Oh my
https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/08/02/warhammer-40k-sanctus-reach-pc-turn-based/#comments
Well that's pretty much it, I'm neck deep in total war hammer dwarves, chipping away at Mordheim and now this, having escaped the clutches of the shop in my teens they've now got my by the digital short and curlies
Ah the Archon engine. :)
This is what I think when you say Archon engine:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aarcentral.com%2Fpics%2Farchon.jpg&hash=0fff1a6c7f9b0cef85748d33dfa0066ec95d1ea6)
Quote from: bbmike on August 02, 2016, 09:51:35 AM
This is what I think when you say Archon engine:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aarcentral.com%2Fpics%2Farchon.jpg&hash=0fff1a6c7f9b0cef85748d33dfa0066ec95d1ea6)
Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I LOVED the Archon games :smitten:
Wow. Now that looks like a proper WH game.
ARCHON ROCKED!!
Soooo.... is this using the same engine as Pike & Shot and Sengoku Jidai? Or something else?
This is the next generation "battle academy" engine. Notice the highlighted squares in the screenshot (Slitherine page)
Pike and Shot / Sengoku Jidai still uses the old one.
Field of Glory 2 uses it.
I'm not part of the FOG2 project so I have not seen it.
I know there's a remake of Archon around somewhere btw...
http://store.steampowered.com/app/65400/
There we go!
While we're at it, here's the Sanctus Reach Steam page, too: http://store.steampowered.com/app/502370/
Quote from: jomni on August 02, 2016, 08:06:35 PM
This is the next generation "battle academy" engine. Notice the highlighted squares in the screenshot (Slitherine page)
Pike and Shot / Sengoku Jidai still uses the old one.
Field of Glory 2 uses it.
I'm not part of the FOG2 project so I have not seen it.
OMG, if this engine will be for FOG2 or new Pike & Shot game, then this is it, we will have the ultimate tactical games.
^^ True dat!
I have to say I'm not very keen on the dang orkz being once again the sole foe. >:( But it's a start to something more and better, and I can support that. Also, Space Wolves. :smitten:
Quote from: JasonPratt on August 03, 2016, 11:18:29 AM
Also, Space Wolves. :smitten:
Space Wolves. ::)
They're the new, equally overdone, Ultramarines.
My first foray into WH40k was the first Space Wolves omnibus.
Reminds me.. I need to get more Eisenhorn.
Quote from: Nefaro on August 03, 2016, 06:05:56 PM
Reminds me.. I need to get more Eisenhorn.
There are all-natural supplements that can be of assistance in that department. You can find access to purveyors of these products during the conveniently frequent intermissions of quality late-night television programmes.
Quote from: bbmike on August 02, 2016, 09:51:35 AM
This is what I think when you say Archon engine:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aarcentral.com%2Fpics%2Farchon.jpg&hash=0fff1a6c7f9b0cef85748d33dfa0066ec95d1ea6)
+1
Quote from: Staggerwing on August 03, 2016, 07:16:04 PM
Quote from: Nefaro on August 03, 2016, 06:05:56 PM
Reminds me.. I need to get more Eisenhorn.
There are all-natural supplements that can be of assistance in that department. You can find access to purveyors of these products during the conveniently frequent intermissions of quality late-night television programmes.
And +1 as well
Quote from: Staggerwing on August 03, 2016, 07:16:04 PM
Quote from: Nefaro on August 03, 2016, 06:05:56 PM
Reminds me.. I need to get more Eisenhorn.
There are all-natural supplements that can be of assistance in that department. You can find access to purveyors of these products during the conveniently frequent intermissions of quality late-night television programmes.
Mom, do you ever feel... you know.. not so fresh?
.. sure, that's why I purge my heresy with all-natural Eisenhorn.
And now we wait to see who sigs that...
Quote from: JasonPratt on August 04, 2016, 10:34:15 AM
And now we wait to see who sigs that...
Heretic Tested, Inquisition Approved.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com%2F736x%2F04%2Fb1%2F83%2F04b1838bf54db36f742254f87f60955b.jpg&hash=b31b1c85f6eaf14650afe7a105cbaadc367a6851)
:2funny:
New screens
(https://scontent-sin6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14589829_1277125439014844_2870135881597545039_o.jpg)
(https://scontent-sin6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14567598_1277125485681506_8661291401860795081_o.jpg)
Why does it look so low-res?
