Would this be the game for me? I read CGW review

[bostonrpgmania]

CGW reivew was interesting
The thing that caught my eye is the role of messganger and uncertainity the concept is generating in gaming world
I dont know much about the warfare in Napoleon period
I like KP and BIn for example.
Would this be the game for me? I know that matrix does not have any demo but is there any similar game in terms of the role of the messagner that I could try?
What do you think about the conept of messganger and their role in intorducing uncertainty in the gaming world of this game?
I think this game is at the operational game
Am I correct?

[malcolm_mccallum]

It is Operational but to compare it to operation WWII games would not be useful.

You're wielding maybe a dozen Corps (each with 2-5 divisions) but the divisions don't often leave the Corps enough that they need ordering. So really, you have very few decisions to make each turn.

It is also unlike WWII in that armies do not operate on 'lines' like they would on the Eastern Front. Rather there are forces moving along various roads trying to outmaneuver each other, so fog of war is a huge factor. In one game I had recently, I was busy ordering my Corps forward and resting up those who needed it and was entirely focussed on my supply problems when there appeared a small enemy unit 4 days behind my left flank. The reports I was getting were already a couple of days old but it soon appeared that there was, in fact, an entire enemy army assaulting my extended column in the flank. It was, in a word, a crisis. A crisis unlike anything that occurs in modern era conflicts.

The really nice feature of the 'messenger' simulator is that you can't 'react' as neatly as you wish you could. You have to give detailed orders that will apply in any concievable situation and must leave reserves available and close to your headquarters that can react quickly. I've had forces that were on 'engage' orders pursue a beaten enemy for a week before I could pull them back and by that time, they were going to be completely unsupportable if I didn't order the rest of my army to advance behind them.

It takes a bit of getting used to the idea that we you see on your map does not reflect the current situation but rather the last reported positions. You have to learn to extrapolate concievable and likely real time locations.

Its a puzzler.

[Rainbow7]

Everything written above is true. But, of course, you can slowly work your way up to this level and even beyond, using no fog of war, fog of war on only the enemy, and ultimately fog of war for even the location of your own troops and what battles may or may not have been reported in a timely manner. At the lower levels, you can track your messengers, but at the higher levels you have no idea if they're reaching their intended targets or not. And the same for sending out caravans of supplies, hoping the enemy hasn't intercepted them. Very interesting game play.

[bostonrpgmania]

So in this game I dont have to worry too much about micromanagement since there are little units on the map. Am I correct about this?
(I noticed that difficulty level of this game is denoted as 'easy' by matrix games while BIN is medium, interestingly Across the Denpr is denoted as 'difficult'. Of course WitP is advanced-grogonard level [:)]

[TheHellPatrol]

ORIGINAL: bostonrpgmania

So in this game I dont have to worry too much about micromanagement since there are little units on the map. Am I correct about this?
(I noticed that difficulty level of this game is denoted as 'easy' by matrix games while BIN is medium, interestingly Across the Denpr is denoted as 'difficult'. Of course WitP is advanced-grogonard level [:)]

Funny, coming from Witp i thought i'd give this one a try (just bought it) and i don't know what to do[8|]. No tutorial, so looks like a mandatory manual printout although it's only 38 pages[&o]. I am a well rounded wargamer[:D].

[bostonrpgmania]

Hi Hellpatrol

your first impression on this game would be highly appreciated
Me? I am a novice wargamer who found KP and BiN to be very interesting
I got UV a while a go but still I have to try that grognard game [&o][&o][&o]

[TheHellPatrol]

ORIGINAL: bostonrpgmania

Hi Hellpatrol

your first impression on this game would be highly appreciated
Me? I am a novice wargamer who found KP and BiN to be very interesting
I got UV a while a go but still I have to try that grognard game [&o][&o][&o]

No problem, i'll have my first report tommorrow afternoon/evening[8D].

[bostonrpgmania]

Great! Thank you

[Rainbow7]

Just a correction to what I wrote above: Your messengers are never visible, no matter what the fog of war setting. Your caravans with supplies, however, are visible at the lower settings.

