DerKommissar

I'm surprised, nobody mentioned Panzer Command: Ostfront. Unlike most other games mentioned here, it follows the CM formula. It's basically CM 1.5. I like that game, well enough -- but I prefer CM2. I think SB is a great tank simulator, and the editor is nice. However, it doesn't ship with campaigns or any sort of quick battle generator. It's not a "game", and not marketed as such. Big fan of Graviteam games, but they've moved the basic operational unit from platoon to company. Which makes the battles more fun, but less like CM -- to which the earlier Achtung Panzer was more akin. After years of owning their entire library, I am still mystified by how battles on the operational map are translated to the tactical map. The shape of the battle area, center of the battle area and units in the battle area, seem to be arbitrarily chosen. The battle's result's translation onto the operational map is just as arbitrary. Points I've captured on the tactical map, will be uncapped on the operational. A german company that I've encircled will reappear in its safe space. I once had a german infantry battalion attack a valentine squadron -- and I decided to retreat before they even came in range. Apparently, all my tanks were all routed on the operational map. At that point, I put that game down. Steel Panthers is a fantastic title. Albeit, it's quite a retro looking, hex-grid turn-based tactics game. I still find it more realistic, and detailed, than Armored Brigade. Theatre of War trilogy is very analogous to CM games. BFC used to publish them, and I wish they continued that series. They are quite clunky and get a bad rep -- but I've enjoyed the lot. Pick them up on sale and try it for yourself.

Climate change is a global problem, not just a national one. So, is all that trash in the ocean (including pirates). It's hard for something constructive to happen, with finger pointing and chest beating alone. I realize that an effective UN is a pipe dream, but can we at least have superpowers competing for who has the best looking back yard? Another space race would be nice. Either way you cut it, Earth has an expiration date -- and you know what they say about eggs and baskets.

1. Models for aircraft. Right now, they feel like an arbitrary destructive anomaly. 2. Dynamic campaigns. Either with an operational map (move your companies, and generate tactical battles), or just a string of random scenarios (allowing you to spend points at the end of each one). 3. Random map generator. Like in CM1. 4. Purchasable reinforcements. Units cost less, but arrive later. 5. Formations. Order a convoy to move in a column or a platoon in a wedge. 6. No grid. 7. More dedicated vehicles. Medevacs, mine clearers. 8. Realistic projectile models. Not every round is a bright tracer. (I do really appreciate the different colours introduced in 4.0) 9. More animations. Give units more opportunities to lower their silhouette -- no mocaps necessary. 10. Enhanced vehicle simulation. Vehicle movement reflects transmission, suspension, etc. Honourable mentions: bigger maps, better performance, rendered backgrounds, fulda gap, better shadows, NBC mechanics. And somehow fail to stop when 7.92 Mauser is zipping over their heads...

Fantastic actor... wish we saw more of him.

You mean that Bruce Willis movie? DON'T WANNA CLOSE MY EYEEEEESSSS DON'T WANNA FALL ASSLEEEEEEEP It's as if Aerosmith was paid to wake up the audience, after that snooze fest. As far as I'm concerned, it's never an option. I can only imagine how upset some people when literacy was invented. Darn kids writing things down, without memorizing them. How're people supposed to function, if they can't remember all of Homer's Odyssey? Everything changes with time, and this isn't the first time in history humans dealt with climate change. Adapting to changing environment, society and resources is inescapable. On the bright side, global standards of living and life expectancy are higher than ever, and climbing. Change isn't always bad. People like to romanticize fatalism, because it makes the present seem more grandiose. Good way to grab an audience's attention. Either that, or you can put Steve Buscemi in it.

Sorry for the double post -- but I had to show off this drive-by with the banana clip!

I think I'll preorder it, then. I generally avoid preorders because big games exploit them: Ironically enough, the selling point of this preorder is that there are no "benefits" to the preorder.

We're stuck in this tired Cold War mentality. Are the US and Russia that different? Why must they be mortal enemies? They were allies for virtually all of their shared history (7 years war, US civil war, WW1, Rus civil war, WW2). A few weeks back, I even read that US jets bombed an Al Queda target in Idlib, Syria. Both nations were started by European immigrants. While US was founded by Christians, Russia was founded by pagans -- and yet, they voluntarily converted to the same belief. Both nations expanded greatly since their founding. Alaska and parts of California were not fought over, but exchanged at mutually agreed criteria. The descendants of these settlers retain their culture, to this day. Currently, both nations are populated by a diverse number of peoples. It is also fair to say that the interests of these two nations are also very similar. From the interest in space exploration, to emphasis on oil and gas industries. Obviously, the peoples are more similar than they are different. Naturally, both nations have a long history messing with foreign governments. Clandestine operations, propaganda and repression of citizens is nothing new to either party. Now, they act like troubled spouses, blaming eachother for virtually any problem. While their unhealthy competition caused a great deal of suffering, and fear of nuclear exchange that persists -- they have restrained themselves from directly harming one another. I think instead of passive-aggressive moralizing, the world would do good to provide couple counselling.

Now THIS is an IFV. Hopefully we'll get them sometime in Black Sea. A rear ramp? I can get behind that.

Not a huge fan of this vehicle, either. I didn't like how the dismounts had to open and close those 4 metal doors. They have to be fairly light to be pushed upwards, probably offering sub-par protection. Why couldn't the doors be motor operated, like in the Warrior or Bradley? Besides that, the casemate makes the silhouette tall, and the upper frontal armour is not as sloped as the glacis. Good target. I wonder how the doors work on the BTR-T.

