Based on this news, guess deserves its own thread.....prior to this announcement this was expected to be just DLC but now a full standalone product. Looks like release in October for $35-$45 (although will have an initial sale price) and I guess a good part of this release, will be available on Steam which hopefully removes their old copy protection scheme (although that isn't explicitly stated).
Firstly - my apologies for the delay in this announcement; it has been a trying last few months for NWS since Christopher left us, but we have recovered and have been moving forward in good order.
With that out of the way, let us get down to what you have been waiting for - news and/or updates!
After lots of discussion between Fredrik and myself, and including feedback from our wonderful NWS Beta Team members, we have decided that the upcoming release should be a standalone game, namely "Rule the Waves 3: Ironclads to Missile Cruisers". We have worked on this project for ~ 2.5 years now; with the amount of changes and additions, not to mention improvements in many many areas, we realized a short while back that the work has gone well beyond a simple expansion/dlc...we somehow passed 'feature creep' and entered the realm of what I like to call 'feature bloat' at some point in the past it would appear :-) The previously released 'Expansion Catalog', while it showed much of what was included at its release, will likely become somewhat outdated as additional work is done for the final game release - more details of this will be coming out in our marketing campaign later on.
The exact price point for the RTW3 game has not yet been decided, but it will fall close to our (NWS) typical price range for our new games, somewhere in the 35-45 range is my best guess right now - the exact price will be set/announced later on.
We do plan to put the game on sale at a reduced price for the first week or so of the release, which will effectively give anyone who wishes to take advantage of it a good price break.
Release date: The game will be released in OCTOBER of this (2022) year. THIS IS A SOLID RELEASE WINDOW. This release window gives us some additional time to 'finetune' the game, and a chance to add even more new features and useful changes as well in the meantime!
STEAM: Yes, we plan on a Steam release at the same time as the game is released to the store!!! The initial sale price (that I mentioned above) should also apply on Steam as well as on the store.
:clap: Wow! Ironclads too :o
I like the sound of everything posted above :D
Ditto. And that's not the name of my first Ironclad. O0
Steam release as well??? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe any of the other games in this series have been put on Steam. Is this the first of more to come?
Quote from: Rayfer on May 19, 2022, 06:25:34 AM
Steam release as well??? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe any of the other games in this series have been put on Steam. Is this the first of more to come?
Correct. No other game developed by NWS has ever been on steam either, as far as I know. It seems that maybe, as tragic as the loss of Chris has been, it may have given the team fresh perspective, vision and the motivation to try new things.
Quote from: Rayfer on May 19, 2022, 06:25:34 AM
Steam release as well??? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe any of the other games in this series have been put on Steam. Is this the first of more to come?
I'd love it if they released on steam. For things I think I will play rarely I just don't bite outside of steam. Because I forget about them.
Good post JH and I agree. Great to see this come to Steam and it will hopefully open up the game to lots of new players.
I just want to note if someone wants to try RTW2 they removed that god awful DRM scheme in the last patch.
Quote from: Blucher on May 19, 2022, 09:34:37 AM
I just want to note if someone wants to try RTW2 they removed that god awful DRM scheme in the last patch.
I have owned RTW 1 from its release and have hesitated to get RTW2 because of the install DRM thing. Have been contemplating getting it since they removed DRM but now it looks like I should just wait for RTW3 to come out.
Quote from: Blucher on May 19, 2022, 09:34:37 AM
I just want to note if someone wants to try RTW2 they removed that god awful DRM scheme in the last patch.
Do the Steam & Iron games use the same copy protection and/or has it been removed from them as well? https://www.navalwarfare.net/ (https://www.navalwarfare.net/)
Actual release date has been announced (apparently quietly): May 18, 2023.
QuoteRule the Waves 3 is a simulation of naval ship design and construction, fleet management and naval warfare from 1890 to 1970.
You are placed in the role of 'Grand Admiral' of a navy from the time when steam and iron dominated warship design up to the missile age.
