Looks like Petroglyph is taking on WW1 with an RTS that has a "strategic layer".
Empire at War World War I??
HOLY SHIT BALLS <:-)
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2109370/The_Great_War_Western_Front/
RTS :-\. I might be able to handle it at the speed the trailer showed. <:-)
I am generally excited for a game with this subject and scope.
However the game it looks like they are doing has me a little wary.
I can't put my finger on it exactly, but the very short snippet of gameplay makes me wonder if it is little too "arcade-like" for my tastes. More Cossacks III than Combat Mission. I'm not really expecting Combat Mission...but I would like to see a game where an A-7 is a rare and very slow beast...as it was in real life.
Anyway, will wait to see how it all shapes up as they get closer to release.
Yeah, I wasn't enamored of the hordes of A7V's rushing trench lines.
I seem to recall there WAS in fact a WW1 game based on the Cossacks engine! -- I vaguely even recall buying it (from NWS maybe)...
Quote from: JasonPratt on August 27, 2022, 11:47:57 AM
I seem to recall there WAS in fact a WW1 game based on the Cossacks engine! -- I vaguely even recall buying it (from NWS maybe)...
I don't know about that. But there was / is a game called "World War 1" that is an RTS / strategy game based on the Blitzkrieg engine...done by "1C". The game is currently on sale for less than a dollar on Steam.
I have it, played it a bit...just wasn't very impressed. No real attempted realism as I recall.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/361380/World_War_I/ (https://store.steampowered.com/app/361380/World_War_I/)
I don't remember a WW1 game on the Cossacks Engine.
I do remember American Conquest, because one bundle version of the game put my friend Brien's face on the cover (he was a reenactor) without asking his permission.
Quote from: JasonPratt on August 27, 2022, 11:47:57 AM
I seem to recall there WAS in fact a WW1 game based on the Cossacks engine! -- I vaguely even recall buying it (from NWS maybe)...
https://store.steampowered.com/app/285480/The_Entente_Gold/
(https://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/285480/ss_917a7508e394b082dfeaf75baa93b27c17526d71.600x338.jpg?t=1659618090) (https://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/285480/ss_e6a10a05245ed2d1bb5352528e5e32331f771206.600x338.jpg?t=1659618090)
Don't forget
https://store.steampowered.com/app/361380/World_War_I/
Used the same Enigma game engine as Blitzkrieg
Wow...never knew about those.
I remember buying this one and being supremely disappointed as a youngster...
Quote from: Apocalypse 31 on August 27, 2022, 03:47:49 PM
Don't forget
https://store.steampowered.com/app/361380/World_War_I/
Used the same Enigma game engine as Blitzkrieg
It would be hard to forget... ArizonaTank posted it 3 messages before yours. :D
I have been waiting for a game like this since...almost since the actual Great War, it feels like.
I bought all the games posted above and each was more craptacular than the last :/
Hoping Western Front can be far less craptacular.
Cautiously excited about this. It certainly does not look cutting edge and what makes me wary is that the soldiers look like they may be individually controlled like an age of empires game which might get very messy.
Definitely interested in this. My hopes are great but my expectations are low. Even so I'm keeping my eye on this one.
I remember buying that Historyline game in college, and returning it to the store for credit when I discovered a game-breaking bug.
And yep, the Entente was what I was thinking of! -- though I also recall the Blitzkrieg engine entry. (Pretty sure I have both of those somewhere.)
Meanwhile, if you're talking about real-time (pausable) WW1 tactical action, plus a strategic overmap campaign as icing on the cake (or perhaps vice versa ;) ), the current no-contest winner (as of 7 months ago anyway) is:
The two main downsides -- which are due to hard-coded game engine factors (as might be expected) -- are (1) pretty much totally lacking trench warfare; and (2) the naval campaign has to use heavily modified 1800s ship graphics. But the ships ARE meant to be the real surface ships of the period (and are shown as such on the campaign map and the techs). ...yes, surface ships, no sub warefare really (unless as an abstraction). The air war is naturally abstracted, too, although scout planes are a thing on the map (little Eindeckers!)
^I have this loaded and ready to go on my PC. Haven't tried the newest iteration but I did try to play it years ago - maybe v1.0 - and just couldn't get into it as much as I loved the subject. Have you spent time with this newest version?
Alas, no -- too many shiny things! :dreamer:
it occurred to me the other day, that VASSAL modules exist for the 1914 monster board games, and I know there are attempts at synthesizing those into a grand campaign (at least for 1914), and I recall figuring out how to pull assets out of Vassal into forms that Tabletop Simulator can use (which is how a ton of things get to TTS, like most of GMT's catalog), which would be super-handy for trying to run a grand campaign, perhaps even as solo (since there are solo rules for those games)............
...alas, no -- too many shiny things elsewhere. :dreamer:
:-[
I've spent quite a lot of time with that mod for NTW. It really is a huge improvement over the previous version. What stopped me from playing it though eventually was the fact that the ai tends to spawn stacks of doom out of no where. I just couldn't keep up with the money needed to hire the soldiers to counter these stacks. :-[
"Lord John" has been running a Germany campaign since July 2021, on the new 6.0 version. (The dev asked him to do that for public demonstration, in order to show off the fullness.)
Worth noting that the dev has been working on this Nappy:TW mod since Christmas 2001! :o :o :o :o
Full playlist to the end of his campaign here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1bVcquAT5h3ZzxZ_eaN_yNUmvDx5fn5N
Thanks guys. I just launched my version of the The Great War mod and I see that it is v5.2 - how/where do I update?
I think you go to mdb, download the current version of the mod, unzip it (with 7p or Winrar or whatever) to somewhere as a new 'data' folder, then copy or move it into the NTW install folder to replace the original 'data' folder.
It's a complete overhaul, and NTW (unlike Rome2 and subsequent TWs) doesn't have true workshop or mod functionality. So the installation is pretty simple, but also totally overwrites NTW.
Edited to add: I think the mod is here? https://www.moddb.com/mods/the-great-war-mod/downloads/the-great-war-mod-vi
Thanks Pratt! I wish it were available in Steam Workshop.
Oh boy...
First look at the strategic layer...
^Looks like this one has to be a Day 1 purchase.
Quote from: W8taminute on November 18, 2022, 09:23:27 PM
^Looks like this one has to be a Day 1 purchase.
Totally.
I get the love of the Total War mod and the constant attempts to adapt a WW1 game to that genre, but it looks like Petroglyph actually has wisely and finally adapted WW1 from the ground up to work in this genre, rather than mods in Total War or HOI that try to fit the square peg into the round hole.
Fingers crossed that this is THE WWI game we've all been waiting for.
Between this and Knights of Honor 2 I am so ecstatic.
