http://www.ageod-forum.com/showthread.php?32026-One-feature-a-day-series-7-Battle-Planner
Seems that in ACW2 you will have the option to choose how the army deploys. Based on that deployment choice, you can select among several available battle plans. This should give people more control.
Normally, I wouldn't start a thread over a simple feature, but I know that a lot of people who would normally love these types of deep operational games are turned off by the abstract combat. Hopefully this will convince so of you to give it a try.
Coming out Sept 17 according to matrix
Sounds pretty cool. Here's hoping they'll actually make a difference in combat results.
Yes, and also what Goes in to the AI decision to use the certain plans or is it going to just pick one at random
This is the kind of new feature the series could use. Hopefully it's matured enough in testing to work well. 8)
I like the idea...
Has anyone heard anything about the release if this? The matrix Christmas wish lost said Sept 17 but I have not seen any annouments. I posted matrix but got no response. I cannot get into the AgEOD forum as it hates my phone apparently
A preview article on this if anyone interested...
http://www.armchairgeneral.com/civil-war-ii-pc-game-aar.htm
Release tommorow confirmed on AGEOD forum.
Can't wait
Quote from: mikeck on September 16, 2013, 04:30:08 PM
Release tommorow confirmed on AGEOD forum.
Can't wait
Any price mentioned yet?
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on September 16, 2013, 04:31:37 PM
Quote from: mikeck on September 16, 2013, 04:30:08 PM
Release tommorow confirmed on AGEOD forum.
Can't wait
Any price mentioned yet?
Hopefully an AGEOD price.. not a Matrix price!
Quote from: Tuna on September 16, 2013, 04:46:11 PM
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on September 16, 2013, 04:31:37 PM
Quote from: mikeck on September 16, 2013, 04:30:08 PM
Release tommorow confirmed on AGEOD forum.
Can't wait
Any price mentioned yet?
Hopefully an AGEOD price.. not a Matrix price!
I have a feeling it will be at Matrix Prices.......if I am a betting man, I think the price will be between $29 and $39. Thought I remember some discussion threads that suggested Matrix thought Ageod was selling their products too cheaply....but I could be misremembering.
Still showing "coming soon" but both the wish list and Pocus (on the forum) as well as Ian from Slitherine said release is tomorrow. Likely it will be around $39
Edit: Slitherine updated to show release day 9/17; however, there is no price info. Hell, I'de put down $60 on it if its half as good as ACW
Game is up.. 39 is the price..
^That's not too bad a price. I like the addition of this battle planner. I'm torn now between this game and GTA V both out now. :-\
Not too bad a price.. but it is an increase on an existing Engine.. at least they didn't break it up into multiple sections like AJE.
I'm not allowed to use the Credit Card this month (cause we spent too much last month!)... So I guess I'm not a first day buyer :-[
Looking at the screenshots on the Matrix site....is there any way to enlarge them? They are so small that it's hard to see the details on the maps and info windows. Am I missing something, can they be made larger?
Matrix always has small screenshots.. they had a survey recently, that it looked like they inquiring how 'big' to make them, but nothing came of it.. I agree.. you want to see high resolution when checking out screen shots, to ensure that the game is a beautiful as your anticipate...
Looking at AJE, I would assume it's going to look pretty nice..
Quote from: Tuna on September 17, 2013, 08:17:31 AM
...I'm not allowed to use the Credit Card this month (cause we spent too much last month!)... So I guess I'm not a first day buyer :-[
I hear you Tuna. Save those pennies for next month! :)
I think it looks more like Pride of nations in the graphic dept
Don't know when I'll get a chance to play it but I bought it. I loved AGEOD games and this one looks awesome! And it's a 1gb download. There just has to be some goodness stuffed in there somewhere!
Any first impressions yet?
I just played around a bit. I like the update UI and the new unit counters. Far easier to see what's going on. Also, for once the map scrolls smoothly!
I can't say I like the text graphics that pop up with the tool tip. Look very "ms dos" but whatever, it's functional
It has borrowed a lot from AJE in terms of decisions. Previously, you would just select "draft". Now you pick the draft decision and place it on the state area you want. Not sure if there are national options.
Also, there is a simplified supply OPTION for you console gamers.
If you have played AJE, BOR or even ROP gold, you will be comfortable navigating around. If you haven't played since ACW, then you will be a little confused.
The tutorials seem to be MUCH better than in the original.
I am a but disappointed with the map graphics. The map is beautiful (as always) but the city structures and flags seem to have taken a step back from PoN. Just minor eye candy but it looks very dated.
As for gameplay, I can't tell yet. Some have said the Ai is good but a bit too aggressive. It is being addressed but playing with AI aggressiveness at medium or low should help
Thank you sounds interesting. I could never wrap my head around the first one so I wonder if this version will click more with me.
I think they have really made an effort to streamline a lot of things. You no longer need to draft replacements for example. It seems to have retained the complexity of the original ACW but streamlined it a bit. AGEOD games are complex and frustrating because you don't get a lot of help. They don't tell you why you can't so something. For example, you can't form a corp until some time in 1862. Doesn't tell you that though. Hopefully, this version has changed that.
They are worth learning because they are great games and once you learn the system, you can play a of them
I only played the first tutorial but I'm liking it better already. Having the interface and text scale is a boon to these aging eyes.
The counter art & generals faces look wonderful.
