Is this game challenging?

[Palid]

Is this game going to give me a proper challenge? it looks like everything I want in a ww2 game but the price is a little steep.

[FelixCulpa]

Manual p. 9

The computer A.I. was designed with a single notion, to not do
anything stupid as best it can. It will not follow history but instead
follow what makes logical sense for the countries to do. Germany will
take key countries earlier in the war to gain operational advantage
in France. Italy will not invade Greece on its own. The Axis might
not even invade Greece at all if they don’t have time. There are
limitations on how well a computer opponent can play in a game
of this complexity. A computer opponent can’t beat a fair human
player in this type of game without help. No A.I. in a game of this
scale can when the field is balanced, not yet at least. The intricacies
of strategy are too complex for a single home computer to handle in
a reasonable amount of time. The Allied A.I. is designed to play with
absolute historical forces. This means that the Russians will have the
massive amounts of men they actually had in the war to compensate
for their tactical blunders. The Western Allies will have a vast air force
and naval superiority. This game will be best when played vs another
person or as the Axis vs the Allied computer. If players want a better
challenge, they can adjust the level of experience and supply the A.I.
receives to make for a tougher game.

[Hoyt Burrass]

I am really enjoying PBEM, Single player is ok, but not nearly the fun or challenge of PBEM.

[Palid]

What's PBEM?

[AlvaroSousa]

Multiplayer option. A.I. for a game this complex is very difficult. I am always improving it.

[Jim D Burns]

ORIGINAL: Palid
What's PBEM?

PBEM stands for Play By Email. Which isn't really what this game uses.

Instead Matrix hosts a server and you log into it by selecting multiplayer from the game menu. Use your forum name and password and you're in. Any game you play vs. a human opponent is hosted and saved on the server.

Jim

[Radagy]

Palid, PBEM stands for Play by Email

[Palid]

ORIGINAL: Alvaro Sousa

Multiplayer option. A.I. for a game this complex is very difficult. I am always improving it.

Yes I completely understand, the game does look like my type of game and everything i've been searching for in a ww2 game and I respect that you improve it frequently. I'm definitely considering buying

[AlvaroSousa]

Watch some videos read some reviews. It feels as a traditional board wargame over more modern immersive games where you get decisions. The decision is in your strategic and logistical choices.

Today 3 old friends called me and said they are buying it to play each other lol.

[Palid]

ORIGINAL: Alvaro Sousa

Watch some videos read some reviews. It feels as a traditional board wargame over more modern immersive games where you get decisions. The decision is in your strategic and logistical choices.

Today 3 old friends called me and said they are buying it to play each other lol.

haha ye that's what I like most about it, I highly prefer the 2d look over 3d units etc. feels like an animation straight off of youtube which is pretty cool

[Lascar]

This game has a lot of potential to be both highly playable and also gives you a good sense of having to consider and juggle all of the strategic factors i.e. military, economic, logistics etc. so that you feel like you are actually playing an actual historical wargame.

Alvaro, the developer, is fully engaged with the players on this forum and responds to reported bugs and suggestions at a steady pace.

So definitely worth buying.

[NativeTexan]

I'm very impressed with the initial state of the games. The developer seems to be working overtime to continue improving it.

AI - For a game of this complexity, it does very well. Computer turn times on my machine are good. I've seen very few glaring AI issues, but like people said PBEM shines.

I really like the server that Matrix has setup. Makes Multiplayer PBEM games very simple and convenient.

[Twotribes]

At times the AI appears stupid but usually it corrects itself and does OK.

[Fintilgin]

The AI has some flaws right now, but I suspect it will get there. It has potential.

I turned the AI up a few levels for my first game as the Axis and did not find it challenging at all. Fun, but very easy. Egypt fell before Barbarossa, all of on-map Russia cities and resources occupied by late 1942, invaded England and took London in 1944.

[AlvaroSousa]

I'll see if I can make the levels tougher.

[altipueri]

Does this game have an AI or PO assist - like The Operational Art of War or John Tiller's Campaign Series (I think)?

By this I mean can I play the allies, only move a few units and let the AI do the rest of the allies move; or do I have to do everything each turn?

Thanks

[AlvaroSousa]

no

[W8taminute]

I just finished my first game playing as the allies in the 1939 campaign. Germany was really killing me until I caught up with the massive production of the USA and the USSR. I would say the ai in this game is very challenging. I played on historical ai difficulty.

[Palid]

Just got the same so I'll give it a go haha, was on the fence for a few days but finally brought myself to do it

[Hairog]

If you don't want to delve too deep you can get by because Alvaro has automated so many things that you are not aware of. If you want to get into the weeds, believe me they are there.

A player who gets into it and manages logistics at a low level, ie. trucks, air supply, oilers, will kick the casual gamers butt in the long. But if you want to play at a higher level you can get by for quite a while before the bell starts to toll for you. When that clapper starts moving you better learn to read the fine print fast.

If you wanted you could play by email (server) at an agreed upon level. Say both players want to pretend they are Churchill or Ike instead of Col. Logistics, then agree ahead of time not to touch the inner workings and have some fun. Or you can wade through the weeds. That's one of the great things about this Simulation/game. You can play it as a simulation or as a game. Alvaro has given you choices never seen before in a strategic level game.

Example: get into unit specialization if you want to spend some time away from your significant other or prioritize supply and reinforcements for each unit each turn. That alone could keep you from watching Stranger Things.