I am very curious how the AI will behave here...will it be true to life and pour resources and men into a lost cause, or will it be more dynamic?
This looks awesome. Just catching up now, is there any ETA on the release date?
I've only seen '2023' - I think Q1.
Some new analysis videos of the early game have been released on The YouTube :nerd:
^You're such a WWI slut. :crazy2:
Guilty as charged. But I have been waiting for game exactly like this since what feels like the actual war. I am happily surprised to see that Petroglyph could be my savior.
Moist loins and trenches are probably a bad combination...just saying.
There are worse things to be called than a WWI Slut. And if you're going to be a slut anyway, why not be a Great War one? I'm probably not helping am I? :-[
Quote from: steve58 on November 28, 2022, 05:18:35 PM
Moist loins and trenches are probably a bad combination...just saying.
Gold Bond applied liberally perhaps might help?
Trench 'foot'... :wow: :hide:
A little more on weapons and tactics in this one.
Quote from: Gusington on November 29, 2022, 07:36:43 PM
A little more on weapons and tactics in this one.
He said "Axis Powers"!
Torches and pitchforks to the comments!
:D
^Someone in the comments called him out!!
Italy and Japan: "Hmmmmmmmmmm...." {making notes}
Video from Petroglyph - 'Defining the Front Line'
Lot of press popping up for this today:
https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/cc-remastered-devs-new-ww1-rts-is-aiming-for-a-very-different-kind-of-tactical-
Quote from: Gusington on December 08, 2022, 09:26:11 PM
Lot of press popping up for this today:
https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/cc-remastered-devs-new-ww1-rts-is-aiming-for-a-very-different-kind-of-tactical-
404ed!
Whoa. Ok...I swear it was there two hours ago.
Try this?
https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/cc-remastered-devs-new-ww1-rts-is-aiming-for-a-very-different-kind-of-tactical-victory
Much better.
You know though, that's weird. I did a search on RPS for Great War thinking that's why the link was dead and no recent results came up.
Ghost in the machine?
Oh man I hope it's not a sign that this is just vaporware. Talk about getting somebody's hopes up and then crushing it in a slow agonizing manner.
No definitely not vaporware...there is a marketing machine that is just getting started for this one with Petroglyph. And it looks like this game is a labor of love for many of the people working on it.
^Thanks I needed to hear that. Yeah Petroglyph wouldn't jerk us around like that.
I posted a video for this last night as well. Watch it and bask in the nerdiness. This game is being made by our kinda people.
This will be video game crack for son, day one purchase for him.
And me.
Today on my lunch break I passed a car that had a driver in it holding onto a long glass something or other in his mouth with the windows rolled up.
I'm sure it was nothing though.
wut
Well speaking of game crack I just so happened to notice some guy was possibly doing some in his car on my lunch break.
Depending on how long it was, it might have been a bong, which would mean weed
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1085/8818/products/thick-ass-glass-super-thick-beaker-bong-bong-f18-14-wp-289t-0212c-sd-03-28154513784906_960x.jpg?v=1628837908)
How did we get here?
I don't know, I'm too busy drinking kerosene-flavored booze in the trenches to keep track of what's going on. :buck2:
Quote from: Gusington on December 09, 2022, 05:28:40 PM
How did we get here?
You're the caretaker. You've....always...been the caretaker. I should know sir, I've always been here.
You can say that again.
(https://preview.redd.it/lwp1a0tjfzu41.png?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=f1d5f2c736e97b26d2546db078a0104f75d2a636)
I have tried to stop pre-ordering but have to for this...March 30 release day :twirl:
The Great War: Western Front Gameplay and Developer Interview :
https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1726901658
The Great War: Western Front | First Look by The Historical Gamer
Preordered. :privatedancer: :privatedancer:
Hawt. Some kind of NDA must have ended today because the previews are coming fast and furious.
and
Oh man, I gotta watch these later on tonight. Thanks for the links Gus.
Wurd.
This has all the makings of one those types of games you buy on release no questions asked. Anyhoos, there is a demo starting monday the 6th on Steam and will be available for 1 week.{i believe}.
Balloons are everywhere today:
https://www.pcgamer.com/i-lost-thousands-of-soldiers-in-the-great-war-western-front-because-i-forgot-my-balloon/
Great War Western Front demo is coming on the 6th to steam iirc. Looking forward to it.
:Dreamer: me too
Pre-ordered last night.
Quote from: Gusington on February 04, 2023, 07:29:03 PM:Dreamer: me too
Pre-ordered last night.
Pre-ordered this afternoon!
You're late!! :RockOn:
I am holing off until the demo to see how it really plays before I decide on purchasing. If it does well, then will pre purchase but since the demo is soon, might as well wait and confirm it is as good as it might seem. The fact they are willing to share a demo bodes well that they aren't afraid to have people play before buying so fingers crossed.
I see why they did a demo, get's them new customers like me:) Really impressed what I see, seems to have a lot of deep things going on and I likely will stink, but it was fun even playing the tutorial. Can't wait now.
:Party: :Party:
Just watched someone play the tutorials in the demo version...
Wow there are so many mechanics in this game. If it is balanced it could be an absolute masterpiece.
Started the demo last night. I was very happy to see the demo includes a taste of campaign gameplay, not just a single battle. Didn't spend too much time but I really like what I see so far.
This game, unless it makes me rage quit for some reason, should hold my attention for quite a while when it does release.
Ok so I spent more time with the demo, specifically the campaign portion of it. Fought my first defensive battle and the tutorial does a really good job of walking the player through the various options and tools at your disposal. Really clean gameplay without being a frantic click fest.
I found a lot of joy setting up the strategic map with all the preparations necessary to wage a WW1 style campaign. This game seems deep without being overwhelming.
Next up I'll try to the offensive battle tutorial.
I'd like to see more carnage. Bodies shouldn't disappear quite as quickly and should be scattered around no man's land. Also, is terrain deformable, or is it static? It was hard to tell from the single defensive battle I played.
Otherwise, this game is clearly going to be a hit. Its very well done.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on February 09, 2023, 09:27:51 AMI'd like to see more carnage. Bodies shouldn't disappear quite as quickly and should be scattered around no man's land. Also, is terrain deformable, or is it static? It was hard to tell from the single defensive battle I played.
Otherwise, this game is clearly going to be a hit. Its very well done.
The terrain in tactical battles will be different in each Campaign as players invest in main trenches/barbed wire/strongpoints/communiction trenches but the trench lines themselves, once placed will persist as the region changes hands (as they did historically). German trenches were always seen as preferable to British or French ones for example by Allied troops due to better build quality....("Vorsprung Durch Technic") :grin:
They updated their demo. I take that as a good sign.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on February 09, 2023, 09:27:51 AMI'd like to see more carnage. Bodies shouldn't disappear quite as quickly and should be scattered around no man's land. Also, is terrain deformable, or is it static? It was hard to tell from the single defensive battle I played.
