Question on random replay options…

[Tim Konuch]

I am having a hard time deciding whether to purchase this game. With limited funds, it is important for me to be able to purchase games that can be replayed with various random options. Once the specific battles are played, does this game have options to randomize the exact number, composition and location of the various task forces before starting a new game? If something like this is possible, could you explain what is available within this game?

Best regards.

[decaro]

I think the random feature -- which was added later to the game via a patch -- chooses random scenarios for each battle w/different/additional ships.

Some scenarios have more variations than others, but as I only play historic scenarios, I don't have a great deal of experience w/this feature.

There is an editor that allows you to change exisiting scenarios or create new ones. I have only used this feature to alter the charasteristics of certain ships in historic scenarios, but you can edit just about anything and everything in CaW.

In general, I find CaW games require little set-up and are quick and enjoyable, but there's not a great deal of replayability in this game as compared to UV or WitP.

Hope this helps.

[Tim Konuch]

Thanks Joe D. for your reply. I appreciate the summary for the random features that are available on this game. Based on your description along with the lack of forum discussion and created scenarios, it does seem that most are finding the replayability of this game lacking. Perhaps this is the reason that so very few people are here on this particular forum. It is too bad that the game costs so much, otherwise I might have been tempted to give it a try.

[funkatron3000]

CAW doesn't have a random game generator built into it. I think this understandable because building one would for this game would be quite a feat, given the complex and detailed nature of the scenarios and editor. What you can do is have the game start a random variant for you -- without the game telling you which one it selected.

With that said, CAW ships eight scenarios: Pearl Harbor, Wake, Coral Sea, Midway, Eastern Solomons, Santa Cruz, Tarawa, and Philippine Sea. While all of the scenarios have some variants, three of them (Coral Sea, Midway, and Tarawa) have a huge number of mystery variants. Mystery variants contain varying orders of battle, task group starting locations, pilot training levels, airfield capability, and weather. Coral Sea has 38 variants, Midway 65, and Tarawa 40. Since each game lasts 30-60 minutes, that's about 70-140 hours of gameplay if you want to play through all the mystery variants.

I've played a few of mystery variants and they've been excellent. For example, I played a Tarawa variant over the weekend as the IJN and had a blast. While I wasn't able to stop the invasion, I utterly crushed the USN fleet and escort carriers. There were even two massive night battleship engagements. Good stuff! Overall, there is a good amount of variety within the eight battles offered in CAW.

[Tim Konuch]

funkatron3000,

Thanks for the summary of the mystery variant play option.

From your summary, it seems that the same total number of task forces remain the same from one mystery variant to another for each specific battle scenario. For example, if there are a total of three enemy task forces in a specific battle senario, the mystery variant of this scenario will also have three specific enemy task forces and will not vary this. Is this correct?

Also, does the "varying orders of battle" change the specific compositions of the various tasks forces. In other words, if I played a specific scenario battle and then replayed it with the mystery variant, will I see the same exact type of ship compositions in the existing task forces? For example, if two out of the three task forces in a battle have carriers in them, will the third non carrier task force always remain the same - a non carrier task force?

I apologize for all the questions. I am still trying to decide whether to purchase this game.

[funkatron3000]

Hey Tim. As far as the total number of task forces go, I'm not sure. My guess would be that the number of task forces will vary. For example, I read somewhere on the forums here that someone played a Midway variant where the IJN carriers tasked with the Aleutian attack were present at Midway. I'm guessing that another task force was created to accommodate these carriers. They may have been added to other task forces too.

That leads into the varying orders of battle. The composition of task forces may very well change. I played a Midway variant last night where the USN had both Saratoga and Wasp at their disposal, in addition to the historically present Enterprise, Yorktown, and Hornet. I've played other scenarios where the IJN had more battleships present, making surface warfare more of an option. Therefore, you may or may not wind up with non-carrier task groups in a given scenario.

Keep the questions coming if you have them. Overall, CAW is not a hugely complex game but it strikes me as a great and suspenseful simulation of operational/tactical carrier warfare. You don't manage the flight deck; you don't worry about turning your carriers into the wind to launch aircraft; you don't command submarine forces; and you can't control task group-level tactical formations. The main decisions you make are where to scout; when to arm and fuel your aircraft; when and where to launch strikes, against which targets, and with which aircraft; and where to move your forces. There's more to it than that, but that's a very rough overview.

[Tim Konuch]

Funkatron3000,  it sounds like there is much more random play options in this game than I initially thought.   How is the AI in this game?   Does it give a good challenge as well as be able to play both sides well?     

[funkatron3000]

I would describe the AI as adequate. It will put up a decent fight initially. I've noticed that it often retreats after losing just one carrier. You could argue that this is somewhat historically accurate behavior for the USN in 1941-42, maybe less so for the IJN with their emphasis on attack.

