GrogHeads Forum

Digital Gaming => Computer Gaming => Topic started by: Gusington on January 19, 2021, 04:48:58 PM

Title: Next from Microprose...
Post by: Gusington on January 19, 2021, 04:48:58 PM
...I bring you Highfleet...steampunk aerial battleship duels with a supposedly 'FTL' vibe:

http://koshutin.com/

Trailer:



:D
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: Jarhead0331 on January 19, 2021, 05:35:23 PM
If it is half as good as Airships: Conquer the Skies it will be a hit.

Seriously, Airships is Phenomenal with a capital P.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/342560/Airships_Conquer_the_Skies/ (https://store.steampowered.com/app/342560/Airships_Conquer_the_Skies/)
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: hellfish6 on January 19, 2021, 06:30:05 PM
Someone said it before, but those eastern European devs can make at atmospheric game like nobody else. That artwork is intensely compelling to me.
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: Gusington on January 19, 2021, 06:41:13 PM
Yep - Russians, Poles, Ukrainians...they know 'mood'. And in different types of games too - RPGs like Cyberpunk or The Witcher, RTS games like Iron Harvest, and however you want to categorize HighFleet. Amongst others!
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: fran on January 20, 2021, 01:56:01 AM
Another temping MicroProse offering.

I wish them success, they already do have a lot of promising titles on their books.

Definitely happy to support them in the future.
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: The_Admiral on January 20, 2021, 04:09:53 AM
If you want to know more about the "strategic" part, Konstantin the dev had made a video about it as late as last November (so it's still pretty up to date) with a few combat sequences too.



Cheers!
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: Gusington on January 20, 2021, 08:48:53 AM
For me this game just came out of nowhere and is quite the welcome gift. I really hope it lives up to how I am imagining it to be. Even if it doesn't...it still looks like it will be really good :)
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: Destraex on January 23, 2021, 06:12:26 PM
I have to chime in here to provide a bit of balance to the discussion.
Both the carrier game and this game that Microprose are "remaking" are of no interest to me. This sort of project is probably only of interest to those that have nostalgia for them.
The games seem like cheap wins to me. The graphics would have been cutting edge for what you could do back when they were made, but now they are just being touched up a bit
for todays market. I would prefer them to concentrate on making new cutting edge content. Like the VR version of the mighty eighth that they are doing.
Just 2c from somebody that did not play either game back when they were first released.
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: hellfish6 on January 23, 2021, 08:46:30 PM
Highfleet was based on another game?
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: Gusington on January 23, 2021, 11:12:20 PM
^Not that I can tell from the site, the game description or anything released from Microprose.

Des do you have links or something to back what you posted above?
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: The_Admiral on January 24, 2021, 09:29:20 PM
Quote from: Destraex on January 23, 2021, 06:12:26 PM
I have to chime in here to provide a bit of balance to the discussion.
Both the carrier game and this game that Microprose are "remaking" are of no interest to me. This sort of project is probably only of interest to those that have nostalgia for them.
The games seem like cheap wins to me. The graphics would have been cutting edge for what you could do back when they were made, but now they are just being touched up a bit
for todays market. I would prefer them to concentrate on making new cutting edge content. Like the VR version of the mighty eighth that they are doing.
Just 2c from somebody that did not play either game back when they were first released.

Not sure what you mean by that Des - none of our teams is being tasked on another project, and the large majority of the current teams (and the upcoming ones, unannounced as of yet too  :coolsmiley:) had had our own project from some time. Carrier Command 2 & B-17 2 are the only announced games which were commissioned by Microprose, and they both have their own team too. Reviving Carrier Command has been a long dream of the CEO David Lagettie and it is a labour of love - that's the sort of project no big publisher would go for, so I have to give him that too. Besides, in terms of graphics, it's not "old-school" nor retro, it shares some tech & design with Stormworks. I kinda like it, and it sure helps positively with product differentiation (with, say, Sea Power & us - our two engines have nothing in common, and yet people sometimes still believe that we're the same thing). CC2 had a great start in terms of followership, so although you are not too much into it, others are, which is fortunate for everybody involved in its making  :notworthy:

