Great job AGEOD.
I imagine some of the fans of real time games will shun it, but though I can enjoy that type, too [i.e. Take Command], this game provides tremendous strategic options in a relaxing, rainy day, atmosphere. Very intricate, well thought out, historical, and nearly complete game play. As a lover of campaigns, I immediately struck out on the full, grand campaign - after the tutorials, of course [they are highly recommended!!!] - as the Confederates.
I've stopped and restarted several times, went back to the tutorials once or twice, and have refereed to the manual, which I printed out, frequently. Not because the game is too difficult, just that there is so much to grasp. So much to consider. You've got Generals, armies, corps, divisions, regular, irregular, militias, HQs, cavalry, forts, weather, railroad, ships, ironclads. politics, terrain, money!!!!, drafts, manufacturing, blockades ... more, more and more! I am amazed at how many diverse factors have been integrated into the mechanics of this game! I've not quite grasped all the nuances in managing my money, conscripts, economics, and political choices ... practice makes perfect, they say.
I think I have gotten down the Army & Corps level stuff ... struggling with the Divisions. [color="DarkRed"]Like, how in the world do you break down the CSA Army of the Potomac & reform it into Divisions?[/color] I would love to try doing that before its activation.
Anyway, after a bunch of restarts to try things again ... I am currently in late August '61 ... have a Morale Level of 110 and about 425 Victory Points. Have nothing to compare that to, but I feel like I'm doing OK, so far ... despite how little I know!
The game is to be admired for its complex simplicity.
I find the the AI challenging enough, notice many variations in its decisions and in the game progress - as I said, multiple starts - and things go differently each time. Once I get the hang of using my naval forces, things might go better. I'm borrowing from my experience with BOA [and, before that, Avalon Hill's classic 1776], but there's a lot more to that phase of this game than in those 2. [color="darkred"]Utilizing my gunboats & iron clads is most challenging! Hints????????[/color]
Read the thread about unrealistic combat loss results, and I've seen some of those myself. Doesn't bother me though ... hey, it IS a game ... playability is important, and as long as both sides are subjected to the rules equally ... not too important. I suppose it could use some tweaking, as could the weather effects in the south during winter. From what I have read, both these will be addressed by the fabulous AGEOD team.
What I would really like to see is a button, maybe over where the Mail Call sign is, that would allow a player to see a cumulative report[s] of the game's progress, including individual battle reports. That, and perhaps, the ability to scroll around the map while the AI is plotting its next turn before the Supply phase.
Love the game, and from what I can tell, will only love it more over time ... as I gradually learn what the heck I am actually doing!!!!!