As to whether it plays both sides well, that depends on what you consider well. Some people may think "well" means historically accurate; others may argue it means putting up a good fight for the fight's sake. I think the AI makes decent use of the Japanese advantage in aircraft range, especially at Pearl Harbor, Wake, and Coral Sea. I once saw the IJN avoid engagement entirely at Philippine Sea, which was probably a smart move for them if not entirely historical. I lost the chance for a decisive victory there because I couldn't find the IJN task forces and sink them. Bah! I've seen the USN behave very aggressively at Tarawa and Philippine Sea after detecting my forces. Once at Tarawa the USN hounded me to the northern edge of the map before breaking off.

On the other hand, I would check out SSG's CAW stats website and look at the AI's performance there. It's pretty apparent that the humans outperform the AI. With that said, I've only played against the AI and have had a lot of fun doing so.

[Tim Konuch]

Thanks funkatron3000 for the SSG website reference as well as for answering my many questions!   I will probably purchase either this game or the soon to be released "War Plan Pacific" by Shrapnel Games. 
 
Best regards.   

[funkatron3000]

Glad to help. The scale for War Plan Pacific and CAW are very different, as you probably saw. War Plan Pacific looks to recreate the whole war, where CAW focuses on specific battles only. I swear I don't work for Matrix, but did you see their holiday sale? CAW is on sale as a download for $34.99. Just wanted to let you know. It's always nice to have new people playing the game.

[Tim Konuch]

Thanks for the reference to the Matrix holiday sale.   Unfortunately, the $34.99 price is for the download only.   I only buy hard copy software to be able to reload if my computer crashes or if I purchase a newer computer in the future.   I do keep my computers long term and prefer to have hard copies of all my games and software, just in case.   It's too bad that the download does not enable the user to make a hard copy to a cd.   I did notice that the hard copy version sell for $44.99 + $10.85 shipping = $55.84 (ouch!).    The good news is that I noticed that both EBGames and Gamestop have this CD game listed on their site to be available in Janurary 2009 for $39.99 and Newegg has it listed for pre-order for $36.99.   All of these show free shipping! At this price, I will be able to purchase both this game and "War Plan Pacific" in January without agonizing which one to get. [:)]   

 

[Toby42]

ORIGINAL: Tim Konuch

Thanks for the reference to the Matrix holiday sale.   Unfortunately, the $34.99 price is for the download only.   I only buy hard copy software to be able to reload if my computer crashes or if I purchase a newer computer in the future.   I do keep my computers long term and prefer to have hard copies of all my games and software, just in case.   It's too bad that the download does not enable the user to make a hard copy to a cd.   I did notice that the hard copy version sell for $44.99 + $10.85 shipping = $55.84 (ouch!).    The good news is that I noticed that both EBGames and Gamestop have this CD game listed on their site to be available in Janurary 2009 for $39.99 and Newegg has it listed for pre-order for $36.99.   All of these show free shipping! At this price, I will be able to purchase both this game and "War Plan Pacific" in January without agonizing which one to get. [:)]   

 

I don't see where you are not able to make a copy to a Cd??? I do with all of my Digital Downloads....

[Tim Konuch]

Treale,
 
Thanks for the information.   I was not aware of this.   I had sent Matrix an e-mail question about this but have received no reply yet.  
 
Since a digital game download can be copied to a backup cd, how is it reactivated?    Does it come with a serial number (that needs to be entered upon reloading/reinstalling the game) or does the game have to be reactivated by internet connection from Matrix?   In other words, if my computer or hard drive crashes in 3-4 years, will I be able to reinstall this game off the backup cd even if Matrix is not around anymore.               
 [/align]Is it possible to load this game on to two computers?   I would like to play it on both my desktop as well as my notebook computer when I am traveling and would also eventually like to try playing it initially on the multiplayer setting with my 9 year old son, (that is if I can get him interested in it).[/align]

[Toby42]

ORIGINAL: Tim Konuch

Treale,

Thanks for the information.   I was not aware of this.   I had sent Matrix an e-mail question about this but have received no reply yet.  

Since a digital game download can be copied to a backup cd, how is it reactivated?    Does it come with a serial number (that needs to be entered upon reloading/reinstalling the game) or does the game have to be reactivated by internet connection from Matrix?   In other words, if my computer or hard drive crashes in 3-4 years, will I be able to reinstall this game off the backup cd even if Matrix is not around anymore.               
[/align]Is it possible to load this game on to two computers?   I would like to play it on both my desktop as well as my notebook computer when I am traveling and would also eventually like to try playing it initially on the multiplayer setting with my 9 year old son, (that is if I can get him interested in it).[/align]

The download comes with a serial number. You need this number for the install or re-install. You also need this number to administer any patches. I copy the install file to a CD. I then put the serial number in a text file and copy that to the CD. I leave the CD open and add any patches to it also. If you need to re-install the game, just use the file off of the CD and patch it from there also! I'm not sure about the install on two computers. I think that you can, but there are some limitations?? I don't think that you can do the muti-player with only one license?? Maybe Erik will check in and give you the "Skinny" on this...

[Tim Konuch]

Thanks Tony for the info.