What DLC should I go for?

[exante80]

What dlc's should I go for first? Or is it better to just get Panzer Corps 2 instead?
I don't have any preferances but I was thinking maybe any campaign that allows you to play as Imperial Japan?

[KarisFraMauro]

In my opinion 99 percent of the game is the multiplayer experience, because of all the great player made maps. Since you need any one dlc to access that, it really doesn't make a difference which one... That said you know what you like best so have fun I vaguely remember buying Panzer Corps back in the day but really not being too impressed though. Maybe Panzer Corps II is better?

[bru888]

This game is better than Panzer Corps 2, IMO, but that doesn't answer your question.

After a lengthy layoff, I came back to OOB recently and I just finished Morning Sun which is great. Hell, they're all good; the only one that I remember was a bit of a dud was Kriegsmarine according to some users here. But I played that one, too, and enjoyed it. As a matter of fact, I have all the DLC and do not regret purchasing any.

Sound like a fanboy, don't I? Well, I have been vocal at times about the imperfections of this game and how it was handled over the years, but I would not trade it for Panzer Corps 2, that's for sure.

[FrancoisPhilidor]

In my opinion 99 percent of the game is the multiplayer experience, because of all the great player made maps. Since you need any one dlc to access that, it really doesn't make a difference which one... That said you know what you like best so have fun I vaguely remember buying Panzer Corps back in the day but really not being too impressed though. Maybe Panzer Corps II is better?

Yeah definitely. Multiplayer is just such an amazing experience, if you find the right maps.

[conboy]

I agree with Karis and Francois, the multiplayer aspect is the most entertaining.
Also, I remember playing the Imperial Japan DLC (Rising Sun) and really enjoyed it. It's a good first purchase I think. But the japan v china one is good too (Morning Sun).
Welcome to the community, Exante!
Panzer corps 2 has better graphics (depending on your taste) but the gameplay is sorely lacking compared to OoB. I really like the OoB play and hope the Artistocrats update it with more content, or allow us to update it and redistribute.

conboy

[terminator]

Blitzkrieg is my favorite DLC because very varied

[bebro]

I really like the OoB play and hope the Artistocrats update it with more content, or allow us to update it and redistribute.

I think OOB still has nice options, some of which I miss in PzC2. No idea if they're added there, but PzC2 is still in a good spot dev-wise.

Otoh, the prob with OOB is that the game/engine is aged.

I'm not a coder, but what I understood is that at a certain point it reaches a limit from where development is less and less feasible.

[bru888]

Otoh, the prob with OOB is that the game/engine is aged.

I'm not a coder, but what I understood is that at a certain point it reaches a limit from where development is less and less feasible.

All due respect, and I am no coder either, but this doesn't ring true to me. You guys could make a bundle by repackaging and redesigning OOB to fit into other eras of warfare; it does not need a complete tear down and overhaul, IMHO.

And I will tell you why. There are many of us out here who value simulation over animation. OOB excels at the former and does a good enough job of the latter to make the game appealing overall. I have never played another war simulation game that gives me greater satisfaction and enjoyment and that includes Company of Heroes and Sudden Strike.

Heck, there are folks out here who love the tile versions of wargames like the The Operational Art of War. Going the other way, I looked at Headquarters World War II and ended up reluctantly purchasing it to see if it would be an upgrade over OOB. Nope. It will sit forever in my license library but not on my laptop. They tried so hard to provide realistic animation but it looks clunky and herky-jerky to me. The UI is not attractive and the gameplay is not enjoyable.

So if you are thinking that all of us are looking for a movie-like game presentation like AOE, AOM, and Civ VII, you are wrong.

I have said it for years, I said it above, and I will say it again: You have a goldmine here and you ought to use it. Just don't go back to the WWII well again. Branch out.

[conboy]

I agree wholeheartedly with Bru on the gameplay critique.

I disagree with the limitations imposed by WWII, there is a ton of content that has never been scratched (e.g., Erik's corps-level DLCs, there could be a whole DLC for the Allied capaigns in Italy from July 1943 to April 1945, campaign for Rzhev, Fall Blau campaign, etc. etc.)

But there is no reason you couldn't use the engine for US Civil War, WWI, Boer War, and many many other interesting conflicts.

conboy

Btw, great to see you engaged again, Bru!

[bru888]

And I will tell you something else. None of those other games that I mentioned above is as moddable as OOB. When I say moddable, in this context I mean the ability to design one's own scenarios and campaigns. I don't mean changing the workings of the game or appearances of the units, although those can be done as well. I mean using vanilla OOB to create an endless array of your own simulations and challenges. This is a major strength of OOB and perhaps an overlooked selling point.

[pupski]

I think Allies defiant or Allies Resurgent are very nice to play. Also Panzerkrieg comes to mind and Winter War. I played the game no for more than 2800 hours and those campaigns I played most often. I am returning now to U.S. Pacific and I get a bit annoyed by the long haul scenarios and also with all the ship scenarios. In my humble opinion, as a big fan, U.S. Pacific is not a good example of what most of the game is. Morning Sun and Rising Sun were/are more fun, just played those as well again in the last months. But most campaigns are a joy only maybe not Kriegsmarine, I never finished that one (yet). If I had to pick one I would pick Allies Defiant (or Blitzkrieg). my 2 cents..