I just got an email from the 2x2Games guys (Unity of Command) I was among the beta testers for the 1st one.
Unity of Command II is coming Q3 2019!!
Steam Linky for your perusal and trailer for maximum loin moistening. (I can't believe I even said that... ::))
https://store.steampowered.com/app/809230/Unity_of_Command_II/
This is fantastic news. There are only a few games I'm really looking forward to this year, and UoC2 is very much on that list. From everything I've seen in the Dev Diaries, this looks like it is going to build in really interesting ways on what was already an excellent, if somewhat limited, original game.
Loin moisteners engaged.
How is this game different than Order of Battle? They "look" so similar.
That's a good question, not least because both systems are modifications of the Panzer General formula!
Map scale is larger for UoC, and (partly in consequence) it features a far more continuous front line nominally. (Breaking this front and prosecuting deep penetrations behind it, are key to any UoC operation.) I could name other differences, mostly where UoC doesn't have as many options, also its supply level works a little differently (in practice vaporizing out of supply units completely after a couple of turns). But I can't tell what things have been significantly changed yet in the new UoC although the indications are that the devs have made some changes. Screenies so far suggest to me that a continuous front isn't so much a factor anymore, possibly due to scale changes.
Steam Workshop support should result in some great user-made scenarios. O0
So they're not using heads anymore.
That must've been just for 'head to head' play. :2funny:
Just watched the trailer and it has really evolved since the heads of the first game, looks great.
Not as great as Order of Battle, but still very good.
Wishlisted :)
Is it wego?
Unity of Command 2 now has a release date of sorts. It's dropping sometime in November, with beta applications open now.
Beta will start on October 21st.
https://unityofcommand.net/blog/2019/10/10/developer-diary-24/
SWEET.
Heh, due to the typo, I read that at first as "taking bets on when exactly in November". :D
And with Steam Workshop support, lots of juicy battles will follow. :dreamer:
Quote from: JasonPratt on October 10, 2019, 08:41:21 AM
Heh, due to the typo, I read that at first as "taking bets on when exactly in November". :D
Doh!
Quote from: jomni on February 28, 2019, 05:09:46 PM
So they're not using heads anymore.
Aww I liked the heads in the original, but it still looks like this will be a fun one.
Quote from: jomni on February 28, 2019, 05:09:46 PM
So they're not using heads anymore.
That's unfortunate - I used to enjoy blasting Foreigner's Head Games album in the background when I played....
Seems like that should have been an option (I liked either way at different times for different reasons).
It did become a game about blasting foreigners' heads, I suppose... :hide:
The heads were OK but they should have at least snarled at each other or something.
Ha!
Quote from: Sir Slash on October 11, 2019, 12:58:06 PM
The heads were OK but they should have at least snarled at each other or something.
My mother in law could help them with that :bd:
Looking nice! :dreamer:
This is releasing next Tuesday on November 12th, by the way.
:o
:D
2x2 is Gary Grigsby's outfit isn't it?
No that is 2x3.
It is looking really good too.
price is 29.99 but word is 10% on release.
Quote from: mbar on November 05, 2019, 12:08:19 PM
No that is 2x3.
Wow! Looks really good! And you get an editor!
Quote from: MengJiao on November 05, 2019, 03:22:19 PM
Quote from: mbar on November 05, 2019, 12:08:19 PM
No that is 2x3.
Wow! Looks really good! And you get an editor!
to get in the mood for Unity of Command II, I've been playing Unity of Command (the old one).
Quote from: MengJiao on November 10, 2019, 09:13:26 AM
Quote from: MengJiao on November 05, 2019, 03:22:19 PM
Quote from: mbar on November 05, 2019, 12:08:19 PM
No that is 2x3.
Wow! Looks really good! And you get an editor!
to get in the mood for Unity of Command II, I've been playing Unity of Command (the old one).
Same here....still damn difficult sometimes
'Puzzle like.'
Too many games being released, I can't play them all
Quote from: Gusington on November 10, 2019, 03:38:18 PM
'Puzzle like.'
That's why I'll pass. I want flexibility, not a puzzle.
The original UoC was definitely puzzle like but I have heard murmurs that the developers are attempting to make this second game less so.