The rest of the artwork is.. meh. Still don't like the sterile interface. Seems more like they skimped on spending for art assets to me.
As long as the gameplay is solid, I'll pick it up at some point. With AGE games, there is always tweaking to be done to the mechanics on release, and I still have yet to finish all the AJE/BOR scenarios anyway.
Behold the Matrix screenshots larger for whatever that may be worth! ;D
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.matrixgames.com%2Ffiles%2Fgames%2F500%2F20130730080004.jpg%3Fheight%3D1200%26amp%3Bwidth%3D1600&hash=a0826a0ef2bfb3edc03b85ec2d3ff6e4cd93e603)
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I have to say, I'm not real fond of how the territory divisions are represented in this game, and some of those ocean divisions make no sense to me at all.
Well done JasonPratt....thanks! Matrix should take a lesson from this by enabling these larger screenshots; you can actually see what you are thinking about purchasing. I absolutely love the new look of the maps and counters...can't wait to get into this one.
Quote from: mikeck on September 17, 2013, 06:40:53 PM
I think they have really made an effort to streamline a lot of things. You no longer need to draft replacements for example. It seems to have retained the complexity of the original ACW but streamlined it a bit. AGEOD games are complex and frustrating because you don't get a lot of help. They don't tell you why you can't so something. For example, you can't form a corp until some time in 1862. Doesn't tell you that though. Hopefully, this version has changed that.
They are worth learning because they are great games and once you learn the system, you can play a of them
I don't know why the North can't form corps til 1862, but for the South, Jeff Davis did not want to give that much authority to Army commanders like Johnson and Beauregard. In fact it appears that Lee to some degree had to sneak his Corps (well just 2: Jackson and Longstreet) into being.
The Union had simply not adopted the corps structure yet. Didnt seem needed until into 1862 when the army sizes dictated it.
Jason, what don't you like about the territories divisions? Seems like the Sam as ACW1 although I can't say for sure
I NEVER EVER played AACW - I fired it up a few times, went through a few turns - but never stuck at it...and yet I've just bought this.
Good money after bad.
Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me!
When will I learn?! ???
^What was it about the first game that didn't grab you?
The tutorial does mention that you can't form Divisions in 1861, and in fact have to wait for the event to appear before you can.
Didn't know what I was doing.
I love ACW - reading about it, watching programs about it - but when it came to that game, I just didn't get it. To be honest, I'm not totally convinced I gave it a fair try...so I'm not blaming the game here.
Those are valid reasons Judge. It's interesting because for me I was able to learn the mechanics of ACW after about two weeks of farting around with it. I can't say the same thing for the other AGEOD games I have purchased and I can't put a finger on it.
I do remember though that the AGEOD and Matrix forums had one or two guys that posted some excellent step by step guides on how to play ACW but I never found anything for games like Birth of America 2 or Alea Iacta Est.
That game looks really nice.
Ok - clearly my current "bee in my bonnet" is DRM
So if Matrix is the shining light with DRM (which I had always taken them to be) - why did I have to enter my key into the installer and then get asked for it again when running the game? Not a huge deal - but not the norm for Matrix Games.
Quote from: mikeck on September 18, 2013, 09:48:20 AM
Jason, what don't you like about the territories divisions? Seems like the Sam as ACW1 although I can't say for sure
Don't like the way they look on the map, too vaguely defined in the screenshots above.
I haven't played ACW1, but other AGEOD games seem to have clearer territory division than what I see above. Heck, even ACW2's naval territories are more clearly marked for immediate understanding, although the divisions don't seem to make as much sense. I feel reasonably sure that it takes more time to sail down, around and back up the southern tip of Florida than to sail down the coastline of one of the Bahama islands nearby.
One of the options to set is Mouse Cursor - Hardware or Software
Anyone know wth the difference is?
Quote from: Toonces on September 18, 2013, 12:47:00 PM
That game looks really nice.
You even like that bright silver UI background? It looks jarringly out of place.
This thing is fugly, other than the unit & general art. The latter look wonderful, but most everything else is a couple steps back. I always thought the extra art fluff was an AGEOD hallmark. The sterile environment I'm seeing in ACW2 is making me realize how much all those extra embellishments had previously added to the experience for me. Even if it's just some stylized parchment, marble, or leather style background art behind such info windows.
I can also see Jason's point about the map locations not standing out too well. The borders don't exactly stand out as much as other AGE titles, at least in the swampy areas, so I'm wondering just how much I would have to stop and actively concentrate on figuring out where provinces are, under all the units on top of them. It may be more of a problem being zoomed further out.
It sounds like they've improved some of the gameplay features, so that alone may convince me to get it at some point. But the general art direction is disappointing. It looks as if art expenses were cut and some basic default windows graphics were used in their stead. :'(
What it certainly not a budget issue because those extra fluff things are so simple to add. I get the impression from the forums that it was an attempt to make everything look more streamlined and less complex. I love the map and I don't mind the UI at all the only thing that drives me nuts are the little town icons with the waving flags. looks like something from Sid Meier's Antietum
Quote from: mikeck on September 18, 2013, 05:17:44 PM
What it certainly not a budget issue because those extra fluff things are so simple to add. I get the impression from the forums that it was an attempt to make everything look more streamlined and less complex. I love the map and I don't mind the UI at all the only thing that drives me nuts are the little town icons with the waving flags. looks like something from Sid Meier's Antietum
They may be simple to add, but they still have to pay an artist to do some actual artwork instead of dropping some generic Windows stuff in. Looks like they skimped on an artist, in this case. Pure speculation on my part, but that's the impression I get when I look at it's blandness.
