Panzer Command: Kharkov Impressions

[cdbeck]

I thought I would get an early start on this thread, to provide a decent place to post your impressions of buying, DL'ing, and playing PC:K.

I'm very on the fence with this one, never played PC:WS. So any and all impressions would be very helpful to those of us who can't make up our minds! [:D]

SoM

[Grell]

Hi SOM,

I thought you were being silly! LOL [:D]

Regards,

Grell

[thewood1]

I laughed, I cried, it was better than CATS!

[ravinhood]

You are right for WAITING SOM as I have just found out something Erik never told us in allllllll this time while chatting with us and showing us AAR's. IE 7.0 REQUIRED...pFFFT on any game that REQUIRES and IE upgrade.

[Edit by Erik: The game does not require IE7. The original release of tools required IE7 to be _installed_ not used. The current update removes that requirement. Now only IE6 is required to be installed and that comes by default with Windows XP.]

[cdbeck]

Wait, why does this make me seem silly? Erik said it would release today (which it has, at a very reasonable $39.99 price tag), so I thought I would create a place to put impressions. Why is this funny? [&:]

Now RH telling me that his is buying it is almost like giving it an "insta-buy" seal of approval. I mean, you NEVER buy anything at full price, so you must really see something here.

SoM

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: Son_of_Montfort
Wait, why does this make me seem silly?

Because you posted it before release. [;)] People thought you were going to pretend to have first impressions already before having the game. It's an old forum tradition in some places... [:D]

[cdbeck]

Well Erik, it wasn't but an hour later before you posted that it was in store! Did I not let you know I was psychic? [8D]

Now lets get those impressions rolling!

[ravinhood]

Now RH telling me that his is buying it is almost like giving it an "insta-buy" seal of approval. I mean, you NEVER buy anything at full price, so you must really see something here.

SoM

Yup, I DID UNTIL I read about this stupid IE 7.0 requirement. Stay on the fence as this is not good at all not good at all.

[Mraah]

Erik and all...

My first impression ... AWESOME!![:)] thanks again!

Buying - no problem, discount worked, got physical + d/l, with discount like free physical!

DL'ing - again, no prob, less than an hour.

Playing PC:K - Having a ball!!! I love the new graphics and sounds!!

1. Started a RCG - 7th Panzer - 36 battles ... Without knowing what I was doing it spit out 36 battles. Excellent feature!

2. Question ... I noticed a destroyed Russian tank still had it's commander in the hatch. I didn't get a screen shot. It was dead, but didn't get close enough to see if he was dead or still alive. Next battle I'll post a screenier if I see it again.

3. Suggestion ... When clicking on an enemy unit I'd like to see a "reverse sighting unit", ie I want to see which of my units can see him. Maybe I'm doing it wrong but it would be nice to figure out which of my units can see him 'faster' than having to cycle thru my units until I see the enemy unit.

4. My first battle ... I was hit my Russian Artillery on Turn 1 ... hmmph, how'd the A/I get a first turn bonus???

SILO OBSTRUCTION LOS PROBLEM ??? .... My second battle has begun ... I was placing my recon vehicle behind the silo and the LOS says that I can still see the T-34's ???? I got a screen shot of that with the LOS tool ... see below.

Thanks again guys!!! Erik, Mobius, Stridor, and all the dev team and beta dudes!!

Rob

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: Mraah
My first impression ... AWESOME!![:)] thanks again!
Buying - no problem, discount worked, got physical + d/l, with discount like free physical!
DL'ing - again, no prob, less than an hour.
Playing PC:K - Having a ball!!! I love the new graphics and sounds!!
1. Started a RCG - 7th Panzer - 36 battles ... Without knowing what I was doing it spit out 36 battles. Excellent feature!

You're welcome!

2. Question ... I noticed a destroyed Russian tank still had it's commander in the hatch. I didn't get a screen shot. It was dead, but didn't get close enough to see if he was dead or still alive. Next battle I'll post a screenier if I see it again.

