Ww2 strategy games ?

[matt_fsr]

The Operational Art of War 3 is a cracking game, still looks like something from 1998 but the game mechanics have been improved...

How so? I tried it a bit, but didnt really like it - there again, I didnt like Vol2 - patched or unpatched.

Armour just seemed to act... strangely, in Vol2. In the 1960's and 1980's 'Russian Steamroller' type campaigns, whenever I defended as NATO id get crushed. Whenever I attacked as Warsaw Pact I'd lose hundreds of tanks against 30 or so NATO ones?

And in TOAW III it seemed to spoil a lot of the WW2 scenarios, as armour ended up almost worthless, as the stats were too similar. Something like an attack of 6 for an early WW2 tank compared to 9 or 10 for a Tiger II? Eh?

 

[Hank_Marvin]

Memoir '44 online - open beta currently, based on the board game. it's hex/card based and faily simple, lots of people playing online too.

 

[Nieldo]

Thanks mate, I might give AOD a purchase, I've been looking for HOI2 to play as my laptop doesn't like HOI 3 very much and AOD is only around £12

What does Semper Fi Add to HOI3?

AOD is now on steam for £6, I'm thinking of getting it but could never get into HOI2.

Semper Fi was a bit of a disappointment for me, it didn't add that much, a few interface improvements and AI improvements (AI is still pretty poor), I hear that we can expect another HOI3 expansion sometime next year as well.

 

[chrismscotland]

Does anyone know if I can download Semper Fi for my retail HOI3 anywhere?

 

[strumpusplunket]

Ahh... this thread brought back some memories of play-by-email battles with a mate of mine in an old-skool hex-based WW2 strategy game called Strategic Command.

Must have been released around 2000 or something. Very basic in terms of presentation and AI, but there's some decent depth there in strategic possibilities, especially if you go multi-player.

It's got to be abandonware by now, I'd guess, or at least available for pennies from somewhere...

 

[Nieldo]

Does anyone know if I can download Semper Fi for my retail HOI3 anywhere?

The GamersGate version I think will work with retail copys of the game.

http://www.gamersgate.co.uk/DD-HOI3SF/hearts-of-iron-3-semper-fi

 

[daver]

Ahh... this thread brought back some memories of play-by-email battles with a mate of mine in an old-skool hex-based WW2 strategy game called Strategic Command.

Must have been released around 2000 or something. Very basic in terms of presentation and AI, but there's some decent depth there in strategic possibilities, especially if you go multi-player.

It's got to be abandonware by now, I'd guess, or at least available for pennies from somewhere...

I've got it on disc somewhere, but I don't think I've ever managed to play it, it seemed even more inpenetrable than HOI III

 

[chrismscotland]

The GamersGate version I think will work with retail copys of the game.

http://www.gamersgate.co.uk/DD-HOI3SF/hearts-of-iron-3-semper-fi

I decided to buy the Paradox Pack Deal on the Steam Sale, £30.00 for their whole catalogue including Steam HOI3 and Semper Fi so I thought it would be easier!

 

[philstanbridge]

Another vote for HOI 3 and Sempi Fi with the mods, as that's the only hex based type of game that fits your requirements. However, I would strongly suggest you invest in the new WWII Normandy Combat Mission game that is coming out soon. You can play turn based (as I do) or realtime and based on their pedigree it will be amazing. This first release concentrates on the US in Normandy after June 6th initially, but other modules being released will focus on Commonwealth elements (and perhaps Hobart's funnies), the Waffen SS, and German Airborne AND the British Airborne (Red Devils) at Arnhem which should be something special. I'm looking forward to this. First game should be due out early next year.

A few beta screenshots here :- http://www.battlefront.com/community/showthread.php?t=94178

 

[strumpusplunket]

I've got it on disc somewhere, but I don't think I've ever managed to play it, it seemed even more inpenetrable than HOI III

Really? I seem to remember it was quite simple once you got going with it. I guess the map and the rules about supply can look a bit confusing at first, but you can easily get to grips with it if you just play around with it for a few hours.

I liked the blend of simplicity and depth Strategic Command had, actually, and even though the AI was a bit pants I still had some fun campaigns (especially as the Axis trying to successfully get Barbarossa completed before I was neck-deep in a two-front war (man... Russia is BIG!). Play-by-email was my best time with this title, though. I remember the emails with the files containing the saves could get a bit sweary after a while.

Just noticed that Battlefront now have a brand new version out called Strategic Command WWII Global Conflict. Notice that the reviewer for strategy website Armchair Generals called it "the best grand strategy game I have ever played"!

I might have to grab a copy myself, actually

 

[physichull]

Another vote for HOI 3 and Sempi Fi with the mods, as that's the only hex based type of game that fits your requirements. However, I would strongly suggest you invest in the new WWII Normandy Combat Mission game that is coming out soon. You can play turn based (as I do) or realtime and based on their pedigree it will be amazing. This first release concentrates on the US in Normandy after June 6th initially, but other modules being released will focus on Commonwealth elements (and perhaps Hobart's funnies), the Waffen SS, and German Airborne AND the British Airborne (Red Devils) at Arnhem which should be something special. I'm looking forward to this. First game should be due out early next year.

A few beta screenshots here :- http://www.battlefront.com/community/showthread.php?t=94178

Off topic a bit, but I would like to see the Total War Series stretch to the WW2 era. That would be amazing. It would be like combining Company of Heroes with the Total War strategy map, that would be amazing game.

 

[eddie_slovik]

Another vote for HOI 3 and Sempi Fi with the mods, as that's the only hex based type of game that fits your requirements. However, I would strongly suggest you invest in the new WWII Normandy Combat Mission game that is coming out soon. You can play turn based (as I do) or realtime and based on their pedigree it will be amazing. This first release concentrates on the US in Normandy after June 6th initially, but other modules being released will focus on Commonwealth elements (and perhaps Hobart's funnies), the Waffen SS, and German Airborne AND the British Airborne (Red Devils) at Arnhem which should be something special. I'm looking forward to this. First game should be due out early next year.

A few beta screenshots here :- http://www.battlefront.com/community/showthread.php?t=94178

That is the best news I've heard for years !

Spent many many hours playing CM with email opponents from all over the world, so many that I had to walk away from it to deal with the real world.
Has the community had an input into the new games development ?

 

[npjnpj]

This is really going back a bit, but even now I still have a go on the Battle Isle series and History Line: 1914-1918. Great fun.