Best AGEOD game to start with?

[Math2]

I've never played an AGEOD game, but I'm interested in getting into them...Does anyone have any suggestions on which game is best to start with?

[Philo32b]

Hi Math2, welcome to the forum!

Some people recommend AGEOD's American Civil War for beginners, but I tend to agree with those who favor starting out with Wars in America (WiA). The latter doesn't have the complexities involved with corps construction, the supply logistics are streamlined, and troop requisitions are largely handled by the game instead of by you. There are also a lot more shorter scenarios with WiA than with some of the other games, which helps you cut your teeth on how to play the wonderful AGEOD games. Wars in America is a very fun game.

Myself, I started with WiA, then I went to Revolution Under Siege (RUS), which has all the complexities that I mentioned above. Amazing game to play once you have gotten used to AGEOD games. If you go to RUS, I would start with the Finnish civil war scenario, followed by the Poland scenario, and then the Grand Campaign. (And maybe start out playing one of the Whites first in the Grand Campaign.)

Another route, especially if you are into ancient history, would be Birth of Rome or Alea Jacta Est.

[Gen. Monkey-Bear]

I haven't played Wars in America, but it seems like a sensible recommendation based on what Philo32b said. I personally started with American Civil War, which I think anyone should choose as their second choice. It is really great and if you already understand the very basics from WIA, then it should be a nice transition. This is also the most polished of the AGEOD games in my opinion, so enjoy its perfection.

Based on from what I could see based on AARs and other exposure, Alea Jacta Est seems almost as user-friendly as AACW, which is quite a compliment. So WIA seems good to start, then AACW, then maybe AJE.

Don't start with Pride of Nations because it is very different from the others in every way. Despite strong potential it still needs improvement.

[Durk]

Yep, totally agree. WIA/BOA2. Best place to start.
But, really start with the era you like best. All are great, some are simply a bit more complex.

[Carnium]

Wars in America and AJE/BOR are the best to start with, as they are easy to learn and have some nice short and easy scenarios to get you comfortable with the game mechanics.
American Civil War, Revolution under Siege and Rise of Prussia are more advanced, but great when you learn the basics and are ready to move on.
Napoleon's campaign also has some nicely done scenarios.

When you become familiar with AGE engine you will love all AGEOD games

[ERISS]

start with the era you like best.

This. If you're motivated, you will agree to suffer the learning...
To learn the more complex, the ingame tutorial is realy short: You'll need to read the manual and the wiki http://www.ageod.net/agewiki .

[Boomer]

For modern history, WIA. For ancient history, AJE. I'd say AJE overall, since it has a limited type of troop construction that can get you used to the idea of building new units, plus the supply issues seem worked out really well in the newer games.

Oh, and seeing Pompey and Caesar clashing into each other is just a lot of fun. Just don't let Antony hog all the glory.

[Erik Springelkamp]

I think BOR is the best to start with, as it has a couple of small scenario's to get into the game (as opposed to AJE), and it has the most modern features with the simplified supply and command system.

Before I tried PON and NCP (and the demo of RUS), but they all overwhelmed me. In AJE the rules were straightforward, but all scenario's are strategically complex, except for the Spartacus scenario, but that one is unconventional.

With BOR, for the first time, I could play a war pretty intuitively, and now that the basics are covered, the other games are also coming to life.

[Math2]

I ended up getting WIA....Looks like fun and I'm excited to try it out...AJE seems to be the next game on the chopping block for me

[Philo32b]

WiA is a great game. The scenario path that I took in that game was Saratoga --> Decision in the North as the British. Saratoga is a smaller version of basically the same elements in Decision, so it helped me ramp up in complexity.

[loki100]

I ended up getting WIA....Looks like fun and I'm excited to try it out...AJE seems to be the next game on the chopping block for me

good choice, suggest don't play the longer wars of independence first. The war of 1812 is a good starting scenario - the 'front' is a bit more obvious than it is in other scenarios and it is well balanced. I'd go for RoP next, but then I am very biased on the subject.