Reviewing the Scenario Depot

[Spookster]

Fellas,

I've had the time to review of a couple of Andreas' scenarios. I especially enjoyed his "The Drama Begins" player v. AI scenario just posted at the SD. Since I believe this scenario is destined for greatness, I wanted to invite any who are willing to give it a taste and write a review. (p.s. This not a plug for a friend...I do not know Andreas, but I do like his work.)

Secondly, since I have a few days before I have to get back to work (give up on CM for a while, sigh), I want some suggestions on which other scenarios I should review to get them over the required THREE reviews. I cannot promise I will like the scenarios, but I do promise to review them with complete honesty. So if you have a scenario that you think is outstanding but languishing at the SD, post it here.

Thanks.

[Thin Red Line]

You may try B&T Sword of Bragation H2H.

[Andreas]

Thanks a lot Spookster, this and the reviews are much appreciated.

[Mad Russian]

Originally posted by Spookster:

Fellas,

Secondly, since I have a few days before I have to get back to work (give up on CM for a while, sigh), I want some suggestions on which other scenarios I should review to get them over the required THREE reviews. I cannot promise I will like the scenarios, but I do promise to review them with complete honesty. So if you have a scenario that you think is outstanding but languishing at the SD, post it here.

Thanks.

Outstanding idea. I applaud you. Are you looking for vs AI or H2H as well? More people should review. Do one a week, one every other week, one a month, whatever just do ONE!!!

The CMAK section is beginning to fill up with scenarios that are looking for reviews I believe that only Welcome to Africa has the required 3 at the moment.

Panther Commander

[Spookster]

Originally posted by Thin Red Line:

You may try B&T Sword of Bragation H2H.

My buddy and I will try this one this afternoon, after he gets off call (surgeon.) If he's still standing...

[Spookster]

Originally posted by Panther Commander:

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Spookster:

Fellas,

Secondly, since I have a few days before I have to get back to work (give up on CM for a while, sigh), I want some suggestions on which other scenarios I should review to get them over the required THREE reviews. I cannot promise I will like the scenarios, but I do promise to review them with complete honesty. So if you have a scenario that you think is outstanding but languishing at the SD, post it here.

Thanks.

Outstanding idea. I applaud you. Are you looking for vs AI or H2H as well? More people should review. Do one a week, one every other week, one a month, whatever just do ONE!!!

The CMAK section is beginning to fill up with scenarios that are looking for reviews I believe that only Welcome to Africa has the required 3 at the moment.

Panther Commander </font>

[kenfedoroff]

Originally posted by Thin Red Line:

You may try B&T Sword of Bragation H2H.

My opponent and I have not finished this yet, but so far, I really like this scenario.

I like the Map and the Concept of the Dynamic Flag in particular. I think I could load this in the Scenario Editor, strip the forces out and have a great QB map for replayability.

Since I am playing PBEM from the Soviet side and we haven't finished the battle, I can't comment on set-up zones, reinforcement spawn points, force mix, etc., but so far it seems well thought out.

Keep up the good work.

Sincerely,

Ken

[ December 27, 2003, 08:42 PM: Message edited by: kenfedoroff ]

[Morten]

Originally posted by Spookster:

Fellas,

"SNIP"

Secondly, since I have a few days before I have to get back to work (give up on CM for a while, sigh), I want some suggestions on which other scenarios I should review to get them over the required THREE reviews. I cannot promise I will like the scenarios, but I do promise to review them with complete honesty. So if you have a scenario that you think is outstanding but languishing at the SD, post it here.

Thanks.

You could review two of my scenarios that need reviews: "Morning March" and "Convoy". This is shameless - I know...

Edited because I did not press the rigth button

[ December 27, 2003, 08:20 PM: Message edited by: Morten ]

[V]

Please review the one in my sig. It should be at the depot.

[Patrocles]

I, too, have an unreviewed CMBB Battle at The Scenario Depot. You can find it using the title "Assault Guns Forward!" It takes place in a Soviet armor attack set in July 1941.

[Jack Carr]

Noticed the title on your thread.

I recently posted a CMBB scenario at the Depot. It's called, "Defending the Dead". It's a small scenario and I was hoping to get some feedback on it but haven't received any to date. If you are willing to give it a try I would appreciate any feedback you could give me.

Thanks.

[Jack Carr]

Thanks for giving "Defending the Dead" a try. I'll try and spice up the briefing a bit. I know what you mean about the AI's inability to handle it's most valuable asset.

I replayed it last night and experienced a similar situation. The best I have gotten on this scenario is a Draw. I give far better than I get but am unable to achieve a victory in the time alotted. Curious to find out how you achieved a Major Victory. E-mail me off list and tell me your strategy if you get a chance.

Thanks again for reviewing my scenario.

[Spookster]

Originally posted by Jack Carr:

Thanks for giving "Defending the Dead" a try. I'll try and spice up the briefing a bit. I know what you mean about the AI's inability to handle it's most valuable asset.

