Are there any non sports sims that match OOTP?

[sporr]

Two you don't want to miss out on:

1) The Combat Mission series
2) The Europa Universalis series

[Bonedwarf]

Europa Universalis is NOT for the faint of heart, though. Very deep game.

Though who dig EU, may also like Hearts of Iron, based on the same engine, and set during World War 2. There's a Deluxe version of HOI out (though I believe it's pretty much just the original retail version with the latest patch), and HOI2 is on it's way soon.

[Jayzone]

Originally Posted by JoeRockEHF

As a big Civ II fan I've never had the pleasure to play Civ III yet. I've come close to getting it a few times but haven't made the jump yet. Is it a big enough improvement over Civ II to make the jump?

I heard that Infogrames just sold off the rights to Civilization to a buyer not named. I hope Sid still get to do the forth one (if it's planned).

Oh, I wonder why nobody has brought up SimCity 4. SimCity4 is a fun game with the total freedom of designing your dream city. With all the 3rd-party plug-in, you can make a city with a very distinct look. It's also a plus that the high computer requirement in past (~2GHz for smooth play) is not that high now. It's always fascinating for me to watch something growing into greatness (eg. OOTP prospect into Hall of Fame, SimCity small town into metropolis).

[JoeRockEHF]

I have SimCity 4 as well. Very fun to play just haven't had the time to play it anytime recently. Do you have the Rush Hour expansion? Is that any good?

[Jayzone]

I have the Deluxe Edition (SimCity4 + RushHour). The reason that I waited as long is that my old computer couldn't run SimCity before. Well, if you are into SimCity, RushHour is a must. The new transportation options and query tool make managing traffic flexible and easier. That alone makes RushHour worhwhile. Plus, you can get to drive in your city and there is also a new Modern European Building Set. In terms of added content, it's probably a bit expensive when it's just out. However, you can probably get RushHour cheap now. RushHour is also a requirement to use the "Network Add-On" mod on Simtropolis website. The mod improves the traffic simulation quite dramatically.

RushHour Link here:
http://www.eagames.com/official/sc4/...us/rh_home.jsp

So, the answer is yes. Go get it.

Oh, by the way, I suggest you check out Simtropolis if you don't know the site. The site host a large collection of BAT builidings (building/plot add-on) and custom regions. The SimCity Central also has some useful gameplay tweaking mods.

[JoeRockEHF]

Sounds good Jayzone. Thanks!

[mlyons]

The Patrician series is good if you're geeky enough to enjoy a trading sim set in the Baltic/North Sea area in the 1300's. I'm that geeky, so there you go.

[Jayzone]

Originally Posted by JoeRockEHF

Sounds good Jayzone. Thanks!

No problem!

By the way, if you need some inspirations for city-building or just want to see how other people build their cities, you can try reading some city journals (CJ) on the fan websites. It's like OOTP dynasty reports but for SimCity and with pictures. I am always amazed by other people's city/region designs.

[jazzrack]

my wife plays nukezone. it's a free online text wargame

http://www.nukezone.nu/

[Number 6]

Originally Posted by Jayzone

I heard that Infogrames just sold off the rights to Civilization to a buyer not named. I hope Sid still get to do the forth one (if it's planned).

Well Firaxis are still developing Civ 4 and have recently released some work-in-progress screen shots. The good news is that Sid is taking the lead developer role on this, he really didn't have a lot to do personally with the devlopment of Civ3.

I wouldn't at all be surprsed to learn that the mystery buyers are Firaxis themselves.

[jbmagic]

Originally Posted by Number 6

Well Firaxis are still developing Civ 4 and have recently released some work-in-progress screen shots. The good news is that Sid is taking the lead developer role on this, he really didn't have a lot to do personally with the devlopment of Civ3.