Release in a couple of hours.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/809230/Unity_of_Command_II/
Out now, $30. Day-one purchase for me!
Cool!
Post impressions!!
I just dove into Overlord and took a look at another scenario. Very impressed. The strategic and HQ features are very good and a really good step-up from Unity of Command 1.
I think this is one of the most well-produced and great-looking WW2 games I've seen yet. Great UI production values, amount of scenarios, campaign and the editor - this is a good purchase.
With this and War Plan I think Xmas has come early.
Yeah. Between the HQ units, movable supply depots, and persistent units and support, I think this game will please the people who disliked the first one for being too "puzzle-y." There's still a fairly strict turn timer, but now there's at least a difficulty slider so you can lax the turn limit a bit. Feels like they took some more queues from the Panzer General playbook, which is always a plus for me!
I also gotta say that I LOVE the new options for special attacks, i.e. artillery suppression, feint attack, etc. A problem I had with UoC1 was that the infantry felt practically useless and only there to fill holes in your line and mop up damaged enemies. This game makes infantry much more useful with these special attacks that inflict suppression without taking the heavy losses associated with attacking a fortified position head-on.
I like what you guys are posting.
West front only for now?
Man, I want to retire so I can play! Alas! :dreamer:
Quote from: Gusington on November 12, 2019, 07:56:24 PM
I like what you guys are posting.
West front only for now?
Yeah, but apparently there's an eastern front DLC in the pipeline :dreamer:
Quote from: em2nought on November 12, 2019, 07:59:19 PM
Man, I want to retire so I can play! Alas! :dreamer:
Don't we all :'(
I wonder how far along the pipeline the East front is...
Read a couple steam reviews saying the manual/documentation is crap. Can anyone confirm?
I'm wrestling between picking this up or SD II.
I've been checking out some of UoC II gameplay on TheHistoricalGamer's Twitch channel. Good stuff.
Quote from: Ian C on November 12, 2019, 04:54:29 PM
With this and War Plan I think Xmas has come early.
It's not every year the holiday loin moistening starts BEFORE Thanksgiving.
Groggy
^Indeed.
Quote from: LoganismyHERO on November 12, 2019, 08:41:39 PM
Read a couple steam reviews saying the manual/documentation is crap. Can anyone confirm?
I'm wrestling between picking this up or SD II.
personally seems like the people in the forum are overreacting to the manual, but to each their own. how many games nowadays truly have a great manual or any at all? i am sure some are good, but the way people are judging this game solely on that seems a little much, especially if the game itself is decent. how complex is the game anyway, don't typically people describe this game series as somewhat easy to play but hard to master?
but of course people free to make their own buying decisions including based on the quality of the manual, especially if good game under the covers.
Review gave high marks but also mentioned lack of information as concern
https://www.wargamer.com/reviews/unity-of-command-2/
I was on the beta for this, and can absolutely recommend it. If you liked the first you'll find its a huge step forward and worthy sequel.
With regards to the manual/tutorial, just give them a little time - the game is complete and they are working hard on finishing documentation asap (its been mentioned in the beta forums).
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on November 13, 2019, 04:16:39 AM
Review gave high marks but also mentioned lack of information as concern
https://www.wargamer.com/reviews/unity-of-command-2/
That's a fair review. I've spent 4 hours on the game so far. Started the first main campaign mission and Overlord. I wasn't expecting the AI to be so active or challenging.
I played the beta too, really enjoyed it but I have a lot to learn
The AI in the original was no slouch and immediately jumped all over me once I made a stupid move.
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on November 13, 2019, 04:16:39 AM
Review gave high marks but also mentioned lack of information as concern
https://www.wargamer.com/reviews/unity-of-command-2/
There seem to be some lose ends in the information, but I'm used to that and basically the game is very good and fun.
Thanks for the comments folks. Being on a limited budget and the fact that I just found out that you can sim battles in SD2, I'm going that route for now, but for sure will pick this up early next year.
I would say SD2 is the better choice, having both strategy and tactical in one package is a winner.
Supply planning has tripped me up a few times and the AI has caused me to swear out loud. Good to see games of this depth.
What is SD2?
Steel division 2 I presume
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on November 13, 2019, 03:54:45 PM
Steel division 2 I presume
Yes, it could be. Didn't cross my mind as SD2 is hardly comparable with UoC. However, I understand that under time and money constraints we have to make decisions about what to play next.