Quote from: Nefaro on September 18, 2013, 05:20:36 PM
Quote from: mikeck on September 18, 2013, 05:17:44 PM
What it certainly not a budget issue because those extra fluff things are so simple to add. I get the impression from the forums that it was an attempt to make everything look more streamlined and less complex. I love the map and I don't mind the UI at all the only thing that drives me nuts are the little town icons with the waving flags. looks like something from Sid Meier's Antietum
They may be simple to add, but they still have to pay an artist to do some actual artwork instead of dropping some generic Windows stuff in. Looks like they skimped on an artist, in this case. Pure speculation on my part, but that's the impression I get when I look at it's blandness.
Didn't I see a post earlier where AGEOD said they hired an artist to work on this game? I doubt it's a case of skimping.
Quote from: bbmike on September 18, 2013, 05:30:53 PM
Quote from: Nefaro on September 18, 2013, 05:20:36 PM
Quote from: mikeck on September 18, 2013, 05:17:44 PM
What it certainly not a budget issue because those extra fluff things are so simple to add. I get the impression from the forums that it was an attempt to make everything look more streamlined and less complex. I love the map and I don't mind the UI at all the only thing that drives me nuts are the little town icons with the waving flags. looks like something from Sid Meier's Antietum
They may be simple to add, but they still have to pay an artist to do some actual artwork instead of dropping some generic Windows stuff in. Looks like they skimped on an artist, in this case. Pure speculation on my part, but that's the impression I get when I look at it's blandness.
Didn't I see a post earlier where AGEOD said they hired an artist to work on this game? I doubt it's a case of skimping.
They hired a new artist to do the new Unit & General artwork that looks so good. They always hire an artist to do that.. another for the map, etc. Not sure who used to do all the extra windows & fluff but whomever did it probably didn't do so for free.
There is obviously some categories that didn't get it this time around.
That was it. I remember seeing the new ship artwork. I have decided I REALLY don't like the font they use. It's called Edmund and I guess it's supposed to look 'period' but as someone said it looks DOS-like to me. That should easy to mod though. I'll take a look...
Comparison:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.matrixgames.com%2Ffiles%2Fgames%2F500%2F20130730080004.jpg%3Fheight%3D1200%26amp%3Bwidth%3D1600&hash=a0826a0ef2bfb3edc03b85ec2d3ff6e4cd93e603)
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The overall artwork devolved since these:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg62%2F267%2Fia8c.jpg&hash=9af87ec9ec11ba458d903763e5f42632540b1f06)
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I could've used any of the other AGE titles in comparison. The unit 'counter' art is improved, while the rest of the art assets went south. :-\
Quote from: Nefaro on September 18, 2013, 05:10:20 PM
You even like that bright silver UI background? It looks jarringly out of place.
This thing is fugly, other than the unit & general art. The latter look wonderful, but most everything else is a couple steps back. I always thought the extra art fluff was an AGEOD hallmark. The sterile environment I'm seeing in ACW2 is making me realize how much all those extra embellishments had previously added to the experience for me. Even if it's just some stylized parchment, marble, or leather style background art behind such info windows.
...
It sounds like they've improved some of the gameplay features, so that alone may convince me to get it at some point. But the general art direction is disappointing. It looks as if art expenses were cut and some basic default windows graphics were used in their stead. :'(
This is what has kept my money in my wallet. Sterile is a very good description, when I saw the pre-release screenshots I thought it was from the Beta with placeholder UI graphics.
Unless there are significant gameplay improvements over AACW1 I'm happy to stick with the original.
Ok that map is kind of fugly. I'm with Wolfe on this.
This week saw two new games released that I was interested in and two no sales for the W8tster. I'm kind of bummed. I'd definitely pick up ACW2 when the price drops below 20 units.
You guys would really forego an improved ACW startegic/operational level game by a great company like AGEOD because of the UI art? To each their own. I like the ACW map much better than AJE but prefer the previous decorative fluff and building map Icons. The unit graphics are much better in ACW2
I really like the silver looking popups
Quote from: mikeck on September 18, 2013, 07:19:50 PM
You guys would really forego an improved ACW startegic/operational level game by a great company like AGEOD because of the UI art?
Hell no! -- I'm just saying, wish I could tell the territories apart more easily. Maybe there's a toggle button for that.
Quote from: JasonPratt on September 19, 2013, 07:09:22 AM
Quote from: mikeck on September 18, 2013, 07:19:50 PM
You guys would really forego an improved ACW startegic/operational level game by a great company like AGEOD because of the UI art?
Hell no! -- I'm just saying, wish I could tell the territories apart more easily. Maybe there's a toggle button for that.
I agree. I can see the territories but not the state outlines
^ lol - I'm not even saying that for effect. I think they look crisp and professional.
Quote from: mikeck on September 19, 2013, 07:10:44 AM
Quote from: JasonPratt on September 19, 2013, 07:09:22 AM
Quote from: mikeck on September 18, 2013, 07:19:50 PM
You guys would really forego an improved ACW startegic/operational level game by a great company like AGEOD because of the UI art?
Hell no! -- I'm just saying, wish I could tell the territories apart more easily. Maybe there's a toggle button for that.
I agree. I can see the territories but not the state outlines
There's a map filter that shows state outlines.
