Wargame: European Escalation

[Jarhead0331]

I wish there was a way to control facing and unit formation. It is somewhat bothersome to see my disorganized units clumped in the middle of a city or not evenly spaced along a hedgerow.  I also need some kind of pop-up window telling me when units are running low on fuel/ammo! Otherwise, I'm going to like this game a lot, I think.

That being said, I haven't quite figured out how to balance the job of organizing my forces, moving them around the field, attacking/defending against the enemy, managing supply, calling for reinforcements, etc., all at the same time. I have a sinking feeling I'm really going to suck at MP.   

[son_of_montfort]

So, if I buy on GG, and it requires Steam to play, can I download it and it will load into Steam without needing to download the 6Gb again?

Just enter the serial code into Steam, AFAIK. Skip the GG download step. You can also do this with games on EA's Origin program (like Mass Effect, etc.).

Otherwise, I'm going to like this game a lot, I think.

This is all I needed to hear to get me very interested!  ;D

[ComradeP]

The trailers make the game look like it's quite unrealistic, even for an RTS, particularly the infantry just running around shooting at things.

So I'm still not convinced that it's worth the money. Comparing it to World in Conflict is high praise, though.

The rather generic name also isn't really appealing, but that's a minor issue.

[Jarhead0331]

The trailers make the game look like it's quite unrealistic, even for an RTS, particularly the infantry just running around shooting at things.

So I'm still not convinced that it's worth the money. Comparing it to World in Conflict is high praise, though.

The rather generic name also isn't really appealing, but that's a minor issue.

I played the game for about two hours straight last night and had an absolute blast.  It is not uber realistic, but the developers never claimed it to be the next WitE (cold War Style).  The game is just fun...plain and simple.  It has a great Cold War atmosphere, and the TO&E is large and authentic.  The units don't necessarily function realistically (the realism is more abstracted in the game), but where else can mix up several different variants of Leopards, Saracens, Marders, Fuchs, etc.  It is a very strategic game in terms of combined arms warfare and logistics.  The AI is aggressive and the game is very challenging.

If you do not like RTS games, you probably won't like this...but still, it is fantastic for what it is.

[LongBlade]

+1 with JH.

From the little I've played it's an RTS first and wargame second. But that isn't a bad thing at all.

From what I've seen, it lacks some of the sleek UI that World in Conflict had, but that's fine.

My video card has been trying to die on me so I don't know how much I'll be able to play, but hopefully turning down some of the settings will buy me some solid game time.

[Jarhead0331]

What I find so great about it is, you simply can't build a powerful tank force and send it in there alone to smash the enemy.  They'll get chewed up by a mix of enemy armor, infantry and rotary craft.  Rather, you need to prepare your force and construct it wisely.   Include a recon element with a couple tank platoons supported by mechanized infantry, AAA and supplies...do not ever forget to bring supplies.  Even with a wisely thought out combined force, it still cannot operate out in the field indefinitely with impunity.  The flow of supplies must be constant and fresh reinforcements regularly don't hurt either.   This is a key authentic element that I feel separates W:EE from the other RTS games out there.  In most RTS games, you can build a cluster of strong units and just rampage across the map with them.  You just cannot do that in W:EE.

Also, until you've really advanced and taken some ground, your rear FOB is never entirely safe because the maps are large and reinforcement entry points vary widely, so you could have enemies coming in from your left flank, your right flank, the center, or anywhere in between.

[MikeGER]

gents, what are your WEE nicks?  [GH]MikeGER

i wish there would be a slider (at least for solo play, skirmish vs AI, and non ranked multi if all participants agree) to reduce game speed in 5% steps down to maybe even 50% before a map get started... which could changes the games experience 'from RTS to Wargame' a lot

a mod / or option where just the speed of all units could be adjusted by a multiplier would be even better   


i also wish, that solo play and skirmish vs the AI also get recorded for later analysis, not only the pure multiplayer-matches   

 

[LongBlade]

My nick is Wargamer.

This is an interesting game. Dialing down the graphics didn't seem to make much difference on the game map.

JH, I managed to get my butt kicked the first time I played through the intro, too. There seems to be enough going on underneath the hood to make this a good, solid game. Not as slick as World in Conflict, but in some ways a much better game - the log element is something I'll have to read up on. Running out of ammo is not a good idea in a firefight.

I like the sound effects. They make up a lot for the lack of splashy graphics.

Overall the gameplay is a nice mix between an RTS and a wargame. I'm starting to really like this game and I've only played through the first mission.

[spelk]

Struggling badly to get it to run at a decent pace, without matchboxes for armoured vehicles, and all the explosions missing. I should research game specs a bit more than I do. :(

I'm on a Samsung R780 laptop with an ATI Mobility Radeon 5000, 6Gb Ram. But it just doesn't want to play nicely. Shame because it looks like something I could have a bash at, and enjoy.

[Jarhead0331]

JH, I managed to get my butt kicked the first time I played through the intro, too. There seems to be enough going on underneath the hood to make this a good, solid game. Not as slick as World in Conflict, but in some ways a much better game - the log element is something I'll have to read up on. Running out of ammo is not a good idea in a firefight.

Yes, until you get a feel for the "flow" of combat in this game, you will get your a$$ handed to you by the AI.  Once I started mixing up my force composition more I started to be a lot more competitive against the AI.  I like how Recon is critical.  You really need the improved detection capability of the special reece units to increase the survivability of your main combat elements.

I see LOG as being the big game changer here.  I still struggle with it...I do wish it could be automated with setting up supply convoys that move between FOB and front lines.  On the other hand, the need for frequent resupply definitely slows the pace of the game and makes it less "RTS-ey." 

[son_of_montfort]

JH, I managed to get my butt kicked the first time I played through the intro, too. There seems to be enough going on underneath the hood to make this a good, solid game. Not as slick as World in Conflict, but in some ways a much better game - the log element is something I'll have to read up on. Running out of ammo is not a good idea in a firefight.

Oh thank goodness! I thought I was just an idiot or something! The game doesn't hand hold at ALL. It badly needs a tutorial.

[LongBlade]

Yes, it needs a tutorial.

I think the lesson out of the first scenario is that the game is not linear and reinforcements can come at any time. I think I hand plenty of firepower to win, but I committed to a finishing blow early and was outflanked.

[Jarhead0331]

I disagree that a more thorough tutorial is needed in the game.  I think the text based tips and goal oriented operations in the first few campaign missions are adequate.  They definitely explain the controls and the core concepts and assisted me in graduating from bumbling fool, to semi-competent Battalion commander.  That being said, a strategic tutorial, or cold war era combat guide might be fun and helpful.  The UI isn't that complex...in fact, its disappointingly basic (ie. no control over formation, spacing, facing, etc.)  However, there is some real complexity to the necessary concepts and tactics for success.  Here is where a classic style guide that reinforces the importance of maneuver, recon/intel gathering, supply, C3, supporting fire, and combined arms would come in handy. 

[son_of_montfort]

I could barely tell how to start the campaign (as in which buttons to press)! I had one tank battalion and a recon - how was I supposed to repulse the entire soviet breakthrough?

Yeah, I think a strategic tutorial would be better than a mechanical one, though. Cause I have no clue what I am doing!

Viscerally speaking, the game is awesome. Tanks and guns... it is sort of like a modern Theater of War or CM:SF in real time and less fiddly!

[jomni]

CMSF can be played in realtime and that's how I play it. :)

Still undecided about this.  I want to play it but there some nagging things that I don't like.