Comparison to Strategic Command WW2, OOB or WarPLan?

[GoldenTalon]

Can someone who's played various WW2 TBSs tell me how this compares to other games in the genre?

[HeinzHarald]

It's kinda like a more complex OOB, but still accessible.

[GoldenTalon]

Originally posted by HeinzHarald:

It's kinda like a more complex OOB, but still accessible.

So not GG -level complex?

[HeinzHarald]

Originally posted by GoldenTalon:

Originally posted by HeinzHarald:

It's kinda like a more complex OOB, but still accessible.

So not GG -level complex?

Yeah, this is no War in the West. The first UoC was a bit like a puzzle game with unit movement and supply considerations. This one evolves into more of a classic war game, but with a few twists of its own.

[Sgt. Steiner]

Based on the reviews, I have a pretty good feel on this one. I didn't like the turn-timer thing so I cheated on the last game. But for someone who likes the challenge of a puzzle-like wargame, this one looks quite good.

I would heartily recommend Matrix WarPlan, as it is "finished" out of the box, with an amazing and intuitive editor. No need to read manuals for game or editor, but all the data and details are there if you want to look. There is no puzzle pressure, so you can sit back and strategize.

Of course, WarPlan is $40, and this won't change for a while. So the price on this one looks quite fair. Personally, I have too many wargames and may die before getting around to this one.

[GoldenTalon]

Originally posted by Sgt. Steiner:

Based on the reviews, I have a pretty good feel on this one. I didn't like the turn-timer thing so I cheated on the last game. But for someone who likes the challenge of a puzzle-like wargame, this one looks quite good.

I would heartily recommend Matrix WarPlan, as it is "finished" out of the box, with an amazing and intuitive editor. No need to read manuals for game or editor, but all the data and details are there if you want to look. There is no puzzle pressure, so you can sit back and strategize.

Of course, WarPlan is $40, and this won't change for a while. So the price on this one looks quite fair. Personally, I have too many wargames and may die before getting around to this one.

Heard WarPlan AI is not so good. True?

[MatthewT]

I haven't bought UOC II yet - but I am very into OOB and think OOB has some big advantages over UOC
1. Has multiple DLCs and multiple theatres
2. Has a demo you can try
3. Price - $14.99 for any of the DLCs is great value
4. Has loads of free DLCs from Erik's Campaigns on Slitherine - and Erik's Campaigns are excellent quality
5. Also has a challenging supply system
6. Has excellent game mechanics
7. Has a good manual
8. Has great user support and forums

I will buy UOC II - but OOB is a great game at a great value

[charles_d_berger]

I think UoC2 is quite different from any of these games. There is a superficial similarity, in that they are all hex-based wargames. But the way in which you play them is very different. WarPlan and SC are both strategic-level models of the entire European Theatre, they play out as a single continuous game spanning a great many hours. OOB is closer, being a series of interlinked operational-level battles. Something about OOB never quite clicked with me, not sure why as many people like the game.

I think what sets UoC2 is the diversity and well-crafted nature of the scenarios. Each battle confronts you with a unique set of challenges, each really has quite a different feel and pace and range of possible strategies. (A few have only one ideal strategy, but most of the battles can be approached in a variety of ways.)

In a strange way, the star of UoC2 is not the Allies or the Germans, but the terrain. So much is determined by roads, rails, bridges... narrow mountain valleys, bocage... the awfulness of mud. Breaking out "into the plains" really feels good. Italy is constrained and awful, with an endless series of river lines and mountain passes. Normandy is cramped. France is gloriously open. The Rhine battles are dominated by the need to effect difficult major river crossings. The Scheldt is swampy and more swampy, with rivers in between the swampiness.

Never have blown bridges been so much fun/frustration!

[GoldenTalon]

Originally posted by charles_d_berger:

I think UoC2 is quite different from any of these games. There is a superficial similarity, in that they are all hex-based wargames. But the way in which you play them is very different. WarPlan and SC are both strategic-level models of the entire European Theatre, they play out as a single continuous game spanning a great many hours. OOB is closer, being a series of interlinked operational-level battles. Something about OOB never quite clicked with me, not sure why as many people like the game.

I think what sets UoC2 is the diversity and well-crafted nature of the scenarios. Each battle confronts you with a unique set of challenges, each really has quite a different feel and pace and range of possible strategies. (A few have only one ideal strategy, but most of the battles can be approached in a variety of ways.)

In a strange way, the star of UoC2 is not the Allies or the Germans, but the terrain. So much is determined by roads, rails, bridges... narrow mountain valleys, bocage... the awfulness of mud. Breaking out "into the plains" really feels good. Italy is constrained and awful, with an endless series of river lines and mountain passes. Normandy is cramped. France is gloriously open. The Rhine battles are dominated by the need to effect difficult major river crossings. The Scheldt is swampy and more swampy, with rivers in between the swampiness.

Never have blown bridges been so much fun/frustration!

I have OOB and most of the DLC. I really like the first scenarios (when it was called Order of Battle Pacific) and found the later ones less enjoyable. I also thought the AI in OOB was okay but needed help.

So would you say this is a better version of OOB or Panzer Corp?

[Sgt. Steiner]

It's getting great reviews, so will buy tomorrow when I am awake ;)

(OOB editor is cool, as you can create a battle with units even if you don't own the DLCs, and can change dates back and forth in editor to include most anything you want.)

But for gameplay and challenge, I'm betting this one is better. Panzer Corps II on the way. The originals and all DLCs were quite good in their days, but kind of gets old fast. Also, PZC is pretty simple rock, paper, scissors strategy. OOB is slightly better with supply considerations. But the stock scenarios and DLCs I have for OOB, the scenario design is rather unimaginative.

[GoldenTalon]

Originally posted by Sgt. Steiner:

It's getting great reviews, so will buy tomorrow when I am awake ;)

(OOB editor is cool, as you can create a battle with units even if you don't own the DLCs, and can change dates back and forth in editor to include most anything you want.)

But for gameplay and challenge, I'm betting this one is better. Panzer Corps II on the way. The originals and all DLCs were quite good in their days, but kind of gets old fast. Also, PZC is pretty simple rock, paper, scissors strategy. OOB is slightly better with supply considerations. But the stock scenarios and DLCs I have for OOB, the scenario design is rather unimaginative.

So if I have OOB is this worth getting?

[MatthewT]

OOB at $14.95 is definitely worth getting especially with all of the free DLCs here - https://www.slitherine.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=374&t=80862 and especially if you like playing as Axis, choosing your own combat aircraft, Tiger tanks, having Commanders like Guderian, Rommel etc

I posted the main advantages of OOB earlier in this thread - but that was before I had bought UOC

Now that I have bought UOC and played it for a few hours - it definitely is a sexy looking and sophisticated game - still - OOB really is great value - this all makes me look forward even more to Panzer Corps 2 - whenever that may release who knows