How is CEaW as a single player game?

[robc04_1]

Hi,

I read a review over at Out of Eight that the AI was pretty good in the pre-Gold version of Commander Europe at War, but I have seen other posts stating the AI wasn't that challenging. They may have been talking about the gold version, I'm not sure. So, how is the AI in the Gold version? Is it challenging enough to make the single player game enjoyable and rewarding to win? Did it used to be better pre-gold, but it doesn't handle the additional complexities of the Gold version as well as it should? Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Rob

[Samhain]

The AI in the gold version is useless. I beat it on my first attempt even though it got as far as Omsk. It's fun to play against though but eventually you feel the need for a more detailed and realistic experience so you wait for the next mod and/or do some modding of your own. Modding text files is easy but the map isn't quite so easy the result being that although the map I play on is the exact same one as in the latest GS version to be released any purists who would see how different my tweaking makes the experience would go nuts but then again since I only play the AI it doesn't matter. I suggest playing through to the end once as the allies for your first game.

[Diplomaticus]

Playing against the computer is considered by most of us just a warm-up to PBEM games. Playing against a human opponent is the way to go!

[robc04_1]

Thanks for both of your replies. The thing is that I play 99.9% of my games solo, so if a game can't stand on its own as a single player game I don;t have any interest in it, even if it is an excellent multiplayer game.

[gsmart04]

Thanks for both of your replies. The thing is that I play 99.9% of my games solo, so if a game can't stand on its own as a single player game I don;t have any interest in it, even if it is an excellent multiplayer game.

Hey, wait a minute here. The A/I does a pretty decent job playing the Allies. Its taken me 5 games to learn how to control and get oil and take Moscow. Plus, you could play it hotseat version solo---that might be an option though I haven't tried it yet.

Undoubtedly, the best games are those against live competition but I think the A/I (when playing the Allies) ain't too bad.

That said, I have noticed the A/I simply can't pull off a successful invasion of France which it tries to do in 1942 in each game I've played. But its pretty tough defending the Russians.

[richardsd]

The AI is fine (in an average sort of way) and is better in the GS mod.

You will get weeks/months of fun playing against it.

But after you master the detail of the game (of which there is a lot) you will destroy the AI easily and will have to use the 'advantage' modifiers to make it competitive. I stopped playing the AI before I was able to beat the Russian's on Max Allied advantage!

[zechi]

I agree with gsmart04 and richardsd. The AI is not good, but it is still fun to play against the AI and a good way to learn the game. I would say CEaW is a good single player game, but it is a better PBEM game. You will get a lot of playing hours/days against the AI.

Contrary to richardsd I always thought the AI was harder to beat without the GS Mod, as the AI does not really handle the new options (amphibious assaults, para units etc.) very well. Nevertheless, I'm also a 99 % solo player, but CEAW is one of the few multiplayer games I play and the only game by PBEM.

[Samhain]

I haven't noticed the AI being any better in GS or as the allies. In GS or as the allies mistakes aren't as costly so I think that even though the AI is as stupid* no matter in which version or who it plays as it does better just because mistakes are less costly.
*A staple of human v computer play is the AI (as the Axis) declaring war on Denmark on the first turn; but then only bombing it until it invades it in 1940! Then declaring war on Switzerland while simultaneously invading France and taking ages to conquer either. There were 2 scenario files for every scenario in one version of GS the difference being that in 1 of them the AI wouldn't declare war on Switzerland if it was the Axis but that was pointless because if the AI is stupid enough to even consider it then the AI would hardly stand a chance anyway.

[robc04_1]

Thanks for the different perspectives, I appreciate it!

[Christolos]

I agree with gsmart04 and richardsd. The AI is not good, but it is still fun to play against the AI and a good way to learn the game. I would say CEaW is a good single player game, but it is a better PBEM game. You will get a lot of playing hours/days against the AI.

Contrary to richardsd I always thought the AI was harder to beat without the GS Mod, as the AI does not really handle the new options (amphibious assaults, para units etc.) very well. Nevertheless, I'm also a 99 % solo player, but CEAW is one of the few multiplayer games I play and the only game by PBEM.

I am playing a GS 2.0 game (see viewtopic.php?f=18&t=34048) against the AI as the Allies, following a Fortress Europa grand strategy style of play and have found the AI to be incapable of adjusting where it sends it transports loaded with fresh American GIs. I have powerful (combined) German and Italian naval forces (including a carrier) in the Atlantic and have been able to consistently knock out every transport (something like 15 so far!) the AI has tried to send to invade the Normandy coast. The AI just keeps sending them unescorted and to their doom following the same and consistent course without even trying to invade GB or anywhere else...it seems to be locked in on targetting the Normandy coast only!


More sitting ducks on their way which will be easily dispatched

Another AI anomaly seems to be happening on the Eastern front where the AI has concentrated most of its forces in the north and has left the south relatively undefended

[BuddyGrant]

I don't feel the GS version of the game improves the AI much, and in some instances it might even make it worse. That's because the game AI won't take advantage of all the GS game changes & additions, while the human player can. Leaders are one example - I don't believe the AI purchases leaders, it just uses the ones originally assigned in the scenario.

Like any PC game, the CEAW AI does a much better job defending than attacking, so the best chance of a solo challenge is playing as the axis side. You might want to institute house rules to avoid taking advantage of the poor AI play in North Africa (the AI seems completely lost in this area) as well as use victory conditions that depend on how much you can conquer within x number of years, instead of expecting that the AI side will actually capture Berlin.

[gsmart04]

Just wondering if it would make a difference if you gave the advantages in the pre-game setup to the Allied side.

[robc04_1]

Thanks for the additional opinions, the more the better.

Another question, what resolutions does this support? Can it be played at 1920 x 1080?

[pk867]

When the game was created it was setup to support 1024 x 768. That unfortunately cannot be changed.

[robc04_1]

When the game was created it was setup to support 1024 x 768. That unfortunately cannot be changed.

Thanks for the info. I'm not sure how that would look on a native 1920x1080 23'' monitor.

[gsmart04]

When the game was created it was setup to support 1024 x 768. That unfortunately cannot be changed.

Thanks for the info. I'm not sure how that would look on a native 1920x1080 23'' monitor.

I have a 24 inch monitor with the same resolution as you and it looks great.