First impression

[Tanker]

Hi

I just got ToW2, Africa 1943. version 1.30 out of the box it seems.

I had hoped to find a recent patch here, but it seems 1.30 is that latest one (last one?)

First, have I missed something, but can the player not choose where to install? The install path, is it... static?

Secondly, got nervous about the DirectX, .NET and Adobe installations being part of the core install. How intelligent are those? As far as I know, I got the latest versions of them all. I wouldn't like any game mess with these things and let me choose if I want to re-install them or not.

I got Windows 7, 32 bit. I noticed some post about 64 bit, but is this official?

As far as I can see, the written requirement says nothing about this (neither minimum nor recommended set up). If the game is not written for 64 bit or got a 64 bit version, does it really make full use of a 64 bit OS?

I am still learning the game, but one thing that bothers me is that mini map.

"Forward" not being up/map north? Come on. It's really strange to move sideways in one interface and up and down in the other interface when it is in fact the same environment in both. Change this or make it an option please.

Have tried to save the order of battle but the game always drop out completely then. When looking in the order of battle load screen, the list is empty.

I did complete the first part of the German campaign, but when saving, the game dropped out again and the save is not showed up in the load list.

These campaigns are pretty slow to load...

[jcmil]

Can't comment on every point but..

AFAIK Sneaksie has stated that x64 helps the game performance as it is able to better utilize resources in that environment.

I run ToW on x64 & it always seems OK. I think 1.3.6 is the latest for Africa but the auto-update should be able find out what is available.

As to .net etc I already had those installed too & the game didn't seem to mess them up.

You may find the Africa balance mod 1.5.1 (Decent mirror) useful (You must also have Centauro installed tho).

The balance mods (JSH 1.3.5+Bulldogs for Tow1) add units & make the games overall balance more accurate & playable IMO.

ToW is a great series if you like wargames. Detailed modelling with eye-candy.

[Tanker]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

I have now changed the CompatibilityMode and specifically start the game As Administrator. Also had to change the permission on folder level as the ini-file can't be saved back after editing with the permission used by default.

I haven't tested and run much more yet, but I wouldn't be supraised if some of the save-to-disk crashes are related to this, meaning to lack of permission. Have no idea if that CompatibilityMode setting do anything at all.

I also changed the so called smart pause setting and did NOT see any change of that annoying pause-on-hit feature. Perhaps the game.ini file has to be moved to the user directory after all, instead of requiring permission change of the program directory? If I get the time and will power to look into this I will post another post here.

Yeah, this game is good looking when it comes to details in the tactical battle field. Actually, I think some details looks very good.

Mmm, auto-update? Have missed that. Where is it?

Thanks for the tips on the mods. I may look into those later, when I player the unmodded game more.

Is there any meeting engagements in this game? This far, I have only seen assault vs. defense. Pretty cool for sure, but it is nice with variety.

[jcmil]

Just wondering if AV is blocking the writes - some AV really doesn't like the eLicense & game exe's need to be given specific permissions.

I recall that the auto-update on Kursk had to be updated before you could patch at a certain point. Cannot recall on Africa

I see that on the BFC patches page it lists 130 for vanilla & 136 if you have Centauro.

There is a thread about the smart-pause switch here.

I did have one memorable battle which was kind of a meeting engagement. I was advancing, they were advancing, but to their rear they were also entrenched. So the offensive/defensive battle was also there.

Mod-wise - it seems most players, myself included, see these as essential. They make a big difference.

Good game, every replay battle is different in some small way & the old RTS style of 'ah now I know what they are going to do so I'll just restart the level ' doesn't work so well in ToW.