Rule the Waves 3 lets you design and build the ships of your navy and lead them into battle when war erupts.
You can guide your navy's deployment, construction, and operations during a period of great technological innovation and political tensions.
While the game derives much of its technology and events from 'actual' history, you can also forge your own new history each and every time you play!
The game will be released on May 18th both on Matrix Games and Steam.
https://www.matrixgames.com/news/rule-the-waves-3-is-coming-soon
https://www.matrixgames.com/news/rule-the-waves-3-comparison-document
Watching Dastactic doing his tutorial/Let's Play on RTW 3 and I actually think it may drag me into naval warfare for the first time.
Looks a fascinating game.
As I have a huge and completely inexplicable attachment to Austria Hungary I like the idea of an uphill struggle !
I may get this. It's on the list :Dreamer:
I am shocked to say this but having watched the Dastactic tutorials I then watched a channel called "RvT Wargames" that is doing a tutorial/let's play for Rule the Waves 3 which is even better playing France from 1890.
The guy is very knowledgeable, clear and to the point and has already done a lot of content on Rule the Waves 2 so knows his onions.
Very highly recommended.
I liked RvT Wargames his tutorials were pretty clear and he is very clear and to the point of what he presents. I'd recommend him and I will probably watch his vids if or when I get RTW3. :azn:
Cheers CJ.
As a matter of interest did you find the air war when aircraft start arriving manageable in RTW2 or does it get a bit frenetic ?
Quote from: devoncop on May 09, 2023, 11:39:03 AMCheers CJ.
As a matter of interest did you find the air war when aircraft start arriving manageable in RTW2 or does it get a bit frenetic ?
Sadly I never got RTW2. I was holding off because of the NWS-DRM, and then of course Christopher Dean's passing and the complications from that. This of course is no disrespect to NWS or Dean at all, it was just there was a lot of fallout to deal with, and then the announcement of Rule the Waves 3, and so I decided to wait and see until release. I have Ultimate Admirals Dreadnoughts to tie me over if I want shiny stuff (like graphics)
I'm not sure how the price tag is going to be but if I was to guess I'd say 39.99 or 29.99 (low end).
Quote from: CJReich46 on May 09, 2023, 03:12:36 PMQuote from: devoncop on May 09, 2023, 11:39:03 AMCheers CJ.
As a matter of interest did you find the air war when aircraft start arriving manageable in RTW2 or does it get a bit frenetic ?
Sadly I never got RTW2. I was holding off because of the NWS-DRM, and then of course Christopher Dean's passing and the complications from that. Then the news about RTW3 so I held off.
Ah OK.
Just discovering the series so missed all the DRM controversy.
Thankfully Steam solves that issue.
Quote from: CJReich46 on May 09, 2023, 03:12:36 PMSadly I never got RTW2. I was holding off because of the NWS-DRM, and then of course Christopher Dean's passing and the complications from that. Then the news about RTW3 so I held off.
I could have written this pretty much word for word. Looking forward to RTW3. Enjoyed original a lot.
Never played a game in this series but like others have been following this thread with interest. Saw a criticism on a different site complaining there is no auto-resolve of tactical battles. Question for those who played the earlier versions...was this an issue??
Quote from: Rayfer on May 09, 2023, 04:28:22 PMNever played a game in this series but like others have been following this thread with interest. Saw a criticism on a different site complaining there is no auto-resolve of tactical battles. Question for those who played the earlier versions...was this an issue??
There is a combat resolution simulator mod that tortugapower created a few years back for both RtW and RtW2. I never got around to trying out the mod, but apparently the intention of the mod is to alleviate having to fight the smaller engagements while also respecting Fredrik's vision of the game not being played with auto resolve battles.
Rule the Waves 3 is out NOW!
39.99 on both Matrix and Steam!