Is it made to run on tablets or something? :-\
If you just take away their primeval savagery, their genetically enhanced bloodlines and supherhuman strength, their power armor, their bolter rifles and other weapons, their decades of training, and their millenia of tradition, the Space Marines ain't nothing special.
I think someone went a little overboard with compressing the jpegs. I have asked if it can be fixed.
Cheers
Pip
lol
Quote from: PipFromSlitherine on October 07, 2016, 11:37:12 AM
I think someone went a little overboard with compressing the jpegs. I have asked if it can be fixed.
Cheers
Pip
heh
Thanks for clearing that up! :))
Doesn't have to be the bestest 3D eye-orgy. But that looked a bit rough.
Release date announced. January 19th.
Quote from: FarAway Sooner on October 06, 2016, 09:47:55 AM
If you just take away their primeval savagery, their genetically enhanced bloodlines and supherhuman strength, their power armor, their bolter rifles and other weapons, their decades of training, and their millenia of tradition, the Space Marines ain't nothing special.
Stargrunt meets 40K
"Ground Zero
By TOM SULLIVAN
"Christ," whispered Pugh, "It looks like someone slapped a set of treads onto a dumpster!"
Kemmerman snorted his agreement. "And check out Buck Rogers there! Sticking his big, ugly ol' head outta the hatch, and not even bothering to stick a helmet on it! Think he's got a 'Shoot Me' sign on his back, too?"
"Cut it," snapped the sergeant, "We've got work to do here. Sorenson, have you got a lock yet?"
"Yessir," he replied, his gaze remaining fixed on the Scorpion's display. "Ready when you are, sir."
Nodding, the sergeant tapped at his com unit. "Jessup? You ready?" He nodded again at the reply. "All right then, on my mark...NOW!!"
There was a sudden sharp crack, and the enemy officer's head vanished, replaced by a rapidly dispersing red mist. This sound was followed a heartbeat later with a loud "Crump!" as the Scorpion rocket penetrated the side of the APC. The vehicle skewed sideways, smoke and flame billowing from the hole in its side, as the second rocket hit, this time impacting at the rear.
The APC exploded with a satisfying roar, scattering pieces of men and metal across the field.
"That," Pugh said with feeling, "was abso-fuckin-lutely beautiful. You know that? That's a goddamn piece of art right there, Billy! You should get down there and sign it, you know?"
Sorenson shrugged as he repositioned himself, targeting the second APC. "It's eighty percent inspiration, ten percent perspiration, and one hundred and ten percent detonation, my man."
The APC shuddered, and obligingly lost a tread, as the rocket hit it.
"It's a damned good thing that you can shoot, buddy," Pugh said, 'cause you sure as shit can't add." He shook his head, waving at the men spilling out of the crippled vehicle. "Now look at that! Bright red armor? What are they, color-blind? Or just stupid?"
"Neither," interrupted the sergeant, "they're arrogant and very well armored. Now, shut up and shoot."
"Yessir," Pugh muttered, shouldering his rifle, "shooting away, sir. Doesn't seem to be doing much good, sir."
"When I want your opinion, Pugh, I'll be sure to tell you what it is, understand? Just keep firing. And Sorenson, wait for my command, dammit!"
The armored men seemed largely indifferent to the rifle fire, only a few even bothering to return it.
Miller shook his head as he sprayed bullets down the hill. "Jesus, what the fuck are they firing? Howitzers? Those are the biggest goddamn rifles I've ever seen!"
Pugh snorted. "Yeah, but do think they can actually hit anything with 'em? Might as well just throw the damned things at us for all the good they're doing!" He yelped, jerking back as a crater was blasted into the ground a foot away from his head. "Yeah, yeah...fuck you too, Murphy!"
"You know," Pugh noted after a moment, "they really don't seem very happy, sir. In fact," he added, as he changed clips, "they seem downright pissed. Sir."
