Learning the game, tutorial

[Tacoma]

I'm having trouble getting started in the game. How many hours should one expect to invest in learning to gain competency? The first tutorial is kind of discouraging (I think there are some translation issues) because I actually haven't made it through it without getting stuck trying to figure out something or another...This is after 3 to 4 hours.

I am wondering if there are any alternatives to the tutorial to learning the game.

[Pat "Stonewall" Cleburne]

This is your first AGE game? I learned on AACW but these games can be somewhat daunting on your first try. In fact, this game kinda overwhelmed me the first time even though I had 2 years of AACW experience (I knew jack about the RCW and had to brush up on my Russian geography). I've never been a documentation or manual guy, so I just learned by experimenting alot.

My general advice would be to turn the AI to easy, read the tooltips, and don't be afraid to restart.

To be honest, there is some translation and support issues with this game, but It's still the 2nd best AGE game and one of the few (the only?) good Russian Civil war games. I've been playing AGE games for 2+ years now and I'm still learning. The bonus to learning the basic concepts is you can play most AGE games without much of a problem. Just ask any specific questions you have on the main board and someone will answer them.

[Durk]

Experiment with the game, use Pat "Stonewall" Cleburne's advice for settings. I started with ACW, then fell in love with War's in America and learn the system with that game, coming back to ACW.
The tutorial takes some understanding of command and units. Take your time, enjoy. Do not worry if it takes you a week or a month.
You will love this game as no other you have experienced, if you like the history and its recreation.

[Longshanks]

It took me repeated games to learn even the most basic stuff. I recommend learning some part, and then switch to another part. For example, movement of the units, then combat, then supply, then reinforcements, etc. After you've got all that down vs the AI, and can beat the AI repeatedly, then you're ready to start all over again vs a human player in PBEM. Yes, you won't REALLY learn the game until you play vs a live opponent....but it's definitely worth it. The game is very subtle.

[Ethan]

Hi Tacoma.

First of all, welcome to the Ageod Forums!

Well, you seem impatient. Don't hurry. Take it easy, buddy!

Follow the fellows' advices. If you like this historical period and this conflict, enjoy it. In my humble opinon, Durk hits the nail on the head. No matter if it takes you a week or one month. When someone likes something, it's not a sacrifice, is it? On the contrary, one would like it to last long.

Here you have some very useful links to start to understand the mechanics of this awesome and unparalleled game. I hope it helps you.

And remember that the search function will be very helpful for you.

[SIZE="4"]Above all, have fun![/size]

Regards!