Quote from: Groggy on May 09, 2023, 10:01:31 PMQuote from: Rayfer on May 09, 2023, 04:28:22 PMNever played a game in this series but like others have been following this thread with interest. Saw a criticism on a different site complaining there is no auto-resolve of tactical battles. Question for those who played the earlier versions...was this an issue??
There is a combat resolution simulator mod that tortugapower created a few years back for both RtW and RtW2. I never got around to trying out the mod, but apparently the intention of the mod is to alleviate having to fight the smaller engagements while also respecting Fredrik's vision of the game not being played with auto resolve battles.
You can auto-resolve battles in RTW3 organically. No mod necessary.
£33.99 in the UK.
Bought and downloaded and will give creaking old Austria Hungary a run out this evening (as I like a challenge).
This will be my first try at a RTW game but I have been devouring as much You Tube content as I can so should be able to jump in and get my arse handed to me straight away. :HideEyes:
Just fired the game up for an 1890 start where (unlike the 1900 start) you don't get the option to design your starting fleet.
Jeez.
4 Austro Hungarian starting battleships of the Kaiser class. All with narrow belt 14inch armour and moving slightly slower than an arthritic tortoise.
Guess blitzkrieg will have to wait a while....
Those are for pulling up next to shore targets and sitzkrieging!
Edited to add: hey, 30 reviews already!
Good point Jason ! :ThumbsUp:
Up to 1893 before having to stop for the day and imho this is a fine game.
Apart from a few too many incompetent Captains as a result of years of interbreeding in the aristocracy Austria is about to enter its first war with Italy with a little more confidence
Loved this comment from Steam reviews: "Let me put it this way: If Ultimate Admiral Dreadnoughts was Stellaris, this game would be Aurora 4X."
Will probably buy tomorrow.
Quote from: bobarossa on May 18, 2023, 09:04:40 PMLoved this comment from Steam reviews: "Let me put it this way: If Ultimate Admiral Dreadnoughts was Stellaris, this game would be Aurora 4X."
Will probably buy tomorrow.
This review also got me:
"This game is what Victoria 3 was supposed to be."
I await some kind of AAR and/or screenies! :ThumbsUp:
Quote from: bobarossa on May 18, 2023, 09:04:40 PMLoved this comment from Steam reviews: "Let me put it this way: If Ultimate Admiral Dreadnoughts was Stellaris, this game would be Aurora 4X."
Will probably buy tomorrow.
My wish is that Dreadnoughts and RTW3 have a baby.
Dreadnoughts has the visual fights, RTW3 has the campaign.
You people are going to make me get this.
I'm considering it. Besides I would like to hammer at my "list" for once.
I might grab it this weekend. I dunno, I've been dealing with depression and a lot of other bad.
^Feel better, man.
Quote from: JasonPratt on May 19, 2023, 07:53:14 AMI await some kind of AAR and/or screenies! :ThumbsUp:
I may have something for you in a day or two...... (in addition to my BoB campaign, and the Combat Mission: Italy video I'm finishing up....
Is there background music of any kind in RTW3?
Quote from: Gusington on May 19, 2023, 09:39:35 AM^Feel better, man.
I'm thinking if I had something I could sink my teeth into, that would motivate me, it would help. But I'm also thinking I need to mark things off my "list." and I already downloaded the e-manual. I was kind of waiting on it, and my anniversary coupon expired before it was out. (stupid me- lesson learned).
Price tag is about where I said it would be too.
Keeping busy always helps me.
Quote from: Gusington on May 19, 2023, 09:52:13 AMIs there background music of any kind in RTW3?
No background music but I just play some period music in the background and there are plenty of battery fire sounds going on :grin:
I had a cunning plan of allying with the USA as Austria Hungary given I was badly outnumbered in the Med by Italy in my first game. I made it through until 1899 with no wars as Italy kept backing down because of my "Alliance of Steel" just before the tensions triggered war.
Eventually however they declared on me and the USA slunk away explaining they were unable to help for now :nono2: leaving me in the lurch.
