The Operational Art of War IV

[RyanE]

If you read through the thread, a major focus was improving naval warfare.

[Staggerwing]

Are there any AARs or videos that show off the new focus on naval operations well so we can get an idea of how a Midway-type scenarios plays?

[Grim.Reaper]

not aar, but detailed write up

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=4292790

[Staggerwing]

Thanks man.  O0

[rocketman]

There will be AARs, but not of the new naval gameplay unfortunately  :'(
Looks like Korean War or D21 right now (might change).

[fabius]

Some of my fondest memories at with TOAW.

Lost count how many times I played Korea, Normandy, and Fulda. Played back in day before internet so was unpatched and bugged. Never played Matrix update, so am looking forward to this version. Great scenario list  :D . Also really looking forward to playing the Nam scenario. I think there's a whole Nam war in one of them.

[dinsdale]

I really really really tried with 1 and 2 but despite putting a lot of hours in, never really liked the game. Aside from the famous Jeeps v Panzers issues which I never seemed to notice, I always had problems with:

1) The turn system. I could never, ever predict when I could save movement points and get another round of movement or battle. Even if it did work out, I never broke through a line with the second or third phase movement, ZOC movement penalties always seemed to prevent me ever having enough movement points

2) Supply. Other than staying on roads, I could never figure out how bad my supply was going to be

3) Infinite Artillery. I forget which units, maybe division or battalion artillery units, would be able to fire in any combat their formation was involved in. Was a double edged sword, in exchange for very weak artillery, every supply point around would evaporate.

4) Air interdiction/ground support. I used to not even bother with close air support, setting everyone to interdiction or air superiority would grind down the opposition if you were able to achieve air superiority....which I never understood the mechanics for.

The sum of the game just never seemed to reflect the battle period. Every single battle fought out like The Somme. Maybe I was a terrible player, but almost every scenario involved grinding down the other side and pocketing their entire force. Even playing crusader from both sides, I couldnt get close to historic performance in terms of distance covered, but could inflict 10x historic casualties and surround pockets.

I think I picked up 3 out of habit and barely played it. I'd be interested to hear what IV changes, especially if there's any sort of difference in feel between the 1912 and 1985 battles.

[JudgeDredd]

Released tomorrow.

Make sure you post your impressions Grim 

[bbmike]

Tomorrow? Sweet! Must buy for me.

[Grim.Reaper]

Released tomorrow.

Make sure you post your impressions Grim 

it will be purchased tomorrow, but going away for a few days so won't get any time:(

[JudgeDredd]

£32.99 or $43.53

Printed colour manual for an extra £12.99 or $17.14

Total with manual - £45.98 or $60.68

I can't see how big the manual is - whether it's worth the extra £12.99

£17.11 for shipping so for me it's £61.10

Too rich at the moment. :'(

[Barthheart]

$54 CDN... it will have to wait for a big sale....  :P

[acctingman]

But, $54 CDN is only what?....$20 US?  :P

[Barthheart]

 

[mirth]

I can't see how big the manual is - whether it's worth the extra £12.99

Yeah, I'd like to see what the manual looks like.