Matrix Games Forums

Hello Comrades in Arms,

I am playing my first game as Axis against the AI on experienced level.
Although I very much like the scale and simple artwork of the game and a lot of other things about it, there are
some irritating aspects about the gameplay, that I would consider a near gamebreaker.
In detail:

1. Sub-war: I build a fleet of 6-8 subs and without any problems or being interfered by the AI (my first game, remember!) I am able to destroy the whole UK Merchant Marine Fleet of more than 200 ships. Furthermore: I am still getting reports that I am sinking an average of 5-15 Merchants and 1-4 convoys each round, BUT: they don´t show in the casualties report, since there are, as mentioned, no Marines left! So what is going on?
2. Leningrad is surrounded for nearly half a year now, the russian unit there is bombed over and over by my stukas and able to reinforce endlessly. Probably in compliance with the supply rules, but still irritating.
3. Western Front: I decided to immediately attack Russia after occupying Poland and leaving the Western Front as it is. What happens now: The AI is bombing ONE Hex (just south of Luxembourg) on my fortified line over and over for years now (actually I am in January 44). Since I put some flak on that hex and have an air superiority fighter on standby close - the AI has lost more than 200 Air Points by now and still repeats that foolish behaviour turn by turn. My totaly unarmed coast of northern germany is neglected instead. In the meantime the british and french troops cover half of France, but are unwilling/unable to do anything. What the heck?
4. In some message there was a statement, that Finnland would join the axis, if I (Germany) occupy a certain City (forgot the name). At that time, when the message appeared, I ALREADY had that city in my "Reich", but Finland stays neutral until today.

So this is the most irritating things I came across. Strangely enough, all sorts of little bugs, are adressed here and taken care of by the designer, but these big and for me nearly gamebreaking flaws seem to fly under the radar.
Any ideas about it?

Do state what version you are playing. Some of the issues you mention have already been reported and are fixed (or will be fixed) in beta (current beta is 5d).

1. This I have reported on extensively. AI convoy effectiveness is supposedly better now in beta 5, but I am still testing it. Also the 0 merchants still being sunk bug is known with the designer. Not sure if it is fixed already. Not there yet in my current game (if I ever do; if the enhanced convoy AI prevents this from ever happening...)
2. Leningrad is a supply source and provides unlimited supply. That is not really realistic. Has been reported and discussed extensively. Designer is working on this as far as I know, because he deems it "problematic" as well.
3. AI is worked on constantly. This could use some love it seems.
4. This is new to me. Will keep an eye out on this in my current game.

Leningrad will fall (any defense city will fall) if you dedicate 3-4 bomber/stuka groups to it for 3 turns, youll trash their efficiency so bad they shatter quick.

Finland joins March 1941 if France has surrendered.

In fact I should make this all the minor powers that the Axis have.

Thanks for all the comments so far.

I am using version 1.05, not the unofficial 1.05d.
I noticed, that the subs now have a stack limit of 3 - if that helps with my addressed problem I can´t tell.
I still think units in isolated cities that are constantly attacked by land units should suffer at some point and not be able to keep refreshing themselves over and over.
The Finland issue has been addressed now by Alvaro.
Biggest problem for now of the aforementioned ones is the behaviour of the AI in the West. It seems my a-historical approach (leaving France as is and attack only SU) irritates the AI. With Italy still neutral and Belgium and the Netherlands,too, my western front and "underbelly" are perfectly safe and the AI can´t find a way other than bombing the same hex(es) over and over.
I should say, I still enjoy my first game despite that strange behaviour, it is just a bit frustrating, because we all have seen stuff like this happen so often and are all waiting for some really intelligent artificial intelligence, aren´t we..