Steel Armour - Blaze of War - relaunch/makeover

[Eichhörnchen]

I haven't got into that yet (I thought there might be a patch or two on the disc, but no). And no doc files on the disc at all, just the AutoRun, EULA, Setup plus three Setup bin. files... not even a Readme!

BTW, it's a "Black Lime Games"/" UIG Entertainment" release, only £2.99 so maybe you get just the barest minimum. I'll keep trying and post some screenshots if I get rolling...

E

[33lima]

Originally Posted by Eichhornchen

I haven't got into that yet (I thought there might be a patch or two on the disc, but no). And no doc files on the disc at all, just the AutoRun, EULA, Setup plus three Setup bin. files... not even a Readme!

BTW, it's a "Black Lime Games"/" UIG Entertainment" release, only £2.99 so maybe you get just the barest minimum. I'll keep trying and post some screenshots if I get rolling...

E

With a bit of luck, the manuals will be installed with the game; they're likely in one of those bin files. I'm pretty sure it won't include the updates as the UIG version pre-dates Graviteam getting the rights back and starting to patch/update the game, officially.

As the original release was reported to have some issues, and the updates - as well as adding some features, like tank-laid smoke screens - make some interface changes that you don't want to have to re-learn, I'd definitely recommend patching it right away, after installation.

There's a brief discussion about patching the boxed version here, best place to post if you hit any diffs:

http://graviteam.com/forum/index.php?topic=11932.0

[Eichhörnchen]

Check! Thanks again...

[Akula]

Hello.....

I bought this when it came out on disk. However I found the interface clunky and hard to use, I couldn't even figure out how to get in 3D mode to play the tanks in Campaign mode.

It seems this has been made a bit more accessible with a Easy Mission editor and quick game setting?

Also is it at all possible to play the Centurion now, or via mods? Would be nice to play on the side of SADF in the Angola campaign.

In any event is it better to get this from Gamergate or Steam...anything that either of the two versions don't have in terms of features, moddability or DLC?

Any does anyone know if disk customers get a discount somewhere to get the improved game?

Thanks,
G

[33lima]

Hi Akula

I had exactly the same experience with SABOW, originally finding the interface about as user friendly as the proverbial cornered rat. Parked it for another day.

When that day came this Spring, two things solved it for me. Ok, three things, at the risk of sounding like that Python sketch.

First, I decided I would make the effort, whatever it took.

Second and third, that effort was reduced by:

1. Sim Deck's SABOW intro videos, notably this one - tho I think made before the updates, they are still helpful.



2. The update's improvements, notably;
(a) the 'quick mission' option which enables you to bypass most of the wargame element and get nearly straight to the tanksimming; and
(b) the instant action missions, which go directly to tanksimming, which started with two training missions, since increased, as described here:

http://combatace.com/topic/85814-ste...r/#entry691073

There's still a lot of features I use little or at all but the tanksimming basics I find no more complicated than many another tanksim. It's well worth now making the effort also to get to grips with the wargame interface because that's needed to play campaigns fully and it adds an extra dimension to the game. Reminds me of Steel Beasts in some respects. Once you have cracked it the first time, the wargame interface's main features are suddenly fairly intuitive.

You can update the CD version, but its updates lag behind those for Steam and Gamersgate. I bought the Gamersgate version in a sale, so it was well worth it. I have the impression GG tends to get updates slightly sooner. There's no discount for CD buyers to get the D/L version but a sale renders that moot.

Modder WHUKID had a (beta, partial?) IDF mod with a playable IDF Centurion but I'm not sure it's still available and it may not work with the new version. Graviteam have said they want to start releasing DLCs, plans not public yet. Personally, dreaming being free, I want a playable Chieftain, then preferably 1970s-1980s NATO-v-WARPAC, then WW2. The first DLC is coming soon, it seems:

http://graviteam.com/forum/index.php?topic=11793.300

PS more up-to-date illustration of the increased range of 'instant action' options is here; more added since, including directing artillery fire:

http://combatace.com/topic/85925-ins...n-sabow-style/

[adrians69]

I just picked this up today, a nearly new pre-owned DVD copy for the princely sum of 50p!! I can't believe what I got for that ridiculous amount. I'll have to look out for the updates and install them manually like I just did for the latest 2015 core update and patch, but that's OK, that's how we used to do it before Steam & GG etc. isn't it?!

[Krabb]

New DLC - Basra 86 released on Steam.

The action takes place in a new area of ​​operations in the flood plain of the Shatt al-Arab river during the Iran-Iraq war. Two operations for Iranian and Iraqi armies, and a single mission are available to the player. Pontoon bridges, floating armored vehicles, and Iranian-produced UCAVs are widely used during the game.

At the end of December 1986, Iranian forces launched the next operation - Karbala-4. IRGC frogmen crossed the Shatt al-Arab river and captured a number of the border islands, as well as a bridgehead on the right bank. Then, pontoon bridges were assembled across the river, which lightly armed Basij militia units of the "Prophet Muhammad" division used to cross to the right river bank and began an offensive in the general direction of Basra.