After an inconclusive cruiser clash Italy then immediately launched a full on amphibious assault on Austrian Dalmatia which I had managed to fortify with reasonably strong coastal batteries over the last decade.
A huge fleet engagement then took place off the landing sites as the badly outnumbered Austrian fleet tried to fight off the landing and the shore batteries pitched in too. More than 12 hours of fighting saw the Austrians forced to flee back to a home port losing The Marengo an older battleship and two light cruisers along with heavy damage to two other cruisers from torpedo hits.
The Italians lost a Cruiser and some destroyers but Italian troops managed to land on Dalmatia and are now trying to overcome the resistance of the shore defences.
The game is full of such emergent narratives and much more is still happening as Germany has now allied with us v the Italians. :ThumbsUp:
I would put my Coldstream Guards CD anthems on in the background. (Or maybe some Russian/German popular marches depending on who I'm playing.)
Quote from: JasonPratt on May 19, 2023, 11:44:19 AMI would put my Coldstream Guards CD anthems on in the background. (Or maybe some Russian/German popular marches depending on who I'm playing.)
Fine choice !
In fact your suggestion has prompted me to d/l "The Radetzky March" which I shall use to try and raise spirits later this evening as the Campaign continues...
Try the Manhattan Beach March, written for the opening of a shore hotel in the neighborhood I grew up in...100 years before I grew up there:
All I need is the Imperial March from Star Wars.
Quote from: CJReich46 on May 19, 2023, 10:29:18 AMQuote from: Gusington on May 19, 2023, 09:39:35 AM^Feel better, man.
I'm thinking if I had something I could sink my teeth into, that would motivate me, it would help. But I'm also thinking I need to mark things off my "list." and I already downloaded the e-manual. I was kind of waiting on it, and my anniversary coupon expired before it was out. (stupid me- lesson learned).
Price tag is about where I said it would be too.
i used my 50% off anniversary coupon that i got in december from matrix. i was surprised it hadnt expired.
Mine did not expire either...going to purchase through Matrix :ThumbsUp:
Thanks for the reminder. I could have sworn I used my coupon but guess I didn't.
Never got to use mine. It wasn't listed and it expired.
Ha!
The Austrian Kaiser was deposed in a Workers Revolution after the Navy mutinied in 1903.
Moral of the story...don't try and get cute by transporting charasmatic communists in navy ships over to your enemy's territory in the hope of fostering a revolution....unintended consequences indeed :ROFL:
Great first run though and I now am getting better at the tactical battles (which I play on Admirals mode)
Admirals mode?
ADMIRAL'S MODE
The ultimate in realism. The player can only give orders to the lead divisions of each
force. Other divisions can be controlled only by selecting their role. No manual targeting
is allowed. If you want to experience the real limitations of WW1 and WW2 fleet
command, this is how you should play.
REAR ADMIRAL'S MODE
The player can put any divisions in his force on manual or AI control as long as they are
within sight of the force flagship. The player can give target orders to divisions. Victory
points will be reduced by 10%.
CAPTAIN'S MODE
The player can put any divisions in his force on manual or AI control. The player can give
target orders to divisions or ships. Victory points will be reduced by 20%.
Note that many battles have friendly forces that are not under player control. This is
not affected by the realism setting.
Just bought it from Matrix using my anniversary coupon from 12/22/2022. I had forgotten about that. Thanks for the reminder.
well i was sacked after 14 years playing as U.S. waited til i had better tech to build up my fleet and went into debt big time. probably best to pump out ships continually and leave room on them for refits. live and learn!
Quote from: CptHowdy on May 20, 2023, 10:40:00 AMwell i was sacked after 14 years playing as U.S. waited til i had better tech to build up my fleet and went into debt big time. probably best to pump out ships continually and leave room on them for refits. live and learn!
How many games have you played with the ability to fire you?! Not many I can recall.