I've noticed that as well from time to time, it doesn't happen always but it does happen. We couldn't track it down before release and it didn't seem critical enough to hold the release, hopefully we'll be able to nail it soon.

3. Suggestion ... When clicking on an enemy unit I'd like to see a "reverse sighting unit", ie I want to see which of my units can see him. Maybe I'm doing it wrong but it would be nice to figure out which of my units can see him 'faster' than having to cycle thru my units until I see the enemy unit.

Good suggestion.

4. My first battle ... I was hit my Russian Artillery on Turn 1 ... hmmph, how'd the A/I get a first turn bonus???

Check the manual. [;)] The Soviets get a bonus on Turn 1. They have all their HQs in contact on Turn 1 and can call in artillery immediately as if it were pre-planned. Of course, to take advantage of this they need to see someone during their 1st Turn Orders phase. We were discussing this in another thread, it's often a good idea to stay out of their sight on Turn 1 if possible. After Turn 1, Soviet artillery is quie unreliable - smal chance to be in contact, two turn delay. German artillery has a good chance to be in contact any given turn and has only a one turn delay.

SILO OBSTRUCTION LOS PROBLEM ??? .... My second battle has begun ... I was placing my recon vehicle behind the silo and the LOS says that I can still see the T-34's ???? I got a screen shot of that with the LOS tool ... see below.

Could be a map bug - can you post a larger screenshot of that map so I can identify it? Ideally, save the game, zip it up and e-mail it to me please.

Thanks again guys!!! Erik, Mobius, Stridor, and all the dev team and beta dudes!!

Our pleasure, enjoy.

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: Mraah
1. Started a RCG - 7th Panzer - 36 battles ... Without knowing what I was doing it spit out 36 battles. Excellent feature!

By the way, that's the "Very Difficult" random campaign - if you're going to start with that one, I wish you good luck, that one challenges me even after all these games. I'd suggest for a new player playing that one on "Easy" and generating it with "Maximum" replacements rather than the default "Historical" as that will make it much easier to complete. Also, remember to use the HQ Helper if you get in trouble.

[Mraah]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

I've noticed that as well from time to time, it doesn't happen always but it does happen. We couldn't track it down before release and it didn't seem critical enough to hold the release, hopefully we'll be able to nail it soon.

Actually, it's kinda cool .. just replace the LIVE commander with a DEAD one [:D], problem solved ... nice feature.

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins
Check the manual. [;)] The Soviets get a bonus on Turn 1. They have all their HQs in contact on Turn 1 and can call in artillery immediately as if it were pre-planned. Of course, to take advantage of this they need to see someone during their 1st Turn Orders phase. We were discussing this in another thread, it's often a good idea to stay out of their sight on Turn 1 if possible. After Turn 1, Soviet artillery is quie unreliable - smal chance to be in contact, two turn delay. German artillery has a good chance to be in contact any given turn and has only a one turn delay.

Oh, I just got the game!! I'm suppose to read the manual??? hehe. Nice feature, seriously.

SILO OBSTRUCTION LOS PROBLEM ??? Could be a map bug - can you post a larger screenshot of that map so I can identify it? Ideally, save the game, zip it up and e-mail it to me please.

I still have the SETUP phase. I can zip it up now ... send to support@matrixgames.com ??

Thank you sir!!

Rob

[Erik Rutins]

E-mail it to me please (use the little e-mail button under my post). Let's continue that discussion on your support forum thread and keep this one to first impressions.

[Mobius]

ORIGINAL: Mraah
2. Question ... I noticed a destroyed Russian tank still had it's commander in the hatch. I didn't get a screen shot. It was dead, but didn't get close enough to see if he was dead or still alive. Next battle I'll post a screenier if I see it again.

yeah, I noticed that on occasion too. I could not say if it was a model problem (since I made the T34 42) or an engine problem. If it doesn't have a coin it is dead.

