pbem or single-player?

[Hyroda]

what are your experience rather single-player or pbem?

[havi]

Bouth in single player i practise my stragegy and Pbem i try to execute them (usually it dosnt work as planned)

[Captain_Orso]

I think PBEM is far more exciting and intellectually challenging.

A human opponent will nearly always face you with more interesting ideas. You will have to relearn how you think about the game. Instead of thinking, "what might Athena do next", you will have to think, "what might I do next, if I were my opponent".

I've never sat at the keyboard while a turn is executing, flushed with excitement thinking, "oh-my-god-oh-my-god-oh-my-god, will this work? ", as with a human opponent. Nor have I ever been so elated with a successful outcome

[Mickey3D]

Use the single player game to learn the rules, understand the constraints of each side and test new ideas but the PBEM will bring you the most pleasure, thrill and challenge.

[Merlin]

I enjoy single player and it's certainly how I spend most of my gaming time. That said, PBEM easily makes for the most interesting games. Learning how to influence your opponent and how to read the moment when your opponent telegraphs a move are some of the most enjoyable experiences in the game.

[Guru94]

When I buy a new Ageod game, I usually play a few turns against Athena to get used to specific features, wich are not used in other Ageod games.
Otherwise I only play pbem Against human opponents a game can be really really intense with multible turning points during an game. I really recommend playing pbem to you.

This is how I feel, when I repulsed a strong enemy offensive against overwhelming odds and denied my opponents strategic plans:

The attachment tumblr_inline_muboi2xEtW1s5jo86.gif is no longer available

You will notice that Pbem play is much about psychology. Not only about anticipating enemy moves and concealing yours, that is not enough imo. You have to actively impose your style of play on your opponent and know when to seize the initiative and when to wait for enemy actions first.

To have a enjoyable pbem game it is very important, that both players have roughly the same level of experience, otherwise it is pretty one sided

[Merlin]

To have a enjoyable pbem game it is very important, that both players have roughly the same level of experience, otherwise it is pretty one sided

You really think so? I find one of Murphy's Laws of Combat to be very applicable to PBEM: Professionals are predictable, but the world is full of amateurs.

[Durk]

I find your comment really apt and funny. I must play mostly professional amateurs. PBEM for me, with some play versus myself when learning. While AI is ok, not my deal.
Of course, I like the social nature of PBEM as much as the play. I have some great friends online and a few who have become live in the flesh.

[Captain_Orso]

To have a really bang-up match, both players need to be on pretty much the same level. To have a good game, and a good time, they don't; as long as the more experienced player is willing to let the less experience player benefit from his knowledge and experience.

I've been known to allow a less experienced opponent to take a turn back after some blunder was made from not knowing all the rules of a situation. In fact I've suggested it a few times. It's part of the learning process, and sometimes it's better --for both players-- to turn back a turn than having one side have to suffer the rest of the game with a disadvantage. That's not fun either. Just as long as it's not abused.

You'll really piss-off even the most patient opponent if you fall into the rut of, "oh, I didn't know that strategy wouldn't work, let me try that again", unless it's understood that that's the way you want to play is; more like a kind of training-match. But sometimes the best way to learn, is by getting your butt kicked a bit. Just pay attention to how your opponent kicked your butt.