Matrix Games Forums

Often when I read reviews of computer hex wargames I hear comments along the line of "good game but the UI is poor". So I'm wondering what a good UI in a hex-based game might actually look like.

So wondering what the readers of these forums think, is there an example of such a game with a solid or even excellent UI? Doesn't have to be limited to matrix/slitherine games by the way. Also what do you think developers could do to improve their UI design? i.e. what UI features help.

Thanks guys.

Panzer Corps 2 has a nice UI in my opinion. Clean and everything I need to see is where I'd expect it.

One part of it that's not so hot is the hero menu, but I hear that's being worked on...

I do have on the contrary an example of a good game with the most terrible UI I have never seen: MWIF aka Matrix World In Flames. I try several times. But, sorry, no, I have lost the fight with the interface.

Stacking should never be more than 4 units as otherwise too hard to manage.

Some modern games have the data as a pop up when hovering over a hex. I find it annoying as I move the mouse around and pop ups appear and disappear. Instead click on a hex and a display opens in a side bar providing the info of that hex.

Click on a hex and all the units in the hex are displayed in a side bar so I can study the details of each unit in the hex.

A shortcut key that gives the total sum value of variable over all the hexes on the map as a number over each hex. The variables might be:
The stack defensive value given an attack by infantry
The stack defensive value given an attack by armour
The stack attack value given I am attacking infantry
The stack attack value given I am attacking armour
And others

All the friendly units displayed as a spread sheet. Each variable has a separate column. I click on the title of any column and it sorts by that variable. I click on the last column of a unit, the spread sheet closes and the map centres on that unit. If it was not at the top of a stack it is automatically brought to the top of the stack.

This is a game and not real life. Most enemy units are hidden due to fog of war. But I have contacted some enemy units so I have knowledge of them. Known enemy units displayed as a spread sheet as above. The point is that my opponent has a played a turn and in the replay a specific enemy unit turned up. Now I am going to spend time looking for that unit and my wife is calling me for dinner......

I have found Advanced Tactics Gold to have a pretty good UI: map screen provides enough information without pop-ups, but not too much. Unit roster/TO&E with some details appears at bottom of the screen with selection of a unit. Planning an attack is also done on the main map screen.

In The Operational Art of War III unit roster/TO&E takes a pop-up window, which can get a little bothersome with lots of units. Likewise planning an attack takes a pop-up window. I'm not a fan of this. Your mileage may vary.

WarPlan / &Pacific UI floats my boat. Best I have played. Field of Glory 2 is second (but not hex based) and Valor and Victory would be third.

Thanks guys, I'll look at the games you mention. Good points from Fred98 on tooltips, they can be useful in the right places but a nuisance done badly.