Looking for a WW2 scenario for a turn based strategy

[Philipp_Thomsen]

Hello guys,

I've been for a long while looking for a WW2 themed turn-based strategy game,
something like Medieval 2: Total War, but for World War II.

I think it would be just bloody awesome, but after many years researching the
subject, I found squat.

Really amazes me that the "Total War" series never visited the WW2 theme.

So, any of you can save me and recommend any half-decent game that fits the criteria? :D

[Philipp_Thomsen]

I've found this on wikipedia

WW2 Turn-based strategy games
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_War_II_video_games

Allied General (1995)
Panzer General (1994)
Daisenryaku (Iron Storm) (1996)
Operation Europe: Path To Victory (1994)
Uncommon Valor (2002)
Pacific War: Matrix Edition (2003)
Silent Storm (2004)
War in the Pacific: The Struggle Against Japan 1941-1945 (2004)
War Plan Orange: Dreadnoughts in the Pacific 1922-1930 (2005)
World War II - Road to Victory (2008)
Combat Mission: Beyond Overlord (2001)
Combat Mission: Barbarossa to Berlin (2002)
Combat Mission Afrika Korps (2004)
Gary Grisby's World at War (2005)
Military History Commander Europe at War (2009)
War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition (2009)
Sgt. Saunders' Combat! (1995)
Operation Europe: Path to Victory (1995)
Barbarossa (1992)
Koutetsu no Kishi (1991)
Koutetsu no Kishi 2: Sabaku no Rommel Shougun (1994)
Koutetsu no Kishi 3: Gekitotsu Europe Sensen (1995)
Making History (series)
Legends of War (2011)
Soldiers of Empires (2002)
Soldiers of Empires 2 (2012)
Strategic Command: European Theater (2002)
Steel Panthers (series) (1995-2006)

I'm not interested in any game older than 2002-2005, having decent graphics
is important for immersion, in my opinion.

I've clicked on all the post 2002 names there, but found very little info, most
of them don't even have gameplay footage on youtube, and I can't even find
the few decent ones to buy online. Names that interested me, Legends of war, Soldiers of Empires and Making History 2.

[Philipp_Thomsen]

And don't give me any of that online crap!

Online games are filled with cheaters, I want FUN and not STRESS! :rotfl2:

[Kptlt. Neuerburg]

You might want to have a look at WW2 Sandstorm which is a sub-mod for The Great War which was made for Napoleon Total War.

Links:http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?412568-World-War-II-Sandstorm-0-5-RELEASED!

[Philipp_Thomsen]

Also, since we're in the subject, a nice WW2 flight simulator would be nice too.

I'm getting IL2 Sturmovik 1946, since I didn't find "Bird of Prey" to buy.

[Dowly]

Take your pick.
http://www.matrixgames.com/products/?p=19&a=3

No, they arent graphically "fancy", but good luck finding a TBS WWII game that looks good and plays good. :O:

Oh and the Combat Mission games are pretty good:
http://www.battlefront.com/index.php

[Philipp_Thomsen]

A friend just recommended me R.U.S.E.

It's not really TURN-BASED, but looks quite good.
Whats the word on it?

@Dowly, Thank mate, I'll take a look at them!

[Red October1984]

Hello guys,

I've been for a long while looking for a WW2 themed turn-based strategy game,
something like Medieval 2: Total War, but for World War II.

I think it would be just bloody awesome, but after many years researching the
subject, I found squat.

Really amazes me that the "Total War" series never visited the WW2 theme.

So, any of you can save me and recommend any half-decent game that fits the criteria? :D



Looks like this right here is what you are looking for.

Triple A (http://triplea.sourceforge.net/mywiki)

It's an Open Source PC Version of Axis and Allies. It's turn based combat and you can do much more than just WW2. There's WW1, Napoleonic Wars, Cold War, LOTR Middle Earth, and there's tons more to download.

You can play against the A.I. or you can play online. :)

It's a good little free game. :up:

[Stealhead]

I second Dowly.I would recommend specifically "The Operational Art Or War III" it is turn based though you focus more on strategy you can find scenarios for numerous WWII battles.I mess around with this game all the time.
http://www.matrixgames.com/products/317/details/Norm.Koger%27s.The.Operational.Art.of.War.III

You might also like "War in the Pacific Admirals Edition" and "War in the East" I own WitP myself and enjoy it WtE is by the same people and is just as good though I can not say personally as I do not own that game.The game is pricey but is very detailed unit wise lots and lots to do.WitP also very accurately simulates fog of war the confusion and misinformation aspect you will see lots of reports where your crews think they sank a ship and they really did not.I also once as the Japanese attacked Force Z and did see the HMS Repulse sink during the battle but no claim was made for the Prince of Whales which had taken many hits.Later I checked the ships sunk list and she was on it.(the ships sunk list is accurate).