Now, Konstantin's work on Highfleet is nothing like some remake. The only games that might be close to its design that I might think of are Hammerfight (his first game, but widely different combat mechanics) and Airships (which was modular, and as such had a very, very different art direction). In terms of efforts for the mood and the strategic part both (aka see for yourself in the video I posted) it is second to none in the category. I might understand that some might not be particularly interested in the premises of these games, but they do resonate with another part of the community, and involved a lot, a lot of work from the creators (especially Highfleet over the last 4 or 5 years) - and as such certainly don't deserve that "cheap win" comment part... My own 2c  ;)
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: Destraex on January 25, 2021, 07:47:32 AM
Quote from: hellfish6 on January 23, 2021, 08:46:30 PM
Highfleet was based on another game?
Apologies guys. I just thought it must have been based on an old game judging by how old and clunky it looks in the trailer. It looks like a 90s game to me.
The Carrier one is though.

@The_Admiral - Now I know highfleet is entirely original and new, then I am sure a lot of heart and soul went into the game.

P.S. Highfleet is an RTS game, no?
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: Jarhead0331 on January 25, 2021, 08:00:47 AM
Quote from: Destraex on January 25, 2021, 07:47:32 AM
Quote from: hellfish6 on January 23, 2021, 08:46:30 PM
Highfleet was based on another game?
Apologies guys. I just thought it must have been based on an old game judging by how old and clunky it looks in the trailer. It looks like a 90s game to me.


Clunky and old? From the 90s? I don't see it that way. They look shiny and new to me.
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: hellfish6 on January 25, 2021, 08:48:36 AM
It's 2D, which is the only thing that makes it look 'dated' to my eye, but the graphics as a whole look completely stunning. If this could have existed in the 90s, I might have never upgraded from a 486.
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: The_Admiral on January 25, 2021, 10:36:14 AM
Quote from: Destraex on January 25, 2021, 07:47:32 AM
P.S. Highfleet is an RTS game, no?

Not easy to categorize. That's part of its charm - and reason why also marketing it is probably a challenge too. The tactical part is somewhere between a tactical two-way bullet hell with a lot of choices to make before and on the move, with an arena system. The strategic part is very mature, with management of resources, navigation not unlike what you'd have in TFA or in a U-boot game... And then you also have the politics, the role playing & the narrative. It's a complex beast and at any rate, as you say a lot of soul went into this.

Quote from: hellfish6 on January 25, 2021, 08:48:36 AM
It's 2D, which is the only thing that makes it look 'dated' to my eye, but the graphics as a whole look completely stunning. If this could have existed in the 90s, I might have never upgraded from a 486.

Indeed that might come from there - but also often looks are deceptive and there are some out there who would see 2D immediately as some sort of shortcut - while, by today's standards, it is sometimes even the opposite. All of this is usually fake 2D (you can see it in the trailer IIRC when the screen with the main base has the little radars & weapons rotating). This are 3D models being seen from the side. To some extent I had feedback from other projects saying that it was even harder than actual 3D, because you need to put together new rules, make sure it looks the act without being overly stupid... It is, as an artistic & gameplay choice, sometimes more daring than it seems. At any rate, happy to see that some can appreciate it nonetheless. Wouldn't be interested myself if it wasn't for the powerful character it radiates, that makes me want to give it a try- and if it works with me, I sure do hope it works this way for some others too.  ^-^
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: rustyshackleford on January 27, 2021, 01:42:31 PM
Here's hoping they release a Linux version on GOG! This looks right up my alley.

I'm really liking what I see from Microprose so far. Have my eye on the B-17 successor, Sea Power and Task Force: Admiral (which looks AMAZING so far).
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: Gusington on January 27, 2021, 02:15:34 PM
^Indeed - it's awesome for us (especially of a AHEM certain age) to have a revitalized Microprose releasing new wargames, of all types.
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: The_Admiral on July 27, 2021, 01:44:46 AM
Highfleet is a few hours away from release - a little review in the meantime  :coolsmiley:
https://kotaku.com/highfleet-is-kicking-my-ass-in-the-best-way-possible-1847359863
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: Gusington on July 27, 2021, 06:08:22 AM
Loins...moistening
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: Dammit Carl! on July 27, 2021, 07:49:35 AM
Lordy.  Very cool game - but I know my short attention span self would never sit down long enough to give it the attention it needs.
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: Jarhead0331 on July 27, 2021, 08:10:38 PM
it is definitely very unique and atmospheric. You certainly can't attack this one for artistic merit, or for trying something different...but...

