So with Shrapnel's whopping $5 off sale going on (of course sarcastic), thinking of finally picking up the enhanced CD version of one of these games. Although I have the free version of both of the games, haven't played them a ton, largely since the graphics are somewhat hard to see on my monitor. Hoping the enhanced resolution options on the CD version will help with that since from what I can see, the game does appear to be vast and interesting. And yes, I am likely the only person in the world who has not extensively played these games:)
With that said, any recommendation on which might be better? Does one version have things the other version does not that I should consider? I obviously understand the largest part of the decision will be based on the era being modeled, but just wanted to make sure there wasn't any other consideration. I am leaning towards WinSpMBT simply because there is less modern games like this out there, versus a ton of WWII.
I'd like someone to post some BIG screenshots.. so I can see how good it looks?
I first played The Matrix generals edition, and loved it. I became confused if I remember properly the penetration was accurate in mm in the Matrix edition , but the WWII edition it was not so clear to me. also I used the Opfire in the matrix edition and set it to 60 seconds so I could decide if I wanted to return fire, but WWII it was auto opfire, also the tanks in MBT fired at such great distances I was struggleing with far targets. BUT I have all 3 versions and Id never trade them, the matrix edition comes with a great set campaines, and spwaw.com has 1000s AND I MEAN THOUSANDS of scenarios and campaines maps etc for the Matrix edition, but the Matrix edition can difficult to get artilary working on some PCs, But well worth it its probably the best to me anyway. I love these games truly masterpieces
Matrix edition makes your eyes bleed and it's way overpriced!
WinSPMBT-you're a lot more varied. SPWW2 is a combination of cripple-slapfights when you have pre-war or early war equipment and super-generic battles in the later war.
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on November 11, 2014, 08:07:57 AMWith that said, any recommendation on which might be better? Does one version have things the other version does not that I should consider? I obviously understand the largest part of the decision will be based on the era being modeled, but just wanted to make sure there wasn't any other consideration. I am leaning towards WinSpMBT simply because there is less modern games like this out there, versus a ton of WWII.
They should both run an almost identical engine underneath but might be a little variation due to different unit/weapon capabilities though. Been quite a while since I last played. If you only get one, I would go with WinSPMBT.
Quote from: Tuna on November 11, 2014, 08:16:31 AM
I'd like someone to post some BIG screenshots.. so I can see how good it looks?
Here's max zoom on my laptop, might be clearer on a better machine.
Quote from: Double Deuce on November 11, 2014, 11:01:38 AM
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on November 11, 2014, 08:07:57 AMWith that said, any recommendation on which might be better? Does one version have things the other version does not that I should consider? I obviously understand the largest part of the decision will be based on the era being modeled, but just wanted to make sure there wasn't any other consideration. I am leaning towards WinSpMBT simply because there is less modern games like this out there, versus a ton of WWII.
They should both run an almost identical engine underneath but might be a little variation due to different unit/weapon capabilities though. Been quite a while since I last played. If you only get one, I would go with WinSPMBT.
I thought one was built of the Steel Panthers II engine and the other Steel Panthers III.
Quote from: Tuna on November 11, 2014, 11:59:12 AM
Quote from: Double Deuce on November 11, 2014, 11:01:38 AM
They should both run an almost identical engine underneath but might be a little variation due to different unit/weapon capabilities though. Been quite a while since I last played. If you only get one, I would go with WinSPMBT.
I thought one was built of the Steel Panthers II engine and the other Steel Panthers III.
IIRC WinSPWWII and WinSPMBT (Shrapnel/Camo Group) are built off of Steel Panthers 2 but SPWaW (Matrix) was built from Steel Panthers 3.
Here's a full screen shot to contrast the zoom. Sorry for breaking the thread, I don't know how to format it.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F4bBAzjm.jpg&hash=d1e5a1cb633d1bbecdef271b5eeecdbbe6fe198b) (http://imgur.com/4bBAzjm)
Thanks everyone for the detail..leaning towards MBT at this point....anyone have an enhanced screenshot showing the infantry? That was the hardest thing for me to see in the free version.
Here is a rather zoomed out view of a single rifle platoon.
Thank you for posting the infantry shot...not too bad, especially with the unit labels on...don't believe that is an option in the free version.
Yeah pretty sure the label are in the paid version. I think there is a mod that makes them even more visible but I could be wrong. I do know there is a mod that makes the flags smaller.
I actually haven't played a ton of the game either and taking those screenshots really lit a fire. I guess it's time to start a long campaign!
I just completed the Viet Cong Village battle in the free version just to get more of a feel...pretty intense battle, but I was able to get a marginal victory, even though I lost 64 men while the enemy lost 24....but I was able to grab complete control of the village. Still not sure if I am playing correct or to the fullest, but it was fun.
I used to be able to play this in fullscreen, but since v6.00, IIRC the palette scrambles and I have to play it in Windows mode, in which you either struggle to see the models properly, or zoom to see them but then you only get a very close range view of the battlefield. Can anyone tell me how if there is a method to get back to the fullscreen mode with Win7. I used to enjoy both WinSPMBT, and SPWW2 a lot, but the recent patches seem to have wrecked the screen mode for me.
For WinSPMBT, is there any popular site that hosts additional scenarios besides the ones that come with the game?
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on November 11, 2014, 05:18:44 PM
For WinSPMBT, is there any popular site that hosts additional scenarios besides the ones that come with the game?
IIRC there are a few on the Wargamers repository.
There seem to be a bunch of scenarios on Shrapnel's forums, but I think a lot of them have already been incorporated into the game? The paid version of winSPMBT updated to 8.0 contains 299 scenarios and 14 campaigns.
As far as fullscreen goes, I'm able to use the launcher to specify fullscreen mode and I have not run into any palette problems. I think I've read in the past that disabling Aero will fix that. I run win7 without Aero enabled so that could be why I'm having good luck.
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on November 11, 2014, 05:18:44 PM
For WinSPMBT, is there any popular site that hosts additional scenarios besides the ones that come with the game?
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/forumdisplay.php?f=78 (http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/forumdisplay.php?f=78)
Active scenario creating community here, and a few by yours truly.
Quote from: Boggit on November 11, 2014, 05:27:34 PM
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on November 11, 2014, 05:18:44 PM
For WinSPMBT, is there any popular site that hosts additional scenarios besides the ones that come with the game?
IIRC there are a few on the Wargamers repository.
Should be here > http://www.wargamer.com/gamesdepot/search_game.asp
Thanks for the links...I will take a look today. Likely will be hard to tell which ones from these sites are different than what is already included in the game since I think they took a lot from the community.
If you decide to try a campaign, try Dutch Terror first (shameless plug), it's pretty small and you should be able to finish it in few nights at most.
Quote from: Double Deuce on November 12, 2014, 12:33:03 PM
If you decide to try a campaign, try Dutch Terror first (shameless plug), it's pretty small and you should be able to finish it in few nights at most.
Tough little campaign...did not make it out of the first battle, lost my HQ:)
So do you recommend it with the Graphics Grim?
Quote from: Tuna on November 12, 2014, 08:11:22 PM
So do you recommend it with the Graphics Grim?
Still messing with the free version....pre ordered dragon age so took my immediate funds away. I still vow one day to get this enhanced version. Since only a $5 discount, buying on sale not a strong driving point....maybe a good gift idea for my family:) had them buy me world in flames last year but that didn't turn out so well.