Wargaming for newbies

DinoDoc · August 3, 2002, 23:43

What's a good game for a person who has never played a wargame before? I'm looking to ease myself into the genera.

Rasbelin · August 4, 2002, 02:11

Panzer General. No need to ask why.

Pavlov · August 4, 2002, 04:30

Close Combat 5. Just throw yourself in and see if you can float. Nah, seriously, it's not too hard and really fun.

PCRefugee · August 4, 2002, 06:12

Combat Mission is pretty good and not too difficult to get to grips with.

Leonidas · August 4, 2002, 18:42

I would suggest:

Panzer General

Panzer General II

People's General - download the game FREE here (as well as all the other goodies):

http://www.peachmountain.com/5star/PEG_Downloads.asp

Eli · August 4, 2002, 19:53

I always wanted to try it too.

Downloading People's General now.

Urban Ranger · August 4, 2002, 22:56

I third Panzer General. Perhaps PG3: Scorched Earth. Quite abstract without having the need to worry about things such as supply lines.

Leonidas · August 4, 2002, 22:57

Quote:

Originally posted by Eli
I always wanted to try it too.

Downloading People's General now.

Great game. It's based on the PG2 game, but with a better interface.

Also, download the new equipment file and sounds for People's General, available at the same site. . .

Have fun

Eli · August 5, 2002, 05:12

What is it about? I have been hearing stuff about "wargaming" since I came to Apolyton, but never understood what it is.

Eli · August 5, 2002, 05:54

Quote:

Originally posted by Leonidas
Also, download the new equipment file and sounds for People's General, available at the same site. . .

Which sound file do I need to download?

Grumbold · August 5, 2002, 11:18

I found People's General more confusing - but that's because I can tell a Pz III from a Pz IV or StuG III easily from the outline, while to me the dozens of modern main battle tanks are just big tanks and most of the other vehicles look almost as big and blocky too

Great game once you acclimatise to it though!

Eli · August 5, 2002, 13:05

What do I do if the ammunition is over?

I'm trying the second scenario one, in Seoul.

Leonidas · August 5, 2002, 13:52

Quote:

Originally posted by Eli
What do I do if the ammunition is over?

I'm trying the second scenario one, in Seoul.

Eli: You must return the planes to the airfileds to re-arm and re-fuel. The ground units are re-armed by clicking on resupply (right-click on the unit and a panel will appear).

To an earlier request:

On the same page where you downloaded the game, you can also download the new equipment file and sounds:

1) Under the heading "Equipment Files", download "Equipment File v 1.9"

2) Under the heading "Utilities" download the new sound upgrade called "PEG Sound Upgrade" (2.9mb).

They are easy to install. Just follow the instructions in the readme files, and backup your original files that will be replaced.

Also here is a great page that has many helpful items including more scenarios and a great strategy guide by Mark Kirby:

http://www.wargamer.com/pe_gen/

Have fun!

Cookie Monster · August 5, 2002, 14:24

The first wargame I ever played (boardgame that is) was PanzerBlitz by Avalon Hill. That was way back in the early 80's. My first computer wargame was Atomic Games "Velikiye Luki".

If you are starting out new to wargames you have so many options these days. Are you into macromanagement or micromanagement? That's the first question I would ask myself wrt wargaming. If you like to macromanage then try games like Computer Third Reich or Strategic Command. If you like to micromanage then try games like Talonsoft's East Front/ West Front series. Panzer General has always been a traditional favorite of mine as well.

Eli · August 5, 2002, 15:33

Quote:

Originally posted by Leonidas
and a great strategy guide by Mark Kirby:

http://www.wargamer.com/pe_gen/

Have fun!

Yeah, I already found that guide.

Urban Ranger · August 5, 2002, 23:29

Quote:

Originally posted by Eli
What is it about? I have been hearing stuff about "wargaming" since I came to Apolyton, but never understood what it is.

Wargames are just a sub-genre of strategy games. While there are a whole bunch of other options in strategy games, all you do in a wargame is fight.

