Searching Wargame game

[AndreasT]

I was wondering if there is a PC game out there, a WW2 battle simulator which is more or less realistic.
I have been searching the web a bit and couldn't really find anything which satisfies my needs.
Being someone who used to play War Games, to the rules of Donald Featherstone and the like, I would like something on the lines of a game where you command units.
Someone recommended Men Of War to me. Could anybody possible help me out?

[Skybird]

Tactical, or strategical? Map controlled, or 3D ingame view? Old fashioned (maybe hexfields) CoSim, or action oriented?


I would like something on the lines of a game where you command units.

To get you started: Battle of the Bulge, Conquest of the Aegean, both the same game system, both available from Matrix Games' website. Explanatory videos at youtube. Map view, vector based, complex, difficult, extremely well done AI.

Another candidate, more operational: War in the East, a monster-sized cosim (maybe the biggest on the market currently. Can also be found at German Saturn shops for 5 Euros. Matrix Games.

And by shrapnel games, for free: Main Battle Tanbk: WWII. An old classic hexfield. Tactical. Hexes are 250 meters, counters are individual vehicles and squads. Dated graphics, but still mich loved and a classic. Again: for free.

If you want more 3D action: check out Combat Mission, a series of titles. I know the modern scenarios (called shock force)
only however. Battlefront.com.

And last: The Operational Art of War III, a classic and extreemly flexible, allows evertyhing from, small to theatre, from ancient era to near future.

[Stealhead]

Achtung Panzer Operation Star(pretty in depth) and Combat Mission(even more so and only really for hardcore tactical sim fans) both very good tactical with Combat Mission being very detailed.

Combat Mission: Fortress Italy takes him a little bit to show the game play but he was lest annoying sounding person I could find.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v17XKeWc68E


Achtung Panzer Operation Star
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fux0hxk1PDM

Battle Front has demos for both games along with several other titles in the Combat Mission series as well as other titles you might be interested in.

http://www.battlefront.com/

[AndreasT]

Phew thanks for the info. There is more than I thought. I will need to check those all out.
Thanks again.

[elanaiba]

Also look at Unity of Command, great game, light on time investment but models supply issues and encirclement.

[AndreasT]

I need some help and recommendations please. A few games I do not like. I have been trying some demos, watched videos, read a bit. Now some games like Combat mission doesn't seem to be my thing. Annoying somehow, a bit arcade like ?!? I prefer Achtung Panzer I would think.
I tried Winspww2, from shrapnel games. Like it a lot, except for the pathetic AI. The way it works though is my thing. Is there anything like it, just a bit more intelligent?
Games like Unity of Command etc. are too strategically for me. I am really looking for tactical games. I don't care for good graphics, but I am reluctant to play a game which uses counters like in a board games.
I would be greatful for further ideas.

[elanaiba]

Maybe Close Combat then?

[AndreasT]

I was thinking about that, Close Combat-Panthers in the fog seems to be possible.

[elanaiba]

Close Combat used to be great games. I just got Panthers in the fog and Modern Tactics to see how the series evolved, seems good as always but maybe a little archaic in approach. They have a new one in the works, soon to be released I think?

[CCIP]

Now some games like Combat mission doesn't seem to be my thing. Annoying somehow, a bit arcade like ?!? I prefer Achtung Panzer I would think.

Just curious, what do you find arcade about it? :o Unless you put it on really simplified settings, it's a far more detailed and large-scope game than Achtung Panzer (which is more real-time and smaller-scope by comparison).

[Egan]

I need some help and recommendations please. A few games I do not like. I have been trying some demos, watched videos, read a bit. Now some games like Combat mission doesn't seem to be my thing. Annoying somehow, a bit arcade like ?!? I prefer Achtung Panzer I would think.
I tried Winspww2, from shrapnel games. Like it a lot, except for the pathetic AI. The way it works though is my thing. Is there anything like it, just a bit more intelligent?
Games like Unity of Command etc. are too strategically for me. I am really looking for tactical games. I don't care for good graphics, but I am reluctant to play a game which uses counters like in a board games.
I would be greatful for further ideas.


I garrantee there is nothing arcade about Combat Mission what so ever. It's an insanely detailed, complex and incredibly deep game. If you are looking for a tactical combat sim you aren't going to get much better.

[CCIP]

Maybe he saw Combat Mission Touch? :hmmm:

Even that, rather than arcade, is just tweaked for mobile platforms and short sessions. But that's not a "real" game, and doesn't even share the same engine with actual CM2x. Just a promo tool, really.


Here, check out some AARs from the real thing and see if you're still not convinced:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=197158

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=197146

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3757733/Combat_Mission_Normandy_During#Post3757733

http://www.battlefront.com/community/showthread.php?t=111231

http://www.battlefront.com/community/showthread.php?t=106751

There's certainly some issues people may have with CM and the way it implements things. But arcadiness? Ain't heard that one in my 12 years as a CM player :hmmm:

[TarJak]

I'd have to agree. Arcade and CM are not heard in the same sentence very often if at all.

[Skybird]

Combat Mission on tablet - didn'T knew that, must try. Using Shock Force on PC occasionally. Very good game design, though the AI sometimes drives me crazy. Some commands to control your forces better (fire discipline) are missing.

[CCIP]

Combat Mission on tablet - didn'T knew that, must try. Using Shock Force on PC occasionally. Very good game design, though the AI sometimes drives me crazy. Some commands to control your forces better (fire discipline) are missing.

Yup, the fact that the game AI controls the units and basically treats your commands as suggestions is both a strength and a source of frustration when it's not being very smart. Even more irritating when infantry units get confused and scattered.

Lots has been improved over time though. The current state of the Normandy version is by far the best CM game ever, feature-wise. I'm looking forward to the soon-coming Eastern Front version immensely.

[Egan]

Maybe he saw Combat Mission Touch? :hmmm:


Maybe. Maybe he's just referring to the graphics. I do seem to remember some of the hardcore sticks n sprites wargamer regiment getting shirty about a wargame having tanks and soldiers that looked like tanks and soldiers. Its one of those strange things about grogs I've never understood. I've always been of the belief that as strong a graphical representation as possible is not only desirable, but beneficial in both sims and tactical level wargames.

Hey, don't I know you? Don't you owe me a turn? :haha:

Lol, I can't remember either way. Don't have any time to play these days anyway. Even after buying CMRT the other day I've only managed about ten minutes on it.

[CCIP]

Haha, I think you owed me a turn last :P I thought you dropped off the face of the earth due to travel our something! No worries, good you're around :) I haven't touched CM since October either, but I'll probably hop back into it soon.

And yeah, the graphics thing can be puzzling - I like both where I can get em. But I don't think it's that, what with the mention of Achtung Panzer, which graphically is a little ahead of CM.

[Egan]

Haha, I think you owed me a turn last :P I thought you dropped off the face of the earth due to travel our something! No worries, good you're around :) I haven't touched CM since October either, but I'll probably hop back into it soon.

And yeah, the graphics thing can be puzzling - I like both where I can get em. But I don't think it's that, what with the mention of Achtung Panzer, which graphically is a little ahead of CM.


I'll have a look, but I don't remember getting anything. Still, if you remember I had big email probs back then: possible it ate your reply.

Still, don't matter much now. Several patches and Market Garden since then. You should get RT though - very nice. Tank riders and Flame throwers add something special.

[CCIP]

Wait wait wait, RT is out ?:timeout:

Well I'll be... guess whose birthday it is this week :D

Great timing for it! I'll most definitely be picking that up - Eastern Front is still the theater I'm interested in most.