ATF: Armored Task Force

[SUBMAN1]

Has anyone checked this thing out yet?

http://www.shrapnelgames.com/prosim/atf/1.htm

-S

Welcome the the Modern Battlefield, soldier. Do you have what it takes to command today's armed forces? ATF: Armored Task Force is the ultimate modern era tactical simulation on the market today. Designed and developed by Patrick Proctor and his ProSIM company, this is a real time hybrid wargame unlike any other you've experienced. Numerous innovations borne out of the developer's frustration with the majority of tactical computer wargames available elevate Armored Task Force above the rest of the pack.

ATF, while hyper-detailed (detailed enough to be in use by actual military organizations around the world) is easy enough to play that you won't need Pentagon clearance to try and understand it. New users will find the extensive manual (a hard copy that is included with the game, no cheesy PDFs here!) well-written and helpful and even more help can be found online with the exhaustive tutorials written by the staff of ProSIM themselves.

This wargame simulation also includes enough user goodies to keep you playing until 2010. Various editors are included, allowing gamers to modify everything from the graphics to sounds to weapon statistics. New scenarios are also easily created, along with the ability to import new maps.
For wargamers who have always been disappointed with the reality aspect of real time strategy games, and wargames in general, Armored Task Force is the silver bullet you've been waiting for!


The depth is unsurpassed! This one has everything.


What makes this tactical simulation great:

• One of the most important aspects for any tactical game is the terrain. Units live and die by the lay of the land and the ultimate commander knows exactly how to use this to his advantage. Armored Task Force's terrain model is by far the highest fidelity seen in a commercial-grade wargame. Forget about a hex based model, maps use a continuous elevation terrain model just like government and military maps. Hull down positioning now means actually finding the proper terrain for your tanks as opposed to a clicking on an "entrench" order. Forests, roads, and structures are all represented and must be considered in your avenues of approach.
  
• Combat resolution is resolved at the single vehicle level. Even more impressive a vehicle's facing is taken into account, including its turret. Unlike a lot of wargames this means that maneuvering your forces for those side and rear shots is paramount, just like a real commander in the field faces. Besides the extensive armor modeling vehicles can also now pop smoke and are intelligent enough to know when to do it.
  
• ProSIM's games have always been known for their excellent artificial intelligence and Armored Task Force carries on the tradition. Both friendly and enemy AI react intelligently to their current situation. Artificial intelligence that is actually intelligent, what a concept! Friendly AI works on a layered system, meaning that you can give as simple of an order as telling a unit to attack over that ridge, or as complex as attack over that ridge by way of that valley while taking overwatch position here for that platoon of M1s. Micromanagement becomes a thing of the past in Armored Task Force! Enemy AI is no slouch either. Working off decision point tactics you'll face off against a computer opponent that takes the big picture into account and doesn't resort to cheating.
  
• Variable levels of command. You can control the sweep of entire companies or take control of individual vehicles. Most gamers will want to take on a mixed approach, setting up grand orders at the highest level and then taking control of individual units when things hit the fan.

[Skybird]

I knew the first thing, BCT, and hated it. The interface was counter-intuitive to the max, and there were many strange restrictions in gameplay that cost me nerves, tanks, and reason. I checked ACT at shrapnel-site repeatedly, but always was scared away by the bad experience with BCT. and now that I have SBP, I do not see any need for ACT or BCT anyway.

[Safe-Keeper]

I downloaded the demo of Falkland War and was impressed by it, but too intimidated by the second mission to actually buy the game. I tried at least one other demo, which I also liked.

UI aside, it's a good series of titles.

[SUBMAN1]

Originally Posted by Skybird

I knew the first thing, BCT, and hated it. The interface was counter-intuitive to the max, and there were many strange restrictions in gameplay that cost me nerves, tanks, and reason. I checked ACT at shrapnel-site repeatedly, but always was scared away by the bad experience with BCT. and now that I have SBP, I do not see any need for ACT or BCT anyway.

I guess that answers it.

[Safe-Keeper]

Bah. If I'm buying anything from Shrapnel it'll be Dominions 3 or 4. Everything else is secondary.

[bradclark1]

I have ATF, Raging Tiger, and The Star and the Cresent. They are pretty good but it's not a Eastern Front type game. The new one, Air Assault I think has a much better interface. I won't get it though as I'm not much into air assault as a game. I need armor.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by bradclark1

I won't get it though as I'm not much into air assault as a game. I need armor.

SBP, anyone...?

[Heibges]

Yes, please.

[bradclark1]

Originally Posted by Skybird

SBP, anyone...?

My wife wouldn't be that loving person if I spent $125 for a game.

[Skybird]

Then tell her it just costed $12,50.

Just curious, and maybe i have asked that before: I know you were serving, but have you been a tanker? If so you'll hate yourself for letting this one go.