It seems like that's the issue then with this game. The AI and gameplay may be greatly improved from the previous version but there is some controversy surrounding map and interface graphics and fonts.
If I'm going to pay 40 units for an AGEOD game, which is higher than what you usually pay for their games, then I expect the whole package. Gameplay, AI, and graphics.
The silver popup windows kind of remind me of Microsoft Office Suite in Windows XP. The unit graphics are indeed stellar but against that backdrop in the map they look too good. Because visually everything does not flow the game looks overall ugly. Just my 2 cents but that's how I'm calling this one.
I'm curious how their open weeks sales went compared to AEJ with the price jump. 39 is still not bad, but again, just curious if the Matrix way of higher prices has 'helped' their cause.
AGEOD is a top notch company in my book!.. lol.. with the exception of PrON...
But look how long they 'supported' the first Civil War for.. I think there was an update as late as December 2012..
I'm sure they will make more improvements as time goes on..
Beauty is subjective and 'in the eye of the beholder'.....I really like the new look map, a vast improvement over the psychedelic eye-sore of the original. The new map is far more functional and thus enhances gameplay mechanics. I like the new unit icons and windows as well. To each his own.
So... aside from all this UI/map/art discussion...
Is the game fun? ;)
Also, is it a bit more user-friendly and intuitive than the first one?
Hi SOM,
Just from the point of view of a Paradox EUIV loving wargamer who totally failed to engage with the Ageod systems until now I find it MUCH better and definitely fun. The tutorials I think are the reason along with the Regional desicions. The battle Planner is a great concept but I think is still a work in progress.
The map and larger unit cards I love incidently but I am not as much a veteran as many on here on that subject so my view is not one you want to take as gospel !
Hi to everyone by the way as I FINALLY joined !
I was all ready to disagree with you guys re: the artwork until I saw the contrasting screenshots of the Rome game. Ok, I see what you mean.
Still, the new game looks very functional, I certainly don't HATE the graphics, and honestly, since when is wargaming about graphics? Let's get a little bit real, here. $40 isn't break the bank money, and the graphics are very nice even if maybe not as awesome as previous versions of their games.
C'mon, now!
Quote from: Toonces on September 19, 2013, 12:49:41 PM
I was all ready to disagree with you guys re: the artwork until I saw the contrasting screenshots of the Rome game. Ok, I see what you mean.
Still, the new game looks very functional, I certainly don't HATE the graphics, and honestly, since when is wargaming about graphics? Let's get a little bit real, here. $40 isn't break the bank money, and the graphics are very nice even if maybe not as awesome as previous versions of their games.
C'mon, now!
I find the new UI Frames rather immersion breaking. As W8taminute mentioned, it looks like you're playing the American Civil War within MS Office XP.
I'm definitely not a graphics whore when it comes to strategy games, but I prefer my purely historical wargames to not look like they're set in 2002. Escapism fail.
Here's something it kinda reminds us of:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Furl%3Fsa%3Di%26amp%3Bsource%3Dimages%26amp%3Bcd%3D%26amp%3Bdocid%3DKf_ouliSif8RKM%26amp%3Btbnid%3D1dg7mPgbxDTTbM%3A%26amp%3Bved%3D0CAUQjBwwAA%26amp%3Burl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwinsupersite.com%252Fcontent%252Fcontent%252F127295%252Freviews%252Foffice11_03.gif%26amp%3Bei%3D-D47UuunC8nU2AWZ24GgDA%26amp%3Bpsig%3DAFQjCNELKOJhRYZxtwoHyIaOsePHF4wrHQ%26amp%3Bust%3D1379700856331247&hash=2f8e21f939c151df84d3dc4f6c690e035bbd0033)
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I also really miss the period-specific art embellishments around the edges, including the ones missing around the bottom and top corner bars. It all looks comparatively sterile and lifeless now. :-[
Quote from: son_of_montfort on September 19, 2013, 12:10:52 PM
So... aside from all this UI/map/art discussion...
Is the game fun? ;)
Also, is it a bit more user-friendly and intuitive than the first one?
I guess you didn't see the impressions I posted over at OO. :)
So far I've played the tutorials, Bull Run, and Shiloh battles, and just started the small Western Theater campaign.
The game clearly benefits from lessons learned in Pride of Nations and Alea Jacta Est. The influence of PrON on the map and interface is obvious. People are complaining about the new look and interface, but I like it. This may be Ageod's most newbie-friendly game yet, with lots of tootips, tutorials that are actually useful, and the ability to automate both recruitment of replacements (something I never did get a handle on) and an optional simplified supply system. Recruitment is handled similarly to the last couple of titles, with a menu at the bottom of the screen of all recruitable units. Selecting one highlights the areas in which it may be recruited. Like AJE, there are plenty of decisions that can be made on the global level that increase conscription, production, the chance of foreign intervention, etc. There are also decision "cards" that can be played on the map and only affect one territory. These are similar to the colonial decisions in PrON, but take effect almost immediately and only last a turn or two. There are only one or two of each, but once one is "finished", it is returned to the deck to be played somewhere else.
Army organization and combat are virtually unchanged from the first ACW. Units are still recruited at the brigade level, and need to be combined into divisions, corps, and armies to fight effectively, all restricted by command points. What has been added is a "battle planner" that allows you to set a stance for your fighting men prior to the start of battle and a single order or engagement. I've used it two or three times (you only see it in bigger battles), and while it's pretty clear what the different stances do, the battle results screen doesn't indicate how they affected the fighting.