The sergant ignored him. "Jessup? There's a guy down there with a very big gun. Yeah, the one painted yellow. Eliminate him for me, would you?"
There was a flash, a bang, and one of the men at the bottom of thehill collapsed, a neat little hole visible in the side of his helmet. Pugh made an approving noise. "Very nice, Jessup! You and Sorenson, you're like the...the..Boticellis of the battlefield, you know? Fuckin' artistes, I tell ya!"
"'Boticellis of the battlefield', Pugh? What are you on, anyway?"
"It's called culture, buddy. Give it a try sometime. You'll like eating with a fork, I just know it!"
"Um, sir?" Miller said, abruptly, "Sir? They appear to be charging, sir. Up the hill, sir."
"Yeah," the sergant replied with satisfaction, "Yeah, they certainly are, aren't they? The big bastards are nothing if not predictable. Just keep firing, private. Williams, Cook? Be ready."
"My God," Pugh marveled, "the guy in front has a sword! A goddamn sword! What's in his other pocket, a flint fucking spear?"
They did, he had to admit to himself, certainly look impressive. Each stood at least seven feel tall, and their brilliant red armor made them look even bigger. "Kind of a shame they're such morons," he muttered.
Two of the charging men fell, neither making it even halfway up the hill, but the remaining seven kept coming, firing, apparently at random,as they did.
"Now!" the sergant shouted. "Now, dammit!"
The man in the lead, the one waving the sword, was cut almost in half by the incoming plasma bolt. Those behind him stopped sort, caught in the crossfire as William's and Cook's squads opened fire. Sorenson fired the Scorpion, catching one man squarely in the center of his chest. The result was, while interesting, far from pretty.
The concentrated fire of fifteen men proved sufficient. Almost. Only one man made it to the top of the hill, his armor cracked and pitted with innumerable bullet holes. Moving with remarkable speed for such a large man, he surged forward, grabbing the sergant by the throat before the rest of the squad could react.
"Now," the man rasped, his voice distorted by his helmet, "you shall die, in the Emperor's...."
*BLAM*
He stopped.
Looked down.
Saw the smoke rising from the barrel of the pistol pressed firmly against his stomach.
And fell, gently, to the ground.
The sergant stepped back, rubbing gingerly at his throat. "He was a tough bastard, I'll give him that much," he said, hoarsely. He prodded at the corpse with his toe, dislodging the man's helmet with a sudden fierce kick.
"Jesus, what did they do?" asked Pugh, "Shave an ape?" The man's features were grotesquely exaggerated, almost to the point of caricature.
"That," said the sergant, "is what happens when you combine several centuries of extensive genetic and bionic engineering with being raised from birth to worship an immortal psychopath. Makes you understand the Promixa Covenant, doesn't it?" He sighed. "Stupid goddamned fanatics. They think they entire universe should play by their rules. Well, fuck that. We're gonna show 'em how a war is supposed to be fought. Space Marines, my ass!" He kicked the corpse again, not gently. "How do you like life at ground zero, asshole?""
That was all predicated on the Marines having no scout flanking support, and no capability of aiming their weapons. In other words, Straw Marines.
(Admittedly, SM officers and non-coms having no helmets is fatally stupid, but I gather that's an artistic choice for gamer convenience.)
What actually happens is Stargrunts get ready to shoot; their leaders and snipers get sniped by the Scout Marines flanking the advance; the Rhino pops smoke; twenty seconds later, 500 howitzer sized shells are coming in to the Stargrunt squad's position; the barrage only lets up when the Marine squad gets within melee range; any surviving Stargrunts get their shell-shocked and injured bodies chainsawed and power-sworded and power-fisted. At worst, the grunts get one free ambush strike.
Still, it does kind of read like a Dawn of War-ish Imperial Guard vs Space Marine fight. >:D
Short-turnaround MP.
PBEM++
:-X
Nice!
Yeah, the Stargrunts article is amusing juxtaposition, but the Marines in the books (Chaos Marines and good guys) are a bit more savvy than that. Of course, the great thing about fiction is that you can always structure the challenge so that any set of protagonists or antagonists are up to (or not) facing the challenge du jour!
