derbius

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Posts posted by derbius

  2. Posted

    A good episode and one which reminded me of the fun I had 30 years ago when I used to play ASL (and even SL). I think as well as explaining where people could get started with the game though it would have been good if you had pointed out computer games that scratch similar itches. I'm thinking in particular about Combat Mission which to me is ASL for the 21st century in the sense that it offers the same intense simulation (and LOS etc) but without needing to consult as many rules and, being on a computer, brings better graphics, realism and fog of war. But with the same number of “stories” that result about hero squads, unkillable tanks and the like. It's not without flaws certainly, but if you like ASL you may well like CM too. There are other hardcore squad level sims as well though not that I have liked as much (the Russian-made one springs to mind but I can't remember its name).

  3. Posted

    I just bought banner saga on Android because of the praise for it on the show. I have to say I am underwhelmed – on my Nexus 7 tablet which I would have thought is moderately enough to handle most things, there are frequent loading screens which take too long to load (not, admittedly, your fault) but I'm also finding the implementation of combat rather opaque. In particular it is super frustrating not being able to rotate the map or get a simple "top-down" view – it is very difficult therefore to properly align one's troops. At least as an Android game it is only 12 bucks and I don't mind too much supporting an indie developer but however pretty the artwork the difficulties in the game make it unlikely I will persevere long enough to get into the plot.

  5. Posted

    I largely agreed with your extensive discussion and your disappointment with CoH2 (though I have still played a lot of it over the last few weeks). A few minor points:

    • Relic deserves praise for releasing a AAA title that does not automatically require you to have close to the latest hardware - I have a 3 year Macbook Pro with very basic graphic acceleration and the game runs without excessive lag.
    • The KV-I does 'exist' but only in the 1941 time period
    • Why can't you elect to play multiplayer in a given year? It would allow for more diversity in play styles
    • That said, as far as I can see the balance for 1941 is completely messed up - Russian T-34s and KV-I's once built are almost unstoppable when the Germans don't have 'proper' Pz-IVs or Pzfaust/shreks. This is realistic-ish (for a change) but frustrating!

    Can you provide a link to whatever it is you mentioned in passing that Bruce Geryk said about CoH2?

  6. Posted

    I fancied a fantasy strategy title so FYI the relevant links for downloads are:

    http://www.desura.co...st-of-elysium-3 (Mac, Linux and PC - free demo avail, quite cheap (£6.99) but lo res)

    Fallen Enchantress http://www.elemental...len-enchantress (full price, PC only)

    Warlock http://www.warlockma...fthearcane.com/ - PC only, mid-price http://www.gameranki...cane/index.html for reviews

    Eador Genesis http://www.gog.com/g...d/eador_genesis PC only $6 but there's a Steam greenlight for a 'reboot' http://steamcommunit...ls/?id=93959913

  8. Posted

    Really liked hearing from Rob Daviau - some great quotes and background about how game design works in the mass market eg "best part of any game session is opening the box" or "giving a game to players is like sending a teenager out to drive." Maybe I'm a sad academic but I'd love to see what the MIT guys who studied player reactions published about it if anything...