ORIGINAL: Mraah
3. Suggestion ... When clicking on an enemy unit I'd like to see a "reverse sighting unit", ie I want to see which of my units can see him. Maybe I'm doing it wrong but it would be nice to figure out which of my units can see him 'faster' than having to cycle thru my units until I see the enemy unit.

Me too! I wanted this for a long time.

ORIGINAL: Mraah
SILO OBSTRUCTION LOS PROBLEM ??? .... My second battle has begun ... I was placing my recon vehicle behind the silo and the LOS says that I can still see the T-34's ???? I got a screen shot of that with the LOS tool ... see below.

The thing I found is that there is lingering sight. Things don't just blink off or on because of the relative sighting. Since it is PBEM and turn based as a player you don't have to pay attention to each square meter of the map 100% of the time to see everything. So if an enemy did appear and disappear at the end of the turn it is possible still be sighted during the next orders turn. Then because of its new orders and actions its sighting factors would change and it may drop out of sight. That is what I think is happening with the silo. Next turn your 222 will probably not be in sight of the T34.

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: Mobius
The thing I found is that there is lingering sight. Things don't just blink off or on because of the relative sighting. Since it is PBEM and turn based as a player you don't have to pay attention to each square meter of the map 100% of the time to see everything. So if an enemy did appear and disappear at the end of the turn it is possible be sighted during the next orders turn. Then because of its new orders and actions its sighting factors would change and it may drop out of sight. That is what I think is happening with the silo. Next turn your 222 will probably not be in sight of the T34.

Sighting is updated regularly, let's continue this in the support thread please.

[ghostryder]

Thanks for the tips Erik. My download is almost complete and i'll be sure not to set difficulty too high! I'm not that good a player to begin with [:)]

[Erik Rutins]

Ghostryder,

If you're new to Panzer Command, I would definitely recommend starting with the Tutorial Guide and the Tutorial Mission scenario, then from there to read the main game manual and the "Boot Camp" Campaign before you get into the real meat of the game, the historical scenarios and campaigns and the random battles/campaigns. Learning the game properly and all it can do will definitely help you succeed in the harder scenarios and end up making it more enjoyable.

Of course, some folks prefer to dive right in and I respect that. [:D]

Regards,

- Erik

[Mobius]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

ORIGINAL: Mobius
The thing I found is that there is lingering sight. Things don't just blink off or on because of the relative sighting. Since it is PBEM and turn based as a player you don't have to pay attention to each square meter of the map 100% of the time to see everything. So if an enemy did appear and disappear at the end of the turn it is possible be sighted during the next orders turn. Then because of its new orders and actions its sighting factors would change and it may drop out of sight. That is what I think is happening with the silo. Next turn your 222 will probably not be in sight of the T34.

Sighting is updated regularly, let's continue this in the support thread please.

Right, but this is not a bug.

[Erik Rutins]

Well, I don't know if it's a bug yet or not, though I'm leaning against. If there is an issue, its likely to be with that one silo as LOS works fine as far as I've seen. From his support post, he was still in the Setup phase rather than in the actual turns and that may be the difference. In any case, I just want to keep this thread as clear as we can for first impressions posts.

[Mraah]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins
Ghostryder,
If you're new to Panzer Command, I would definitely recommend starting with the Tutorial Guide and the Tutorial Mission scenario, then from there to read the main game manual and the "Boot Camp" Campaign before you get into the real meat of the game, the historical scenarios and campaigns and the random battles/campaigns. Learning the game properly and all it can do will definitely help you succeed in the harder scenarios and end up making it more enjoyable.
Of course, some folks prefer to dive right in and I respect that. [:D]
Regards,
- Erik

Speaking of Tutorial ... although the RCG is self explainitory, I didn't see any manual besides the how-to-edit. Anyway, when I built my RCG I had no problem ... except ... I wasn't too sure when it was finished ... it seemed to sit for a bit towards the end. I played it safe and waited until it said everything was saved OK. Again, not a problem, perhaps I need to read the manual, but hey ....[:)]

Rob