:shocked:
just posted in sales thread but game is 20% off at greenmangaming right now.
One of the very few (if any) games to get the strategic as well as tactical elements spot on.
So impressed with this game.
havent done any battles myself as ive been letting the computer play them out. still trying to get my head around designing my own ships. if anyone has any tips that would be greatly appreciated. mainly looking for info on what are good armor amounts to have for each class. i started in 1890 but am currently in 1905 as the USA. thanks!
Quote from: CptHowdy on May 22, 2023, 02:17:47 PMhavent done any battles myself as ive been letting the computer play them out. still trying to get my head around designing my own ships. if anyone has any tips that would be greatly appreciated. mainly looking for info on what are good armor amounts to have for each class. i started in 1890 but am currently in 1905 as the USA. thanks!
I am certainly no expert but through intel you can see what other nations are doing re armour and gun sizes and at least match them in your builds. A good tip you may be aware of is try to use armour that gives you immunity down to at least 5000 yards to your own guns. You can check this by selecting the gun size you are using for your main armament and hitting the "gun data" button next to the gun size selector.
If your shipyards can't produce what you want because of size restrictions build abroad with nations you have good relations with. You need to keep them sweet while they complete the order. If relations deteriorate down to about level 5 or 6 tension you likely won't get the ship you paid for :grumpy:
Quote from: devoncop on May 19, 2023, 02:51:18 PMHa!
The Austrian Kaiser was deposed in a Workers Revolution after the Navy mutinied in 1903.
Moral of the story...don't try and get cute by transporting charasmatic communists in navy ships over to your enemy's territory in the hope of fostering a revolution....unintended consequences indeed :ROFL:
Now that's funny! :ROFL:
Just like UA:D, it's an unbalanced mess.
(https://i.imgur.com/BOoNu55.png)
Is there a way to exclude aircraft from the game?
Quote from: solops on May 25, 2023, 01:02:22 PMIs there a way to exclude aircraft from the game?
You can slow down aircraft development to 80% of normal pace and also reduce the size of airbases which determine the numbers of aircraft that get deployed but otherwise no.
I find the period from 1890 to 1940 or so brilliant but once aircraft carriers start dominating and even moreso missiles then I have been ending the game.
I enjoy the ship manoeuvres in the early period and this largely disappears later.
One thing I would love to see in a DLC, is some starts with historical ship classes. I would certainly open my wallet for that.
That seems at least moddable??
If you are wondering how your 1900 era creations compare to history, the below is for you.
Found in Strategy & Tactics magazine, No. 59 (Nov/Dec 1976, insert game: "The Plot to Assassinate Hitler", pages 42 and 43), this wonderful chart summarizes key ship data for the Russo-Japanese war.
Format generally fits well with your RTW3 Spreadsheets and is a nice historical benchmark for 1900 era navies.
(interesting historical note: most of the Japanese navy was not built in Japan)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AJFCJaXZvuSunybnhTjwC3GYfvQ0V5BL69jJ-XxSezeN13pRUynAVW1CTcnVscUBF41FZhn6oPGyiC_NcCaYPyZtVV4P5TiiKV2WYOCtJ0m1aToSLbYLS-g=w2400)
Quote from: ArizonaTank on June 12, 2023, 12:52:21 PMIf you are wondering how your 1900 era creations compare to history, the below is for you.
Found in Strategy & Tactics magazine, No. 59 (Nov/Dec 1976, insert game: "The Plot to Assassinate Hitler", pages 42 and 43), this wonderful chart summarizes key ship data for the Russo-Japanese war....
Damn, you are old..... :evil: Wait a minute...I have that same magazine in the bookcase behind me...... :laugh:
Quote from: Tripoli on June 12, 2023, 02:30:55 PMDamn, you are old..... :evil: Wait a minute...I have that same magazine in the bookcase behind me...... :laugh:
I'll fess up...:) But I keep telling my wife we are the "young old"...it does make us feel better somehow... :justice:
^Better than the opposite.
