I probably lean more toward the casual side, than the hardcore side, though I'm opposed to reading long manuals and delving into YouTube videos.

I was surprised at how accessible War in the East is. I didn't look under the hood of every unit, but I capably completed a number of the scenarios...

Still on the fence I guess...

As long as it is not a picket, barbed wire, or an electrified fence as those can get painful. [X(]

[pontiouspilot]

Having played W in E I can tell that this is much more fun. W in E like watching paint dry. The only difference is the logistics...here via ocean not rail.

[Yaab]

ORIGINAL: Kevinorf

Thanks for all the replies. I've played a lot of war games. I probably lean more toward the casual side, than the hardcore side, though I'm opposed to reading long manuals and delving into YouTube videos.

I was surprised at how accessible War in the East is. I didn't look under the hood of every unit, but I capably completed a number of the scenarios...

Still on the fence I guess...

The LCU component of WITP:AE is pretty straightforward. It is the air and ship component that is complex and unpredictable. And then there is the logistics over bodies of water.

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: Yaab

ORIGINAL: Kevinorf

Thanks for all the replies. I've played a lot of war games. I probably lean more toward the casual side, than the hardcore side, though I'm opposed to reading long manuals and delving into YouTube videos.

I was surprised at how accessible War in the East is. I didn't look under the hood of every unit, but I capably completed a number of the scenarios...

Still on the fence I guess...

The LCU component of WITP:AE is pretty straightforward. It is the air and ship component that is complex and unpredictable. And then there is the logistics over bodies of water.

Don't forget the randomness that can turn victory into defeat - or vice versa.

[nashvillen]

It will be the cheapest game time vs. dollar spent game you will ever purchase.

[Dili]

If you got easily into WiTE then you are grognard without the pain of being

[rustysi]

I have those, meaning the original SPI boardgames.

Got 'em somewhere in the house too.

though I'm opposed to reading long manuals

If that's the case then this game is probably not for you. Not only do you need to read the manual, it should be read several times as there's tons of 'stuff' in the book. In addition to that there're loads of threads on this forum that should be read. Wait, I'm not done. After all that you should probably read several AAR's.

This game has a 'learning cliff', not a learning curve. Not to mention that its a real 'time vampire'. So if you're not 'all in' then you'd probably be better staying out.

OTOH, its the best wargame you can purchase for the price.

[HansBolter]

Only if you are man enough to take it on.