My only complaint so far is that map scrolling is sometimes too fast, and when combining stacks I have a tendency to scroll the map instead. I had to make a change to one of the config files in order to slow it down, and it's a lot easier to work with, now.
The game ships with 8 scenarios - 3 tutorials, Bull Run, Shiloh, a Western Theater (NM and TX) campaign, and 2 grand campaigns, starting in April '61 and July '61. I'm sure there will be more available as DLC before too long.
Had ACW2 not been a sequel I would not have been so hard on it's graphics. But after spending 10s of thousands of currency units on games in my lifetime, I do expect a certain degree of immersion and escapism from my games. A sequel should be better than it's predecessor or why make it at all? The window dressing and period graphics is not too much to ask for imo.
I know the old adage that beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I'm looking at this from a consumer point of view. ACW2 might have an ai so intelligent that it can cook my dinner and take me to the movies but if you asked me to kiss it I'd say no because she's an ugly pig.
To me one of the best immersion factors of the first version was the music.. I loved it!!
lol... definitely not one of those games where first thing I do is shut the music off!.. FoF was like that.. music went off immediately..
I do agree with people that the rustic wood border does increase immersion, but on the other hand, it does look like you're seeing a heck of a lot more with the new map!
I think the map is good looking and certainly the icons pictures are. The UI is sterile but I suspect some young college student with time to spare will mod it.
Quote from: Tuna on September 19, 2013, 03:00:10 PM
To me one of the best immersion factors of the first version was the music.. I loved it!!
lol... definitely not one of those games where first thing I do is shut the music off!.. FoF was like that.. music went off immediately..
I do agree with people that the rustic wood border does increase immersion, but on the other hand, it does look like you're seeing a heck of a lot more with the new map!
Some of the songs are the same. I'm sure you could go into the ACW song file and cut n paste those into the ACW 2 file?
Quote from: mikeck on September 19, 2013, 03:05:33 PM
Quote from: Tuna on September 19, 2013, 03:00:10 PM
To me one of the best immersion factors of the first version was the music.. I loved it!!
lol... definitely not one of those games where first thing I do is shut the music off!.. FoF was like that.. music went off immediately..
I do agree with people that the rustic wood border does increase immersion, but on the other hand, it does look like you're seeing a heck of a lot more with the new map!
Some of the songs are the same. I'm sure you could go into the ACW song file and cut n paste those into the ACW 2 file?
You have to add each song's name to a text file playlist. Pretty sure it's the same as the other AGE games, as that's how they worked and I recently saw someone ask this exact question.
Just installed the new IOS 7 for my iPhone. There is an app called "Iradio". If you search for "civil war music" you will find a lot...including an actual radio station that plays civil war music. I just play that.
As much as I'd like to play a modern Civil War game, I just don't think AGEOD's combat system is my cup of tea. A large number of their games look interesting, but the combat system has prevented me from buying any (as well as fearing the AI might not be too great in some of them, but that's a lesser issue as it seems to work fairly well).
Ah well, back to the Union CWG 2 campaign for now.
Quote from: mikeck on September 19, 2013, 09:51:23 PM
Just installed the new IOS 7 for my iPhone. There is an app called "Iradio". If you search for "civil war music" you will find a lot...including an actual radio station that plays civil war music. I just play that.
Cool! Thanks for this tip mike. I've got to upgrade sooner rather than later now.
There is no doubt that I will pick up ACW2 in time. I do want to play it despite it's graphics but I'm not willing to plop down 40 on it. When the price drops I get my wallet out and use it. Keep in mind, while 40 is not a very large amount, I have lately become quite strict with buying low and playing high. Unless of course the game hits a home run right out of the gate, then I buy at full price on launch day.
Quote from: W8taminute on September 20, 2013, 05:51:50 AM
Quote from: mikeck on September 19, 2013, 09:51:23 PM
Just installed the new IOS 7 for my iPhone. There is an app called "Iradio". If you search for "civil war music" you will find a lot...including an actual radio station that plays civil war music. I just play that.
Cool! Thanks for this tip mike. I've got to upgrade sooner rather than later now.
There is no doubt that I will pick up ACW2 in time. I do want to play it despite it's graphics but I'm not willing to plop down 40 on it. When the price drops I get my wallet out and use it. Keep in mind, while 40 is not a very large amount, I have lately become quite strict with buying low and playing high. Unless of course the game hits a home run right out of the gate, then I buy at full price on launch day.
Since this is now being sold from Matrix and with Matrix pricing, not sure we can expect to see a price drop anytime soon, if ever....we might get lucky and it be part of a future xmas/summer sale where it is 20-30% off, but if memory serves me correct first year games typically don't make the list.
Well, this is a niche game, which a lot of people can't get into (forming armies, supply etc.. btw, I think it's great once you learn it). So the higher the price, the more someone who is unsure whether or not they will like it, is going to hestitate.
The major obstacle for me getting into AGEOD games has been the (to me) completely baffling way battles get resolved. Thinking mostly of Napoleon's Campaigns here, but I just could never manage to decipher the combat summaries. They gave absolutely no sense of cause and effect, or the sequence of events, just: here's who won, and here are four dozen tiny, impossible to read icons representing the four dozen variables that, somehow, affected the outcome. ??? ???