I wouldn't at all be surprsed to learn that the mystery buyers are Firaxis themselves.

yep its Firaxis

[thbroman]

Personally, I don't think Medieval Total War holds a candle to Paradox's Crusader Kings, except for the tactical combat portion of the former, which isn't duplicated by Crusader Kings. But as a strategy game MTW is pretty limited. Paradox has generally the deepest ansd most complex strategy games around (Europa universalis, Victoria, Hearts of Iron, soon to be Hearts of Iron 2, etc). But one thing you have to do with Paradox is give 'em time to patch their games, because when they first appear they often don't play all that great. But after a while, they far surpass anything going.

EDIT: I am a beta-tester for Hearts of Iron 2 & I can promise you that it will be an awesome game.

[ctorg]

Originally Posted by Number 6

Well Firaxis are still developing Civ 4 and have recently released some work-in-progress screen shots. The good news is that Sid is taking the lead developer role on this, he really didn't have a lot to do personally with the devlopment of Civ3.

I wouldn't at all be surprsed to learn that the mystery buyers are Firaxis themselves.

Anyone know where those screenshots can be seen?

[Khan]

The only screenshots I could find were here,

http://www.clubic.com/actualite-1757...c-gamers-.html

They appear to have been taken from the next PCgamer MAG which isn't out yet. Other links to screens have been removed on other sites.

[meade95]

A wargame sim called POA2 - This is a tactical type war sim - Very complex -

Also HPS site has many other differing war-game sims -


http://www.hpssims.com/Pages/products/POA2/POA2b.html

[Number 6]

Originally Posted by Khan

They appear to have been taken from the next PCgamer MAG which isn't out yet. Other links to screens have been removed on other sites.

Yes I saw them at CivFanatics, but PC Gamer asked for them to be removed.

[thbroman]

Originally Posted by meade95

A wargame sim called POA2 - This is a tactical type war sim - Very complex -

Also HPS site has many other differing war-game sims -


http://www.hpssims.com/Pages/products/POA2/POA2b.html

HPS excels at tactical and operational games. But they do not go in for strategic-level stuff at all.

[meade95]

Originally Posted by thbroman

HPS excels at tactical and operational games. But they do not go in for strategic-level stuff at all.

Agree with you here - and I wish they (HPS) would put out more of a strategic level game (problem is then producing detailed accuracy I think....) -

However, I'm still waiting for the next TOAW type game - (waiting and waiting)

I have read were ATF - (Shrapnelgames.com) is putting out a new sim ATF game covering warfare in Afghanistan - I'll be interested in checking that out (not sure if it will be more strategic or on the tactical level) -

[thbroman]

Originally Posted by meade95

Agree with you here - and I wish they (HPS) would put out more of a strategic level game (problem is then producing detailed accuracy I think....)

I think that they're just completely different games requiring vastly diffrent kinds of gaming "sense." I have been involved with beta-testing Paradox's strategic-level WWII game Hearts of Iron 2, and given all of the complexities of modeling that kind of game, I can't imagine how the same bunch of developers could then turn right around and make something like Squad Leader or a game of the kind that HPS puts out. The level of expertise for both kinds of game design is pretty high, from what I can see of the process.

[MogulChamp]

Originally Posted by meade95

However, I'm still waiting for the next TOAW type game - (waiting and waiting) -

You and me both. I loved TOAW. I think I may have found it though and I have been eagerly anticipating it.

The game is called Combined Arms: WW2, it was originally called Battlefields. I have been following it on their forums and a lot of people seem to feel it will be the next TOAW style game. As a matter of fact, a lot of the scenario designers from TOAW are designing scenarios for it. Trey Marshall, Daniel McBride (amazing scenario designer), and others.

Another game I am egerly anticipating, is Gary Grigsby's World at War. It is a WW2 Grand Strategy game. It is also turn based. I cannot stand Hearts of Iron due to the simple fact that it is RTS. There is waaay too much to do and the RTS portion of it seriously detracts from what could be an amazing game in my opinion. Not that there is anything wrong with RTS games, it's just that a game of this scope should be turn based. The Total War series is a perfect example of how an RTS game should be.

Both Combined Arms:WW2 and GGWAW can be found at www.matrixgames.com

The same company that makes the awesome Uncommon Valor, War in the Pacific and Korsun Pocket, which is a very good Operational Level game to hold me off until Combined Arms is available.