Does anybody out there actually have this game and if so, have you played it? What are your thoughts? Is it worth the $50? How does it compare to a more modern system like CMO? I suspect that the main difference (other than the UI) will be that POA focuses on ground combat, whereas the emphasis in CMO is on naval and air action.
For some reason I have a bug up my rear about this title and Maneuver Warfare (available on Steam) and am dangerously close to buying them both.
Welp...RyanE wasn't a fan...
http://www.grogheads.com/forums/index.php?topic=17642.0 (http://www.grogheads.com/forums/index.php?topic=17642.0)
I went ahead and got POA2. They released another big update last year and I felt like doing it just to spite RyanE. :crazy2:
This is the Shrapnel Games title, right? Curious to know what your thoughts are if it's worth the money. Most Shrapnel titles are fairly janky and tend to miss more than they hit, IMO.
I wonder where RyanE has been. You could always count on him to put the "grognard" back into "grogheads" O0
No...its not Shrapnel. Its published by HPS.
I dunno...I'm playing around with it and so far I am very impressed. It is extremely detailed as far as ground combat. I've just poked around, but from what I've seen is definitely giving me wood.
Ahh right. This one: https://www.hpssims.com/Pages/Products/POA2/POA2.asp
Been interested in this one for a while. Does it play a bit like Command Ops 2?
Quote from: al_infierno on August 03, 2022, 02:20:10 PM
Ahh right. This one: https://www.hpssims.com/Pages/Products/POA2/POA2.asp
Been interested in this one for a while. Does it play a bit like Command Ops 2?
No. I don't think so. It appears to be more turn-based, with time moving forward in pulses. It is extremely "groggy", with weaponry, ammo, fuel, comms, etc. There are even staff officers (S1, S2, S3, S4), very detailed physics and LOS systems, etc. I can't say whether its implemented well yet, but there is an extreme level of detail. Check out the 493 page manual. Its available from the link you posted.
Woof! Consider me titillated :smitten:
It's pretty amusing because its main detractors out there on the web claim this always happens. Every few years, someone else on some forum surfaces, praising the level of detail and trying to get people to jump in and buy it, but that despite so many years of development and poor communication from the developer, it still suffers from a lot of technical issues. Most of these threads I found predated the Sep 2021 update, so who knows what state it is in now. So far though, its been crash free.
The system is definitely archaic. There are a lot of pop up windows and tables. It's not unlike Aurora in some ways...it definitely feels a bit like playing a spread sheet. But I love that shit. Its not for everyone though.
OK...slow down. I'm running some pulses and starting to run into some technical issues. I'm getting a warning that the game is using more than 4 cores and may cause memory/EEFACE issues.
:-X
Quote from: al_infierno on August 03, 2022, 02:47:50 PM
:-X
I solved the memory problem. There is actually a performance setting where you can select how many cores to use and there is a warning that setting it to more than 4 can create memory issues. Mine was set to 5. I dropped it down to 4 and the problem disappeared. Pulses still take more time than they should and there is a slight delay when pressing tabs and buttons in the UI. This must be due to the old code and is just something that we'll have to deal with in order to play. I wonder if this will be a bigger problem on larger scenarios. Right now, I'm only commanding two companies of Abrams.
One indication of the level of detail is that vehicles create dust and smoke as they move across the desert. This is factored into sighting apparently. Pretty cool seeing the sand and smoke visualized on the map.
I finished one of the tutorial scenarios and overall, I really enjoyed it. Very simple scenario involving 2 companies of US tanks making a minor assault against an Iraqi objective defended by some mines and approximately one company of T-72s in defensive positions. Not surprisingly, it was an overwhelming victory for the US and although I did not have to manage casualties, breakdowns, or any advanced comms (ie. fire support, CAS, etc.) or any combined arms tasks like mounting/dismounting infantry, etc., you can get a flavor for the complexity based on the attached screenshot. Check out the MOE report and some of the stats that are collected regarding transmissions. There is a lot going on under the hood here and I suspect that's why things sometimes chug along. Calculating LOS seems to cause the biggest delay. Nothing crazy, but noticeable. i understand there are performance settings to modify how LOS is calculated, but I need to read about that in the manual.
(https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/296631268_10159514386677702_6965190885076782130_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=2zIANQ-0TRMAX8OuWUj&tn=ReCvT7n0uc5moSXM&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AT_2ODA_nU8vA5poZHw8vYXLBSzPW5qTLsaEh70rwWb5PQ&oe=62F003EE)
The map system is very flexible and some of the scenarios are created using very high detail maps with an interactive satellite layer. Pretty cool.
(https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/297408081_10159514407002702_3594096394260416515_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=5oqL5MEDg4EAX8bLH5o&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AT8bdJmXeNCb7VxXDsOfpRcU0pHMl0Gd6hddLGi9kQQuEg&oe=62F07854)
(https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/297392368_10159514406987702_3026860444596826873_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=W-ECVO8lKIUAX9Goxeu&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AT9g1f_AEv2dHRRIitLlU2CyKG7iKOcTyfjVeMgPoLtysw&oe=62EF2F01)
Definitely intriguing, though I am not sure I want to spend $50 on it. Judging from the HPS website that appears to not have seen an update since around 1990, I assume they are still of the old-school wargame belief that games should never be discounted, or do they actually have occasional sales? >:D
Maneuver Warfare also looks interesting, but that UI is *rough*. They somehow made it looked more dated than the much older POA2. Less than a dozen reviews (even if all positive) on a two year old game also does not seem encouraging, even for a niche game outside the normal Steam fare.
I think I bought Maneuver Warfare a few months ago (on Steam), been meaning to play it but haven't gotten around to it yet.
I'm glad to see PoA2 getting some love! (And relatively modern updates!) I remember buying it YEEAARRSSS ago, through NWS, on disc (with a ton of other things, as usual when I'd go on an NWS buying spree.) I loaded it a couple of times, got completely lost, maybe ran into a bug or two, and decided to come back later when I had more time to study it. Then never did.
Relatedly, I'm sure I've still got PoA2 sitting around on CD for less than $50 plus shipping... >:D (If I can find it!)
An interview with the developer of Maneuver Warfare was just published....interesting read, intrigues me, maybe at some point will give it a shot...not too expensive at $20.
https://strategyandwargaming.com/2022/08/02/maneuver-warfare-developer-interview/
Maneuver Warfare? Never heard of it. But now I'll check it out. Thanks for the Heads-Up Reaper. O0
I have "Point of Attack 2". Haven't played it in many years. It looked really interesting
when it came out and I was looking forward to many user made scenarios but they never
really came. I remember being frustrated by the UI but the game most definitely had
some pretty cool ideas. I don't know that I ever got through an entire battle. I might
try and find the CD and give it another try. There's a relatively new update?
Can't believe they're still selling it for 50 bucks.
I also had a game called "Decisive Action" by the same blokes. More strategic to POA2's
tactical. Had a good time with it.
Also wasn't aware of "Maneuver Warfare" on steam so I might have to take a look at that.
Yep, Steam link here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1285180/Maneuver_Warfare/
I keep remembering how nicely groggy ManuWar looks, and then forgetting it to do something else! L:-)
They're still adding content, too -- next up this month is a Combat Service Support company that can be added to your battle group, including during the campaigns.
Ahem... Bergepanther. :D