No resolution other than 1080p. No ability to rebind key commands. Little to no tutorial.

It's certainly an interesting choice for Microprose's first release. Not sure if I'd consider this leading with your best foot forward. 

It is definitely rough around the edges, but it is so unique that I'll continue to dabble.
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: Gusington on July 27, 2021, 09:26:38 PM
How do you like the combat?
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: Jarhead0331 on July 27, 2021, 09:38:20 PM
Quote from: Gusington on July 27, 2021, 09:26:38 PM
How do you like the combat?

I've only been in two battles so far...well, three if you count the one I lost and had to start over.

In the first battle there was like no guidance. I had no idea what the hell I was doing, but I caught on with the basics fast. I mean, there isn't too much to it initially. The battles look great and they are definitely exciting and fun. There seem to be a lot of different missile types, although my current inventory of ships is limited to the types of projectiles that can be used.

The second battle added boosting, guided missiles and countermeasures. I can see more options opening up as you get more ship types and I guess weapon types, as well.

The battle area is pretty restrictive and small. You're in the sky, so you should be able to maneuver more. Its immersion breaking to hit a wall mid flight like some invisible barrier.

I guess my takeaway from writing out the above is that its really a mixed bag so far. Still have the desire to play more, but I wish there was a quick mission mode or a skirmish mode. So far, all I can see is the campaign and it does not look like you can save. It saves automatically and I haven't been able to see any indication of when that actually happens.
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: Gusington on July 28, 2021, 06:58:50 AM
Yeah I've read about those issues. Hoping the creator of the game is receptive with the community and feedback and patches the game up to make it more user friendly.
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: FarAway Sooner on July 28, 2021, 12:18:40 PM
Initial review I read was quite flattering, but suggested it's still a little rough around the edges in various aspects.  Definitely a game to keep an eye on for me!  At this point, I'd say that my loins might be damp but are not fully moistened.
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: Gusington on July 28, 2021, 01:04:04 PM
^Half way there!
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: fran on August 01, 2021, 05:08:56 AM
Thanks for your initial thoughts on the game, hopefully, the rough edges will be polished soon.
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: Jarhead0331 on August 17, 2021, 12:38:20 PM
Microprose announces collaboration with the 100th Bomb Group Foundation on a "new B-17 Flying Fortress game".

https://us19.campaign-archive.com/?u=36f144f6a13c508dbdbdbaa87&id=f8567707f4&e=__test_email__&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=facebook-2021-08-17&fbclid=IwAR1pIg2S2XP98ArpMD0J55eOu8DM97jlfoGtOYGPrbqG4AIQdFFj5LI8KrI (https://us19.campaign-archive.com/?u=36f144f6a13c508dbdbdbaa87&id=f8567707f4&e=__test_email__&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=facebook-2021-08-17&fbclid=IwAR1pIg2S2XP98ArpMD0J55eOu8DM97jlfoGtOYGPrbqG4AIQdFFj5LI8KrI)

Quote

"The research support from the 100th Bomb Group Foundation key historians has enabled a level of authenticity not normally seen in simulation games today.

Stories of harrowing combat from the brave members of the 'Bloody Hundredth' group are vast. We have many books and primary source materials at our disposal that will help to recreate missions with a historic level of detail. Thorpe Abbotts airfield, the home of the 100th Bomb Group during the war, will be recreated with each building and local landmark in their place. Flying over the English countryside will look and feel like the conditions of how those B-17 aircraft operated.

We are very honored to have the opportunity to connect with the few veterans who are still standing and to help carry on their legacy of the Second World War."
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: Gusington on August 17, 2021, 12:44:30 PM
Damn you are quick, was just about to post that.
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: Jarhead0331 on August 17, 2021, 01:13:24 PM
Quote from: Gusington on August 17, 2021, 12:44:30 PM
Damn you are quick, was just about to post that.

Jarhead Gonzales.

(https://www.runningpassion.it/media/foto/Speedy_Gonzales1_070106.jpg)
Title: Re: Next from Microprose...
Post by: Anguille on August 17, 2021, 01:48:26 PM
 :2funny: