Graviteam's Operation Star
 

It was hailed as the best RTS/sim for WW2 theater. Went to look for youtube for some videos and it seems realistic enough but very complex/ugly. Anyone played it? A little input maybe?
Thanks

I would not go as far as to call it the "greatest thing ever", but IMO it's an excellent title. Graviteam have had lots of time to work on their engine and improve it, and I've thoroughly enjoyed the Achtung Panzer/Graviteam Tactics titles. The UI is a little ugly, but the game's actual 3D graphics are quite nice if you ask me - and it's got some nice physics features for the environment as well. A big plus is the operational level (where you move units around on a strategic map and manage resources), which I think makes you think of more than just the battle at hand, but your overall strategy. The AI is very good, both for your own units and the enemy - in fact, I would say that some of the battles I've had to fight in Graviteam Tactics were among the hardest (but still enjoyable) that I've had in a game of this kind. The controls are relatively simple, units do a good job of holding positions or formations without getting themselves killed in a hurry, and most scenarios are perfectly manageable in real time. Among the downsides are a relatively low unit density - it's better in Operation Star than the earlier titles, but you still often find yourself fighting on a fairly large space with fairly few units, which can make it difficult for the defending side especially, because there's almost always a way for you to get surrounded.

The only title that it's comparable to would be the Combat Mission series, and perhaps also Close Combat (although Close Combat does not have 3D graphics). It has the nicest graphics out of that bunch (IMO) and some of the highest difficulty, with an AI at least as good as the other two. Overall, I would still prefer Combat Mission titles - mostly just the depth and complexity of scenarios, and more versatility with the way you can give orders; and as far as the operational flow and pacing, I would say Close Combat games are still a little better, even if they lack the graphics. Graviteam Tactics is not an RTS in the same way as Men of War or Blitzkrieg or Company of Heroes titles, and is rather hardcore, slow-paced and unforgiving. However, I would still definitely give it high marks and consider it worth your time, especially because it's often on sale for very cheap. I'd say go get it and give it a try!

I really think they could have named it better. Every time I see the title I always think it is some sort of space sim game or something. :haha:

It's the best WWII tactical sim (and armor sim, even though you can't hop in them, but they're working on a sequel to Steel Fury) you can find, and vastly exceeds Combat Mission. Unfortunately, it lacks multiplayer, but if anyone does have it and has questions, I would be glad to help. (add me on Steam if you like)

See my review on Steam for more detail.

I'd still say that Close Combat is better for the realtime genre. Graviteams games are great too, butas CCIP said, the maps are way too large and it lacks multiplayer.

Combat Mission, while can be played it realtime, I think most play in turns, so I dont think it compares. Great game that too, just their business model and dev team are bunch of idiots.

TL:DR: Get Graviteams games if you want realtime SP action, get CC if you want realtime MP, for the rest there's Combat Mission (bring your wallet).

The Eastern Front was way too large. :03:

Well, most tactical wargames are turn based, and GT:OS definitely is more similar to Combat Mission than the "RTS" genre. Also, Graviteam has said they have no intentions of doing the Western Front,which I support as their scenarios are pretty much the only way you can learn about some of the actions they cover without learning Russian/getting access to the state archives. While, Combat Mission has you plenty covered in the Western Front. I still think the basic combat mechanics of GT:OS are superior though, Combat Mission has too much squad/sub-squad micromanagement and not enough focus on command & control. Close Combat is just awful, you'd have more fun bashing your head against an ASL rulebook.

Different strokes for different folks what feels like pesky micro management to one person is more direct control for another. Close Combat awful? Really?