Has Civil War 2 improved on this (or AJE for that matter)?
World War One Gold is the only AGEOD game that holds my attention, because the representation of the battles is interactive and dynamic. I don't necessarily need interactive, but I do need dynamic, not just, 'bam, you lost, now get out your decoder ring and try to figure out why.'
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on September 20, 2013, 06:33:26 AM
Since this is now being sold from Matrix and with Matrix pricing, not sure we can expect to see a price drop anytime soon, if ever....we might get lucky and it be part of a future xmas/summer sale where it is 20-30% off, but if memory serves me correct first year games typically don't make the list.
This is another reason why I'm kind of emotional on this game. AGEOD has always published games whose mechanics differ from the norm at an attractive price. I think this strategy is great for allowing those who are unsure to give these kinds of games a chance. That's x amount of extra sales that you cannot get when you price a game high* because of some antiquated pricing policies and draconian discount sales events.
I really feel bad for the AGEOD employees now that they are under the whip of Matrix.
*I say high here because AGEODs typical pricepoint is 30 or less.
Quote from: ComradeP on September 19, 2013, 11:56:26 PM
As much as I'd like to play a modern Civil War game, I just don't think AGEOD's combat system is my cup of tea. A large number of their games look interesting, but the combat system has prevented me from buying any (as well as fearing the AI might not be too great in some of them, but that's a lesser issue as it seems to work fairly well).
Ah well, back to the Union CWG 2 campaign for now.
Take a look at the first post in this thread. There is a new combat system stagy allows the player to choose a general plan based on the forces available and have some input over its execution.
Another poster asked about AI. I don't think there are very many strategic games with better AI. Not many
Quote from: W8taminute on September 20, 2013, 09:55:59 AM
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on September 20, 2013, 06:33:26 AM
Since this is now being sold from Matrix and with Matrix pricing, not sure we can expect to see a price drop anytime soon, if ever....we might get lucky and it be part of a future xmas/summer sale where it is 20-30% off, but if memory serves me correct first year games typically don't make the list.
This is another reason why I'm kind of emotional on this game. AGEOD has always published games whose mechanics differ from the norm at an attractive price. I think this strategy is great for allowing those who are unsure to give these kinds of games a chance. That's x amount of extra sales that you cannot get when you price a game high* because of some antiquated pricing policies and draconian discount sales events.
I really feel bad for the AGEOD employees now that they are under the whip of Matrix.
*I say high here because AGEODs typical pricepoint is 30 or less.
I was kinda sad to see AGEOD not doing it's own thing once again. I'm not really sure if they will garner more sales through Matrix since the same customers were already familiar, and purchasing, from them before.
I just figured it was to get rid of their publishing busy work. Packaging updates, dealing with general customer service, maintaining the website, etc. Probably saves some time or money if Matrix people are doing that stuff. I'd still rather see AGEOD being their own small company, as I've been extremely happy with their dedication, support, and involvement with their fans over the years, when they're calling all their own shots. It's yet to be seen if they can maintain that level of quality under Matrix, but at least it'll be better than their previous 2nd party publisher relation had been (which didn't sound like it gelled well). :-*
Quote from: mikeck on September 20, 2013, 10:22:01 AM
Quote from: ComradeP on September 19, 2013, 11:56:26 PM
As much as I'd like to play a modern Civil War game, I just don't think AGEOD's combat system is my cup of tea. A large number of their games look interesting, but the combat system has prevented me from buying any (as well as fearing the AI might not be too great in some of them, but that's a lesser issue as it seems to work fairly well).
Ah well, back to the Union CWG 2 campaign for now.
Take a look at the first post in this thread. There is a new combat system stagy allows the player to choose a general plan based on the forces available and have some input over its execution.
Another poster asked about AI. I don't think there are very many strategic games with better AI. Not many
I played a lot of RoP last month. Very Good AI. I would be playing ACW2, but I'm happy with less demanding AI (as in Rome II and ARMAIII and solitaire boardgames -- where I am the AI for both sides so to speak) for the moment.
Apparently, there is a BIG bug that needs squishing. Corps formation is not possible. Not sure if it's happening to everyone but it is happening to many. Into September 1862 and can't do it. Should be fixed in a patch but not much point playing until then
I was considering picking this up today since I can't get steel beasts running, but if there are issues, guess that is not an option....not a good weekend for newly released stuff for me:(
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on September 21, 2013, 11:09:52 AM
I was considering picking this up today since I can't get steel beasts running, but if there are issues, guess that is not an option....not a good weekend for newly released stuff for me:(
Me either. Everything I thought I might be playing this weekend sounds like it has problems and/or wasn't ready to be released. I'm particularly disappointed about ACW2 and Steel Beasts Pro.
Back to Command Ops and Hegemony Gold.
Now that it has been out awhile and even the first major beta patch is out, anybody have further feedback?
As usual, my impulses are saying to buy it, but since I bought Command this weekend, being a little more careful, at least for a couple of days:) I purchased the first version but really never got into it, although the Civil War period is one of my favorite times....just not sure I devoted enough time to learn all the detail.
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on September 29, 2013, 09:39:48 AM
Now that it has been out awhile and even the first major beta patch is out, anybody have further feedback?
As usual, my impulses are saying to buy it, but since I bought Command this weekend, being a little more careful, at least for a couple of days:) I purchased the first version but really never got into it, although the Civil War period is one of my favorite times....just not sure I devoted enough time to learn all the detail.
