|
|
The Operational Art of War II
1999-08-30 Staff | This is simply the worst war game ever.
If you are a hardcore war game player, you'll love this game. It's a great game. But I dare you to introduce someone to war gaming with this.
No tutorial. No getting started. Nothing. Shitty graphics, shitty sound, shitty interface. It seems TalonSoft thinks the only way to attract wargamers is to make the game as esoteric as Unix. I'm at a loss as to why they included any graphics at all. Why not just put some graph paper in the box and let the player plot their own battles?
It's not for beginners! It is for Elitez! Dudez!
While Close Combat III was a much smaller squad based game, it at least had the sense to let players have a get acquainted session before throwing them into actual (simulated) combat. TOAWII has nothing.
If you don't download the patch, you cannot play the big battles unless you fire up a second executable! The online registration for the game is through direct modem dialup only - no Internet connection is supported.
I have a new place that I want a job at; TalonSoft. There I will be able to pass the same 15 year old crappy programming off as new. It will be okay. I am sure I will have to make my share of Star Trek references at the water cooler, but I think I can handle it. I have this crazy idea: I am going to make a background and then make the text over that background readable! "Son you are fired. That shows improvement, and we don't want that. We are trying to hold onto our 5 remaining customers. Nothing new. Nothing new. Nothing new."
Even Falcon 4 has a trainer. Are you going to call that game easier?
What about the reviews? All reviewers love it!!! Of course, these spineless skin-eating pubic-lice have to prove themselves to the war game crowd. "I think it is a big breakthrough that you only have to hold the ALT-K and F8 keys to select a piece."
This game, and all games by TalonSoft, are only hastening the death of wargames. Close Combat has its flaws but at least you could ask someone who has never played a wargame before to give it a try. TalonSoft seems hell bent on reducing the fanbase of wargames. Let's face it, hardcore grognards are like the Shakers - they don't breed. To keep the sect alive, they need to recruit. This was the beginning of computer games, do you remember Chris Crawford and his wargames? Wargames were perfect for early PC's. Low drain on resources and no one minded the computer taking time to think. TalonSoft just wants to keep them there. TOAWII could have been made in 1984. Do not buy this game.
|
|