Otherwise, this game is clearly going to be a hit. Its very well done.
Two counterpoints:
- Agreed on the carnage. I too noticed bodies while they are in the middle of dying fly all over the place but do not remain on the battlefield long. I guess we wait for the released version to confirm.
- Terrain, according to the let's play videos I've watched are deformable in that they get pockmarked with craters, forests turn into stumps, etc. If you are asking whether hills can be raised/lowered via terraforming techniques then I don't think that's possible. Maybe in a map editor if one comes with the final version of the game?
Yeah just downloaded the demo update. How many tutorials are there right now?
Quote from: Gusington on February 09, 2023, 08:41:18 PMYeah just downloaded the demo update. How many tutorials are there right now?
Seven Chapters I believe.
Played the demo a bit and I like it. But so far something seems off. I am not finished learning the tactical battles and how they work yet. I think I was expecting more detail in the infantry details panel. Exactly what loadouts they had and who their commander is. What the companies exact designation is, 2 Co, 51st Sutherland highlanders CO such and such, 100 rifles, rifle grenades, lewis guns x 2 etc.
I am also finding that I really would have liked to see the exact trench line to see where to attack, but the hexes kind of prevent that. Still learning it though, so these are just my initial feelings. A ww1 game is obviously a treasure even if it is not perfect. This one is at a minumum, good.
Oh and the voice overs. Save me I am sure they are from cossacks 2 napolenic. Very bad. Very canned.
Quote from: Destraex on February 10, 2023, 04:56:17 AMPlayed the demo a bit and I like it. But so far something seems off. I am not finished learning the tactical battles and how they work yet. I think I was expecting more detail in the infantry details panel. Exactly what loadouts they had and who their commander is. What the companies exact designation is, 2 Co, 51st Sutherland highlanders CO such and such, 100 rifles, rifle grenades, lewis guns x 2 etc.
I am also finding that I really would have liked to see the exact trench line to see where to attack, but the hexes kind of prevent that. Still learning it though, so these are just my initial feelings. A ww1 game is obviously a treasure even if it is not perfect. This one is at a minumum, good.
Oh and the voice overs. Save me I am sure they are from cossacks 2 napolenic. Very bad. Very canned.
I noticed that too regarding the unit display panel. Even if you hover over a unit card I don't remember seeing the detail you talk about. I'll have to look for this when I play the demo again.
As for the exact locations of the trenches you do see them clearly once the battle begins after the preparation/setup phase is complete. During the prep phase the trench positions appear as white icons giving a non-clear indication of the trench positioning but rather a graphical overview which might seem off putting.
Quote from: W8taminute on February 10, 2023, 08:26:56 AMQuote from: Destraex on February 10, 2023, 04:56:17 AMPlayed the demo a bit and I like it. But so far something seems off. I am not finished learning the tactical battles and how they work yet. I think I was expecting more detail in the infantry details panel. Exactly what loadouts they had and who their commander is. What the companies exact designation is, 2 Co, 51st Sutherland highlanders CO such and such, 100 rifles, rifle grenades, lewis guns x 2 etc.
I am also finding that I really would have liked to see the exact trench line to see where to attack, but the hexes kind of prevent that. Still learning it though, so these are just my initial feelings. A ww1 game is obviously a treasure even if it is not perfect. This one is at a minumum, good.
Also is it possible to move re-enforcements into an area from an ajacent hex as/while a battle is in progress?
Oh and the voice overs. Save me I am sure they are from cossacks 2 napolenic. Very bad. Very canned.
I noticed that too regarding the unit display panel. Even if you hover over a unit card I don't remember seeing the detail you talk about. I'll have to look for this when I play the demo again.
As for the exact locations of the trenches you do see them clearly once the battle begins after the preparation/setup phase is complete. During the prep phase the trench positions appear as white icons giving a non-clear indication of the trench positioning but rather a graphical overview which might seem off putting.
I am more talking about the strategic map. I want to see the front line. But because the strategic map is static, they do not draw the trench line as you move forward I guess. Part of the reason I want to see the front line is because once I break through, I want to see that I will then be able to actually get into green fields and clear ground and see what the war is like then. However I am guessing we are restricted to winning the war through trench warfare. I guess it is considered won once a breakthrough happens.
Note to self: Read up on operation michael and see if they got past the trenches and did not encounter more.
I really like this game after playing it some more. Just need some clarification on the multiplayer aspect.
There is just so much depth in terms of things to try and it's been really well thought out.
A few things here and there I would have liked improved but generally, the game is a triumph. Finally a ww1 game that is worth it's salt.
(https://i.imgur.com/302SWd7.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/U9EjzHn.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/rzVNoIv.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/xCU07fE.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/lQYzot5.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/tYid8g9.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/NppKhb8.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/8MstipX.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/AI3vyJI.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/FDjD9rS.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/SzcTHc1.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/5wkKUK1.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/oVzLiGe.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/63Teor4.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/T2Q05hr.jpg)
Nice AAR Destraex!
I went through all of those sections of the tutorial and also absolutely loved it. The game does seem to be well thought out.
I think it's important to understand the intentions of the developers. Although theoretically you should be able to blitz your way through once you break through a hex that is fortified I have the feeling that the next hex in 'green pastures' will bog you down again. So you have to bash your head against the wall again multiple times before advancing further. WW1 baby! That's what is was.
As boring as it might sound to rinse and repeat the same thing over and over again I think it will have it's little variations in each hex keeping it interesting. At least for me. If a game is well fleshed out I actually enjoy doing the same thing over and over again.
I decree it.
This is the one.
Somebody say something bad about this game so I will stop wanting it. Can you help a Brother out?
Quote from: Sir Slash on February 10, 2023, 10:22:57 PMSomebody say something bad about this game so I will stop wanting it. Can you help a Brother out?
It's potentially going to be like Petroglyph's other masterpiece, Empire at War. So good and defining that it will be hard to live up to, so it won't get a follow on. So in 20 years we probably won't have a better game and just our nostalgia because our EloZuker-Gates 9000 Full Haptic VR Helm won't run it.
Quote from: Sir Slash on February 10, 2023, 10:22:57 PMSomebody say something bad about this game so I will stop wanting it. Can you help a Brother out?
Some things seem backwards. Such as the scores above. You can see the Allied Casualties listed under the German flag. Technically correct, but really it should be listed as enemy casualties if being taken from the German perspective. A lot of things in game are like this. For instance when you are in a trench you get a cover bonus, iirc it's listed as a negative. Instead of cover bonus +X it is listed as "damage reduced"... which could be taken as you do less damage to the enemy. I assume this is not the case as the icon when you are in a trench is a brick wall.
