Les the Sarge 9-1b Posted January 3, 2003 Share Posted January 3, 2003 This is the entire post contents below, encountered it just a few minutes ago, and assumed some of the Hi Command crowd might like it. Re: Looking for a Strategy (not real time) Game quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by Yohan Hi, I'm trying to find a good Strategic level game (all who count Axis and Allies as strategy please stop reading) for a buddy of mine to play by PBEM. I'm looking at either WWII or Napoleonic computer games that fit this bill. Thanks... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How about 'High Command', at http://www.ryanbailey.com/hicom/hicom.html there is a download of the game and manuals, plus complete instructions for Win 95,98, and 98se install and pbm play. http://www.pressroom.com/~meb/20tha3.htm#HIGH%20COMMAND HIGH COMMAND (I) Colorado Computer Games; Gregg Carter and Joey Nonnast; 1991; *** Adv/Land-Nav-Air/Op-Str 1-3 THIRD REICH -- the way it should have been done. While the AI came in for much criticism, the game itself was easy to learn and play. Economics, strategic planning and operational warfare yielded one of the more complex simulations in terms of playing well. HIGH COMMAND (I) Three Sixty; Gregg Carter and Joey Nonnast; 1993; ***+ Adv/Land-Nav-Air/Op-Str 1-3 The updated SVGA version with improved graphics, yet the AI still seemed to be learning disabled. Altogether, a sequel with substantive improvements, and yet it could have been so much more ... Probably the best way to review "High Command:1939-45" (i.e. HC) is to begin by listing the games that it somewhat compares with/against, using the following three categories: 1. Scope and realism of historical period. 2. Complexity of strategy and functionality. 3. Playability, breadth of details covered, and ability to play game against computer or live human. The games: PC versions of Axis and Allies and Third Reich, Clash of Steel, Call to Power 2, Civilization III, Diplomacy, Risk/Risk II, Empire Earth. SCOPE: Only High Command, A&A, TR, and CoS cover EXACTLY the topic of strategic war in Europe during 1939-45+, but only HC covers as much detail (even the graphics are the best of the bunch). COMPLEXITY: While a fun diversion, A&A is simply a kid's game. TR was better as a board game, and as such, was only a little better than A&A. TR and COS cut LOTS of corners! Winner: HC, as it pays close attention to detailed borders, rules, and choices allowable by the players. PLAYABILITY: A&A is easy to play, and a fun diversion for a couple of hours (great for a break), but it's not very realistic. Only HC comes as close as I've seen to a real strategic simulation experience. It does have flaws, however, such as limiting only 2 players (the Axis player controls all Axis countries, for example), the inability of neutrals to produce, deploy, or have any impact until actually at war, and the unrelated action phases that take a little away from the overall impact (a common flaw with most, if not all, turn-based wargames, in all fairness). But, OVERALL, you won't find anything released yet that seriously challenges it with an AI, and that's since 1993!. (NOTE: Europe in Flames (or World in Flames) looks promising, but details are sketchy). Once you realize what is left of the bunch (HC), you can approach it with a better set of expectations, and understand that yes, it is DOS-based, and yes, there are flaws in the game, but there are ways around those flaws that remedy the game back to an enriching experience. Here's a concrete example. The game was not designed to be played by email, or over the web, but it is possible. It only requires honesty from both players, and an understanding that the Allied player (on his computer) will move first, and the Axis player (on his computer) will watch the action happen. Both players' phases happen separately, and with the exception of the momentary second it takes to save the game at the start of the oppenent's phase, and then exit (to then email the files), there will be no real obstacle to making it work. There are only 3 files associated with each scenario that will be changed, and they can be emailed in a small zip file (typically under 30k, so we are talking NOTHING in terms of email). Those files are labeled for the scenario, and end with .aln, .axn, and .sav. (see details at www.ryanbailey.com/hicom/hicom.html). __________________ Quote: 'A Better War,' Lewis Sorley, 1999, pp387-8 ..but one who spoke out with decency and regret was William Shawcross. "It seemed to me then, and still seems to me today," he wrote long years after the end. "that those of us who were opposed to the American effort in Indochina should be humbled by the scale of suffering inflected by the Communist victors---especially in Cambodia but in Vietnam and Laos as well."* *William Shawcross, "Review of David P. Chandler's Brother Number One," New York Review of Books (12 August 1993). P.38. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les the Sarge 9-1b Posted January 3, 2003 Author Share Posted January 3, 2003 it didn't show it so I will say it here, the post was from "abradley" over at Matrix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Wagner Posted January 3, 2003 Share Posted January 3, 2003 If I recall, I don't think you can play HC on an XP machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supreme Axis Posted January 3, 2003 Share Posted January 3, 2003 High Command was awesome! I was waiting ages to see a game to come up to that level of realism when computers were advancing so fast. SC is a breath of fresh air! Someone actually picked up on the idea of a true Strategic/Economic recreation of WW2, my heart goes out to the designers. Noone else out there gotta bone? Hello!? They did a good job, it's basic. It's fair, in realism. The AI deserves kudos! It's been ages since something decent has been pumped out and I hope they turn it into a increasingly detailed, accurate, playable game. I'd spend $100 for it. All hardcore wargamers would and most people who play it are hardcore. Come on Axis&Allies is a board game, Risklike. Not in the same category. In that it's fun for awhile. I have played it on & off for 13 years and have beaten some of the most legendary players on the World<Net>. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl G. E. von Mannerheim Posted January 3, 2003 Share Posted January 3, 2003 Is High Command combatible with Win 2000? CvM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hueristic Posted January 3, 2003 Share Posted January 3, 2003 Wow man thanks for the Post that was a great game But it lacked the much needed Mutilplayer capability I played for a week then Shelved it When the ai was no longer interesting. Waited forever for a pbem or serial connect patch but it never showed. Looks like this this guy had some free time and decided not to wait any longer. great idea I'm leeching it now. I doubt the 720k single density disks it originally came on still work. If i can even find it anymore. BTW i DID find FIRE Brigade! Damn thing is on 5 1/4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam Posted January 4, 2003 Share Posted January 4, 2003 XP Windows user beforwarned! I had a nasty Y2K problem on attempting to get High Command to work on my XP machine it reset my clock all over the place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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