War Gaming for Beginners?

[Stonewall_matt]

hey guys,

I bought AACW but found it WAY too complicated asI haven't played any war strategy games before.

What would be a good PC game(s) for me to start with to get a good grasp of the basic mechanics and concepts?

Thanks

[Bertram]

That actually is a very good question. I have been playing games for almost 40 years now, and they do gradually become more complicated, especially now the computer can keep track of all the details. One tents to forget that for someone new to the genre is is a bit plunge.

I have no suggestions for games, but have you tried to do some of the smaller scenario's of AACW? With a smaller map, less units and less turns they are somewhat more manageble.

Other Ageod games are a bit less complicated (especially NCP and WIA), mostly because they use a smaller map, have less units, and have less options and possible strategies, though they use the same engine. But I hesitate to advise you to buy one of them, as they DO use the same engine, it would cost you money, you might find them to complicated as well, and - viewing your name - their period of history might be less interesting to you.

If I had AACW on my computer I would offer to walk you though a small scenario, but for some reason AACW doesn't play nice with the way I have set up Vista64 on this computer. There are some scenario pointers in the forum, and there are some strategy tips if you search the AACW forum. If you have specific questions you can always ask, you usually get answers here .

I'll be looking here to see if someone else suggests a game - I am curious what suggestions will arise .

[Stonewall_matt]

thanks for your help, I will wait for a while to see what is suggested. If nothing comes of it I shall do as you say and play small scenarios....baby steps and all that....... lol

[Bertram]

Doh - one fun, but not historical game, that isn't a "strategy game", but a almost a strategic game*, is of course Civilisation. Not historic though - if you want a historical game you will have to wait for another reaction.

* Strategy games used to be about strategy, but what is called a strategy game on the computer at the moment is the kind of "build up your army, rush the enemy" game that relies more on speed of commands than on actual strategic thinking.

[Stonewall_matt]

ohh will have a look at it.

Just been thinking back and the only other war/loose strategy game I played was Megalomaniacs(?) back on the Megadrive (or Genesis as I believe it was called in the US). haha

edit - after research it was called Mega Lo Mania

[Carrington]

One possibility is to try boardgames that have been ported to the computer: I suggest this because may of the board-wargame companies have put more thought into how their games appear to neophytes.

Two of the 'big' wargame companies are multiman publishing and GMT Games:
http://www.multimanpublishing.com
http://www.gmtgames.com

Vassal (http://www.vassalengine.org) is a java-based app that allows these games to be played with other people online.

Bruce Wigdor, at wargameroom.com has done his own java-based online ports that enforce game rules.

Of these, one of the simplest might be Command and Colors:Ancients (similar to the Memoir '44 boardgame).

vis:

http://www.gmtgames.com/p-288-commands-colors-ancients-2009-ed.aspx

Rules here:
http://www.gmtgames.com/t-GMTLivingRules.aspx#cca

Java-based gaming consoles at http://www.wargameroom.com
screenshots:
http://www.mrbass.org/boardgames/online/wargameroom/

For the People is the GMT Civil War title, also with a Java port.

The problem, of course, is that these games come "A/I not included."

[Ethan]

Hi all!

Hey Stonewall_matt, Bertram is right. I think you should begin with the AACW's smaller scenarios and thus you will be learning all the intricacies of the game. You just need a little patience, ask lots of questions and read everything you can on the forum.

This game is worth . Believe me!

[Baris]

As Bertram said, strategy games must be about "strategy" not about who first builds units or how many. Also there must be some scarce of resources. I played civilization series for many years but after I saw Ageod games I was impressed by them maybe by age or my preferences changed by time.

It is better to start with the detailed one, and by time and patience you will have more control on the game. I definetely recommend ROP or ACW.
There are other games on the market but these games I mentioned have very loyal and experienced community plus these are very good games with excellent inner mechanics. You will play many years.

Turn based games are much better at strategical thinking, not about mouse control. I also played Company of heroes but it is too fast for me(even I know well) after some multiplay

[DooberGuy]

Well, really beginner would be Risk and Axis and Allies. Civilization is good, Total war is Good, Hearts of Iron2 is good... there are others as well, but none of these are very similar to what you'll find with ageod games. If your looking for something that will help you learn how to do AACW I'm afraid you're out of luck, they are just too... unique.

[Carrington]

Actually, I think Wars in America would be a fairly good starting place, probably better than NCP or AACW.

The thing is that WIA has much less going on in the background that has to be managed -- less recruitment, less complicated supply, less intricate command rules.

Small to mid-sized scenarios in WIA are subtle, but when it comes down to it, they are a matter of dragging a modest number of units from one place to another.

[Ethan]

Strategy games used to be about strategy, but what is called a strategy game on the computer at the moment is the kind of "build up your army, rush the enemy" game that relies more on speed of commands than on actual strategic thinking.

Turn based games are much better at strategical thinking, not about mouse control.

I completely agree with you, guys!

[franken]

Im also new to wargaming. Saw the AGEOD games on the paradox sale and got me to check them out. I played the demo for RoP and got me interested. Reading around I decided to get BoA and it feels less intimidating that RoP.

[Franciscus]

IMHO I would say that both the Total War series and Civilization games are fairly good for beginners. But they are vastly different from ageod games. Definitely try small AACW scenarios: specially Shiloh.
Regards

[gchristie]

Agree that the smaller scenarios are best to begin with - Shiloh particularly. And it is your good fortune that this forum is populated with people willing to answer any question no matter how many times it's been posted. A rarity, such patient encouraging fellows.

Another suggestion is to try a PBEM with someone willing to teach you the ropes. You can post a request in the multiplayer section of the forum.

Regards.

[Ethan]

Hi Franken!

Welcome to the AGEOD forums . I think that almost any doubt that you have will be answered here quickly.

Have fun playing!

[franken]

Hi Franken!

Welcome to the AGEOD forums . I think that almost any doubt that you have will be answered here quickly.

Have fun playing!

Thanks will do. Now if you'll excuse me I have an army to attend to.

Edit: Now that I remember. Any more good games with the WEGO (is it?) turn type gameplay. I got flotilla also and I am really liking this type of turn based.

[kosmoface]

hey guys,

I bought AACW but found it WAY too complicated asI haven't played any war strategy games before.

What would be a good PC game(s) for me to start with to get a good grasp of the basic mechanics and concepts?

Thanks

My first AGEOD game was ROP and I had serious problems to get "it" in the beginning, but the nice thing is - since every AGEOD is made with the same engine, you only have to learn the rules once, then you can play each and every AGEOD game (basically).

The learning cirve is steep, but you'll soon realize that when you understand the basics the rest will follow rather quick and you'll play in much harder difficulties than in the beginning.

As the others said just play the smaller scenarios and and read some After Action Reports (AAR). Since the rules only differ in small portions from game to game you can even read AARs from other AGEOD games - some are written expecially for beginners.

Strategically the AGEOD games are in my opinion the most elegant (regarding the user interface) and deep PC games. Games get support even years after release - it's just well spent money.