I enjoy the part where a Space Marine rips one soldier limb by limb and then beats another one to pulp with the ripped-off leg. :o
Don't forget to watch Part 2 also.
Great video jomni...brings back fond memories of playing the old tabletop Warhammer 40K game.
Goddammit
Looks great. The mechanics immediately remind me of the Battle Academy games. Just when I thought I had all the games I needed.... :)
Quote from: Geezer on December 01, 2016, 11:27:51 AM
Looks great. The mechanics immediately remind me of the Battle Academy games. Just when I thought I had all the games I needed.... :)
It is the newest version of the BA engine. Interface is familiar indeed. I'm no 40K tabletop gamer. But can anyone see if they implemented tabletop rules in this?
They will probably be inspired, but in no way copied, I can't imagine GamesWorkshop would allow that.
I would imagine that the table top gaming industry, at least in the US, isn't what it used to be. Fewer people play, while more people are turning to electronic media for entertainment. GW will follow the money and digital gaming is the present and the future. It's time for them to finally give in and license a pc game that mirrors the table top experience.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on December 02, 2016, 05:42:01 AM
I would imagine that the table top gaming industry, at least in the US, isn't what it used to be. Fewer people play, while more people are turning to electronic media for entertainment. GW will follow the money and digital gaming is the present and the future. It's time for them to finally give in and license a pc game that mirrors the table top experience.
+1
So very true.
looking good, although there seems to be an awful lot of units to take down in scenarios
They.. they ride.. wolves? Seriously? ???
Quote from: Freyland on January 04, 2017, 05:34:45 PM
They.. they ride.. wolves? Seriously? ???
Not just wolves...
space wolves.
They're Vikings.
On wolves.
In space.
Alles klar?
P.S.: Not fractionally so cool as the Dwarves in space who have a mighty steam choo-choo.
Or the Imperial Guard who have shooty hobbits (TM) with long-range rifles.
Upon reflection, it is an unending wonder that WH40k ever got a reputation for bad-assery...
The space viking berserkers riding space wolves, are also werewolves.
Don't forget.
Never forget.
Quote from: JasonPratt on January 04, 2017, 09:32:31 PM
The space viking berserkers riding space wolves, are also werewolves.
Don't forget.
Never forget.
So they become wolves themselves?
Of course I lost 90 minutes going off to read WH40K lore after reading this post...
Quote from: Cyrano on January 04, 2017, 06:16:23 PM
They're Vikings.
On wolves.
In space.
Alles klar?
P.S.: Not fractionally so cool as the Dwarves in space who have a mighty steam choo-choo.
Or the Imperial Guard who have shooty hobbits (TM) with long-range rifles.
Upon reflection, it is an unending wonder that WH40k ever got a reputation for bad-assery...
I understand why it got it's reputation for bad-assery back in the day when only our imaginations were the limit. In our own minds we could make it as real as we wanted and make up as much explanation with our own minds.
For me this made it super realistic as I did not play the board games or read the rule books apart from having a cursory glance. I read the novel "space marine" which all made sense.
It's only when things that strictly adhere to the lore in games workshops imagination came to computer that it started to look silly to me. When you start to see how cartoonish things look and how star wars goofy a lot of the rules are with no regard for logic or common sense for the sake of coolness. That's when it started to lose it's appeal for me. But because of that original iteration in my head of a dark realistic universe that made sense... and the fact that it is sci-fi and anything goes. It still has a place in my heart for better or worse.
For me turn based would also kill that imaginative realistic side of things. I need WEGO at a minimum but do settle for turn based when I have to.
(https://i.imgflip.com/1h3ulu.jpg) (https://imgflip.com/i/1h3ulu)via Imgflip Meme Generator (https://imgflip.com/memegenerator)
Thomas the Grim Engine!
\m/
Quote from: Destraex on January 04, 2017, 10:25:12 PM
Quote from: Cyrano on January 04, 2017, 06:16:23 PM
They're Vikings.
On wolves.
In space.
Alles klar?
P.S.: Not fractionally so cool as the Dwarves in space who have a mighty steam choo-choo.
Or the Imperial Guard who have shooty hobbits (TM) with long-range rifles.