You must also deal with the rotation and training of your pilots

Several subsim members play TOAWIII and WitP against each other if they cheat tell everyone.:O: Those are PBEM play by e-mail so i'd only paly them with someone that you know.
I think a few subsim members also play War in the East.

http://www.matrixgames.com/products/351/details/War.in.the.Pacific.-.Admiral%27s.Edition

http://www.matrixgames.com/products/372/details/Gary.Grigsby%27s.War.in.the.East:.The.German-Soviet.War.1941-1945

Lastly you might also like Ahtung Panzer:Operation Star make sure you buy that one from GamerGate or from the Graviteam website and not Matrixgames.Matrix is behind on the add ons and an add on for APOS purchased from GG will not work with the Matrix edition.
http://www.gamersgate.com/DD-APOS/achtung-panzer-operation-star

[Raptor1]

There are a lot of excellent turn-based World War II games, such as The Operational Art of War III, War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition, War in the East and so forth, but nearly all of these are graphics-less wargames and focus on only one scale of fighting (rather than having a tactical and strategic scale, as in Total War). So most would not be very similar to Total War.

In my opinion the Total War system just doesn't work in World War II. Combat up until World War I would often be resolved in individual concentrated engagements, allowing Total War's gameplay to work, but afterwards the scale of warfare is much too large for the switch between strategic and tactical combat to make any sense. I know there are a couple of game that try to follow the Total War style and are set during World War II, but I've not played any of them and from what I've seen they're not terribly good.

The closest thing I can of to what you are looking for is the Close Combat series, the games of which (except for the third one) have a real-time tactical game within a turn-based campaign. The campaign itself is operational, rather than grand strategic as in Total War, so it's not quite the same, but the games are still very good (especially the remakes from Matrix Games). Achtung Panzer: Kharkov '43 and Operation Star also play like this, but I couldn't really get into them.

[Skybird]

Steel Panthers WWII. It'S free, classical hex-field, tactical. 50 m/hex, counters represent individual vehicles.

http://www.shrapnelgames.com/Camo_Workshop/WW2/WW2_page.html

It's old, but got modded through until today. I know the cousin for modern times, SP Main Battle Tank. An all-time favourite of mine.

If you want a real challenge and max realism, try Aegean Conquest or Battle for the Bulge by Matrix Games. These must be rated to rank amongst the best of their kind. However, it is real time (though no RTS in the meaning of the usual action SciFi fancy games). Map view, no hexes, but movement son vector-basis. Many features in it are unique.

http://www.matrixgames.com/products/377/details/Command.Ops:.Battles.from.the.Bulge.

And then there is the Combat Mission series by Battlefornt, of which I only know the modern-timed Shock Force, but there are many modules featuring WWII. If you refer to the Total War series for reference, then this maybe is the best candidate for you to check out. Battles are in full 3D. the various moduels seem to vary in quality. Many Videos at youtube.

http://www.battlefront.com/

[Stealhead]

There are a lot of excellent turn-based World War II games, such as The Operational Art of War III, War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition, War in the East and so forth, but nearly all of these are graphics-less wargames and focus on only one scale of fighting (rather than having a tactical and strategic scale, as in Total War). So most would not be very similar to Total War.

In my opinion the Total War system just doesn't work in World War II. Combat up until World War I would often be resolved in individual concentrated engagements, allowing Total War's gameplay to work, but afterwards the scale of warfare is much too large for the switch between strategic and tactical combat to make any sense. I know there are a couple of game that try to follow the Total War style and are set during World War II, but I've not played any of them and from what I've seen they're not terribly good.

The closest thing I can of to what you are looking for is the Close Combat series, the games of which (except for the third one) have a real-time tactical game within a turn-based campaign. The campaign itself is operational, rather than grand strategic as in Total War, so it's not quite the same, but the games are still very good (especially the remakes from Matrix Games). Achtung Panzer: Kharkov '43 and Operation Star also play like this, but I couldn't really get into them.


I agree with your thoughts about the TW game play style.It just does not fit well with "modern" warfare I think even WWI pushes it WWI was indeed generally static but lines of communication where rapid as was production of materials.

The way turns work in TW and the length of time covered is far too long to work with any war set post 19th century.The other issue with modern warfare is that the formations of men of the field and how the battles work (in game) they just dont mesh with the type of maneuver of modern warfare.For example in modern warfare an army can retreat or "tactically withdraw" from a situation and that move is not a loss in TW ending a battle in which you have not routed the enemy is always a loss because in pre 20th century warfare typically it was a loss to be routed in any way.

[Philipp_Thomsen]

What I find awesome in turn-based strategy games, like the Total War series,
is not the battles, but the slow built up of the campaign. Growing your empire,
gathering resources, conquering the land closer to you, etc.

