So, you bought all the Ageod games yet never could quite figure the system out?

[Slick Wilhelm]

If you're like me, you love the look of the Ageod games, and the eras they cover. I've tried many times to fully comprehend the game engine and play, but I was only able to wrap my head around all the rules and such for a small scenario or two in "Revolution Under Siege". All other attempts to learn the engine thoroughly met with failure.

Until now.

Using this massive, 60-part "Learn how to play Ageod Civil War 2" video series by Spink Akron, I am now playing my first full campaign starting in 1861. And, I understand all of the rules, and all of the fine-grained intricacies of supply, command points and blockade.

I thought I would share this with everyone, since I'm sure there are other grogs out there who will benefit from this series. He really does an excellent job of explaining things.

[mirth]

60-part "Learn how to play Ageod Civil War 2" video series

:o

[Slick Wilhelm]

Haha, I know it's a bit of a slog to sit through 30 hours of video. It only took watching the first 10 episodes or so for me to finally get the hang of it. I just watch the rest as time allows, like during my lunch time at work, etc...

[WallysWorld]

I just finished a game against the CSA AI for the full April 1861 campaign. Had fun playing the game too. Once you figure out the rules, the Ageod games are definitely fun to play. Supplies and replacements were the hardest parts of the game for me to understand even though I've bought all Ageod games since the beginning.

I too watched a few videos on CW II and the one you posted is a good series.

[Sir Slash]

I saw those videos and they really do make the game more understandable and attractive.

[Rayfer]

ACW2 is the first game of theirs that really clicked with me, I enjoy it and still have an ongoing campaign that I play. I think some of it has to do with my familiarity with the ACW and the geography of the states (lived my entire life in the USA). I often struggle with their games set in Europe because I not as familiar with the history, geography, regions and cities.

[Greybriar]

Thanks for the link, Slick.  O0

I've had the same problem with AGEOD games that you've had. From what little I've seen in the first video you linked to I have already picked up on a number of things I wasn't even aware of before.

[Gusington]

Thanks W8, I've been intimidated by AGEOD for years!

[sandman2575]

Just echoing others -- many thanks for the link!  Very helpful.  I dabbled with ACW2 when it came out but haven't put too much time into it. These sorts of informative vids always rekindle my interest.

Just wondering, but did To End All Wars finally iron out the problems it was having with 'march to the sound of the guns' wreaking havoc with trench warfare?  I never picked up TEAW (partly because I still love World War One Gold), but it would likely be my next Ageod purchase (Thirty Years War ain't really my cup of tea...). But there seemed a widespread complaint that TEAW didn't do a good job of actually modeling first world war battles --

[Nefaro]

I'd still recommend starting with the Birth Of Rome/Alea Jacta Est series first, as they don't have the army organization system which often adds to people's confusion.  Likewise with Birth Of America 2, although that one's a bit older. 

The majority of the mechanics you'll interface with in these AGE games are pretty much the same, with only small noticeable differences (such as the Org system I mentioned).  There are certainly differences "under the hood" but the interface & mechanics you see & use are extremely similar from title-to-title.  After you've learned one, it's an almost effortless leap to the others. 

This reminds me..  I purchased Hannibal: Terror Of Rome awhile back and have yet to start it.  *facepalm*  It suggests a problem when I haven't even started to play a title based in one of my favorite wargame settings, with one of my favorite digital wargame systems, after owning it for half a year.  Too many damn games to play!  :))

[tgb]

I could never learn the Ageod system properly either.  I just wish I knew about this 6 months ago, instead of now, when we are being bombarded by new releases/

[spelk]

I'd like to pop in a vote for Charles Cummings and his efforts to demystify the AGEOD engine and Civil War II

https://www.youtube.com/user/charlesonmission/playlists

[Rizik6]

I don't know how many times I've fired up CW2, only to poke around for awhile and then go on to something else.  I'm going to give these videos a try.  Thanks.

[glen55]

Before you invest 30 hours in that video series, let me share my experience.

Somehow - and I don't recall exactly how, but I think it was largely just from studying the manual - I completely figured out the original Ageod ACW game, knew how to organize units, set up a supply chain, got a sense for how to operate a minor campaign on the fringes of your supply network as well as for how to capture frickin' Manassas and keep it.  Played it quite a bit, had a blast.  Great game.   :D

But, as happens with all games, eventually it got stale and I put it away and turned to other games.  (Montage of seasons flying by.)  A couple of years later, I pulled it back out.  In the meanwhile, all the myriad details had leaked out my ears     Now I'm in the same boat with everybody else: can't play Ageod games.

[Toonces]

Is CW2 that much better than CW1?  I've hardly even touched CW1 and don't want to upgrade just for the sake of upgrading.

Also don't know if I can watch 30 hours of videos...that's a hella lot of video watching.

On the other hand, I have at least three AGEOD games going unplayed ATM so...   ::)