Quote from: Emir Agic on November 13, 2019, 04:25:33 PM
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on November 13, 2019, 03:54:45 PM
Steel division 2 I presume
Yes, it could be. Didn't cross my mind as SD2 is hardly comparable with UoC. However, I understand that under time and money constraints we have to make decisions about what to play next.
Sorry, that was me. I won't interject my pathetic money issues anymore O0
Quote from: Ian C on November 13, 2019, 11:38:46 AM
Supply planning has tripped me up a few times and the AI has caused me to swear out loud. Good to see games of this depth.
It has its moments. Here the British 78th Infantry Division drives for Tunis after a reinforced 8th army to the south delivers the first blow. I thought the 78th was doomed and I was right, though the division got all the way to Tunis before being wiped out:
Quote from: MengJiao on November 13, 2019, 06:12:03 PM
Quote from: Ian C on November 13, 2019, 11:38:46 AM
Supply planning has tripped me up a few times and the AI has caused me to swear out loud. Good to see games of this depth.
It has its moments. Here the British 78th Infantry Division drives for Tunis after a reinforced 8th army to the south delivers the first blow. I thought the 78th was doomed and I was right, though the division got all the way to Tunis before being wiped out:
In the Beta I struggled like hell on this mission, but then i wasnt spending all my points... only realised just as beta was ending.
Quote from: FlickJax on November 14, 2019, 05:25:10 AM
Quote from: MengJiao on November 13, 2019, 06:12:03 PM
Quote from: Ian C on November 13, 2019, 11:38:46 AM
Supply planning has tripped me up a few times and the AI has caused me to swear out loud. Good to see games of this depth.
It has its moments. Here the British 78th Infantry Division drives for Tunis after a reinforced 8th army to the south delivers the first blow. I thought the 78th was doomed and I was right, though the division got all the way to Tunis before being wiped out:
In the Beta I struggled like hell on this mission, but then i wasnt spending all my points... only realised just as beta was ending.
With the campaign on Easy, I got through this first one okay with 50 points to get set-piece assaults for the US II Corp and the rest on steps for everybody. There's a lot of variation in strengths and perks and getting through Wadi Akrit can be tricky.
It's been a long time since I played unity of command (and I forgot), so it's worth mentioning that you can add reinforcements during play via the HQ and also buy reinforcements and attachments during the pre-battle phase.
The latest patch also adds a new tutorial for HQs which is vital to understanding how to win battles using the HQ features.
Is this game much like Panzer General, where once you know the order of which units to move when the scenario is 'solved'?
How is replayability of the game? Any quick battles or random battles?
I picked it up in spite of having bounced off the first game almost immediately. Played through the four tutorials, which were a bit vague in places but I got through them. Turned it off, went and played some Hell Let Loose but was thinking about things I should have tried and ended up firing it back up and playing the first campaign mission (normal difficulty) which I lost by 1 movement point from the objective though I had no idea what I was doing most of the time. This put me right at the 2 hour mark for Steam refund but I think I'm keeping it. Already planning to RTFM and try that first scenario again ;)
Reminds me a bit of Battle Academy but at a larger scale and I am a fan of Battle Academy's presentation and ease of play while still having meat to it. My tolerance for games that confuse complicated rules and rivet counting for "realism" is waning. This seems to get the broad ideas right. I was working to get breakthroughs and encircling enemy units, cutting off their supply and overrunning supply dumps and displacing HQ's but they were quick to try and break out of those encirclements and cut off my forward units when they could. It certainly wasn't a walk. And I was unable in the end to push that last hex to the objective due to my armor unit being out of supply thanks to enemy action.
One minor complaint is you left click the map and drag to move it, but if you have a unit selected it will sometimes instead move that unit and you cannot always undo a move if you discover new enemy or run into a ZOC. Got me a couple times last night.
Quote from: Yskonyn on November 14, 2019, 10:31:15 AM
How is replayability of the game? Any quick battles or random battles?
