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World in Flames / Operational Art of War IV

Discussion in 'PC and Console Simulations' started by Mussolini, Oct 5, 2018.

  1. Mussolini

    Mussolini Gaming Guru WW2|ORG Editor

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    The Operational Art of War III was my first real grand strategy game that I ever played. So many scenarios, spanning such a wide spread time period, plus the option to download more!

    I recently got a notification from Matrix Games which brought the nostalgia back. I see they're onto a much more recent version - The Operational Art of War IV - which was released a year ago. Matrix Games - What's Your Strategy?

    Does anyone play it? Is anyone interested in playing it? Would love to get the game and play some against some fellow Rogues!

    Also - having gotten into Axis&Allies and then Global War, World in Flames has long been on my radar. Its an absolutely massive game (look at the printed map on the store front! Matrix Games - What's Your Strategy? ) and while I know it will be complex etc, I've always wanted to play. The PC Version is expensive but I think its worth it. World in Flames is the Grand-daddy of all WW2 board games. Does anyone have it or would be interested in playing the PC version?

    If so, let me know! Would love to get some steady strategy games going again!
     
    Mussolini, Oct 5, 2018
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  2. Sheldrake

    Sheldrake Member

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    I recall the (Talonsoft?) Operational Art of War with a great deal of affection. I gave a talk at the Royal United Services Institute using TOAR as an illustration of the value of computer games in building and testing a model of warfare. The military spends zillions on simulations which were sort of OK. The different releases of TOAR balance the engine against thousands of of gamers playing hundreds of scenarios. e,g. If the Germans can never win France 1940 there is something wrong with the model.

    I'd love to p[lay but ... but I have a life to live and have to stay away from these one day at a time... ;)
     
    Sheldrake, Oct 8, 2018
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  3. Otto

    Otto Spambot Nemesis Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    I never played the OAoW series, but I did play other Talonsoft games including East Front 2. There was a Stalingrad scenario that was a beautiful head to head clash. I recall assigning the majority of my artillery and air power against the Soviet supply and artillery. My troops got pounded in the short term, but by the game's end the defenders were cut off and starving. I did achieve victory, but only with something like 25% of my original front-line capacity.

    Their Ardennes game was also quite good.

    I miss this type of WWII strategy game, as I don't see many being produced these days. Or maybe I just don't have the time to look for and play them like I used to.
     
    Otto, Oct 9, 2018
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  4. Mussolini

    Mussolini Gaming Guru WW2|ORG Editor

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    Matrix games seems to be the only one producing this type of game. They do Panzer Corps and Close Combat series as well. Looks like they're working on a Panzer Corps 2 as well!
     
    Mussolini, Oct 9, 2018
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  5. Otto

    Otto Spambot Nemesis Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    I've been eyeing Panzer Corps, it appears to be a strong analogue for the great Panzer General game he mid 90's. What a great game that was!

    Incidentally, you can play the entire Panzer general game in your browser right now:
    Panzer General

    I don't think there is a better indicator of the incredible progress of computing power when you can play a top tier game from the 90's in your browser in 2018.
     
    Otto, Oct 9, 2018
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  6. Mussolini

    Mussolini Gaming Guru WW2|ORG Editor

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    Well, we do have more processing power in our watches than they had during the mission to the moon!

    Panzer Corps is certainly a direct descendant of Panzer General.
     
    Mussolini, Oct 9, 2018
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  7. Mussolini

    Mussolini Gaming Guru WW2|ORG Editor

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    Good thing I didn't impulse buy TOAW IV - it gets a Steam release in a few days so I will be getting it there! So if anyone is interested in doing some MP, feel free to PM me for details!

    I've got a few other Matrix games as well, so if anyone has these, let me know - again, would love to do some MP stuff!

    Gary Grisbys War in the East
    Gary Grisbys War in the West
     
    Mussolini, Oct 11, 2018
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  8. Otto

    Otto Spambot Nemesis Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    I played Gary Grisby's War in Russia over 20 year ago. Damn time flies!

    Matt, would MP for War in the East be head to head or on the same side? I've not played the game, but an AAR of a veteran (you) and an utter noob (me) might be cool.
     
    Otto, Oct 11, 2018
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  9. Mussolini

    Mussolini Gaming Guru WW2|ORG Editor

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    It would be head-to-head I believe, but it would be Noob vs Noob since I've barely touched the game as it scares the crap out of me! But it a good way!

    I think it has a 700 page manual? I have been doing some research lately. If I can figure out how to play the game well enough at some point, I'll probably make a video as the video I found...the guy goes on for about 10 minutes explaining that he is making this video as a tutorial etc. Just drones on and is hard to listen to/watch!

    I have found a 'guide' that I can share the link with to you. Its big as well, but is aimed at the Noob to help ease them in.
     
    Mussolini, Oct 11, 2018
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  10. Mussolini

    Mussolini Gaming Guru WW2|ORG Editor

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    Ok, I got Operational Art of War IV. Talk about memories! So if anyone wants to play in that, or the Gary Grisby games, let me know! It does look like we can play COOP - I saw a video where they were playing COOP so it should be possible!
     
    Mussolini, Oct 16, 2018
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  11. Otto

    Otto Spambot Nemesis Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Let's pick one and play. I'll shoot you a note and we'll Do AARs for the Rogues.
     
    Otto, Oct 16, 2018
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  12. Mussolini

    Mussolini Gaming Guru WW2|ORG Editor

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    Works for me!
     
    Mussolini, Oct 16, 2018
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  13. Otto

    Otto Spambot Nemesis Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    A bit of forum restructuring to get done and then we can kick this off.

    Check PMs.
     
    Otto, Oct 16, 2018
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