Upon reflection, it is an unending wonder that WH40k ever got a reputation for bad-assery...
I understand why it got it's reputation for bad-assery back in the day when only our imaginations were the limit. In our own minds we could make it as real as we wanted and make up as much explanation with our own minds.
For me this made it super realistic as I did not play the board games or read the rule books apart from having a cursory glance. I read the novel "space marine" which all made sense.
It's only when things that strictly adhere to the lore in games workshops imagination came to computer that it started to look silly to me. When you start to see how cartoonish things look and how star wars goofy a lot of the rules are with no regard for logic or common sense for the sake of coolness. That's when it started to lose it's appeal for me. But because of that original iteration in my head of a dark realistic universe that made sense... and the fact that it is sci-fi and anything goes. It still has a place in my heart for better or worse.
For me turn based would also kill that imaginative realistic side of things. I need WEGO at a minimum but do settle for turn based when I have to.
If it helps it's not based on the tabletop rule set
You pick your army from a points pool
It's fully modable
Quote from: JasonPratt on January 04, 2017, 09:32:31 PM
The space viking berserkers riding space wolves, are also werewolves.
Don't forget.
Never forget.
Meh. Space-Viking-Werewolves. Oh, the writing ability. *sigh* ::) Here's another idea: Space-Mongol-Ghouls! Or how about Space-Byzantine-Chupacabras? Hmm?
The back stories for the Dark Angels, and to a lesser extent the Blood Angels, are approximately 1000% better than the Space Wolves. In just one pinky toe. :P
I think their should be a Space Marine chapter that is clown-themed. Clowns are way more scary than wolves, Vikings, or blood drinkers.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F_XaWoVKMIdIo%2FTFrSi1YX4UI%2FAAAAAAAACeY%2FJlm505Ha_KY%2Fs1600%2FDSCF4867.JPG&hash=b6f007336802534d2abc1d54074798df8a142514)
Quote from: FarAway Sooner on January 05, 2017, 03:28:23 PM
I think their should be a Space Marine chapter that is clown-themed. Clowns are way more scary than wolves, Vikings, or blood drinkers.
The Eldar already have that covered. Look up Harlequins.
Quote from: undercovergeek on January 05, 2017, 08:13:20 AM
Quote from: Destraex on January 04, 2017, 10:25:12 PM
Quote from: Cyrano on January 04, 2017, 06:16:23 PM
They're Vikings.
On wolves.
In space.
Alles klar?
P.S.: Not fractionally so cool as the Dwarves in space who have a mighty steam choo-choo.
Or the Imperial Guard who have shooty hobbits (TM) with long-range rifles.
Upon reflection, it is an unending wonder that WH40k ever got a reputation for bad-assery...
I understand why it got it's reputation for bad-assery back in the day when only our imaginations were the limit. In our own minds we could make it as real as we wanted and make up as much explanation with our own minds.
For me this made it super realistic as I did not play the board games or read the rule books apart from having a cursory glance. I read the novel "space marine" which all made sense.
It's only when things that strictly adhere to the lore in games workshops imagination came to computer that it started to look silly to me. When you start to see how cartoonish things look and how star wars goofy a lot of the rules are with no regard for logic or common sense for the sake of coolness. That's when it started to lose it's appeal for me. But because of that original iteration in my head of a dark realistic universe that made sense... and the fact that it is sci-fi and anything goes. It still has a place in my heart for better or worse.
For me turn based would also kill that imaginative realistic side of things. I need WEGO at a minimum but do settle for turn based when I have to.
If it helps it's not based on the tabletop rule set
You pick your army from a points pool
It's fully modable
Thanks Mate. But WEGO is the main thing it has not got that stops me.
Clown Marines!
Oh and the Harlequins aren't actually clowns. They're the keepers of the secret of the Black Library (if I remember correctly).
Release date 19 January.
was able to browse the manual over at Steam
still no price tag yet (release should be 6pm GMT)
Showing as £22.99 for me on Steam. Think it's a few pounds more direct. £24.99
Couple of reviews dropped already, largely positive. Our review (done by yours truly) will be dropping tomorrow.
$29.99 for AMIs on Steam.