There is the main campaign, a scenario editor (not for quick use, more a modding tool) and also these single battles:
4th Cassino
Advance To Antwerp
Avalanche
Battle of the Bulge
Belfort Gap
Battle of the Bocage
Colmar Pocket
Dragoon
Gothic Line
Hurtgen
Husky
Ljubljana Gap
Lorraine
Lumberjack & Undertone
Market Garden
Monte Cassino
Normandy Breakout
Overlord
Po Valley
Roads From Rome
Race Across France
Rhin et Danube
Plunder
Road From Rimini
Rush for the Apennines
Scheldt
End at the Elbe
Tunis
Veritable and Grenade
Volturno Line
Wadi Akarit
Quote from: Ian C on November 14, 2019, 11:53:08 AM
Quote from: Yskonyn on November 14, 2019, 10:31:15 AM
How is replayability of the game? Any quick battles or random battles?
There is the main campaign, a scenario editor (not for quick use, more a modding tool) and also these single battles:
4th Cassino
Advance To Antwerp
Avalanche
Battle of the Bulge
Belfort Gap
Battle of the Bocage
Colmar Pocket
Dragoon
Gothic Line
Hurtgen
Husky
Ljubljana Gap
Lorraine
Lumberjack & Undertone
Market Garden
Monte Cassino
Normandy Breakout
Overlord
Po Valley
Roads From Rome
Race Across France
Rhin et Danube
Plunder
Road From Rimini
Rush for the Apennines
Scheldt
End at the Elbe
Tunis
Veritable and Grenade
Volturno Line
Wadi Akarit
Is the set up the same every time in each scenario or does it depend on how the previous one ended? It affects replayability I guess.
Quote from: Emir Agic on November 13, 2019, 04:25:33 PM
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on November 13, 2019, 03:54:45 PM
Steel division 2 I presume
Yes, it could be. Didn't cross my mind as SD2 is hardly comparable with UoC. However, I understand that under time and money constraints we have to make decisions about what to play next.
I'd say it is due to the strategy layer added to SD2. Having played both it isn't a far off statement.
Quote from: rocketman on November 14, 2019, 01:03:15 PM
Is the set up the same every time in each scenario or does it depend on how the previous one ended?
The single missions listed above are played 'as is' with an historical OOB.
The main campaign has persistent units that grow in experience and can be reinforced/expanded via the campaign play, in the pre-battle/setup phase.
Also, the scenarios feel more open than the first game. The Sicily map is a good example since you start with landing crafts and paratroopers in planes off the coast and choose where to deploy them. Once you've taken some ground, you can use supply trucks to set up your own depots, so you don't necessarily need to rush to capture a major supply point in the first turn or whatever. The inclusion of landing craft and paratroopers is a really nice substitute for custom unit placement, at least for the scenarios that utilize them (I assume Overlord will as well but I haven't gotten there yet.)
Sounds like a lot of game for the money. And the comparisons to Battle Academy and Panzer Corps makes me swoon, as I like both very much.
Quote from: Gusington on November 14, 2019, 02:02:46 PM
Sounds like a lot of game for the money. And the comparisons to Battle Academy and Panzer Corps makes me swoon, as I like both very much.
Picked it up today.
Very polished and all tutorials are now present and clearly presented.
I only dabbled with UOC1 despite enjoying it but this version has bags more potential.
So far so (very) good :bd:
Quote from: Gusington on November 14, 2019, 02:02:46 PM
Sounds like a lot of game for the money.
It is. I'm pleasantly astonished.
Sweet! Also sounds more accessible than the first game.
Quote from: Yskonyn on November 14, 2019, 10:31:15 AM
Is this game much like Panzer General, where once you know the order of which units to move when the scenario is 'solved'?
How is replayability of the game? Any quick battles or random battles?
By comparison to the answers already given, UoC1 is even
more like Panzer General in this regard: in PG (and most of its successors, apparently including UoC2 now) your force composition can vary considerably based on how you choose to spend your influence between and during missions. That's much more limited in UoC1, which is partly a factor of the scale: you're throwing whole corps at the problem, which inherently restricts how much variation you can introduce into your setups in several ways. Between that and even briefer time constraints for getting missions done, UoC1 is much more of a puzzle-like game than any other PG-ish system I've played.
An inadvertent side-effect to the original system design, is that you have to choose between having your whole campaign randomly crushed by weather, or turning off weather factors totally (which sure doesn't reflect East Front action and strategy)! This is rarely an insta-kill fatal problem in other PG-ish games (and it seems like UoC2 has adjusted accordingly).
