Overall Impressions

[LostAgain]

When the first beta version came out I took a stupid pill and decided to start in 1939 and play through the whole game, on Colonel AND General level. Needless to say I've been playing almost steadily since then but I'm through on Colonel level and am playing Kremenchug on general right now. I've noticed that on some scenarios there doesn't seem to be a lot of difference between the two while on others there seems to be very obvious differences in units and aggressiveness of the AI.

I ALWAYS import my core, (I really like the heroes special abilities), I can't understand why anyone would want to play out a scenario with units that he might not want. Personally I never use recce units anymore as an extra aircraft is a multi-tasker that flys AND does recon imo.

I was pleased to see another depot scenario btw, and on the general level I really needed those captured units. I also appreciated the Prohkorovka scenario allowing "reserve units." With the amount of bad guys running around in there 45 units is definitely not too many. It seems to me that I read that the Russian aircraft was reduced in this scenario, but I didn't see a lot of difference in the colonel level. As I didn't play this scenario previously on the general level I can't comment except to say that if that is REDUCED Russian aircraft I tremble to think what it was like before.

I noticed that in the Kharkov43 scenario the "Russian officers" are now described prior to finding to finding out the hard way that they're in recce vehicles. Kudos, as I was one of the deadheads that didn't realize initially that I was fighting with my captured units, and nearly lost one before I did.

I've suggested this previously but I think it's worth doing so again; if there is anyway for an aircraft to be captured, (perhaps by taking an enemy airfield where one is present) I think it would be a hit. I've also previously queried whether the "SE" units could encompass more than tanks and infantry. At the very least I think that the SS had there own self propelled anti-tank units in their divisions, but what the heck, if we're labeling them SE, why not an SE aircraft or artillary? I realize that may be heresy to many gamers, but many others would like it. After all, the SS weren't the only elite units in the German armed forces or there wouldn't have been a Herman Goering division.

I can't believe you guys keep coming up with new and unique scenarios time after time. This second beta is a hit just like it is. I must admit that the Kremenchug scenario was a bit of a shock. I knew that the bug with the seaborne assault had been fixed, but was ill prepared for the scale of the assault and how quickly it arrived. No complaints though, I thought that like all of the other scenarios this one was a home run. I'm a bit puzzled as to where all of those aircraft that kept popping up in the prior scenarios disappeared to in Kremenchug though. Just as I adapted to preparing for them they disappeared! And btw; there is NOTHING worse than losing a tank that you've JUST upgraded to Panther D to a bomber before you even get to use it!

The NORTH path of Ponyri and Olkhovatka was perfect as far as I was concerned while the SOUTH path of Yakovlevo and Oboyan didn't have nearly the tank volume I was prepared for, although there was certainly a lot of dug in infantry and anti-tank weaponry. I know this is historically correct, but I'd rather have seen more tanks at any rate.

As far as scenarios where the AI moves first I've always felt that you gave adequate notice from day one. Any time the word "defense" is mentioned in a briefing I automatically assume that I'll be playing after the AI.

At the risk of being repetitive I'd like to say just one more time that this is by far the best game of this type I've ever come across, and it keeps getting better. I may never see the sun again...(the glare on my screen impedes game play). I have literally played this game for 30 hours straight on at least two ocassions, and for 18-20 hours too many times to count, and that kind of game immersion can only take place when the game can take and hold ones attention with inovation and playability. Keep up the good work.

[RobertCL]

"I've suggested this previously but I think it's worth doing so again; if there is anyway for an aircraft to be captured, (perhaps by taking an enemy airfield where one is present)".

Excellent suggestion.

On the other hand, I would never give aircrafts for SE units because of historacal non accuracy.

"this is by far the best game of this type I've ever come across"

This DLC is excellent in many ways, this is true!