I replayed it last night and experienced a similar situation. The best I have gotten on this scenario is a Draw. I give far better than I get but am unable to achieve a victory in the time alotted. Curious to find out how you achieved a Major Victory. E-mail me off list and tell me your strategy if you get a chance.

Thanks again for reviewing my scenario.

To everyone,

I'm done reviewing for a while. Have to move on with life. Sorry if I offended you with my remarks. Just stating my opinion. Keep up the good work.

Jack,

Sorry I did not submit the review until today. I played alot in December, took some notes, and filed them all at once. I must say, the key to a fantastic scenario is creating atmosphere, and "Defending the Dead" does just that. My bias is toward a combined arms (INF&ART&ARM) scenario, but your scen was enjoyable.

The way I won?

SPOILER BELOW!

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The whole Russian LEFT flank was left largely undefended (one MG and the HQ elements in the hut.) The T34 decided to take a stroll to the church with a few turns remaining.

I left 40% of my units at the church to engage the enemy (including my MGs and 50mms.) I think this pressure drew units away from the rear?

Best of luck with your next design.

[George MC]

Hi Spookster This post is not related to the topic, just saw yer name on the forum. Thanks for your comments re my scenario "Attack on village of Fedwar"" at the Scenario depot. I've been trying to post a reply but I seem to be having problems accessing my scenarios. If you care to email me I'll drop you a line with my comments as it may take a while to sort out the problem at the scenario Depot. Yer comments were very constructive so thanks for taking the time to post them . Cheers fur noo George Mc

[Patrocles]

And I also thanks Spookster for reviewing (quite critically and harshly! ) my battle "Assault Guns Forward!" I hope to revise the battle in the near future after a few more reviews (HINT HINT to other CMBB players to review battle)

You must be one of the best CMBB players on the scene because of your victory. Other players of this battle haven't had it so easy. I stated the better player should take the German side and you took the Russian! I shudder to think there is someone playing with even better skills than you (but he seems to have left his tactical-skill hat at the door in your battle! )

Do you have battles at The Scenario Depot? In your spare time you need to create battles. Since you review many many battles you must show us, and not just tell us, how it needs to be done.

[GJK]

I really enjoyed "Assault Guns Forward!" played solo as the Axis vs the AI. My review of the scenario while it was being tested can be read Here.

This brings up a point though. Would it be beneficial to rate scenarios at the SD and then link to any reviews given at TPG in the comments section? Or just copy/paste those comments in I guess. Potential problem is that I may have reviewed a beta version and changes may have been made before it was moved to the SD.

But, brings up another good point IMHO. If the scenario designer's add a comment to the effect of "playtesting assisted at The Proving Grounds", then that would let downloaders at the SD know that they could read the development playtest notes at TPG should they want more details of the scenario before committing to it.

Just a thought!

[Mad Russian]

Originally posted by GJK:

This brings up a point though. Would it be beneficial to rate scenarios at the SD and then link to any reviews given at TPG in the comments section? Or just copy/paste those comments in I guess. Potential problem is that I may have reviewed a beta version and changes may have been made before it was moved to the SD.

But, brings up another good point IMHO. If the scenario designer's add a comment to the effect of "playtesting assisted at The Proving Grounds", then that would let downloaders at the SD know that they could read the development playtest notes at TPG should they want more details of the scenario before committing to it.

Just a thought!

A point to think about, if you are even considering linking the sites, for reviews and comment value, is that scenarios at TPG are "supposed to" disappear after they have been playtested and posted to the SD.

Just a thought.

Panther Commander

[Spookster]

Originally posted by Patrocles:

And I also thanks Spookster for reviewing (quite critically and harshly! ) my battle "Assault Guns Forward!" I hope to revise the battle in the near future after a few more reviews (HINT HINT to other CMBB players to review battle)

You must be one of the best CMBB players on the scene because of your victory. Other players of this battle haven't had it so easy. I stated the better player should take the German side and you took the Russian! I shudder to think there is someone playing with even better skills than you (but he seems to have left his tactical-skill hat at the door in your battle! )

Do you have battles at The Scenario Depot? In your spare time you need to create battles. Since you review many many battles you must show us, and not just tell us, how it needs to be done.

Pat,

I am sorry to be so harsh. I did not mean to imply that your scenario was a waste; in fact, it has some great elements. I really enjoy "Germans-desperately-holding-the-line" scenarios, as these situations were all too common, especially post '42.

What you should glean from my comments is that your best has yet to come! I mean to push you forward, not hold you back. As an example, I just played Jeff Weatherspoon's epic "Ponyi Express" PBEM. (Sorry Jeff, have not reviewed it yet.) These types of scenarios are breath- taking, all immersive extravaganzas. They really put you there...every move is important. Load this one up. Put it in the editor...look at the map...look at the units...play it solo. This, to me (MY bias), is the essential scenario, it has it all: history (you'll know the reason the why the ELEPHANT needed MGs), freedom of movement, tanks, infantry, artillery...) From what I've seen of your scenario, you are capable of such gems.