Some scenarioes in Warcraft and Starcraft are like that. You start with a bunch of units and a victory condition, and it is up to you to figure out what to do to win.

loinburger · August 6, 2002, 00:07

Scorched Earth. Best wargame ever.

Urban Ranger · August 6, 2002, 22:20

Scorched Earth is a great beginner's game.

A lot of the nitty gritty aspects are abstracted. I assume Combat Mission has more details but I am not sure since I have never played it. Hypoon is also more detailed. Steel Panthers is definitely mote detailed.

Tuberski · August 6, 2002, 22:22

Quote:

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
Scorched Earth is a great beginner's game.

A lot of the nitty gritty aspects are abstracted. I assume Combat Mission has more details but I am not sure since I have never played it. Hypoon is also more detailed. Steel Panthers is definitely mote detailed.

hypoon? Do you mean Harpoon, or something else?

DinoDoc · August 7, 2002, 01:18

Is Panzer General: 3D Assault a good beginers game? I found it for 5$.

Spaced Cowboy · August 7, 2002, 09:27

Quote:

Originally posted by Haupt. Dietrich
The first wargame I ever played (boardgame that is) was PanzerBlitz by Avalon Hill. That was way back in the early 80's.

Freaky, that was my first, but it was in the early 70's (I was all of about 11 or 12). Got my butt handed to me by my dad.

Rasbelin · August 7, 2002, 11:08

DinoDoc,

it will probably be fine, and you don't have to regret so much as you got it as a bargain apparently.

Leonidas · August 7, 2002, 14:03

Here's a link to JP Panzers Forums that currently has 900 ACTIVE members. You can find discussions about all the great wargames, history and links to free wargame downloads:

http://pub131.ezboard.com/bjpspanzers

Have fun!

Sten Sture · August 7, 2002, 15:02

I have found the www.grognard.com site to be an amazing collection of information on wargames. There are lots of reviews of games, which may help you find one that matches your interests.

Cookie Monster · August 7, 2002, 15:32

Quote:

Originally posted by RPMisCOOL

Freaky, that was my first, but it was in the early 70's (I was all of about 11 or 12). Got my butt handed to me by my dad.

At least you had someone to play with! I played PanzerBlitz alone. None of my friends at the time were interested in wargaming. Oh well, today the computer makes gaming so much easier.

Spaced Cowboy · August 7, 2002, 15:45

Quote:

Originally posted by Haupt. Dietrich

At least you had someone to play with! I played PanzerBlitz alone. None of my friends at the time were interested in wargaming. Oh well, today the computer makes gaming so much easier.

Not really, after my Dad spanked me, he did want to play me anymore (no competition) and I ended up playing dozens (I think all of the senarios/ both sides) by myself.

Leonidas · August 8, 2002, 10:42

Quote:

Originally posted by Haupt. Dietrich

At least you had someone to play with! I played PanzerBlitz alone. None of my friends at the time were interested in wargaming. Oh well, today the computer makes gaming so much easier.

I know the feeling of playing board wargames alone

The sheer folly of trying to cleverly move your counters when playing as the British in an attempt to fool yourself when it came time to switch and play as the Germans. . .

Cookie Monster · August 8, 2002, 11:04

Quote:

Originally posted by Leonidas

I know the feeling of playing board wargames alone

The sheer folly of trying to cleverly move your counters when playing as the British in an attempt to fool yourself when it came time to switch and play as the Germans. . .

Yeah, looking back it seems pretty funny!

I remember I would keep telling myself to try to play each side fairly. Not an easy task.

Sten Sture · August 8, 2002, 16:09

Quote:

Originally posted by Haupt. Dietrich

Yeah, looking back it seems pretty funny!

LoL, move the pieces, wait a day, pretend you forget what your "opponent" did...

Urban Ranger · August 9, 2002, 01:53

Grav Armor is one game I am very good at, because I usually win playing either side of a scenario. Anyway, this game is quite unusual because the phasing player (the person who is moving the pieces) doesn't get to shoot; the other side does.