They say things like burned instead of burnt... ;)
(https://i.imgur.com/evNme1x.jpg)
Thank you Destraex. :coolsmiley: That was too close.
Quote from: Sir Slash on February 11, 2023, 11:35:16 AMThank you Destraex. :coolsmiley: That was too close.
Anytime.
I fear though that it was simply not enough. :P
Oh and I just noticed it's not "Allied Casualties" but "Allies Casualties". But should they not be using Entente powers and Central Powers?
It's worth mentioning that this game uses Denuvo DRM. This may be of interest to those using SSD drives and concerned with performance issues, but I recommend doing your own research into it.
QuoteDenuvo has been criticised for high central processing unit (CPU) usage and excessive writing operations on storage components, the latter causing significant life-span reductions for solid-state drives (SSDs). Denuvo Software Solutions has denied both claims. In the case of Tekken 7 and Sonic Mania Plus, Denuvo caused a significant decrease in performance in several parts of these games. Sam Machkovech of Ars Technica reviewed in-depth how Denuvo was causing performance penalties, releasing an article on the matter in December 2018. In December 2018, Joel Hruska of ExtremeTech compared the performance of multiple games with Denuvo enabled and disabled, and found that the games tested had significantly higher frame rates and lower loading times when Denuvo was not used. Richard Leadbetter of Digital Foundry compared the performance of a pirated version of Resident Evil Village which had stripped out Denuvo and Capcom's additional copy protection against the release version for Windows, and found that the DRM-stripped version performed far better than the released game.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denuvo
More writes is never better for an SSD that only has so many writes per cell.
Frankly I am surprised piracy is still such a big issue in the industry. But given a lot of the language editing and voice overs perhaps the dev team comes from a place where it's still a huge problem.
A lot of games still use this drm, hogwarts that just released has it as well. As always would prefer not to have any drm but hasn't been a decision in my game purchases if I really want to play the game. I know some games have removed it sometime after release. Haven't noticed anything personally but if behind the scenes it's reducing my system lifespan than certainly understand not a great thing although i can't recall keeping my computer long enough where that has ever been an issue.
From what I have read the idea that Denuvo damages SSDs has been pretty thoroughly debunked, but it HAS been well documented that it hampers performance. And the other irony of course is that inclusion of Denuvo often inspires pirates to get particularly aggressive about cracking it- there are very few games that are able to remain unpirated for long.
Absolutely idiotic decision to use Denuvo.
I can't imagine anyone knowingly buying a game with that monstrosity on it.
Well I'll let you guys know what happens when this game installs on day 1. Already pre-purchased the game before knowing about this DRM.
Just like everything else in life, you think you finally found the perfect game and indeed it does seem to be the perfect game. Then you find out there is something questionable attached to it. Great...
I too am not particularly excited by this development :embarrassed:
There is a curator on Steam (and I don't remember how you add curators anymore) called Denuvo Games. They keep track of all the games with Denuvo and whether or not it has been removed. It is one of the only curators I am subscribed to and as a result it comes up on any game that has Denuvo installed. Useful.
Well shoot, crapped on by a starforce wanna be. The only thing that would have been worse is stormpowered. :ROFL:
If multiplayer works out to be something my friends will play, I will probably still get it. That is unless somebody has any concrete evidence that it kills hardware.
Quote from: W8taminute on February 13, 2023, 02:54:32 PMWell I'll let you guys know what happens when this game installs on day 1. Already pre-purchased the game before knowing about this DRM.
Just like everything else in life, you think you finally found the perfect game and indeed it does seem to be the perfect game. Then you find out there is something questionable attached to it. Great...
Typically any pre order can be refunded depending on where you bought it since the key has not been used and revealed yet. Personally I plan to continue with my purchase, any form of drm can be a pain and wish all games were free of it, but no drm has been a deciding factor in my purchases and this will be no different.
Quote from: em2nought on February 13, 2023, 11:24:16 PMWell shoot, crapped on by a starforce wanna be. The only thing that would have been worse is stormpowered. :ROFL:
Stormpowered is a hilarious storefront/DRM system. They're still trying to sell games on it in 2023.
The sad part is the games aren't bad, but no one will ever play then while they insist on locking them to their garbage forgotten DRM.
Good points Grim. No I don't plan on refunding it either. I want this game. :cool:
Btw, what's wrong with Starforce? I liked it!
(https://www.gamingrelics.com/image/cache/catalog/nes-cases/Star%20Force-1280x800.jpg)
Quote from: W8taminute on February 13, 2023, 02:54:32 PMJust like everything else in life, you think you finally found the perfect game and indeed it does seem to be the perfect game. Then you find out there is something questionable attached to it. Great...
I had a girlfriend or two like that, back in the day! :Party:
I am not planning on getting a refund either. This game is the one I have been waiting for...for decades :buck2:
Quote from: FarAway Sooner on February 14, 2023, 07:50:31 PMQuote from: W8taminute on February 13, 2023, 02:54:32 PMJust like everything else in life, you think you finally found the perfect game and indeed it does seem to be the perfect game. Then you find out there is something questionable attached to it. Great...
I had a girlfriend or two like that, back in the day! :Party:
I had several like that "back in they day". You did well to just have the one ! I was convinced I had a big sign visible only to females above my head that said " Fruitcakes apply here". :idiot2:
Warcrime thread, arise!
Great War turns you into a psychopath. Or maybe just Rimmy Downunder.
"....no, no don't surrender! I WANT TO
BURN YOU!"
:shocked:
I can't wait for this game!
^ +1
Many years ago Dr. Derick Smart promised us Battlecruiser 3000 A.D. was going to be the last thing we ever desired.
Finally, he has been proven wrong.
Public service announcement: for those who [shudder] pre-ordered...you can now access the full release. I am downloading right now.
^ Already clubbing rats and nursing my trench foot.
I'm also playing Great War Western Front.
Well this is terrible. I'm stuck at work right now and will have to wait. I guess I'll live vicariously through you guys until I get home.
Quote from: W8taminute on March 27, 2023, 01:07:14 PMWell this is terrible. I'm stuck at work right now and will have to wait.
That's not stopping me.
Quote from: SirAndrewD on March 27, 2023, 01:20:49 PMQuote from: W8taminute on March 27, 2023, 01:07:14 PMWell this is terrible. I'm stuck at work right now and will have to wait.
That's not stopping me.
Oh I know. I thought of you as I typed my statement above. If they ever found out I like to post over at Grogs during my working hours, never mind play a video game, I would be dead meat. LOL
There are advantages to reporting only to your CEO that lives across the Atlantic Ocean.
My employers have blocked this place on my phone in the last few months :/
There apparently people that have already beaten the main campaign on one side...
Professional reviewers?