I don't know who similar the two games are, but this guy's Let's Play video (I've posted before) was very good for the first one!
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on September 29, 2013, 09:39:48 AM
Now that it has been out awhile and even the first major beta patch is out, anybody have further feedback?
As usual, my impulses are saying to buy it, but since I bought Command this weekend, being a little more careful, at least for a couple of days:) I purchased the first version but really never got into it, although the Civil War period is one of my favorite times....just not sure I devoted enough time to learn all the detail.
It's fantastic. It now incorporated the regional decision cards of AJE and a battle planner which add even more control and management.
Even though there is "more to do" things are more streamlined. I also turn on "auto replacements" so I don't have to screw with that
Quote from: Tuna on September 29, 2013, 10:11:09 AM
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on September 29, 2013, 09:39:48 AM
Now that it has been out awhile and even the first major beta patch is out, anybody have further feedback?
As usual, my impulses are saying to buy it, but since I bought Command this weekend, being a little more careful, at least for a couple of days:) I purchased the first version but really never got into it, although the Civil War period is one of my favorite times....just not sure I devoted enough time to learn all the detail.
I don't know who similar the two games are, but this guy's Let's Play video (I've posted before) was very good for the first one!
Army movement and management are the same as is supply. However, 2 adds regional decision and national decisions. With each big release (RUS, ROP, PON, AJE) new features were added. So the engine has truly evolved. I think your better off watching a "let's play" of AJE if you are looking for help in Civil war 2 as opposed to ACW1 videos
Why do all these recent releases have to be so good to everyone:) Would save me some money if they weren't....finger now hovering over the buy button.....
Quote from: Tuna on September 29, 2013, 10:11:09 AM
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on September 29, 2013, 09:39:48 AM
Now that it has been out awhile and even the first major beta patch is out, anybody have further feedback?
As usual, my impulses are saying to buy it, but since I bought Command this weekend, being a little more careful, at least for a couple of days:) I purchased the first version but really never got into it, although the Civil War period is one of my favorite times....just not sure I devoted enough time to learn all the detail.
I don't know who similar the two games are, but this guy's Let's Play video (I've posted before) was very good for the first one!
Thanks Tuna, that was a good intro video...now have to search for more that talk about army organization and all that crazy stuff....
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on September 29, 2013, 10:35:51 AM
Why do all these recent releases have to be so good to everyone:) Would save me some money if they weren't....finger now hovering over the buy button.....
Well I am loving Rome, Civil war 2 and command...but I am easy to please. I expect AGEOD games and command to have realism and good AI. I don't really expect Rome to have that..only passable AI and fun battles. Still, if you want operational/strategic civil war goodness, you won't be disappointed (so long as you enjoy AGEOD games in general)
^Have you run into the Corp bug? I bought the game right before the bug was announced and haven't bothered to do more than run through the tutorials so far. I'm itching to play, but until the bug is fixed it seems pointless :P
What's your experience been so far?
Quote from: Steelgrave on September 29, 2013, 09:15:51 PM
^Have you run into the Corp bug? I bought the game right before the bug was announced and haven't bothered to do more than run through the tutorials so far. I'm itching to play, but until the bug is fixed it seems pointless :P
What's your experience been so far?
Pretty sure there is already a beta patch released with the corp fix included.
Yes the 1.01 beta patch at matrix clears that bug up
I'm not finding the patch and my game isn't automatically updating. Can someone throw me a link please?
Here's the link to the AGEOD (http://www.ageod-forum.com/showthread.php?32443-CW2-Public-Beta-Patch-1-01-%28release-candidate-1%29&p=290829#post290829) patch post.
Much thanks! Gonna go play now ;D
I have only a couple small complaints about the UI. No, I'll not mention the ugly UI backgrounds here (they are!).
The Offensive/Defensive stance buttons, that were previously so readily available next to the unit info bar, were buried an extra click deeper into the interface. So now we have to click the current stance, which opens the full list of options, and then click the one we want to change it to. I'd rather have them all sitting in the open because there are two such buttons per unit and you have to change these on each stack. It can get to be very tedious when ordering multiple stacks into an attack because you'll end up having to click twice as much to get the Stance and Agressiveness order changes set. It's too much; I'd rather we have the old box of smaller buttons lying out in the open, to the left of the unit box, because I tend to change these stances fairly often.
The interface can now completely clear out the bottom info box, to give you more room to view the map. However, when I rt-click to clear the current selection, it not only does that but pops up the previous turn's event info box (with it's bright ugly silver background :P) and requires an extra click to clear. Wouldn't be so bad but the second click also requires that you aim the mouse pointer within the news box in order to work. So I think it's more busy-work than we should have, since the Event list can be brought up with a single click on the appropriate button in the interface. This is probably just preference, but seems to make an admittedly nice new feature (no bottom bar for better visibility) take more time to reach.
From some of the gameplay results I've seen, using the beta update, I've not seen anything alarming or broken with the gameplay yet. So overall it's been a good experience.
Well, after much internal debate, I decided to finally make the purchase....currently downloading and hopefully will be able to really play the tutorials and watch videos this weekend to see if I can gain a strong grasp of this game......if this one fails me, might be my last Ageod purchase:)
CW2 certainly isn't the easiest of the AGEOD games to handle. The map is notably larger than the original, too.