A little perversely, now that UoC2 is out, I'm thinking of attempting a UoC1 mega campaign and beating the thing at last! ::) :coolsmiley:
(That didn't stop me from instantly buying UoC2, which Steam is selling for under $25.)
Quote from: JasonPratt on November 14, 2019, 07:29:53 PM
A little perversely, now that UoC2 is out, I'm thinking of attempting a UoC1 mega campaign and beating the thing at last! ::) :coolsmiley:
Now there's an idea, one worthy of reviving the old "HA, I finally beat it!" thread. I hope they do a new Eastern Front mega-campaign in the new game system, whenever they get around to that side of the DLC.
Review from Rock Paper Shotgun: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2019/11/15/unity-of-command-2-review/
Game Guides: https://steamcommunity.com/app/809230/discussions/0/1638675549025186438/
Tim Stone (RPS) is swooning over it!!
PC Gamer gave high marks, not sure if I see them do that much with wargames.....
https://www.pcgamer.com/unity-of-command-2-review/
Ok thanks guys! It seems like I'll have a new target for my loyalty coupon now that I've found out you can't stack coupons and CMO already gave me 50% off.
It feels like Christmas at Matrix for me. :)
They stated lifting the veil on Distant Worlds 2 near the end of the year as well so things couldn't have been better right now! 😊😄
Is uoc2 played solo from either side or just allies?
Bought it, enjoying the tutorials, learnt a lot already :)
Quote from: demjansk1942 on November 16, 2019, 06:17:53 AM
Is uoc2 played solo from either side or just allies?
The Campaign is allied side only.
Expansions likely to allow axis play I believe.
Oh drat! I just found out Unity of Command 2 isn't published by Matrix anymore. :nerd:
Quote from: Yskonyn on November 16, 2019, 11:03:28 AM
Oh drat! I just found out Unity of Command 2 isn't published by Matrix anymore. :nerd:
Ah ha! So that's why it wasn't $60.
Really like this, best i have bought in a while....
I crashed my desktop just after completing the Cassino mission and it's erased my entire game save. Would anyone have a campaign saved up to this point they can share with me please?
I thought about replaying the campaign but heck, it's a tough game and it took me ages to crack it so far. I just want to get onto the 4th Cassino mission next if I can.
The game save is here if anyone is interested:
C:\Users\YOUR NAME\AppData\Local\.uoc2\save\campaigns.
Thanks.
I re-started the campaign and I'm actually doing a lot better this time around...
Quote from: Ian C on November 20, 2019, 07:17:18 AM
I re-started the campaign and I'm actually doing a lot better this time around...
Too bad the real commanders didn't have that option!
Quote from: bobarossa on November 20, 2019, 05:18:01 PM
Too bad the real commanders didn't have that option!
Huh? When I was studying the Napoleonic Wars there were quite a few campaign restarts by the Austrians, Russians and Prussians. France even had a short restart followed by a ragequit.
Germany did a few restarts in the 19th and 20th Century with France.
But they changed the rules and units between games. France didn't figure that out.
Quote from: bobarossa on November 20, 2019, 07:52:20 PM
But they changed the rules and units between games. France didn't figure that out.
Freaking modders.
Update 4
New Features:
New hotkeys: U/I for camera zoom
New hotkeys: J/K for "Next unit" / "Skip unit"
Option to ignore the system UI scaling
HQ Engineering Reminder at End of Conference
Localization update
Fixes:
AI crash fix
Fixed campaign victory banner shown after losing a scenario
Fixed towed spec becoming unsuppressed on emergency supply
Fixed status billboards for LCI and para units
Fixed para drops with specialists from previous scenario
Fixed Schelde cost (200 - > 0)
Fixed Finland in the campaign map
Map changes:
Additional beach-type coast added to northern Sicily
Balance fixes and scenario changes (campaign restart required to experience these):
Scheldt: Axis truck supply added to Welcheren
Scheldt: saturation strikes replaced with recon
purchaseable Free French infantry steps added to late war segments
purchaseable South African infantry steps added to alternate Italian branch
purchaseable Brazilian infantry steps added to alternate Italian branch
Lumberjack & undertone: bugged french armor division fix
Lumberjack & undertone: unit placement fixes
End at the Elbe: US 97 ID now correctly under US 15th Army
Road from Rimini: deployment phase added
Race Across France: deployment phase added
US towed arty price fix for late war northern Europe segments. (cost change: 10 --> 20)
Market Garden is a tough one to crack and it's holding up my campaign progression...