Quote from: Gusington on March 27, 2023, 04:08:33 PMProfessional reviewers?
No, reading a few in the Steam Forums, but they seem to be guys that really pushed the demo as far as it can go.
I'm digging into the campaign tonight after refreshing with the tutorial, but it may not be insane that some that have the X's and O's on this down that they can beat it in a few hours.
The fact that infantry is immune to all but arty and flamethrowers while in a trench is a bit exploitable. I saw a couple of youtubers that simply didn't connect their trenches and it made it impossible for the AI to damage more than one unit at a time, so they could just grind the enemy out.
:huh:
One impression I have...this game is mostly about artillery.
This game heavily revolves on timing arty barrages and putting them just right. Once you spot an enemy, arty is deadly and laser accurate, more like modern drone assisted strikes, so it's important to quickly master timing and amount of guns.
Getting used to the arty mechanics and who can and can't take damage in the trench led to me taking Aaras on my first try as the Germans with minimal casualties.
I'm sure it'll get tougher as more tech unlocks, but man, balloons are going to make this a meat grinder for the other side.
Well - just had to kill the game as the first tutorial got stuck
Doesnt bode well if that doesnt work
The first tutorial has issues with scroll/pause/unpause.
I think that's the nature of the game force pausing and unpausing to issue tutorial steps. Shouldn't be a issue in the main game.
*please be good*
*please be good*
*please be good*
Quote from: Gusington on March 27, 2023, 05:07:42 PM*please be good*
*please be good*
*please be good*
I would say it is but I can't on the first 3 hours with it give it an unabashed glowing "Holy Cow this is a game changer" take.
I have a feeling this will be one that hopefully gets some back and forth love from the developers.
Just off the top of my head artillery accuracy needs to tone down a bit, and there has to be some kind of skirmishing/suppression mechanic that will make offensive ranged combat less reliant on arty.
Also, as far as I can tell AI knows where your units are at all time. In my fight in Aaras I noticed that the assault I quietly moved up on the right in a treeline against loosely held entrenchments got constantly targeted by arty even though they were concealed and far from the trench line with no balloons.
It's still pretty easy to avoid arty on the attack if you're careful, but don't think you can sneak units into place behind cover, the AI knows where you are.
Biggest danger from arty right now is that it will target and quickly destroy any MG placements you have, but you can do the same to them. I didn't see MG's last too long or be too much of a problem for me in my first fights, but it is 1915.
Downloading now but probably won't get to play until tomorrow. Too many distractions!!
The game has a bit of a way to go.
It's fun, but a bit more of a puzzle game due to the odd infantry mechanics and kill times than direct tactics.
Games like these are why God made, 'Sick Days'.
Interesting observations Andrew. Can't wait to try out for myself.
I'm back at work but for some reason I feel 'ill'. Maybe I should go home. :azn:
'Puzzle' was the one magic word I did not want to read :doh:
How did we get here? The demo left people with the impression that this may be a gem in the making. What happened?
The chatter doesn't sound good but I won't comment until I've put my hands on the game. All the LPs I've watched on YouTube (2 so far) seem to show a game that is solid. Not sure why there are claims that the game is flawed, although the flaws are plausible.
I must be doing something wrong, well, in general but with artillery vs. MG nests in particular as I don't seem to be able to take them out, always need infantry to close in to destroy them. And MGs seem decisive when I am coming up against them (haven't done much defense yet) - my guys just melt away in their fire.
But, again, I am clearly not doing something I am supposed to be doing, because battles which are marked as "great victories" on auto-resolve I still end up losing or at best exhausting both forces to a standstill before achieving proper status-reducing victory.
So yeah mixed feelings so far, but at this stage I am perfectly willing to attribute the negatives to my inexperience/incompetence.
Quote from: Gusington on March 28, 2023, 07:58:05 AM'Puzzle' was the one magic word I did not want to read :doh:
It's my impression, and it's not quite as negative as it would be normally. It is however very much a game of "There is a way conduct a battle and if you don't do it exactly right, there's no margin for error".
I think why it feels that way to me is simply how fast infantry gets eliminated and how the vast majority of units are only good for melee.
Two infantry companies that run into each other in an open field engagement don't last very long as weapon accuracy is close to 100%, so a rifle exchange will pretty well wipe any infantry unit to the point its worthless so you want to avoid that.
One MG nest can mow down thousands of attacking infantry, so defense can be extremely strong.
However, Arty can laser destroy any infantry unit or MG nest that you can see in a trench, so that's your method in taking them out. However, your shells come from your supply and you have to spend supply before battle to do things like build trenches, place artillery, field balloons, put up wire ect.
Supply is very limited for the player making for hard choices. The AI is not as constrained by supply issues, and I regularly see it fielding large numbers of very expensive balloons while affording ample infantry, unlimited shelling and regular reinforcement. The AI CAN run out of supply though, it just starts with a lot more and takes longer.
This to me leads to a bit of a puzzle solving mentality. There's a formula to winning. Spend and make sure you have that balloon, spot, lay arty and assault only under the cover of heavy shelling.
With enough guns and supply you can make the dream of the Somme come true, walking over the artillery destroyed works and corpses of the enemy, but it takes very careful planning, methodical play and to me it feels like solving a problem.
That's not in and of itself a bad thing, and please make note, I am playing in 1915, so I don't have any really interesting gadgets yet like tanks, gas, stormtroopers or flame units. Both sides are also relying on rudimentary trenches.
While the experience for me wasn't that much different with the 1918 Demo, I can't imagine it'll be the same as long as the war lasts for me past 1916 (which in my first Germany game seems unlikely).
SirAndrew are you describing the historical battles or actual campaign play?
Although you and Tamas seem discouraged with the game from what you describe I'm wildly excited. WW1 is working as intended. Of course men are going to get mowed down quickly out in the open, this is WW1.
Have you guys tried timing the barrages to occur just before your advancing infantry come into machinegun range? Remember, this is WW1, we all have to think outside the box with this game because quite frankly I suspect most of us are too ingrained with WW2 style fighting.
I have the feeling that many battles are simply going to be nothing more than firing a few barrages, scouting out the area, then click on ceasefire. It took the real life armies many months of preparation in stockpiling supplies before even thinking about launching a grand offensive. Only to have most of your attacking army die on day 1.
WW1 Western Front, a lot of men died quickly and en masse within seconds.
Great post, thanks D. Sounds like it is a different type of puzzle solving vs. Unity of Command, mostly because of scale.
And W8 I read in a few reviews that timing of artillery is key. It has to be done precisely.
Yeah, I by no means am saying this is bad.
In fact, to properly implement trench warfare in this style RTS, this might honestly be the only way.
I am having fun with it so far.