I'm not sure how much difference the 'Battle Planner' has made, when I used it. It's a good concept but I'm not really sure whether I'm making good choices or whether they're doing much different than the normal way of letting the computer do it's thing.
Quote from: Nefaro on October 11, 2013, 07:35:23 PM
CW2 certainly isn't the easiest of the AGEOD games to handle. The map is notably larger than the original, too.
I'm not sure how much difference the 'Battle Planner' has made, when I used it. It's a good concept but I'm not really sure whether I'm making good choices or whether they're doing much different than the normal way of letting the computer do it's thing.
So the battle planner's attempt to give some life into the battles didn't work?
Again, this is due to the abstract tactical battles. Might as well concentrate on strategic.
Hey guys, I posted this at the official forums, but no response so thought I would ask fellow ACW 2 players here.
I was looking at the options and settings available from the main menu. One of the tabs is scripts. According to the tooltip it says this tab is used for enabling and disabling certain historical events. When I click on this tab, I get a blank tab with no options showing where I can enable or disable anything. Am I missing something? Shouldn't there be something shown on this tab? Thanks!
Can I say again that I hate how matrix games have many forums where the game is supported out of? It is at Ageod, Matrix, and Slitherine. It seems you have to keep an eye out on all of them and potentially post in multiple places since you don't know where your question is likely going to get answered. Someday they got to figure out how to merge them all....frustrating.
So what's the overall consensus on this game? I'm in an ACW gaming mood and was thinking of relearning VG's Civil War to play solo but if this game would scratch that itch I'd love to know. What I don't want is another Force if Freedom which was just too much for me in the way of learning curve balanced with maintaining interest levels. So is THIS VG's Civil War on the PC or is there something better or perhaps none like it?
Quote from: GJK on October 12, 2013, 12:45:41 PM
So what's the overall consensus on this game? I'm in an ACW gaming mood and was thinking of relearning VG's Civil War to play solo but if this game would scratch that itch I'd love to know. What I don't want is another Force if Freedom which was just too much for me in the way of learning curve balanced with maintaining interest levels. So is THIS VG's Civil War on the PC or is there something better or perhaps none like it?
Others may disagree but in my opinion ACW2 (and I own and play it) is not any easier a learning curve than Forge of Freedom (which I also own and have played). But, again in my opinion, it is an outstanding game. I'm not familiar with the VG game you mentioned.
Quote from: GJK on October 12, 2013, 12:45:41 PM
So what's the overall consensus on this game? I'm in an ACW gaming mood and was thinking of relearning VG's Civil War to play solo but if this game would scratch that itch I'd love to know. What I don't want is another Force if Freedom which was just too much for me in the way of learning curve balanced with maintaining interest levels. So is THIS VG's Civil War on the PC or is there something better or perhaps none like it?
It's a great game. In my opinion, the best operational /strategic civil war game around...but it ain't easy to learn...worth it...but not easy.
Thanks guys but I'll wait for a sale run before I pick that one up. On a whim, I fired up SoW:GB and had a great couple of hours with it so I picked up the Antietam DLC and am going to run through some of those scenarios tonight. That should somewhat satisfy my ACW itch for now (I hope!). I'd still love to have a PC version of Victory Games' Civil War though. I may have to break out the updated copy of the rules that I found on BGG and start reading it and then set up a VASSAL game of it.
Quote from: jomni on October 11, 2013, 10:01:49 PM
Quote from: Nefaro on October 11, 2013, 07:35:23 PM
CW2 certainly isn't the easiest of the AGEOD games to handle. The map is notably larger than the original, too.
I'm not sure how much difference the 'Battle Planner' has made, when I used it. It's a good concept but I'm not really sure whether I'm making good choices or whether they're doing much different than the normal way of letting the computer do it's thing.
So the battle planner's attempt to give some life into the battles didn't work?
Again, this is due to the abstract tactical battles. Might as well concentrate on strategic.
It works. I'm happy they added it and I hope they continue to do such things.
I'm just not sure whether it makes much of a difference. I also feel that perhaps it
shouldn't make much difference because it could potentially trivialize all the other many factors influencing battle outcomes, if given too much weight.
Quote from: GJK on October 12, 2013, 12:45:41 PM
So is THIS VG's Civil War on the PC or is there something better or perhaps none like it?
AGEOD's
Civil War 2 is more similar to VG's Civil War than
Forge of Freedom. There's more detail to it in nearly every way, however.
While you still have a big focus on the specific generals leading the armies, there is also much more depth to the actual units under their command.. not just a counter with a number on it. It definitely has more going on than that old tabletop game and the learning curve can be steep for some.
Expansion Announced
http://matrixgames.com/products/526/details/Civil.War.II.The.Bloody.Road.South
I hope that they add the turn replay feature back in. It's baffling that they thought it was reasonable to ditch the players ability to review what happened, rather than having to sit with eyes glued to the screen, hoping you don't blink and miss something.
Quote from: Ubercat on January 29, 2014, 07:58:07 AM
I hope that they add the turn replay feature back in. It's baffling that they thought it was reasonable to ditch the players ability to review what happened, rather than having to sit with eyes glued to the screen, hoping you don't blink and miss something.
I enjoy this game a lot, but I do wish they would revise/fix the players ability to locate unassigned generals. They partially addressed this in a prior patch but it doesn't work all that well and it remains difficult to locate specific generals and those who haven't been assigned to units. Or is there and I am just not seeing it?