Glad you mates enjoyed them! Is there any way to toggle the objective area colour?

Do hope you get better, soon! I know motorcycles were heavily used, by all sides -- as dispatch riders. A very important service, when you simply couldn't text or email plans, photos and maps.

Eugen games are a completely different scale, and marketed strictly as RTS games. Love them, but they're completely different genres. I'd say Graviteam is closer to being the competition. They focus on early/mid Eastern Front, North Africa and Cold War. BFC is focusing on different theaters/time -- especially, the ones that they are passionate about. Speaking of which... FULDA GAP! FULDA GAP! FULDA GAP!

It's a shame that the northern theatre is rarely explored in media. Rarely do we see naval games about the Arctic and Baltic, and I've almost never seen the Lapland War in any sort of game. Even the Continuation War and Courland Pocket often get swept under the rug. I would love a module that built upon RT, to add Army Group North, Northern Front and III Corps. A big campaign for the III Corps, fighting against Soviets, and later, Germans. I'd prefer it to the Vistula-Oder/Berlin one.

I snatched a narrow victory for that mission. The campaign was brutal. I believe there is some unit carry-over, so mileage may vary. *spoilers* I split my main forces into two halves -- one for the right flank, one for the right. I sent the platoon of sappers down the central road, to clear a path. The first thing I did was drop off MANPAD dudes in some rear bushes. The left flank was the most problematic. They had an open field between the base and the over-watching treeline. I had little problem clearing out the treeline, and put heavy weapons along it. The treeline was zero-ed by enemy artillery, and once the first airburst popped overhead -- I quickly got the infantry and heavy weapons back in their APCs. I took light losses, but lost valuable overwatch. After I called in CAS over the town, I carefully advanced through the field. My Oplots found BMP3s and T-72s covering it with overlapping fire. I did manage to take out a few of them, but they rendered an OPLOT useless, and blew up a great deal of BTRs. The infantry was demoralized and refused to advance, and my armoured spearhead was blunted. This flank offered spotting, and heavy fire at movement -- but that was it. The pioneers on the central road fared much worse. After clearing one layer of mines, they found another -- only to be caught under an airburst shower. I lost one section, and cohesion. After the second layer was cleared, the third one was overwatched by enemy AFVs. Luckily, the remaining Oplots on the right flank managed to return fire on the attackers. Central road was a no go, I brought them to the right flank. The right flank first looked impregnable, with a few BTRs finding mines, the hard way. It had a couple of fierce defenders in staggered treelines, on the path to the rear of the base. Perfect place to saturate with my artillery. My Oplots really shined here, taking out some infantry squads and a few AFVs from long range. The bulk of my infantry caught the defenders confused, and they blew up a BMP with rockets. After clearing out the central treeline on the left flank, it was smooth sailing to the back door of the complex. Two platoons, with support, managed to clear out more then half of the complex. The stalwart defenders at the front of the base decided to move AFVs to counter by rear action. Left flank Oplots got some easy kills. House clearing combat was slow, and I ran out of time. Minor victory. A good summary of my experience across the campaign. Tactical victories at a great cost.

It's impressive that the crew is intact, after concentrated 200mm+ fire. In my CM campaign experience -- the obvious approach is always killzone. My advice is to focus on the flanks, probe for weaknesses and go with the path of least resistance. That Abrams is a tough nut, in that position. As your tank found out, he's like Han Solo. I say, avoid him, and focus on clearing the buildings. Being immobilized and flanked by infantry is a tanker's worst nightmare -- APS or not.

Bofors gonna shoot me down some Luftwaffles!

Think early 2000s rap. "Happy people have no history." -- Tolstoy Diseases were more rampant and deadly, in the past. Life expectancy and living conditions were poorer. In both respects, relative to their temporal peers -- Stalin and Hitler were not significantly below average. Indeed, most famous historical figures were not illiterate peasantry. I'd say that most scientists, inventors and philosophers had very good upbringing. Fun fact: The first Polytechnic, that Einstein applied to, rejected him!

Ouch. Bad way to go. "HANDE HOCH!"

A 90mm HE from M36 hit a house with a squad of pioneers, they didn't quickly run outside like they did before. Instead, they slowly retreated to the 1st floor of the house. This is an improvement, IMHO.

I can't believe I'm reading this! Cheers, BFC!

That makes sense to me. So the Dragoon is a support platform to replace the MGS. I think mounting a 30mm is certainly more practical than a 105mm. The Germans are the only NATO country that uses 30mms, as far as I know. It would make sense to make it ammo-compatible. EVERYONE and their mother uses the 40mm Bofors, if you want firepower and commonality, that's the sweet spot. If you can mount a 105 on a stryker, maybe a 40mm isn't out of the question? Especially if it is a fire support vehicle, and not a section carrier. 1. That's pretty good. But, the Bushmaster should be able to handle it with the tungsten-core M919 APFSDS-T, at reasonable ranges. No need to get the depleted uranium rods out. 2. Are all the BMP-1s phased out yet? I've been curious as to how the BMP-3 preformed in Yemen, with the UAE. I couldn't find any information in English. Any word from the other side of the pond? If the 30mm is replacing the 105mm. It would make sense to me to keep it back, behind a crest, on overwatch -- not with the infantry, like a section-carrying AFV. Like a light SPG.