Also, it's important to note there'll be a day 1 release patch, or so goes the buzz on Steam. The main complaint is that the AI has too much of a handicap in its supply bonus, so I imagine that'll be the easiest and first thing they'll tweak.
I wouldn't mind the AI cheating with fog of war (I don't actually think it does, BTW), but the Supply bonuses it seems to be getting is ridiculous at the moment.
4 of my units attacking 1 of theirs on the campaign map ends up with the defending AI overwhelming me with sheer numbers it throws at me in counterattacks, while also having a large number of machine guns setup.
I am ok with difficulty, and by all means have a numerically inferior defending AI invest heavily in machine gun nests and mow me absolutely down if I am not careful. But then don't keep churning out seemingly more infantry than I could at my supposed 4-to-1 numerical advantage.
Quote from: Tamas on March 28, 2023, 02:45:41 PMI wouldn't mind the AI cheating with fog of war (I don't actually think it does, BTW),
Oh it does. I tried a little trick where I deliberately left my right flank well to the rear of the French line open to see if I could goad the AI into an attack that I'd counter with a swift redeployment of infantry.
The AI instantly knew my flank was open and sent every single unit out of the trenches to the right. They took my objective while I swept them from the left and finally destroyed them.
They did have three (!) balloons but their visual range shouldn't have reached the rear right of my line.
Ok so I spent some time with the game. Played two and a half turns as the Allies. Overall I like what I see.
During those two turns the AI did not attack any of my hexes although I have noticed he's massing troops in several areas of the front. Meanwhile I attempted to attack him twice. One in a hex defended by three corps and the other with four corps.
The first attack was against the hex with 3 corps of defenders. I brought 4 of my own corps with me. I attacked the central objective on the map with three waves of 6 companies each. The enemy had 5 companies defending the objective. Timed my artillery to hit just as my own companies came into rifle range of the enemy trenches. Just as I was about to enter the enemy trenches I could see two machine gun nests that were initially hidden from me in the enemies second trench line. I lost two companies and the other 4 made it into the forward trenches. I won the forward trenches but lost 2 companies in hand to hand. The other two were so tired and spent that they died when the enemy counterattacked.
The next wave ended up just like the first wave. At this point though all the enemy had in the objective was 3 beaten up companies. I did manage to silence his machine guns.
Third wave came in with only 4 companies and I prevailed, capturing the objective. Then I ceased fired and the result was a stalemate.
In all three attack waves I timed my suppressing artillery perfectly having seen it done on some videos.
In the other hex I attacked he had 4 corps. As a test of how things work in this game I only brought 2 corps with me. This time I was unable to crack his defenses and suffered a minor defeat. Lesson learned. Always bring in at least the same number of corps as the defender has.
I've got a smile on my face right now. I think I'm going to love this game.
Quote from: W8taminute on March 28, 2023, 08:39:40 PMOk so I spent some time with the game. Played two and a half turns as the Allies. Overall I like what I see.
During those two turns the AI did not attack any of my hexes although I have noticed he's massing troops in several areas of the front. Meanwhile I attempted to attack him twice. One in a hex defended by three corps and the other with four corps.
The first attack was against the hex with 3 corps of defenders. I brought 4 of my own corps with me. I attacked the central objective on the map with three waves of 6 companies each. The enemy had 5 companies defending the objective. Timed my artillery to hit just as my own companies came into rifle range of the enemy trenches. Just as I was about to enter the enemy trenches I could see two machine gun nests that were initially hidden from me in the enemies second trench line. I lost two companies and the other 4 made it into the forward trenches. I won the forward trenches but lost 2 companies in hand to hand. The other two were so tired and spent that they died when the enemy counterattacked.
The next wave ended up just like the first wave. At this point though all the enemy had in the objective was 3 beaten up companies. I did manage to silence his machine guns.
Third wave came in with only 4 companies and I prevailed, capturing the objective. Then I ceased fired and the result was a stalemate.
In all three attack waves I timed my suppressing artillery perfectly having seen it done on some videos.
In the other hex I attacked he had 4 corps. As a test of how things work in this game I only brought 2 corps with me. This time I was unable to crack his defenses and suffered a minor defeat. Lesson learned. Always bring in at least the same number of corps as the defender has.
I've got a smile on my face right now. I think I'm going to love this game.
Great write up.
Possibly the most convincing I have read as to the merits of the game. A lot of negative comments on the Steam page re AI all seeing behaviour but interestingly the Dev has replied indicating a lot of the criticism is due to a misunderstanding of game mechanics.
Hi guys, I watched a video yesterday but wondering if this game is like the Men of War or Steel Division 2 game? Those games move to fast for me with all the clicking around the screen.
Quote from: devoncop on March 29, 2023, 03:44:28 AMGreat write up.
Possibly the most convincing I have read as to the merits of the game. A lot of negative comments on the Steam page re AI all seeing behaviour but interestingly the Dev has replied indicating a lot of the criticism is due to a misunderstanding of game mechanics.
Yes I agree with the dev. I think because the game mechanics are so different from what we're used to that people are confused.
Quote from: demjansk1942 on March 29, 2023, 04:35:27 AMHi guys, I watched a video yesterday but wondering if this game is like the Men of War or Steel Division 2 game? Those games move to fast for me with all the clicking around the screen.
The pace of the battles is definitely not a clickfest. But if you make a mistake you pay for it very quickly. Usually though you still have enough resources in the battle to bring up another batch of companies and try the assault again. Pause and issue orders calmly while observing what is happening in any local sector of the battlefield and you'll do fine. My old and tired brain is happy this is not a frenetic clickfest. :cool:
Thanks W8. I am looking for time to actually jump into this. Still hoping it is the WWI game we have been waiting for since...about...1918.
You're welcome Gus. Remember, put your history hat on when playing this game and you'll be fine. :grin:
I'll try to fit it over my tin foil one.
Quote from: W8taminute on March 29, 2023, 07:23:23 AMYes I agree with the dev. I think because the game mechanics are so different from what we're used to that people are confused.
I am sure that's a big part of the overall complaints but there is nothing to confuse about the AI buying more stuff than its supplies would allow - that's fine as a generic difficulty adjustment, but right now it feels out of whack, and I think it needs tweaking.
Especially since I think the auto-battle calculations don't take such AI adjustments into account, so battles where I sweat blood to eke out a regular victory (not enough to move the tile's status) on the attack, would resolve into a great victory if I just clicked auto-battle. So I am actually incentivised to skip the tactical battles.
^What difficulty level are you playing Tamas?
Quote from: W8taminute on March 29, 2023, 12:09:47 PM^What difficulty level are you playing Tamas?
The default one (Soldier, I think).
I will say the more time I spend with it the more I like it.
I don't think any of the issues it currently has are fundamental to the game's design. This is a game that can be improved by balance patching and bugfixing and I'm sure we're going to see a lot of that.
