war in the pacific game?

[avers]

Hi guys, I found a game called ,"War in the Pacific", and any of you who played it, What do you guys think of this game?

[Dowly]

Heya

Check out this thread we had couple of years ago:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom//sho...d.php?t=186857

[CCIP]

Great game - if you know what you're getting yourself into

It's probably not the greatest place to start if you're just looking for a "good game" - an intense interest in the subject is pretty much a requirement, because it's the kind of game you have to commit weeks/months to, and you'll spend much of that time on very routine tasks like managing pilot pools and assembling supply convoys. But if that kind of detail interests you and you already have solid knowledge of the history of this theater, it's exceptionally rewarding and complex.

[TorpX]

I agree with CCIP, the game requires an enormous commitment of time. Shortfalls in the forces' AI mean you more or less must micromanage the entire Allied/Japanese OB in the Pacific war. There are shorter scenarios, but these are largely pointless in a grand strategy game, as submarine/ASW warfare, blockades, and strategic bombing have little relevance in them.

IMHO, the game, while having many good points, just takes too long to finish.

[em2nought]

I really like the simpler War Plan Pacific
...but play with Tora, Tora, Tora! soundtrack in background instead of Glenn Miller.

[avers]

Hey, thanks for the feedback, I have one question (this may sound like a dumb question, but I'm asking it because I couldn't find the answer any where else). Is WITP like PTO in the sense that you get a budget and you use that budget to build ships? Or can u not select new ships to build?

[CCIP]

Originally Posted by avers

Hey, thanks for the feedback, I have one question (this may sound like a dumb question, but I'm asking it because I couldn't find the answer any where else). Is WITP like PTO in the sense that you get a budget and you use that budget to build ships? Or can u not select new ships to build?

No - the Allied production schedule is more or less fixed (you only have a limited influence on unit availability); the Japanese industry is a little more complex because you can (optionally) prioritize certain kinds of production, but even there it's not really like getting a budget and choosing what to build.

You only have operational control, not manufacturing. Allied manufacturing is basically completely off-map and out of player control (and is more or less not affected by the war). Japanese manufacturing can be controlled and affected, but somewhat indirectly. The game's resource management aspect is almost all about logistics - getting supplies to where they need to be when they need to be is the real challenge.

[avers]

Well do new ships like the Essex class still come in to service in the game when ur playing the Americans?

[CCIP]

Originally Posted by avers

Well do new ships like the Essex class still come in to service in the game when ur playing the Americans?

Of course! The whole order of battle is there and you get ships when you're supposed to (some units are even set to arrive within a certain range of dates so you don't know for sure when you'll get it). But it's essentially set in the scenario.

[CCIP]

Otherwise, a good way to think about WiTP: it's a super-detailed logistics simulator where every once in a while some combat happens
It's a game that you win not by brilliance in combat, but by building up a sound system of supply, replenishment and support, and disrupting the enemy's. It's very much a general-quartermaster's view of the war, not a fleet commander's nor the president's, and certainly not a tactical commander's.

[TorpX]

That's a good way to describe it.

Here is my list of likes/dislikes of the game:

likes

• meaningful logistics (still could be improved a lot)
• ships are well modeled
• airpower well modeled

dislikes

• poor submarine campaign
  
• no distinction between general supply/ammunition
  
• no control over force structure
  
• simplistic land combat
  
• inadequate enemy AI
  
• inadequate friendly AI
  
• too much pilot training minutia
  
• turns too short for grand-strategic scale, too long for operational scale
  
• mine operations need improvement
  
• takes too long

The matter of AI is, I think, of particular importance. I quickly gave up on the auto-convoy system. I caught it using valuable ships/escorts to send supplies between ports in California several times. This was incredibly stupid, as there are good rail lines there and no supply shortage there. All it accomplished was to give Jap subs free shots at my ships. Another thing I noticed was that when I sent out carrier and surface combat task forces together, they were unwilling or unable to coordinate the operations. A game that has turns of several days, requires a good tactical AI, imo. If you can't trust your AI commanders, how can you send out your fleets into enemy waters for days at a time. A carrier battle will likely go past the point of no return in a single day; same for a surface action.

Some who play the game, only play against other human opponents. However, relying on this, in a game that takes months (years?), seems like a non-starter to me. I've read on the forums that few games are played to completion. This is not a big surprise to me.

In spite of my criticisms, I think you should read some of the AAR's on the Matrix forums, and judge for yourself. The game has an enthusiastic fan base, and you may like it.

[Stealhead]

I would agree the game really has too much depth. Its like a retirement game meaning when you are retired you will actually have the time to play it. Not to say the game bad its just well I guess Torpx and CCCIP put it well.

My favorite Pacific Theater game will always be PTO II.

The closest title to PTO is probably Storm Over the Pacific. (can't say never tried the latter) And then Carriers at War (also have yet to try). From what I gather they are the most PTOish.

[avers]

Is it possible to play PTO 2 on the PC?

[CCIP]

Originally Posted by avers

Is it possible to play PTO 2 on the PC?

Yes, there are emulators that will run it on modern PCs. Unfortunately forum rules mean that we can't post any links to them, but you can quite easily find them and make them work on your own!

[avers]

Hey, I've noticed that WITP costs about $95. Is the game really worth that price?