Please observe that they've installed PBEM++ for a game on Steam.
On Steam.
My son and I have been playing Borderlands 2 for hours at a time, sometimes with his cousin. Our sessions last far longer than any game of Sanctus Reach is likely to prove. This is becoming tedious.
Mark 1:3
In space, no one can hear the stupid.
But it cries softly to itself.
Somebody really dislikes PBEM++ ???
Or is it the lack of direct IP multi-player?
Almost every game we have on Steam supports PBEM++, so not sure why it would be a shock. Ignoring the problems with actually organising games that you have to sit through, the main issue isn't the length of a session, it's the time spent sitting waiting on your opponent to make their move, in front of a static map.
But I appreciate that if you dislike the approach, no amount of telling you how many people love it is going to change your mind.
Cheers
Pip
Entirely the latter.
It's significantly diminished my desire to play Fields of Glory, Pike and Shot, Battle Academy, and now this as each of these could be easily played in single-sitting IP sessions.
...and I can't say I'm not peeved that this trade is being made in the interest of what began as a DRM.
@Pip: No shock, disappointment.
And long sessions staring at a map? That's what we used to call gaming. Many still do.
PBEM++ Delenda Est
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi3.kym-cdn.com%2Fentries%2Ficons%2Foriginal%2F000%2F019%2F304%2Fold.jpg&hash=95e0ce07d133c62d9cc5f233d5ea63e0fc35f544)
Quote from: Cyrano on January 19, 2017, 01:47:06 PM
@Pip: No shock, disappointment.
And long sessions staring at a map? That's what we used to call gaming. Many still do.
PBEM++ Delenda Est
I keep trying to get you to try Vassal with some actual wargames, but oh, no...
Probably too busy mixing components between boxes.
Quote from: panzerde on January 19, 2017, 01:51:20 PM
Quote from: Cyrano on January 19, 2017, 01:47:06 PM
@Pip: No shock, disappointment.
And long sessions staring at a map? That's what we used to call gaming. Many still do.
PBEM++ Delenda Est
I keep trying to get you to try Vassal with some actual wargames, but oh, no...
Probably too busy mixing components between boxes.
Speaking of which, Doug, we need to get a game going... of anything.
:D
Quote from: Barthheart on January 19, 2017, 01:56:08 PM
Speaking of which, Doug, we need to get a game going... of anything.
:D
Agreed. LnLT?
Quote from: Cyrano on January 19, 2017, 01:44:46 PM
Entirely the latter.
It's significantly diminished my desire to play Fields of Glory, Pike and Shot, Battle Academy, and now this as each of these could be easily played in single-sitting IP sessions.
...and I can't say I'm not peeved that this trade is being made in the interest of what began as a DRM.
I'm not sure what the DRM line is about. The system has nothing to do with any DRM-type thinking. It's something we came up with for turn-based games to remove the hassles of trying to set up and complete games. This change led to our games having 1000s-10000s of games ongoing at one time, rather than (literally) single digits. That said, we do have some games (and desire for more) that support modes more similar to the kind of thing you seem to be preferential toward.
Cheers
Pip
Works for me!
@Pip: This is all the fallacy of the wicked alternative. For all my ranting, I loathe PBEM++ only because it seems to have supplanted direct play for you guys. Give me direct play and I'll even promise to say nice things about PBEM++ for those that like it.
@Doug: There you have me. I still want to give Marengo an HTH at some point, though.
@Vance: I have an howitzer and am NOT afraid to use it. You kids damn well will stay off my lawn.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fb3iRsEZ.jpg&hash=da9a555d5ff05bb3f13cd85d85d6b5cf2dad610c)
It's true, he does have a howitzer.
Marengo HTH any time is good with me. I been practicin'!
Well, I'm fine with PBEM++. And aside from a reported bug killing and restarting all progress after finishing the first mission (which I suppose will soon be fixed), I'm ready to buy it today! I see it on Steam!
http://steamcommunity.com/app/502370/reviews/?browsefilter=toprated&snr=1_5_reviews_#scrollTop=0
I think it's totally a question of the lifestyles of your potential game players. I've had MUCH more luck playing PBEM with friends of mine in recent years!