It's actually in refreshingly good shape for a day one release. This isn't a Paradox situation.
Also, I was reading some thoughts by modders and it seems, according to them, that the architecture of Great War is very similar to the extremely moddable Empire at War. This means that we may get to see very very detailed mods and a lifespan that's similar to EaW's. If this is true Petroglyph has done us a huge solid with this game.
^God I hope you are correct in that last paragraph.
Quote from: SirAndrewD on March 29, 2023, 12:24:13 PMI will say the more time I spend with it the more I like it.
I don't think any of the issues it currently has are fundamental to the game's design. This is a game that can be improved by balance patching and bugfixing and I'm sure we're going to see a lot of that.
Agreed. Having re-fought the same 4-to-1 battle a few times, I have revised my strategy of just how big an overwhelming force must be to, well, overwhelm. e.g. for a first couple of tries I thought the solution would be a methodical approach where I would aim for something like a 2-to-1 or 3-to-1 numerical advantage only and instead obliterate what I can by artillery.
Well, that's way too expensive against the AI's supply bonus. The key was, in a way, to learn from AI attacks - on my initial frontal attack, I did aim to suppress via arty of course but I also made sure to have at least 4 infantry units attacking each of the enemy's. This managed to overwhelm them, and with keeping my artillery use spare I had enough supplies left for a second wave to roll up the rest of the enemy positions in a number of phases. Still got a bit close at the very end, but managed a wipeout.
Now it's time to face the over-inflated French attacks I guess!
Quote from: Tamas on March 29, 2023, 12:13:15 PMQuote from: W8taminute on March 29, 2023, 12:09:47 PM^What difficulty level are you playing Tamas?
The default one (Soldier, I think).
Thank you Tamas. That is the same difficulty I am playing. I have not see what you describe but I only fought two small battles in the campaign so far. I'll pay attention and see what the AI is doing when I fight a larger battle.
Quote from: Gusington on March 29, 2023, 12:25:47 PM^God I hope you are correct in that last paragraph.
Looks to be true.
Some EaW modders pointed out that the game uses .meg files, which are the same file types EaW used.
They tried a few of the modding tools for EaW and a few of them worked right out of the box in at least extracting the files and viewing their contents.
Some tweaking of the mod tools should yield good results.
EaW was so moddable I even made a danged mod for it myself. I'd be shocked to see a game released today with that much modability but it does seem to be Petroglyph's style.
:notworthy:
The WWI eastern front beckons...but I have a feeling that will be the next release from the studio.
Odd question but I haven't seen it discussed anywhere: are mounted cavalry (horseback) represented anywhere in this game?
Since a major focus is the tech tree and advancing in it, I am hoping mounted cavalry can be recruited and used at the very beginning of the war in 1914.
Quote from: Gusington on March 29, 2023, 03:53:41 PMOdd question but I haven't seen it discussed anywhere: are mounted cavalry (horseback) represented anywhere in this game?
Since a major focus is the tech tree and advancing in it, I am hoping mounted cavalry can be recruited and used at the very beginning of the war in 1914.
No cavalry unfortunately.
The game begins just after the Christmas truce so the battle of the frontiers isn't in.
Also, there's sadly no visual progression of infantry from 14-18. Everyone is in their 1918 uniform, helmet and gear from day 1.
Oh :huh:
dammit
It must start around the Christmas truce because of the big visual differences in everything from August 1914 onward, even in the short time between August and December 1914.
Graphical flourishes like visual progression will be modded in the short term with the game being so mod friendly...
Oh and maybe Battle of the Frontiers DLC, forthcoming??
I think supply has a lot to do with how many corps are involved in battle. The Germans launched two 9 corps attacks against a 2 star hex of mine defended only with 2 corps. I lost against both attacks because I ran out of supply even though I was careful not to overspend. Defensive artillery fire really burns through supply quickly as does placing machine gun nests.
The Germans were able to pour wave after wave of seemingly endless infantry companies accompanied with a lot of artillery.
I still don't really understand how money and supplies work in this game so it is too early for me to conclude the AI gets massive bonuses in supply. What I saw last night seemed plausible.
What about morale W8? Does loosing all those men affect the morale of the next endless wave?
I don't have the game but looking at videos makes me think artillery is laser guided and arrives in seconds.
Quote from: Sir Slash on March 30, 2023, 09:29:26 AMWhat about morale W8? Does loosing all those men affect the morale of the next endless wave?
If you're talking about losing morale from losses within the battle not that I've noticed. If you mean losing morale for the subsequent battle then yes. I did notice that my men started off on the field with slightly less morale than they had in the first battle.
Quote from: Pete Dero on March 30, 2023, 09:36:51 AMI don't have the game but looking at videos makes me think artillery is laser guided and arrives in seconds.
I've only got about 4 hours of game time in but I agree in that arty arrives in seconds. Laser guided? No. More men are killed a lot faster running into machine guns then being caught out in the open under an artillery blast. At least that's what I've noticed both in dealing out damage and taking it from the enemy.
Honestly I think certain things happen in this game not so much to mimic history precisely but to have an enjoyable gaming experience.
As usual, hardcore grognards are going to eviscerate a game because the bullet casings are exactly 0.025 millimeters shorter than what they were in real life. Casual gamers are going to cry rivers of water because the game is too hard and it's not like other RTS games like age of empires whahaahahaha. Then you got the middle of the road gamers who love their history and their gaming and can live with exceptions to the rules.
I can deal with shorter bullet casing for True Love. :Hug:
I couldn't spend any time with it today because..I know, I was actually working. Boooo.
But the release day patch notes did address fixing the AI Fog of War bug (apparently AI balloons were seeing everything) and some of the supply and cost issues.
I'll dig into it a bit tonight after I watch a show with the girlfriend.
Great War: Western Front is out now - use your XP pack voucher to save 20% on either edition today :
https://www.greenmangaming.com/games/the-great-war-western-front-pc/ (must be logged in to show extra discount)
This game is just not for me. Seeing artillery land each time exactly on the spot, 3 seconds after you ordered it, is something I find hard to accept. And sending 4 waves to certain destruction so a fifth wave might succeed is not something I like to do.
WWI was brutal and very lethal but I feel this game is even more deadly for your troops.
@SirAndrewD : where can we watch the show with your girlfriend in it :evil: .
Quote from: Pete Dero on March 31, 2023, 08:13:00 AMGreat War: Western Front is out now - use your XP pack voucher to save 20% on either edition today :
https://www.greenmangaming.com/games/the-great-war-western-front-pc/ (must be logged in to show extra discount)
This game is just not for me. Seeing artillery land each time exactly on the spot, 3 seconds after you ordered it, is something I find hard to accept. And sending 4 waves to certain destruction so a fifth wave might succeed is not something I like to do.