When you send off some new orders, it gives you an estimated time of delivery, which helps to anticipate how far forward you need to be thinking and planning. The game is fun, though there are still some spots that could be polished. Some people have complained that it doesn't have much replay value, but I do enjoy coming back to it regularly. Each scenario is short, playable in a few hours at most. I guess I would agree with the easy rating, mostly because it doesn't require much time to understand how to play. That said, the full fog of war setting is frustratingly fun (if you can imagine those two characteristics together).

[bostonrpgmania]

Thank you for all who helped me in this thread!
Full fog of war seems to be very intriguing
In fact, today I have another interesting review from CG written by
Bruce Gywek (who gave KP 5 star) wrote an interesting article about this game (giving it 4)
Minus one star is not due to the gameplay but due to the fact that on screen map is very small compared to the total map
He acclaimed game play of this game a lot...
Arggggg
It is really hard to resist....

[Toby42]

This is pretty much a game of Maneuver. Many times supply restricts effective combat. So it is mostly working with Lines of Communication to get the orders and supplies where you want them..

It is a nice change of pace from Panzers [8|]

[TheHellPatrol]

Well, it appears it might take a wee bit longer for me to have an objective opinion on this game. It "is" different and plays unlike anything i've played before except maybe Red Devils/HTTR. The map is layed out such that it makes grand strategy planning a real headache unless you're familiar with the map, knowing where to go and what to capture isn't all that intuitive either...only after constantly checking the manual to remind myself where i'm going and hoping for the best. A tutorial or walkthrough would make the "unique" game design seem less abstract and i have yet to see a real battle although i am aware of the lack of tactical battles which isn't a big deal...i do have Horse & Musket 2 for that itch. A few more reads of the manual and i'll try again[X(] I grasped Witp in less time...go figure[:D]

[Toby42]

http://www.2020site.org/napoleoniccampaigns/

Here is a link that help clear up the Campaign for me....

[TheHellPatrol]

ORIGINAL: Treale

http://www.2020site.org/napoleoniccampaigns/

Here is a link that help clear up the Campaign for me....

Great link...Thank you[&o][:)].

[TheHellPatrol]

I was "overthinking" the concept of Cotd i guess, probably from too much Witp. The micromanagement is minimal and what threw me off for awhile was the "messenger" delay. I am accustomed to units doing what i told them when i told them to, this unique concept shines through in that regard. It is a game of maneuver, as someone said before, and i am realizing now that it wasn't me...the orders were just delayed etc.
@bostonrpgmania: If the messenger system and FOW sounds good to you i think you would enjoy this game. One thing that i'll need some time with to see how much fun/replay there is that i don't get the "reward" from my strategy because most times it's the ai following/not following orders that really cinches it. Maybe it's the megalomaniac in me but only time will tell. It's a good deal for the $ but some different areas/maps would be nice!

[bostonrpgmania]

Thank you Hell Patrol
I will probably buy it tonight or tomorrow
Added uncertainly sounds interesting and not to much micromanagement sounds gospel to me![:D]
And I am more interested in logistics than tactics (such as CM or Squad Battles)
I think I will enjoy this game
Thank you again for the information[;)]

[TheHellPatrol]

ORIGINAL: bostonrpgmania

Thank you Hell Patrol
And I am more interested in logistics than tactics (such as CM or Squad Battles)

Your welcome, it seems like it's just what your looking for eg:logistics[8D]

[bostonrpgmania]

Download complete
I like what I see here!
(by the way I need to reduce resolution to 1024*768 to get full screen)
Slim manual and I am a happy gamer(little learning time I expect[:D])

[bostonrpgmania]

Looks quite interesting
and I think as PBEM it will be a superb.
I have a question regarding single play and aggressiveness of AI.
Last night I picked up the fifth scenario and then played as France just to understand game play mechanics
I pushed end turn many times (supply was done by computer) and when Aust attacked me I said my troop to have defense (once) and counterattack once
But for the remaining turns I did not change much and the results was draw
Since I have not done much I expected AI to win by a large margin..
Is this scenario specific or AI is very cautious?

[Jonathan Palfrey]

I've found the game doesn't play well and is only suitable for practising game mechanics. If you want real opposition you have to play a human. Sorry...