You wonder what are my "qualifications" to rate scenarios. First, and most important, I am a player. Back in the day of CB:BO I played in many ladders, tournaments...etc...I was a "gamer", if you will. Now I play casually, mostly PBEM scenarios, sometimes head-to-head online.

Second, and far less importantly, I have designed a few large PBEM games - five to be exact. Three have been well received, one (my first) was a disaster and one languishes at the SD for lack of PR (a BO battle created a few days before BB came out.)

I leave you with this note: What I wrote is just my opinion. I think people, through reading my reviews, know my preferences. I appreciate all who contribute to the SD, bad or good, and I don't mean to belittle anyone's work.

Just to let you know, the "bad" scenario I submitted to SD, I let sit - made no changes, nothing. Instead, I went to work on my next scenario "Terror by the Rhone" (BO) and got it right.

Cheers.

[jwxspoon]

Looking forward to your review, Spookster. Epic is a good description of that one, I think I did more research for that scenario than any I have designed.

I do like these really big scenarios. I am just finishnig the 2 player version of Sword of Bagration against a friend. Talk about the desperate Germans defending!!! This one will go down to the last 60 second turn.

jw

[Spookster]

Ponyi Express Review

CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!

Ranking 10.

Played: Germans.

Verdict: Minor Loss.

Upside:

1. Sweeping vista, with enough cover for an approach. The dry/wet river bed is a nice touch. I think if it were a true river, I'd have been sunk (worse than Minor Loss.) Your choice of 85mm on the hill worked well (too well), but, like you wrote, I'd have rather had the heavy guns.

2. Elephants! This is a scenario where both the strengths and weaknesses of these beasts are well measured. I lost five of them. 2 to flank shots, 3 to close encounters.

3. Plenty of Artillery (and smoke). Many scenarios forget the King of War. What element of war killed more people in World War II?

4. Little things, like in the set up, you lined everything up, nice and neat, for ease of deployment. When units came from reserve, they were not in LOS of the enemy...etc.

5. Finally, I really liked the way this scenario merged history with the CM engine. Too many times, I've seen historical scenarios fail because the engine cannot "recreate" the situation. For example, my pet peeve is city scenarios...they just don't seem to work. Troops bundled in packs of 12 or 9 or 8 are great as a proxy for infantry in a broad scenario, but in the city, hand to hand fighting, door to door, window to window, just cannot be captured with the CM engine. (I have long ago given up on urban Stalingrad scenarios for just this reason.)

Downside:

1. I'm of the opinion that such grand scenarios need more time, 100+ turns. Let the players decide when to stop. [This is almost always my bias. I know this is how designers like to balance game play, but I prefer that the unit balance, and topography balance do the job.] I could be wrong on this one, especially for marketing reasons - players like them shorter, than longer.

Minor:

2. A few uneven stretches of map. For example, the train tracks on the German left flank are a bit wobbly. A touch here, a touch there.

Poor loser:

3. I wanted better German intelligence. I know, I know, this was not always given in war, but DAMN, it sucks losing an elephant at 1000+ meters to some dumb AA Gun.

Lastly, what really sucks for this scenario is that NOBODY has reviewed it at the SD, which probably means that not enough people have PLAYED it, which is a complete shame.

I'm done singing your praises. I look forward to playing one of your other scenarios and trashing it in a bitter, egotistical review that serves only to make me look more intelligent.

Otherwise, cheers.

[jwxspoon]

Thanks a lot for the feedback Spookster. If you haven't already, try Scott Boston's Sword of Bagration.

jw

[Patrocles]

Originally posted by Spookster:

I'm done reviewing for a while. Have to move on with life. Sorry if I offended you with my remarks. Just stating my opinion. Keep up the good work.

No problem with the review! I appreciate you putting in time with the battle. It's like taking medicine...it may sting a bit but one is better off in the long run. I know I don't play CMBB/CMBO as much as I should so I'm sure my battles are not as finely-tuned as some of you vets.

I hear ya about having a life...the closest i've come to CMBB in the past two months has been this forum!

It sounds like you have some huge battles out on the net! I'll probably pass on them b/c I gravitate towards small battles b/c of my lack of playing time.

Make some NOISE when you return. In the meantime, I'm sure the folks here will keep your panther/sherman/T-34 fully-armed, fueled and ready for deployment!

[Scott B]

Hey guys, thanks for the kind words and reviews for Sword of Bagration. I really appreciate it and I'm glad you enjoyed the battle. I don't pay close attention to all the CM forums anymore, so my apologies for the delay in noticing your posts here.

Thanks!

Scott

[Schugger]

Would like to review a battle, preferably one designed as single player vs AI which is not too large.

It has been a few months (or even years?) since I have been actively playing CM, I haven't got any bookmarks for downloading scenarios or any other stuff. Any input in form of links would be greatly appreciated.

[WWB]

Try Boots & Tracks--link in my sig.

You would especially be interested in the Solitaire Battles quicklist.

WWB