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Thork
11-10-2004, 04:11 PM
i just wanted to thank all those who made axis&allies possible. :D
(even "if" most/all wont read).. :cry:

im mostly a tbs gamer (favorite game all time: panzer general) but this game is by far the best rts out there.
(panzers nearly equals but lost in gameplay)

so since im stoned - and in the mood..
and i realised.. this forum is pretty deserted for such a nice game..
(which cause could be that foreign countrys official forums are still closed and dont point in here - and for the forum registration which needed a non-free mail.. which i cheated through my webmaster-acc *scratch*)

getting to the point:
im trying to write kinda review of this nice game (for those undecided) to hopefully get you a few buyers and me a nice community! :weird:

im just going through the most important stuff so dont expect 2 much...
a complete review at a game that complex would be pretty long..


Good Ones

Research/Resource Management:

making money kinda reward for owning strategic positions (flags) and/or expand the base is a great idea (reminded me of "Z")
the 2 other resources ammunition and oil dont need "harvesting" - which means more time to concentrate on the main fighting..
(just need to watch your depos)
research differs depending on the nation and needs wise choice.
each nation got weaker and stronger parts - choose what you like best.


War Management:

small squads for land units was a good choice. (balances performance and playability)
all supplies for your squad will be send automatically inside your supply lines.
oil/ammo and/or supplydepos expand the supply lines and need protection.
sea force consists of battleships and aircraft carriers - both are able to send troops.
-battleships bomb pretty far and provide headquarters for disembark.
-aircraft carriers like airfields are able to fly airmissions.
Theres also a choice of abilities to use depending on nation and commanding general.


Gameplay:

complex stategies are possible.
f.ex:
-a massive attack with combined forces takes out every stronghold
-an ambush in a valley may stop/delay ground forces
-a surprising attack at depo-supplylines may give you an crucial advantage-stalingrad really works ;)

nations are nicely balanced as i can tell to now - still no multiplayer experience.
squads got leaders and get experience - both interact with squad-attributes..
terrain effects your units abilities.. f.ex infantry got a good chance against tanks in a city.
even the ki is surprisingly hard.. week points mentioned below
slowdown/accelerationg time option is a life-saver.. wont go over 50% in fights. (i hope there is an option in multiplayer)


Media/Campaign:

nice soundtrack - i leave it on
when in the mood some megadeth fits better - but thats just me :bulb:
great and lots of movies - more!
ingame sequences give you a nice introduction to the szenario.
nice option to save your replays.


Bad Ones/Suggestions

Resource Management:

packed trucks should provide small additions to your supply line.
when deployed outside the supply line they should provide supplies for some time.


War Management:

supply radiation of trucks would raise strategic possibilities.
a menu option to limit or raise max units and buildings would be great.


Gameplay:

artillery should automaticaly attack enemys in range.
more options for units plz. they are pretty nice done but i need a few more.
f.ex.
-withdraw to: withdraw to a defined line if energy below 1/3 (or give a choice)
-hold ground: wont move unless fleeing
-custom formation: set your own formation and use it

terrain effects are nice - but i would like to have infantry occupy the houses for a nice streetfight.
-to make this a huge update just add +5 defence when in buildings. and give a research option for infantry streetfight +10 attack.
-maybe give the tech to banzai infantry by default.. japan seems a bit weak.
loss of a squad member and/or at least leader should reduce squad xp.
aircraft/ships should gain experience.
add a posibility to exchange equipment in the same batallion class with reduced xp.
(f.ex while in supply line show a option to change infantry to mortar/flamethrower/...)
terrain should have greater effects. especially height should increase fire-range.


Media/Campaign:


map in user-interface should be rotatet like camera (or at least the formation) (kinda wierd)
user-interface is to big.. (maybe a hotkey/option to switch between disabled shown and minimum)
grafics are pretty nice but needs a lot of power..
batallion emblems should match the nation -
i dont want a communist symbol on a us-battallion.
would like to see other animations for somethings. f.ex. kamikaze (more zeros)
ki is generally very good.. but got its weaknesses.. f.ex wont build bunkers/anti air.
-additional ki troups (f.ex. stalingrad city) dont seem to be controlled at all.
tank crews should be shown where it fits.


so.. thats all about the rts part..
dont wanted the "bad" side to dominate but these mostly are suggestions to make a brilliant game perfekt.

about the ww2 mode (which is more like the boardgame or hasbros earlyer game.)
its 2 easy.. its a nice addition to the game but not more.
getting this all worked out needs a lot of time. (multiplayer would be great 2)
would be nice for an expansion or update but i dont expect it.

Summary

if you buy axis and allies you wont get whats the board-game is all about.
but youll get the best rts out there.
...and im too f****** stoned to write :)

-------------------
got a few questions after all ;)
is there an irc channel? (multiplayer)
any fansites out there yet?
how (if possible) do i move the camera in a horizontal line?

zaz
11-11-2004, 06:59 AM
Thanks for such a colorful report. :)

Thork
11-11-2004, 12:42 PM
kinda weird to post/update on 2 forums (atari,timegate).. im getting in trouble if the german forum goes online too ;)
just close one down!

additions (will be updated..):

gamebox: (german)
i wont ever like the allmighty dvd-box-size.
since i didnt expect something else - its ok.
but im disappointed by the content.
66 pages manual (many blank/credits aso) wont work for a complex strategy game.
paperboxes for the cds - its ugly!

for 44 bugs (€) i want more!
at least get the cds proper covered or include a bonus poser/map or something.
the only thing nicely done is the design.

anti-air:
anti-air cant fire at ground units which is incorrect - not very disturbing but you could have done better.
my suggestion: give the antiair squads 3 instead of 2 air units and let them have a switch for ground/air attack(so no special ki needs to be done)
stationary anti-air should have that switch2.

in addition give the germans a tech upgrade on 88 anti-air which would then be pretty powerful. (dont make it cheap! 200 would be appropriate)

Thork
11-11-2004, 08:55 PM
read more at:
http://www.timegate.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9379

you may close this thread..