WWI was brutal and very lethal but I feel this game is even more deadly for your troops.
@SirAndrewD : where can we watch the show with your girlfriend in it :evil: .
Part of the futility of ww1. I think that the troop types are too simplistic, no uniform changes etc.
Still I will get it when it is on sale, I just don't have a burning desire to play it. I think I figured out why. I think that a ww1 game like this really needs the ability to zoom out along an entire front in real time and zoom into particular parts to micromanage attacks of it while the whole front line is in operation in real time at once. You want to be able to make calls as to where re-enforcements go andd how the attacks are carried out the way the actual generals did it, that is to say by moving your troops into terrain and lining them up according to logistics capacity and the terrains capability to handle troops, building paths behind the lines and making sure artillery and troops are supplied not this crude hex stuff. You want to do trench raiding and intel gathering that is more than a dice role or a special ability as it is currently in game. I think I basically want a more scourge of war style game, just faster and with zoom out to cover large movements and logistics, pathing and that sort of planning. But I want to see this depicted properly with physics, not with the hearts of iron style underlying hexes and terrain stat modifiers.
Currently tiny snippets of the fronts that the tactical battles take place in that are isolated from the larger strategy of the attacks don't do it for me. Still this is the best ww1 game I have yet seen and is definitely on my list.
I now have a vision as to how this game should have been. The devs probably had the same vision and decided they did not have the resources anyways.
Did we ever find out if multiplayer was any good. I hear it is just skirmishes with no context, which would be very boring indeed. Not enough for both players to do I would not think?
Started a new game with the release-day patch. Definitely less in-your-face AI overspending, but very early days.
Definitely gives you the feeling you'd expect from an operational/tactical Western Front game. As the Germans, I made a very successful (because very overwhelming) attack against Arras, reducing its defense by one star (leaving another). I wanted to do a second attack against it from another hex the same turn but the auto-battle predictor only gave me a minor victory (not enough to reduce the last star and take the hex) so knowing my (in)ability on the tactical map I decided against it.
And of course the AI sent reinforcements so I am now facing 5 enemy corps in Arras instead of the 1 last turn. The auto-battler can only do a stalemate result so I doubt I can do more, but I'll try. If I don't want to concede that last star I need to attack Arras at least once each turn.
So I am having fun so far. One disappointment though: before calling it a night I checked how my next turn offensive against Arras would look like - well, the trenches I built stayed as the should, great, but I was hoping I would not be playing on the exact same map that I conquered in its entirety in the previous turn. I know it is probably way too much effort, but would have been good to have a tactical map for each hex side and star of the hex - have them random generated if need be.
Ok so I think I got artillery timing down for when I attack enemy trenches. I find that if I begin suppressing light arty fire when my own advancing infantry rifle range is 3 or 4 pixels away from the enemy frontline trench that my men make inside.
The light artillery is good for suppression and has the spread to cover the second line of trenches in addition to the first line. As long as they are not too spaced out from each other.
Defense in depth and how to overcome it is key in this game.
I've got about 14 hours of game time in and I believe the ai does not cheat with supply. I've fought numerous battles now where he clearly runs out of supply as his artillery goes silent and not because I destroyed his gun emplacements. What the ai does do however is have the ability to remember where all your forces are. I'm ok with that though as I've figured out how to handle myself to counter his knowledge of my positions.
Quote from: W8taminute on April 05, 2023, 07:44:31 AMI've got about 14 hours of game time in and I believe the ai does not cheat with supply. I've fought numerous battles now where he clearly runs out of supply as his artillery goes silent and not because I destroyed his gun emplacements. What the ai does do however is have the ability to remember where all your forces are. I'm ok with that though as I've figured out how to handle myself to counter his knowledge of my positions.
Yes, this was fixed in the day one patch, as was the issue with Balloons and FOW.
AI armies are now mostly on the same playing field as the players.
You do need to move your forces though, a lot. This why I see a lot of players refusing to use MG nests and instead single companies, in a single trench, unconnected with depth.
Rifles are just as good as tearing apart a company as an MG nest, and for the cost of one MG nest you can instead afford 6 Line Infantry companies, nearly 1300 more trained men.
Building this kind of defense makes the enemy keep hopping over the top to assault and continually exposing itself to mass rifle fire. It's worked pretty well for me.
^Good stuff SA. I do the same thing.
It's fairly easy to defend yourself in this game, as it should be in any WW1 style battle. The hard part is managing your supply stockpile. No amount of units or good preparation is going to matter if you lack the supplies to fight with.
I love this game!!
If defense and logistics and supply are flexible enough, I may even be able to be moderately successful with TGW :twirl:
Computer gaming has really come a long way. From the BBC:
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20230404-the-great-war-the-ww1-video-game-thats-eerily-accurate
^Very good article.
Thankfully the logistics system in this game really isn't overly complicated. You literally throw cash at the problem to make it go away. What I'm discovering slowly but surely through gameplay is that the tech tree offers some options to help mitigate losses in men and materiel.
I even saw a random event popup in which one of my hexes had a black market visiting it for several game turns. What that meant was for that limited time any supplies purchased would be significantly discounted. Which means you can get silly and launch a bunch of offensives from that hex for really cheap if you wanted. My problem was I couldn't take advantage of the sale because a) the adjacent enemy hexes were heavily garrisoned and b) I just did not have the cash and existing supply stockpile to launch a sizeable offensive.
That's an interesting concept for a wargame. How do you get money?
Quote from: Sir Slash on April 05, 2023, 09:38:28 PMThat's an interesting concept for a wargame. How do you get money?
VICTORY!
Missions and segueing battlefield wins into cash reserves. There are a few routes but you're on the gold standard you need tangible results for cash. Cash does work to help with supply.
If you lose, do you also lose cash, or just not get more?
You get a set income of 1000 cash per turn. That can be improved by unlocking certain tech. Cash is spent on replenishing units after battle so it is in your best inerest to try to keep casualties at a minimum while inflicting great casualties on your enemy.
Easier said than done.
:notworthy:
Only had a few hours to tinker with it.
But I can say that Petroglyph has managed to do what many said couldn't be done; make a fun RTS out of WWI trench warfare.
The game straddles realism and playability well IMHO.
The last time I had this much fun with a WWI game was Blue Byte's "The Great War" in the early '90s.
https://www.dosgamesarchive.com/download/the-great-war-1914-1918 (https://www.dosgamesarchive.com/download/the-great-war-1914-1918)
About 20 hours of game time now and I've discovered that if your men are in the middle of a trench charge and the enemy starts to bombard them with arty, it's best to just press on. If you try to dodge the arty your men are going to get cut down anyway from unsuppressed rifle or MG fire.