I am really enjoying UoC II.
I enjoyed the first one, but this one just adds a few more layers that make it that much more enjoyable.
I wish we would see something other than World War Two. I know there are few other military operations/campaigns that have room for operational art like World War Two, but I'd even settle for something fictional.
If this was global and had a strategic layer of production, diplomacy, espionage, research and unit building my gaming life would be complete.
I cracked Market Garden. If you're stuck on it there's knack to it. No spoilers, but it may involve re-thinking the typical operational strategy for conducting it...
Game is on sale and I'm seriously thinking of picking it up. For $12 it seems like a "hell yes" purchase. I've heard it can be pretty brutal on newer-ish wargamers.
^ Compared to the first game, this one is a lot friendlier on newcomers because it has difficulty settings that extend the turn timer. 100% worth it.
Also, this thread reminded me that I never picked up the Barbarossa DLC. Time to hit the Ostfront :bd:
It can be brutal to experienced wargamers too. I cannot figure out how to adequately manage the supply and logistics system. I find this extremely frustrating because it appears that there is really very little strategy involved in the game beyond the logistics system. I'm sure fans of the series will vehemently disagree.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on June 15, 2021, 02:58:10 PM
It can be brutal to experienced wargamers too. I cannot figure out how to adequately manage the supply and logistics system. I find this extremely frustrating because it appears that there is really very little strategy involved in the game beyond the logistics system. I'm sure fans of the series will vehemently disagree.
Food for thought, thanks. I did just buy WitW, so maybe I'll just focus my attention on that O0
As JH said, supply and logistics also kicked my ass in the original. I imagine that kind of thing would not be changed in this new game. I do love the new graphics.
I don't think the original was a game that you were really intended to Max. Like the original Panzer General games and a hundred clones since then, each scenario is a bit of a puzzle game, but you didn't have to win a Decisive Victory each time to move the game forward.
The real trick with logistics, I found, was to plan ahead and to NEVER let the enemy cut off your own logistics. And resign yourself to not winning a Decisive Victory every time. Let's face it, if you took a gamble AND got a bad combat result, or if the weather ever broke against you, you weren't winning a Decisive Victory. In that sense, it felt more like real history than anything else.
At its heart, the original game was just Panzer General with logistics and weather. The new game is much richer and more entertaining, but I struggled to get into it like the original. It's still on my short list, but I've not found my way back to it yet.
For me it was never about the enemy cutting my supply off. It was more about not being able to keep supply up as my forces advanced. I was always able to defeat the enemy, but my units always ran beyond their supply and then withered on the vine. I could not figure out the logistics system as far as how to relocate or add new supply dumps and manage the trucks which were always in ridiculously short supply. The problem is obviously with my lack of understanding the system, but its just not worth the tedium for me.
Totally agree with Faraway on the puzzle-like elements to the original also...I forgot about that.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on June 16, 2021, 08:08:36 AM
For me it was never about the enemy cutting my supply off. It was more about not being able to keep supply up as my forces advanced. I was always able to defeat the enemy, but my units always ran beyond their supply and then withered on the vine. I could not figure out the logistics system as far as how to relocate or add new supply dumps and manage the trucks which were always in ridiculously short supply. The problem is obviously with my lack of understanding the system, but its just not worth the tedium for me.
I get it. Not all games are for all people. Mostly it's just "Supply starts at a friendly, connected railroad hex, town, or supply dump and pushes out from there." There was an interface selection that let you view supply levels hex-by-hex on the map.
I found it to be an interesting wrinkle to add to the puzzle-like aspects of games like Panzer General that we'd already been playing for almost 20 years. I also found the AI was particularly adroit at cutting off my supply lines, so I had to be careful to keep isolated enemy units boxed in while they withered on the vine. If you understand 5% of the way Logistics work in
Shadow Empires, you'd be in a good place.
I'll freely admit that I struggled more with supply in the sequel than in the original.