But then, I have two small kids and many of my game-playing friends also have small kids, so the forecasting of free time is much harder and the windows for free time are much narrower. Combine that with my closest buddies live in 3 different time zones, and none of that is conducive to the sort of leisurely gaming experience I like via IP.
If your own situation is different (e.g., you have grown kids that you like to play with and you all have sufficient flexibility in your schedule), I can see why online gaming would be better. It is more social, which is the whole point of games.
It's just not very doable for a lot of blokes.
I like PBEM++ for the same reasons above. It allows to set up a game quickly with random people without searching forums. Automates the process of loading files. Play at your own leisurely pace.
If both you and your opponent are actually in the same timezone and sitting in front of your PC. You can churn out turns quickly and finish the game too.
Regardless of the multiplayer, has anyone played the game and any thoughts? Looking at the official forums, barely anything discussed....strange for release day.
There's more chatter in the Steam boards.
Very first impressions (of course I bought it):
It's BA, that's for a fact. Actually feels a bit more like BA run through P&S, but I feel the old man should get the credit. Same isometric view, same issue I've always had with this engine in terms of missing the fun at the lowest level. Glad they kept the shift-3 view available. There are still bizarre glitches in the system that should have been ironed out by now -- poorly displayed briefing text among them.
The graphics are disappointing. I was not expecting DoW III, I get it, but this is a strangely dark and unlovely game. Part of the problem is certainly the institutional-blue color palette of the Space Wolves. The combat animations are perfunctory and the uninspiring. I like the "squish" when units are killed, but the flamethrowers in particular are a couple generations past their prime. What's really distressing is the float-y, puppet-y animations of space marine squads as they move. These are my boys and this animation was phoned in.
The troop offerings appear very slim -- as far as I can determine, you get Space Wolves and Orcs. Going into the skirmish mode and finding such a limited array of troops was disappointing. Clearly we will pay to get other troops...and pay well...
Related to the above, I think one's enjoyment of this initial release will depend dramatically on one's love for the wolves. I confess I've always found this chapter silly -- I'm a Blood Angel guy from the days of the Corvus armor -- and if you don't grok their specials, there's much here that will be lost on you. I do not particularly appreciate their specials and this obviously limited my tactical capacity.
I've much more to learn and do, but it's feeling like a middling release at the moment. It's not "Fire Warrior", but it's a long walk from even games like "Final Liberation" which (he said being a jerk) had live MP.
Quote from: Cyrano on January 19, 2017, 11:05:33 PM
Related to the above, I think one's enjoyment of this initial release will depend dramatically on one's love for the wolves. I confess I've always found this chapter silly -- I'm a Blood Angel guy from the days of the Corvus armor -- and if you don't grok their specials, there's much here that will be lost on you.
Sooooo.... I'm not the only one!
Knew there were more around here.
In the Steam forums, Slitherine mentioned that Games Workshop has a say on the factions that go into the games.
Quote
Sanctus Reach is a very specific part of the lore and so we have to have factions that with that. We do want to expand it out but we have to work within constraints and then approval from GW for any new factions.
Some more planned factions.
Quote
the developers from Straylight Studio have mentioned the ambition to expand the game by adding the Imperial Guard and a Chaos demons faction.
That might come in the future but at this point we're open to many possibilities.
i only had time to play two short skirmishes yesterday eve.
(small map , 1200 points, so only a hand full of units)
actually i like the art design of the units and the landscape when the UI is not overlaying , it captures the table-top-impression of plastic-figurines and placed table top objects (and so i can overlook the animations as toys-coming-to-life battling it out then expecting 'real time footage' streamed from the 'real' 40k universe)
i wish the range the camera angle could be tilted to horizontal would be less restricted. (hold right mouse and drag let you change the angle but not much)
or a free-cam mode gets available with an additional Shift-'Key' command (beyond Shift-"3" ) lets call it 'free-cam artists-mode' to generate table-top-shots at eye level with a spacemarine figurine and looking slightly up to the towering big machinery ....if there is a problem with a skybox needed then, just all black would be sufficient
Quote from: MikeGER on January 20, 2017, 03:09:36 AM
i only had time to play two short skirmishes yesterday eve.
