Battle Academy Series vs John Tiller Campaign Series

[acctingman69]

To anyone who has owned both titles. Which offers the better gameplay for someone who is really diving into his first WW2 turn based tactical game?

[ozkat (VegasOZ)]

John Tiller games are more historically based. Battle Academy is fun but pretty arcadish and not based on much historical content.

[Luke]

That IMHO is a bit harsh on BA. I would vote BA for your first WWII turn based game. Or even Panzer Corps (definitely not realistic but provides broad brushstroke). After these two Campaign Series

[Philippe_at_bay]

Battle Academy, either iteration.

It's easy to get into, fun to look at, and when you're ready for a serious turn-based game, skip the Campaign Series (which dates from the 'nineties, with graphics to match) and take a look at Tiller's Panzer Campaigns, Panzer Battles, or Squad Battles.

Tiller's more accomplished games will never appear on Steam because he only sells Matrix his outmoded series, so if you want to see what they're like you'll have to get them from JTS or HPS direct.

[Coup d' oeil]

To answer the question. Easily BA out of the two. JT you have to to study the manual to learn the nuiances. But the rewards are greater to me. But don't be fooled BA isn't simple. For someones "first", I would suggest Order of Battle :Pacific. It does Panzer General better than Panzercorps.

[Fishing4Trains]

I used to play EF and WF when Talonsoft first released it back god knows when... Tell you what though the ai was pretty crap; it used to send trucks into the attack!! The ai in this game is a zillion times better. Personally I don't think historically there's much differance TBH. Sure you got fancy OOB's but most of the time you didn't need all that stuff. This game wins hands down for me - it's a true classic, especially now we have a battle generator.

[selanderk]

Go with Campaign Series hands down. While some have said BA is easier for a first experience that is true but I think that logic is flawed. When I started playing Camapign Series, Steel Panthers, etc in the 90's there was no easier alternative. Just dive in and learn like millions of others from the 90's did.

In a quick response to the AI. hotspur59 mentioned the Talon soft versions and that was back in the 90's. Its had several patches over the past decade so I would be weary of comments based on the Talonsoft versions.

Anyway, regardless of what you choose they are both great games and you should enjoy both.

[Fishing4Trains]

selanderk - are you saying they've improved the ai in EF & WF? I would imagine that was hardcoded back in the 90's surely - and it was poor, the ai only really being able to manage defensive operations. If it went on the attack then like I said earlier it sent all manner of silly units against you! I always found the missions to be repetitive; always assaults against a chain of defensive positions like trenches and sandbag positions, often in layers against the clock. It was best when played against a human opponent because of those massive limitations. Also it doesn't look very good, and that's an important issue for me.

[selanderk]

Yes they have updated the AI. The Matrix release back in 2007 (I think) was more than just combining all the releases. Since then they also released version 2.0 of the campaign series back in 2014. In fact they just relased Campaign Series Middle East a few months ago.

All that said am I saying the AI is the best out there? Not a chance, but it is loads better than it was back then. If you haven't checked it out in ages you might want to. To get all the games and expansions in 1 package for $30 is a pretty good deal.

http://www.matrixgames.com/products/318/details/John.Tiller's.Campaign.Series

[Fishing4Trains]

Thanks for the info selanderk I'll check it out.

[Luke]

There is a modernize Middle East version of Campaign Series as well.

[Fishing4Trains]

You guys are right, I take back everything I said, JTCS is well worth getting - I've now got both!!

[Luke]

;)

[selanderk]

:)

I'm glad to hear your enjoying it. Its always one of my "go to" games over the years. Now if only Steel Panthers aged this well.....

[Fishing4Trains]

JTCS has improved EF,WF & RS 100%. At 22 quid it was the bargain of the year and installs and plays seamlesly, thanks for the tip mate. Gotta go - an offensive to play!

[Luke]

Glad it worked out and thanks for the update.