JTS Campaign Marengo

panzerde · September 09, 2016, 04:45:32 PM

For those of you with a Napoleonic bent, John Tiller Software just released the latest in the Napoleonic Campaign line of games, Campaign Marengo:

QuoteCampaign Marengo covers the battles and campaigns in Northern Italy from 1795 through 1800 and allows the players to refight the famous battles of these campaigns. Three campaign files cover the major campaigns while three shorter ones cover the various operations in 1796 to resupply Mantua and defeat Bonaparte and the French in battle.

More details at http://www.johntillersoftware.com/NapoleonicBattles/CampaignMarengo.html

Yes, I bought it already. Yes, the graphics are still the same. The NB mod from SDC (http://hist-sdc.com/mdc/sdc_nb_mod.php) does a nice job of cleaning up the 2D graphics.

Over 100 scenarios, a large number of which are specifically designed to be played solo - this is a great thing for this game engine.

If you already hate Tiller games, you'll hate this one too. If you love the engine because you already know how to use it and can jump right in, this one is no different. What is different is that this covers the period before Napoleon became emperor, and so you're actually fighting with Revolutionary armies rather than Napoleonic. Some interesting scenarios in this one, a period that has generally been under-represented, particularly in computer wargames.

GJK · September 09, 2016, 05:32:14 PM

Remind me - how "tactical" are his games? Can you enter formations (march column, line, square, etc)? Ammo shortages? And how is C&C handled - does every unit automatically follow your orders or is there a delay or penalty for being out of command range? I'd be interested in a PC game adaptation of MMP's NBS series of games.

Cyrano · September 09, 2016, 06:02:50 PM

Beat me by THIS MUCH!!

1: All of the traditional Napoleonic formations are there including column (which many object to being a blend of road column and attack column...which it is), line, extended line, foreshortened line, square, and skirmish.

2: Every time a unit fires there is a chance it will go "low ammo" which has several undesirable effects. These can be resupplied with wagons that, ever so slowly, follow the troops.

3: C&C is run via morale. Combat, terrain, and other factors can cause disorder which has really bad effects. This can only be removed -- although it is not guaranteed to be so -- by a unit within command control. One of the great defects of the game (though I love it dearly) is its lack of command collapse above the level of the battalion. When the system was first sired, it built in ZoC elimination. It also had a mandatory defensive fire phase. If you turn both of these back on, you get a MUCH slower game, but one that doesn't let beaten units hang about forever. If you turn them both off, you get a much more playable game, but one that can result in 12-man units running about. Not that they're effective.

3.a. I would observe that there is the option to play with a higher-level C&C engine that directs commanders to "go to a place" via and arrow and lets the AI manage the rest. I've played this system at the granular level for so long, I can't bear this alternative, but it is there.

It is NOT NBS. Frankly, I prefer it to NBS, but much of that has to do with the fact that its exceptional PBEM and LAN play has allowed me to log literally tens of thousands of turns on just about every Napoleonic battlefield.

You may have observed I'm a fan...

southern_cross_116 · September 09, 2016, 06:30:24 PM

Am going to be doing some work on the mod - I had only really thrown that one together quickly when they started putting out updates for all of the titles in the series about at the end of last year maybe.

In the interests of transparency, I am doing some work for JTS as one of the Graphics Coordinators, meaning I am not really a modder in the same sense as some other guys might be.

Grim.Reaper · September 10, 2016, 08:25:34 AM

Really like the material they continue to put out...but each time I buy one of these, just doesn't fully click with me....graphics are part of it, but I can get over that...just something about it keeps me from fully enjoying.

panzerde · September 10, 2016, 11:47:49 AM

Quote from: Grim.Reaper on September 10, 2016, 08:25:34 AM
Really like the material they continue to put out...but each time I buy one of these, just doesn't fully click with me....graphics are part of it, but I can get over that...just something about it keeps me from fully enjoying.

The real key to these games is that they are designed to be played PBEM and not solo. While the inclusion of a bunch of solo scenarios and what I suspect is an improved AI in this title is good news, I doubt that they'll ever be a good solo as they are PBEM.

Like Jim says, there are some features I'd love to see introduced to the system that would improve it for me, it's still hands down the best computer Napoleonic system around - provided you can find a human to play against. The same goes for the other titles/periods JTS covers.

If you want to give PBEM a try sometime Grim to see if it engages you more, let me know. OTOH if you've tried it and it still left you cold, I get that - some systems just don't work for me, either.

panzerde · September 10, 2016, 11:48:33 AM

Quote from: southern_cross_116 on September 09, 2016, 06:30:24 PM
Am going to be doing some work on the mod - I had only really thrown that one together quickly when they started putting out updates for all of the titles in the series about at the end of last year maybe.

In the interests of transparency, I am doing some work for JTS as one of the Graphics Coordinators, meaning I am not really a modder in the same sense as some other guys might be.

I can't wait to see what you put together!

Grim.Reaper · September 10, 2016, 11:59:07 AM

Quote from: panzerde on September 10, 2016, 11:47:49 AM
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on September 10, 2016, 08:25:34 AM
Really like the material they continue to put out...but each time I buy one of these, just doesn't fully click with me....graphics are part of it, but I can get over that...just something about it keeps me from fully enjoying.

The real key to these games is that they are designed to be played PBEM and not solo. While the inclusion of a bunch of solo scenarios and what I suspect is an improved AI in this title is good news, I doubt that they'll ever be a good solo as they are PBEM.

Like Jim says, there are some features I'd love to see introduced to the system that would improve it for me, it's still hands down the best computer Napoleonic system around - provided you can find a human to play against. The same goes for the other titles/periods JTS covers.

If you want to give PBEM a try sometime Grim to see if it engages you more, let me know. OTOH if you've tried it and it still left you cold, I get that - some systems just don't work for me, either.

Thanks for the information...haven't tried PBEM, but have played a number of them Solo. I don't think the AI is the problem for me (even if it is weak, I wouldn't notice), just can't put my finger on it:) I'll let you know if I am brave enough to try a PBEM.