how does Operation Star rate vs Achtung Panzer?

[Liberation]

I own Achtung Panzer: Kharkov 1943. As I am looking at screeshots I don't see an incredible difference in graphics and from what I read in reviews the UI is mor or less similar. Before shelling out for this game I want to make sure that the there is a significant amount of positive improvements over its "prequel". I enjoyed Achtung Panzer and found it to be smoewhat slow and tedious at times, but that doesn't make it a bad game at all. In regards to graphics, UI, game pace, Campaigns, how does Operation Star rate with Achtung Panzer?

[Spud]

Very similar, think of this as an evolution of that game, under the bonnet it's basically the same with a few new features, more content and many key improvements and enhancements to the mechanics, UI etc, plus of course several new campaigns that offer real diversity which offer new interesting ways to approach the game.

If you enjoyed AP:K'43 you will enjoy this, in fact you'll enjoy it more.

There are still the occasional moments of tedium, but the rest of it more than compensates.

[Liberation]

I see people talking about different campaigns including a "china war" but are these mostly mods, dlcs, or stock with the game?

[Spud]

Originally posted by Liberation:

I see people talking about different campaigns including a "china war" but are these mostly mods, dlcs, or stock with the game?

DLC's, they are complete campaigns, most come with entirely unique map and assets.
Sales seem to be pretty regular, 75 - 80% off, so it's worth waiting for that, the base game comes with plenty to keep you occupied until the next sale, unless money is no option, in which case buy the lot.

[Liberation]

sounds good.
Thanks

[FlashBurn]

GTOS is indeed alot like old K43, but with about 6 more years of evolution. Its a much bigger and more polished game. In old K43 it was usually a few platoons fighting a few platoons. GTOS can be multiple companies fighting it out at one time. Much larger scope. Many new vehicles or at least updated ones. Only things i found to be exactly the same where the air craft. Same ole models from back then. maybe a few guns. But the tanks got some love since then. AI is much better IMO and like I said, can handle many many more times the numbers since then. Well just a bunch of stuff. Some of the campaigns are simular on the updated maps... But a bunch of totally new ones too. And then all the DLC's.

[Liberation]

Sweet. I found platoon sized combat in K43 to be monotonous and simply not grandiose enough.

[dozzapot]

It's because of the way the map was changed in the deployment phase. In OS you can now place more than one unit in those 1 x 1 km squares so inevitably the battle groups can get bigger. It varies as to how many, depending on the terrain etc but anyway generally more than one.
The next game is called Mius Front. It seems to be past its due release date so I haven't really taken much notice of it but I think I read somewhere that would be different again and you could pile even more units into a battle.

By the way if you like bigger battles, in quick mode I have a scenario I like to set up that involves me sending about 30 T-34 and KV tanks plus infantry and armoured cars into German defensive positions with various PAK, Tigers and other armour I have assigned them. I grab all the Russians and send them in a line assault formation and it's quite a spectacle on my fast, new PC and with the high resolution textures pack installed. Even that much Russian amour gets cut to ribbons and it's hardly a great strategy (but maybe not so far from a historical outcome) and I do nothing by way of issuing any follow-up commands. I just like to set it running and watch...!