I'm feeling the need for an Old People's joke here. Nevermind, it was just the prunes. :grumpy:
Quick note for anyone interested in trying the earlier games. The NWS store has "Steam and Iron: The Great War"and " Russo-Japanese War" are on sale at a very good price. Both are play similar but distinctly different from RTW series.
Quote from: Vox on June 15, 2023, 05:03:32 AMQuick note for anyone interested in trying the earlier games. The NWS store has "Steam and Iron: The Great War"and " Russo-Japanese War" are on sale at a very good price. Both are play similar but distinctly different from RTW series.
I have played the Great War/Campaign Expansion and it is very good. Certainly worth the $10 they are asking for right now. If anyone is interested in the game play, this is what I used in my "WWI in the North Sea" AAR. https://www.grogheads.com/forums/index.php?topic=16935.msg444918#msg444918
Quote from: Tripoli on June 15, 2023, 08:04:13 AMQuote from: Vox on June 15, 2023, 05:03:32 AMQuick note for anyone interested in trying the earlier games. The NWS store has "Steam and Iron: The Great War"and " Russo-Japanese War" are on sale at a very good price. Both are play similar but distinctly different from RTW series.
I have played the Great War/Campaign Expansion and it is very good. Certainly worth the $10 they are asking for right now. If anyone is interested in the game play, this is what I used in my "WWI in the North Sea" AAR. https://www.grogheads.com/forums/index.php?topic=16935.msg444918#msg444918
+1 on these two great games. Well worth $10.
Quote from: Sir Slash on June 12, 2023, 10:07:06 PMI'm feeling the need for an Old People's joke here. Nevermind, it was just the prunes. :grumpy:
Oh! Prunes! Anyway, Rule the Waves 3 got an update fixing bugs and admirals, so I started in 1890 as Great Britain. The Fleet looks pretty good and they haven't started ramming each other accidently or spontaneously blowing up.
The cruisers are all pretty big and go 20 knots (not bad). I designed a 21-knot protected cruiser and am hoping it
floats and stuff.
I just uploaded the update and will probably resume my AAR as a direct result....
Quote from: MengJiao on November 29, 2023, 01:13:32 PMI designed a 21-knot protected cruiser and am hoping it
floats and stuff.
It would be great if you could design something that sinks as soon as it hits the water like the Vasa. :ROFL:
Quote from: em2nought on November 30, 2023, 12:52:09 AMQuote from: MengJiao on November 29, 2023, 01:13:32 PMI designed a 21-knot protected cruiser and am hoping it
floats and stuff.
It would be great if you could design something that sinks as soon as it hits the water like the Vasa. :ROFL:
Or
HMS Captain...but by 1890 being rammed in fleet manoeuvers or just blowing up might have been
more serious risks. My "scientists" claim they are "Working on Melinite" which I would guess is even more
unstable than cordite or Luddite (sp?>)
Quote from: ArizonaTank on June 15, 2023, 08:53:07 AMQuote from: Tripoli on June 15, 2023, 08:04:13 AMQuote from: Vox on June 15, 2023, 05:03:32 AMQuick note for anyone interested in trying the earlier games. The NWS store has "Steam and Iron: The Great War"and " Russo-Japanese War" are on sale at a very good price. Both are play similar but distinctly different from RTW series.
I have played the Great War/Campaign Expansion and it is very good. Certainly worth the $10 they are asking for right now. If anyone is interested in the game play, this is what I used in my "WWI in the North Sea" AAR. https://www.grogheads.com/forums/index.php?topic=16935.msg444918#msg444918
+1 on these two great games. Well worth $10.
I'll add my endorsement to Steam and Iron (WWI) and RJW (Russo-Japanese War).
For my very first wargame of all-time, I went with Avalon Hill's "Jutland".
These games were a dream come true.
