Strategic Command WWII: War in Europe

[-budd-]

yea about the same as JD's prices listed above $74, probably going to go DD route, unless i can muster the patience to wait on Amazon selling it.

[Grim.Reaper]

yea about the same as JD's prices listed above $74, probably going to go DD route, unless i can muster the patience to wait on Amazon selling it.

Yep, I am going that route....I will just read the manual on a tablet.  I have a coupon that I need to use within the next day, so can't wait until Amazon release.

[-budd-]

Looking forward to your impressions of the game.

[mikeck]

Anyone play this yet? I haven't ever played the previous version. To me it looks like Hearts of Iron lite? My WW2 strategy fix is (or will be ) HOI IV and my operational fix is Decisive campaigns. Does this offer anything different? Or just a different variation of that makes sense.

[jomni]

This isn't HOI lite. Looks more like the Commander series.

[mikeck]

This isn't HOI lite. Looks more like the Commander series.

I never played that. Just GG war in the east /west and decisive campaigns

[Zulu1966]

This isn't HOI lite. Looks more like the Commander series.

I never played that. Just GG war in the east /west and decisive campaigns

There are a few demo's of the pre cursors to this game on the battlefront website. Whilst this is a new game I don't think it is so vastly different that one of those wouldn't give you a good idea of what this game is.

[Grim.Reaper]

I did buy and download last night but won't have time to play until the weekend.  Did fire it up for a few seconds and the graphics/display seemed ok.  I like the fact that it is turn based versus realtime.  It didn't come across as lite but I guess that depends on your definition of lite.  Since I had a coupon only cost me $23 so seemed worth the shot.

[bbmike]

It certainly doesn't look lite. And did you see the editor options?  :o

[edit]Here's some editor information from a thread at the Matrix site.

[airboy]

I've played every iteration of the Strategic Command series.

My thoughts which have been shared by many is this:
1] Good corps/army level game.
2] AI keeps improving with each version.
3] The game stinks in simulating naval warfare.  If the war has a heavy focus on island warfare, it does not do very well.  Land combat - very good.

[chemkid]

[...]
3] The game stinks in simulating naval warfare.  If the war has a heavy focus on island warfare, it does not do very well.  Land combat - very good.

kirk23 is already working on/looking into modding the naval part of the game.
if the devs let him do what he does best and don't drop the support for the game at some point - i'm sure(i hope) the naval part will be 'on par' with the rest of the game... of course, wishful thinking on my part but one can hope! (he did a great job on CTGW before they dropped the iBomb on this gem...)

cheers and enjoy your weekend 'minna-san' ;)
chem!

[Philippe]

A lot of ifs.

My sense is that Hubert and Bill are taking a very gradualist approach to making changes.

The rate of change isn't geological, but I wouldn't hope for anything dramatic and hold my breath.

They hit on what they consider a winning formula many years ago, and if they want to continue eating they're not going to upset the apple cart.

Strategic Command is a fun, WW II-themed wargame with a very deep and not very discerning fanbase.

[Cyrano]

Check it out...

HOT TAKES:

1.  Best UI and overall "look" of the series.

2.  I'm sorry, you failed the MP HOW?

3.  Feels very similar to previous iterations (I have them all), but haven't poked enough to be sure.  There is something to be said, however, for making a game with a good "engine" more lovely and more accessible.

4.  No comment on the naval piece as it's not my thing although I think I grok what made others so crabby about previous iterations.

5.  I have long hoped that this game would become the "Third Reich" PC game we all deserve.  Won't know until I can play MP.

[GJK]

The points raised here are a reason why I'd never pick this one up:


http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=4183340


One of the *only* fun things about a giant corps/army level game is the surrounding and destroying, making pockets and trying to break out of pockets.  If it doesn't have that then what do you do in the game- nothing, you just keep moving your strongest guy up to plug a hole and hit "GO!" to execute the next combat.  Ugh.

[demjansk1942]

I played one turn.  I usually don't buy right away, but the turn took a long time, maybe mess with the settings.  39 dollars not to bad