Strategic Command 2..First Impressions

I tried the demo last night and agree with the graphics comment when
using the 3D units. I like the map at high resolution (1600) with the
symbol icons, but then the menus are way too small! With the the 'toy
pictures' enabled, although pretty, it's almost impossible to tell
what's what unless on the lowest (1024) resolution, then you don't get
to see much of the map. SC1 was much better at situational awareness
and had far more potential than SC2 with the the minature images. And
this looks nothing like PanzerGeneral as I read someone suggest. You
could easily tell what was what in PzG.
Squares, we don't need no stinking hexes, I really don't care as long
as it plays well. Tactics2 had squares. I'll have to mess with the
settings more to find what's playable, since my eyes don't work as
good as they used to.

Didn't get into the play much, wanted to go back to my SC1 game and
finish off the USSR and attack the USA. I did compared the manuals and
noticed that much is the same (good) and some things were added which
look good. I bought SC1 a couple of weeks ago because I didn't want to
wait for SC2, but I'm thinking I may already have the better game, but
will have to see once SC2 arrives. It's really not fair to make such a
judgment call with 1 hour of testing.

It may just take a little getting used to. I think what most SC1
players were hoping for was a moderate graphics update with more
emphasis on AI and a few new units/rules with larger maps. This was
what I gathered from reading all the old SC1 posts. Don't remember any
of them wanting xcubestation visuals. But time will tell.

Oh, and I really don't care for the 'install third party installation
software' part of the EULA. Brad from Stardock (galciv2) really has it
the way it should be, and as it was in the beginning. After all, they
aren't selling Zelda to pre-teens.
 >> Stay informed about: Strategic Command 2..First Impressions 

Oh, I forgot, it's unforgivable, well, maybe just very bad, what he did
to the menu buttons. ALL ON ONE SCREEN PLEASE, something like Tiller's
or Wardell's.
 >> Stay informed about: Strategic Command 2..First Impressions 

>
>Didn't get into the play much, wanted to go back to my SC1 game and
>finish off the USSR and attack the USA. I did compared the manuals and
>noticed that much is the same (good) and some things were added which
>look good. I bought SC1 a couple of weeks ago because I didn't want to
>wait for SC2, but I'm thinking I may already have the better game, but
>will have to see once SC2 arrives. It's really not fair to make such a
>judgment call with 1 hour of testing.
>
>Hi......would you be interested in playing SC-1 PBEM? Joe Grills
 >> Stay informed about: Strategic Command 2..First Impressions 

I played some of the demo in earnest at int level.

I generally hate sequals and rather a new game as I tire easy of existing
ones. This one is a little more than just a touched up SC1. A lot of
additions all implemented by the designer listening to fans no less.

Seems shore bomabardment has been toned down. Support of an invasion is one
thing but ships running up to the coast to shooy tanks and inf core is just
too unrealistic. The AI does it but doesn't seem to have as much impact.

Overall I find nothing wrong with the game..as long as you're not expecting
3R or whatever and you shouldn't.

The squares over hexes is fine.

With respect to the interface..yeah they could have put all the flag nations
on the 2nd bar page leaving the game ones all on on bar.

That's really the only bad thing I see.

Otherwise I say a well done job for SC2.

The national anthems are cool clicking on the capitals;-)

I had a problem unloading reinf on Norway which I can't figure out. Takes a
lot to take it at int level.
 >> Stay informed about: Strategic Command 2..First Impressions 

Naval attack on ground units still does too much damage. It's a stupid
tactic.

Good news is the Egypts is more fun as there is now a two hex/sq front to
move stuff.

Demo ended before getting to Suez. (sounds familiar).

Well..mine is pre-ord. Whether I play it much (I'm sure at least once)
congrats to Hubert on a well done job. (hate the solo naval-ground attk.....


Thumbs up for this elite beer n' prez. right Eddy
 >> Stay informed about: Strategic Command 2..First Impressions 

After playing it more I think it will work ok at mid resolution with
the non-3d icons. The demo did end too early in the first campaign. I
played the D-day one and it seems like a completely different game.
The scale is smaller with the English Channel being many spaces wide
and regiments vs corps, divisions vs armies and artie instead of
rockets. Just wondering when the box will show up.
 >> Stay informed about: Strategic Command 2..First Impressions