Commander: The Great War -- coming in early November

[W8taminute]

Just played through my first eight turns and although I did not absorb close to everything on the screen, I did not feel overwhelmed at all....

...The Lordz made this game truly absorbing and engaging...hard to really express how though. I am always intimidated when plunging into a 'real' wargame for the first time but I did not feel that here. The game felt like it wanted me to play it :) I am being sucked in.

I agree, this is how it was for me playing for the first time.  Especially the part about the game wanting you to play it.

I'm about to start my 4th game as the Central Powers after being thrashed for the third time last night.  Man, if you do not concentrate on infantry research your men will get cut to ribbons.  I had what I thought was decent infantry holding the line in the West.  Level IV with my entrenchment tech at concrete pillboxes.  It was January 1916. Since the front had stabilized I transferred two garrison units to the Italian front to help my beleaguered Austrian allies.  In February 1916 France and England launch a gargantuan offensive that literally cuts through my line like butter.  When I checked the stats on my next turn I noticed that the Entente had level V infantry everywhere including on the Eastern Front! 

I must try to figure out how to keep up with the tech race with my limited economy.  I just don't get how the Entente can field hordes of infantry and high tech aircraft while I can barely scrap up enough coinage to rebuild my damaged units. 

[Nefaro]

I agree, this is how it was for me playing for the first time.  Especially the part about the game wanting you to play it.

I'm about to start my 4th game as the Central Powers after being thrashed for the third time last night.  Man, if you do not concentrate on infantry research your men will get cut to ribbons.  I had what I thought was decent infantry holding the line in the West.  Level IV with my entrenchment tech at concrete pillboxes.  It was January 1916. Since the front had stabilized I transferred two garrison units to the Italian front to help my beleaguered Austrian allies.  In February 1916 France and England launch a gargantuan offensive that literally cuts through my line like butter.  When I checked the stats on my next turn I noticed that the Entente had level V infantry everywhere including on the Eastern Front! 

I must try to figure out how to keep up with the tech race with my limited economy.  I just don't get how the Entente can field hordes of infantry and high tech aircraft while I can barely scrap up enough coinage to rebuild my damaged units.

My weakness, as the Entente, has been trying to keep up with paying for tech upgrades while paying for replacements at the same time.  It's usually one or the other that gets attention for awhile and when it comes down to it, the upgrades gotta wait.

I've also had to scrap a couple units in the Med, as Britain just to get back towards the black (I started with the 1915 scenario in this one).  But despite that, those colonial convoys are the bread & butter, notably for the British.  I was very concerned about the Brits buckling without enough scratch to properly replace their lines but a convoy or two always shows up right when things are getting desperate.  It generally goes to replacements & upgrades but when I get a big one in, I'll buy a bomber or something.  It's still scraping along by your finger nails, though, and that's the way it should be.  8)

I would've liked to see the size of the map (and hence number of units) a little larger, myself, but this suffices for some lighter, faster gameplay so it still has it's advantages.  My biggest positive is the stubborn AI.  I can't stress how much a good tactical AI will improve a strategy game.  It can not only smell weakness, but do it's best to concentrate against it.  :D

[Gusington]

Even eight turns in I could see the AI sniffing me out...it is enough to keep me appropriately paranoid. I was also hoping the map could be zoomed in a bit more but that is a minor gripe.

[TheCommandTent]

Even eight turns in I could see the AI sniffing me out...it is enough to keep me appropriately paranoid. I was also hoping the map could be zoomed in a bit more but that is a minor gripe.

Yeah I was a little disappointed about that too.

[Steelgrave]

^I'm loving the game, but an old guy like myself could really use a zoom feature.  Sounds like I'm not alone.

[Gusington]

^Totally. My eyes are not the best either.

Played another 8 turns. I am being smacked around in the west by the Germans...to be expected I guess. Doing better in the east as the Russians against the Austro-Hungarians and a handful of Germans. It is now ~February 1915. The Christmas Truce has come and gone.

The Balkans are a fortress. For every Austro-Hungarian unit waiting to cross the mountains I have at least one infantry unit dug in waiting.

Research seems slow, but I also think it is supposed to be that way for the sake of realism. Have some airships and have used them on German troops in the west trying to knock France out of the war. Also got my first general units (Haig) for UK and one for France too.

So 16 turns in and I am holding everywhere but not really progressing. Turning the tide will clearly be a matter of balancing production with research to eventually see the results on the battlefield. Sounds obvious I suppose. I am loving the use of armored trains but the true king of the battlefield so far, to me anyway, is infantry. I know artillery is supposed to be even more important but I can't capture hexes without infantry.

Still enjoying myself, but like I said I wish I could zoom in more. Interestingly the audio is really good in this game. The sounds for each unit immerse the player, especially with headphones. The looped music reminds me of the piano tunes Schroeder played in the Peanuts cartoons...I wish the music was a bit more varied.

Most importantly the AI is not slouch. I am playing the middle level AI and it flanks, attacks to the rear and probes for weakness. It also knows when to repair its units. Kinda scary.

[W8taminute]

Most importantly the AI is not slouch. I am playing the middle level AI and it flanks, attacks to the rear and probes for weakness. It also knows when to repair its units. Kinda scary.

Gus et al I too wish for a closer zoom in feature.  My eyes are old too.


I agree with the ai not being a slouch.  He's a wily fellow and more than a challenge for me.  I'm loving it!!  <---Oops, can I use that slogan here or is Ronald gonna come after me?

[son_of_montfort]

^I'm loving the game, but an old guy like myself could really use a zoom feature.  Sounds like I'm not alone.

Yessir!

[tgb]

Are y'all playing with sprites or counters?  I find the counters go a long way towards solving the "I'm old and blind" problem.

[Shelldrake]

I find that having sufficient ammunition for my arty to support an offensive is a major headache!

[Gusington]

I'm playing with sprites, they're purty. But I still feel old and blind.

[Steelgrave]

Are y'all playing with sprites or counters?  I find the counters go a long way towards solving the "I'm old and blind" problem.

Sprites. But besides better resolution, if I could wish for something in not only this game but in others that offer both sprites and counters....I would LOVE to be able to pic and choose for each unit type.

See, I really prefer the standard NATO type counter for ground units, I can read it quickly and like the military "feel". But I think it's cool to have sprites for airpower and naval units. So devs, if you read this stuff, think about that one. It would be a nice piece of chrome to have   ;D

[W8taminute]

Sprites all the way.  The only counters I can handle are the ones that are on physical board war games.   8)

[Nefaro]

Sprites all the way.  The only counters I can handle are the ones that are on physical board war games.   8)

I'm having to use counters because I can't make out the sprites too well, at 1680x1050 resolution.   The sprites look great, and I'd love to use them, but they blend in too much with the map even despite having the 'glow' option on.  :-[

[Gusington]

Has anyone actually won a game yet?