(small map , 1200 points, so only a hand full of units)
actually i like the art design of the units and the landscape when the UI is not overlaying , it captures the table-top-impression of plastic-figurines and placed table top objects (and so i can overlook the animations as toys-coming-to-life battling it out then expecting 'real time footage' streamed from the 'real' 40k universe)
i wish the range the camera angle could be tilted to horizontal would be less restricted. (hold right mouse and drag let you change the angle but not much)
or a free-cam mode gets available with an additional Shift-'Key' command (beyond Shift-"3" ) lets call it 'free-cam artists-mode' to generate table-top-shots at eye level with a spacemarine figurine and looking slightly up to the towering big machinery ....if there is a problem with a skybox needed then, just all black would be sufficient
You can mod the camera restriction. But there is no sky rendering in the engine. The method below works for Pike and Shot and Sengoku Jidai. I suspect it works for this one too. But let me know if it isn't because I don't have this game yet.
Settings are in mapview.txt if it exists. Just modify the numbers to your liking.
Quote from: jomni on January 20, 2017, 03:24:49 AM
You can mod the camera restriction. But there is no sky rendering in the engine.
THX :)
found it (MAPVIEW.txt file in the Data Folder of the install directory)
Life in plastic, it's fantastic ;)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi63.tinypic.com%2F2itk7sn.png&hash=dd2316b0e96ea555a644a5313c8b0d26c5f55116)
F2 for screen shot generated a .tga file ...just a quick prove of concept, not about the units or artistic impressionsnow i only have to hide UI before the screenshot, i am sure there is a option somewhere too...
That steelcloudy background color is just fine for the skybox: it's a miniature's game after all.
Admittedly we're kind of spoiled by Dawn of War (and moreso by its Company of Heroes followup) which quietly allowed players to tilt the camera around if they found the controls -- and there was a skybox sort of! :smitten:
I played the tutorial mission, and part of the first mission of the first campaign last night. It is indeed rather Battle Academyish, as Armageddon was very Panzer Korps/Generalish -- maybe moreso, since my impression so far is that the Korps engine was tweaked a lot more.
Still, as a first foray into modern tabletop it could be a lot worse. The graphics look explicitly like model trees etc. The selection and operation UI is a little clunky.
I don't yet regret paying full asking price. O0 :))
I think it's quite a pretty game, all things considered. It's easily the best looking game they've done and yeah, it may barely be comparable to DoW I/II, but they've still done a good job.
Only thing that really disappoints me on the visual front is some of the ranged weapon effects. They're a bit naff.
I played for about 2 hours last night - the first campaign mission and a couple of skirmish battles. Cyrano is right, it is BA. Fortunately I love BA and I think it is a fitting vehicle for Warhammer 40k content. I do wish there were a few more factions, but I'm sure DLC is on the way.
I"m enjoying it so far for what it is. Definitely fills a needed gap in digital gaming. Its not DoW and its not supposed to be. I think its a positive sign that GW is moving toward recreating an authentic table-top experience for PC gamers.
Does it only have a linear campaign?
Hard to say. I think it's semi-linear? There are plot-choke points that you have to get through, but you can choose a selection of approaches to get to those points (maybe all the optional missions between plot points, too). I haven't played enough yet to be sure, but the campaign map looks that way.
Finished the first proper mission early this afternoon. I finally turned off the (I call it loosely) 'music'. It's eerie and wolfy for the first loop or two, and then I am praying for death. I still find the UI clunky. For some reason I feel like I'm squinting a lot. The unit selection method for going into new battles is... ... not altogether intuitive. Basically all currently-available units in the army are thrown out onto the map, and then you select the ones you want to keep on the map for the mission. For your first move, you then get to drag the units around your half of the map (on small maps anyway) to position them for the initial orc assault.
I'm on mission two, or perhaps I should say mission 1.1: after the first mission there are a selection of skirmishes, as I suspected, at least one or two of which must be completed to progress. The area I chose has no direct link to the next 'story' area, so I'll see what happens afterward.
Imperial Guards...
http://steamcommunity.com/games/502370/announcements/detail/1461839319163284357
Yummy.