Quote from: MengJiao on November 30, 2023, 07:00:26 AMQuote from: em2nought on November 30, 2023, 12:52:09 AMQuote from: MengJiao on November 29, 2023, 01:13:32 PMI designed a 21-knot protected cruiser and am hoping it
floats and stuff.
It would be great if you could design something that sinks as soon as it hits the water like the Vasa. :ROFL:
Or HMS Captain...but by 1890 being rammed in fleet manoeuvers or just blowing up might have been
more serious risks. My "scientists" claim they are "Working on Melinite" which I would guess is even more
unstable than cordite or Luddite (sp?>)
The game has some interesting bugs so save multiplie and often. Plus, fighting Germany can be odd. They set out to raid my coast (I'm Great Britain) and hit a terrible bug. The Battleship Wettin' had a "catestrophic floating point error" and indeed turned up as SUNK in the after action report. Victory for GB!
Spain, my ally was amused and sent me some lend-lease: the Destroyer known as
Destructor
Quote from: gregb41352 on November 30, 2023, 08:21:24 PMQuote from: ArizonaTank on June 15, 2023, 08:53:07 AMQuote from: Tripoli on June 15, 2023, 08:04:13 AMQuote from: Vox on June 15, 2023, 05:03:32 AMQuick note for anyone interested in trying the earlier games. The NWS store has "Steam and Iron: The Great War"and " Russo-Japanese War" are on sale at a very good price. Both are play similar but distinctly different from RTW series.
I have played the Great War/Campaign Expansion and it is very good. Certainly worth the $10 they are asking for right now. If anyone is interested in the game play, this is what I used in my "WWI in the North Sea" AAR. https://www.grogheads.com/forums/index.php?topic=16935.msg444918#msg444918
+1 on these two great games. Well worth $10.
I'll add my endorsement to Steam and Iron (WWI) and RJW (Russo-Japanese War).
For my very first wargame of all-time, I went with Avalon Hill's "Jutland".
These games were a dream come true.
That was my third game (after Bismarck and Gettysburg)
I keep coming here hoping for news on the game the op was about as is majorly on my wishlist and seems none as it's just more about rtw
Quote from: gregb41352 on November 30, 2023, 08:21:24 PMQuote from: ArizonaTank on June 15, 2023, 08:53:07 AMQuote from: Tripoli on June 15, 2023, 08:04:13 AMQuote from: Vox on June 15, 2023, 05:03:32 AMQuick note for anyone interested in trying the earlier games. The NWS store has "Steam and Iron: The Great War"and " Russo-Japanese War" are on sale at a very good price. Both are play similar but distinctly different from RTW series.
I have played the Great War/Campaign Expansion and it is very good. Certainly worth the $10 they are asking for right now. If anyone is interested in the game play, this is what I used in my "WWI in the North Sea" AAR. https://www.grogheads.com/forums/index.php?topic=16935.msg444918#msg444918
+1 on these two great games. Well worth $10.
I'll add my endorsement to Steam and Iron (WWI) and RJW (Russo-Japanese War).
For my very first wargame of all-time, I went with Avalon Hill's "Jutland".
These games were a dream come true.
Just bought them both. Jutland and a blue bed sheet made for some fun summer afternoons long ago.
I just bought Steam and Iron Complete after reading this thread and Tripoli's AAR that was linked (thanks for that!).
Haven't tried RTW yet, so sorry for the off-topic post.
Toonces-Rule the Waves 3 is also pretty good. I think they have made some AI improvements. With that said, Steam and Iron is an excellent game and has the advantage over RTW in that you can actually refight large fleet actions. While RTW theoretically allows for the refighting of large fleet actions, in reality the vast bulk of the combat is done at the scales smaller than fleets (in my experience, a capital ship scenario may typically have only 6 capital ships plus escorts/side).
Remaster Update for Rule the Waves 3 : https://www.grogheads.com/forums/index.php?topic=28036.0