Unity of Command (Stalingrad, Matrix Games)

[Syt]

Can't you switch that mechanic off in the latest patches?

[sbr]

My problem with TOAW is that once I was good at the game, and understood how the turn timing mechanism worked, and got GOOD at managing it...I didn't like the game nearly as much as when I didn't understand it.

The turn timing mechanism was idiotic. I played TOAW from the day it came out, and I can safely say that I don't think how it ended up was ever how it was intended to begin with. The game really turned into understanding how to structure your attacks to maximize the turn length. Which is just way too much fiddling with very complex mechanics that have no real corollary that I could see to what it was supposed to be simulating.

I don't disagree with your point, but I like the idea of the mechanic.  A turn based game where you can actually exploit a breakthrough, or react to unexected results is best of both worlds.  I haven't played the game enough to decide how it could be done better.

[Berkut]

Yeah, the idea was kind of cool. The reality was a lot of fiddling about with what units had how many MPs left and hence could be or should be committed...with how much of the turn was left, etc., etc., etc.

[Berkut]

So, how about a review???

[Habbaku]

Review of the manual : good.
Review of the first scenario : fun.

[Habbaku]

I would say that, at minimum, the game is a fun single-player experience.  Now back to playing.

[FunkMonk]

I bought  this game too. 

It reminds me a lot of chess, but with supply issues. I like it a lot. And you can do a scenario in a quick 30 minutes. 

[fhdz]

All the heads and torsos look pretty stupid.  You aren't supposed to see your opponents in Stratego anyway.

THOSE SOLDIERS ARE ENORMOUS

[FunkMonk]

This had an expansion come out recently covering the war from the end of the Stalingrad campaign to the Battle of Berlin. 17 new scenarios for the Soviets, 2 for the Axis, some gameplay tweaks, and a scenario editor for $10. 

http://unityofcommand.net/

Available on Steam now too.

Dying days of the Stalingrad Campaign saw the Wehrmacht reeling under heavy blows. The battle of Kursk will now see them pursue an offensive agenda for one last time. Soon after, as the strategic initiative swings in favor of the Soviets, you are tasked with liberating the motherland in command of victorious Red Army forces.

Gigantic Soviet campaign featuring 17 scenarios
Two standalone Axis scenarios including Zitadelle, the Battle of Kursk
Four dedicated PvP scenarios including the tightly contested Korsun Pocket
39 different types of units modelled, including Panther and T-34/85 armor

Heavy-hitting late war specialist steps such as ISU-122 and Tiger II
Great for modding, with Unity of Command 1.04 featuring a scenario editor

BUT IT HAS BOBBLEHEADS NOOOO MY IMMERSION

[sbr]

Maybe I'll get really drunk this New Year's Eve and load this game up for the second time.

[Tamas]

I have the Matrix version. Now, the DLC needs patch 1.04. Matrix only has patch 1.03 available, and they left for year-end holidays like two weeks ago. So everyone who was stupid enough to do business with them has to wait until January to patch the game and play the DLC.

[FunkMonk]

I have the Matrix version. Now, the DLC needs patch 1.04. Matrix only has patch 1.03 available, and they left for year-end holidays like two weeks ago. So everyone who was stupid enough to do business with them has to wait until January to patch the game and play the DLC.

That sucks. I think I bought it straight from the developer last year. I still have the install file somewhere on my backup drive. I also have it on Steam from when they released steam keys for everyone who bought the game directly from them.

[Kleves]

I tried the demo on Steam. It seemed pleasingly accessible. However, it was also extremely buggy. Are bugs a problem with the game itself?

[FunkMonk]

Hmm, I played through the entire German campaign of the base game and never had even the smallest bug. Might just be a problem with the demo version, or maybe the game doesn't like your machine. 

[Kleves]

Well, I'm willing to chance it if the game is worth getting. Is it?