Patch 1.02 First Impressions?

[kevinkins]

Comments welcome for folks on the fence.

[mrdozer2379]

for the most part great. My only issue is replay mode. its not a bad start but still not good enough personaly. I want it to be no different than playing a tcp/ip game.

[Stryder]

AI seems much improved in 1.2... On very hardest I was having quite a time trying to take France (39 scenario) I waited too long and spent time in Norway...playing 41 scenario as Axis Russia is giving me a decent challenge, Summer of 42 I have taken Leningrad and surrounded Moscow. And have driven into Iraq (AI still does very little in Africa) but the US invaded France in teh Spring of 42 and won't stop.. I am diverting more and more resources as they just throw troops at the coast.

[gmothes]

Allied Med effort still not reacting well. Other changes look good...

[Magpius]

Even though I'm playing with FOW on, all the Italian Units are visible...
[Scenario '39, playing allies, slight axis advantage.]

[davetheroad]

The PBEM replay is a creditable first effort and greatly improves PBEM games, especially as it was produced in a short time span.

I like the 'action snapshot' approach rather than the movie replay such as you get in TOAW where many players stop using the replay as it is so slow and boring.

With the CEAW version you get a quick overview of what went on and even in some cases, e.g. subs too much information.

some thoughts:

1. the battle graphic can be confused with a city, maybe a explosion or something could be better, anyway modders can change these icons.

2. A visibility toggle for the replay would be useful, switch it off when you have absorbed the info. This would give a less cluttered map as well.

3. I like the track display of units moving through your spotting zone, a nice level of mystery, something moved but what was it?

4. Multiple battles in the same hex would benefit from a different graphic, maybe a number showing the total above 1.

5. It would be nice to know which enemy units rebuilt or deployed.

6. some indicator for units moving in by rail would be good

7. ditto moving air units, basically anthing that did not use a path algorithm to move.

8. not sure whether submarines revealing themselves on combat will swing the balance to far in favour of the defender, maybe just a battle icon would be better here.

This snapshot approach is worth developing further IMO rather than doing a complete movie replay. If such a replay is developed OK, but the present approach is fine.

Dave

[vveedd]

Is it possible to turn off replay mode after I saw it? Can’t see a damn thing because of it.

My suggestion is that you have replay mode like this – player put cursor over enemy unit and unit full path pop up. When cursor is removed path is removed.

Second suggestion is that you add disband button in purchase screen so that player can change his mind after he bought unit.

[davetheroad]

Even though I'm playing with FOW on, all the Italian Units are visible...
[Scenario '39, playing allies, slight axis advantage.]

Oh! this is true of the axis balkan neutrals as well, also happens in the 1940 scenario.

Dave

[vypuero]

If you move the screen around and come back, or maybe after you move a unit, it seems to go away

[Magpius]

If you move the screen around and come back, or maybe after you move a unit, it seems to go away -vypuero

perhaps...
...but you should not have to.