I think the administrative, or the "tycoon" part of Total War is what always
captivated me. When the battle itself starts and both sides lose their troops,
that's a bit disappointing. Call me crazy. Most of the time I try to just make
allies and conquer using politics or bribes. Again, call me crazy.

In Age of Empire, I'd set a game starting on age NOMAD, with zero resources,
and 40 minute treaty. That way, I would have enough time to gather insane
amounts of resources, and upgrade everything, and put together a huge army,
and I could just line all of them up in front of me to adore me. Yep call me crazy.

When the AI came to attack me, I would hope my artillery and walls could
hold them outside, and I'd cry over every piece of wall destroyed. All I wanted
is to keep my empire huge and beautiful and intact, just like that Dwarf fortress
in the new movie "The Hobbit". Yes I am a loony.


So, I've always imagine that it would be completely awesome, maybe the best
game ever, if I could play as germany starting in 1935 and gather resources
and army to start the big one in 1939, deciding what countries to invade next,
deciding where to send my troops, and doing it properly, cos I think Hitler screwed up. :D

[Dowly]

So, I've always imagine that it would be completely awesome, maybe the best
game ever, if I could play as germany starting in 1935 and gather resources
and army to start the big one in 1939, deciding what countries to invade next,
deciding where to send my troops, and doing it properly, cos I think Hitler screwed up. :D

In that case I would recommend getting Hearts of Iron 2 or 3.

[Stealhead]

Indeed Hearts of Iron is your game and you might also like Darkest Hour.Depending on how you do things and how the game pans out you can actually start WWII when you are really ready to not in 1939.

[Philipp_Thomsen]

I'm getting Hearts of Iron 3 with all the expansions and DLCs from steam for 25 bucks.

Thanks a million, Dowly! For both the tips and the always wonderful sig pics :D

[Stealhead]

Be sure to check out the many mods out there for HOI3 as well.I would get the Historic Plausibility Project(HPP).

[Dowly]

And tutorials if you've never played a game like that. :)

[Stealhead]

Yeah HOI has a bit of a learning curve to say the least.

[Oberon]

Curve or cliff? :hmmm:

[Red October1984]

Curve or cliff? :hmmm:

Well....HoI3 has it's own little Pointe Du Hoc going on....

Playing the game for the first time was like running in the Marathon of Impossibility. After I went over the Tutorials, I got the basics down.

Once you learn how to play, it's fun. I haven't even learned how to do certain things. I leave the Tech, Spying, and Production up to the A.I. cause I have no idea how to do it. :oops:

[Takeda Shingen]

Curve or cliff? :hmmm:

The cliff analogy is backward. If you are trying to say that the game is easy to learn, then you want a cliff-like curve. For example, leaf blowing:

http://cockeyed.com/lessons/learning_curve/learning_curve_graph_leafblower.gif

Leaf blowing is a relatively self-explanatory task; therefore what is required is learned quickly. Hence, the graph is a steep, or cliff-like one. Contrast this with a graph representing learning to drive a stick shift:

http://cockeyed.com/lessons/learning_curve/learning_curve_graph_stickshift_longterm.gif

This task is far more complex and requires a greater degree of awareness and muscle control to achieve. Therefore, it takes a much longer period to learn, resulting in a shallower curve. As such, it is the gentle slope, not the cliff, that indicates a more arduous learning process.

Sorry for the rant, and I suspect that you really know this deep down, but the "cliff" analogy is a pet peeve of mine.

[TheDude107]

There are a lot of excellent turn-based World War II games, such as The Operational Art of War III, War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition, War in the East and so forth, but nearly all of these are graphics-less wargames and focus on only one scale of fighting (rather than having a tactical and strategic scale, as in Total War). So most would not be very similar to Total War.

The closest thing I can of to what you are looking for is the Close Combat series.

I agree, some of these suggestions lack similarity to Shogun TW. Granted there were some great suggestions in the first few posts but they were leaning to the wargaming side. Which I love, but they're not every strategy gamer's cup of tea.

Close Combat has the Operational/Tactical level and your troops can't just be thrown into the meatgrinder as you'll need them for the next attack/defence.

Combat Mission: Battle For Normandy was suggested, and even though outside the campaigns there are no "strategy/operational levels" of gameplay, it is a great WW2 simulator. It comes with alot of scenaros and has a quick battle feature that has decent AI.

Can't really recomend this next one as I haven't played it yet, but it's always looked interesting. Pacific Storm. You can reasearch tech over the course of a historical or "free play" campaign and order commands to all the squadrons and ships under your navies command(Epic/Grand Strategy)

You can manage large armies within a certain area of the game world like in total war (Operational.) Or you can take it a step further and jump into the cockpit of a unit you control, pilot certain ships, or man certain stations on ships you can't control(Tactical/Individual). Its pretty cheap and its the next game I think I'm going to buy.