Squad Battles: First World War Released

[Jarhead0331]

^Wow.  Must buy immediately once I get home tonight. 

@Steve - that screenshot almost gave me a heart attack! I'll be playing this over the weekend.

[Marty Ward]

How is the AI in this series?

[Bismarck]

Pretty good.

I wish I'd kept a list of all those who, over the years, said WW I was no subject for a good game.

[Al]

If you go to the product information page for this game you can download the user manual, a getting started guide and the designer's notes.   The same guy that did France '14 for HPS/JTSC - Ed Williams - did a lot of the work on this game.  I never really got into the Squad Battles series - mainly because the scale wasn't my cup o' tea - but I may get this one.

[Nefaro]

Welllll kick me in the pickelhaub. When it rains, it pours!  8)

[Nefaro]

Also, can anyone tell me just how much this costs USD?  It's not listed on the info page.

Secondly, what's the specifics of the current DRM via the web store?  Does it still have internet activation required, limited installations, etc?

[Gusington]

It's 39.99 IIRC. I am thinking of getting this instead of Supreme Commander WWI. This would also be my first Tiller game.

[Nefaro]

It's 39.99 IIRC. I am thinking of getting this instead of Supreme Commander WWI. This would also be my first Tiller game.

I've probably enjoyed the few Squad Battles titles I've had more than many of the other JT games I own.  Not by a huge margin, but I do.  My first complaint is that, for a squad-level wargame, the scenarios start you off right at the point of initial contact so there's not much pre-battle maneuver.  That, mixed with the limiting turn times, makes it as much a combat resource management type of tactical game as fire & maneuver.

[LongBlade]

It's 39.99 IIRC. I am thinking of getting this instead of Supreme Commander WWI. This would also be my first Tiller game.

Squad Battles can be an interesting cup of tea.

As a tactical game you're working with small unit tactics - the squad (obvious by the title).

It can be a little finicky to get used to. Stuff like crew-served equipment (mortars and MGs) don't automatically get used by a squad who walks up to them. You have to order the squad to use it through a bit of menu-driven contortions.

Also, line of sight isn't exactly intuitive. Once you get the hang of it it's a great system. But I wouldn't exactly describe the UI as easy to use. As it's your first Squad Battles game, I wanted to give you a bit of an introduction as it may challenge you a bit when you first start to come to terms with how it works.

[son_of_montfort]

I concur with LB's discussion, and that is what is holding me from ordering it. The UI can be downright frustrating and, if we are talking about bad graphics, then SB is likely going to be the worst of the bunch. Does anyone know if this will run full screen at HD resolution?

[Bison]

Yes it does SoM.  I just played around with it for a few minutes, but that is the case with all Tiller games. 

[Gusington]

Thanks LB.

[Jarhead0331]

Holy crap! The shriek of artillery literally had me diving for cover! This is going to be bloody.

[jomni]

How is the AI in this series?

AI is mediocre.  The series compensates through good scenario design.
Older titles are a bit wonky but more recent titles are good.

UI is old school but not really that hard to learn.  It's very similar to all Tiller Games (Campaign Series, Panzer Campaigns).
Though there's more to micromanage here (rally action, weapons and ammo management, stance)...

[son_of_montfort]

Yes it does SoM.  I just played around with it for a few minutes, but that is the case with all Tiller games.

I both love you and hate you right now, Bison.  ;)