Ultimate General gameplay footage..

[Tinkershuffle]

UG is now on Steam's early access, anyone tested it yet?

[GDS_Starfury]

Actually, I don't.  I never use Steam (anti-online DRM stance) .

I once had my reservations about the Steam setup.  years later and lots of formats and new pc's I have to say that Steam never screwed me in any way.  it is what it is.  and it works.

[JudgeDredd]

Actually, I don't.  I never use Steam (anti-online DRM stance) .

I once had my reservations about the Steam setup.  years later and lots of formats and new pc's I have to say that Steam never screwed me in any way.  it is what it is.  and it works.

+1

[JudgeDredd]

I bought it.

It looks as crisp as it did in the videos. Ordering units is pretty simple. It nice and quirky. I like (always did like) the idea of arrow style movement graphics. Only one battle at the moment...the one you all saw in the videos. You can play as Union or the Rebs. There are 9 (yep...NINE) levels of AI...3 levels of difficulty mixed with 3 levels of aggressiveness



Pretty simple stuff really. There are buttons missing (facing as an example) but all shortcuts are explained in the online manual

However, a big one for me is no way to slow it down that I can see and therefore not falling into my requirements. Things are happening too fast to keep up...units falling back, morale going up and down - all quite fast. I didn't use the pause button a lot, so perhaps that would help - but hopefully a slow down will be available.

There's potential - but a slow down feature is an absolute must for me if I am to continue buying

[HistoricalGamer]

... was told it should be posted here... my bad

I did a short video on my first experiences with Ultimate General. Its an interesting game, I wish regiments were included but other than that a lot to like. The customization of the AI is phenomenal and the UI is really really approachable, really similar to Sid Meier's Gettysburg in terms of approach-ability and polish imho.

[JudgeDredd]

You got your battle to last 36 minutes?  :)

I think mine was going to end inside of 15!  :D (But I was just fooling around)

[tgb]

It's a good looking engine but I would like to see it in the service of a more strategic layer.

[JudgeDredd]

It's a good looking engine but I would like to see it in the service of a more strategic layer.

oh yes - ala Forge of Freedom! WOW!  ;D 

[Rayfer]

I've been following this one in these forums.  JD's comment that there is no way to slow things down is troublesome. In the trailer units move way to fast. Hopefully this is feature is added on.

[JudgeDredd]

^ I could be wrong...but I didn't see anything in game or a quick scan through the manual.

I'll have a proper look and get back

[fabius]

Hello guys. Been following the forum for a while as first choice quality information on games.

There is no "Slow" feature yet. But the Dev said on Steam forum that it's under review.

For me it's still playable by using the pause a lot. But yes, for sure, will really improve the experience if we can slow it down when we want to.

American Civil War is not my thing, but I went for it because of the positive feedback and partly to support new indie that looks to be doing the right things for players. Also it's very cheap.

That said the game experience was immersive, fun, and the challenging AI (that feels realistic) got me hooked through three slog battles.

Played on Balanced AI Confederate
Battle one:
I was winning with a cautious steady assault. Was about to take the last major VP for a win and the AI concentrated a counter attack on my left to take my major VP. = minor loss.

Battle 2. Slug fest back and fourth for a draw.

Battle 3. Steady cautious attack again on the Cemetery. Left Flanking through a town.

Taking Cemetery VPs was slug fest and closely fought as my morale and condition of guys fighting for previous battles was brittle. I made better use of Arty- even close up and some well timed close assault charges carried the Cemetry VPs.

Atry, flanking blunted a strong counter attack. But it wasn't enough. Union was going to swing to back in the overtime, but I have sheltered 3 regiments to rest and regroup who in close quarters with the Corps Commander present saw them off.

I jumped on their retreat to take last VP- for a minor win.

Overall win on Gettysburg campaign.

And definitely a win for £6 or $10

[JudgeDredd]

I'm mostly on fabius' side.

A slow down isn't there but hopefully will be. Pause is ok...but I'd still like to have things going at a more manageable pace. It's not breakneck speed - but it is too fast (for me at least).

The game is superbly immersive with some great sounds. Moving your units is pretty intuitive and looks cool with the arrows. I noticed a huge difference between the two levels of AI I choose...so the AI is scaled. As much as the options available? I don't know. I can't remember what settings I choose, but the first time I played the first battle, the AI was pretty aggressive and the next time I played (and although I don't remember the settings I choose, I know I choose differently) the AI was much less aggressive...more cautious. So certainly between the two options I choose, there was a difference...this could do with some more investigation.

There is more than 1 battle. After I completed my first battle (minor victory on an easy setting iirc), I was taken through a couple of screens to take me to a follow on battle.

I'm not sure you will feel much in control of anything. Basically, it's move, face and they do their thing. They'll run away if need be and regroup if/when they can. I don't know if Officers have effects on morale. There is a circle round them, but I also saw soldiers regaining morale outside of an officers influence.

I's a cool game. What's here is worth £6 most definitely. I would love to see further DLC for this in the future as I'm extremely interested in the ACW and there's a historic flavour to the game.

It's early and needs a bit of fleshing out to keep interest though...but I like the feel of it. It's of course early days to determine how much replayability there is here - but if all the versions of the AI work and give a different game, then you've got 9 replays right there.

[FlickJax]

Wasnt Darthmod about slowing gameplay down in Total War ? Seems strange that he has made a fast paced game.

[steve58]

Well I'd like to pick this one up, but think I'm going to wait a bit.  I realize that the devs are considering a "slow down" feature, etc, but this post on the Steam forums makes me think it may not happen.

Providing speed adjustments will affect the Ai. In UG:G Ai is neither scripted, nor is based in cheat bonuses. If it was it should be very easy to add such a game control feature.

In our game the Ai evaluates constantly the current situation and the player's moves trying to take the best decisions. The different speeds will unpredictably affect these decisions. For example the Cunning Ai character in one game speed will not be the same with the Cunning at another speed (perhaps he will not be cunning any more, but act as a Dynamic or Determined).

[-budd-]

not interested at that pace. Its the problem i have with the "wargame" games, too much going on in the bigger scenarios, thats why i stick to airland and the smaller skirmishes........those are fun and manageable for me and i can check out the eye candy at ground level.