https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/ Wed, 13 May 2026 09:45:28 +0000 MyBB https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=77268 Mon, 16 Feb 2026 19:15:42 +0000 Welk-France]]> https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=77268 ]]> ]]> https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=77192 Wed, 03 Dec 2025 01:20:51 +0000 ThinkByteStudio]]> https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=77192
Hi everyone! I wanted to share two major updates on the development of The Glorious Cause, our upcoming American Revolution strategy/wargame that blends large-scale strategic planning with detailed hex-based tactical combat.

[b]1. Major Project Milestone – Meeting With Slitherine[/b]
We’re excited to announce that we have scheduled an upcoming meeting with the publishing leadership at Slitherine to discuss [b]The Glorious Cause[/b] and the long-term scope of the project. This is a huge step forward and an opportunity that could shape the future of the game’s development and release trajectory.
During the meeting, we’ll be presenting the full concept of our three-stage plan:
[b]• Phase I –[/b] [b]The Glorious Cause: The Battle of Trenton[/b]
A complete standalone tactical scenario covering Washington’s attack on Rall’s Hessian garrison.
[b]• Phase II –[/b] [b]The Battle of Trenton & Princeton[/b]
A strategic-tactical hybrid campaign, allowing players to reshape Washington’s 1776–1777 winter operations-maneuvering, cutting supply lines, or forcing Howe to fight under American terms.
[b]• Phase III –[/b] [b]The Glorious Cause[/b] [b](Full War Game)[/b]
A combined Strategic + Tactical experience covering the entire American Revolution, planned to align with upcoming 250th-anniversary commemorations.
We believe there is a major opportunity here: despite the historical importance of the Revolution, very few modern strategy games have tackled it. Our goal is to deliver the most historically grounded, deeply strategic American Revolution wargame to date.
We’ll share a follow-up update for the community after the meeting.

[b]2. Prototype Release – Version 0.1.0 Now Playable[/b]
Our [b]first playable prototype build[/b], Version 0.1.0—is now available.
This is [b]not[/b] the final build that will be shown to Slitherine, but it is the earliest working version of the tactical engine that will power the project. In this build, you can:
Command all of Washington’s brigades
Lead the Continental attack against Trenton.
Engage two outlying Hessian outposts
Overwhelm them quickly to delay alerting the town’s Hessian regiments.
Choose your attack method
Decide between volley fire or direct charges to break Hessian lines.
Manage speed and timing
If the Hessians in Trenton are alerted too early, the battle becomes significantly harder—and casualties increase quickly.
This first build uses an extremely rough placeholder GUI, but everything needed to play the scenario is functional: movement, volleys, charges, basic AI, and victory conditions.

A [b]much newer build[/b] will be released in the coming days featuring:

• The newly designed Tactical Screen GUI
  
• Improvements to the Hessian alert system
  
• Better AI logic
  
• Additional bug fixes
  

And over the next 1–2 weeks, we’ll be releasing rapid updates adding:

• Historically accurate troop numbers & statistics
  
• A refined Rally system
  
• Detached companies for flanking and rapid action
  
• Marching, firing, volley, and casualty animations
  
• Retreat & rout mechanics
  
• Terrain-based defensive modifiers
  
• Expanded AI behaviors
  
• Many additional tactical and historical refinements
  

This is the foundation of something much bigger, and we would love feedback from the community.
We dont want to violate any rules and directly link to the Patreon but if you go to Patreon and Search For -> The Glorious Cause - it will pop up.]]>
Hi everyone! I wanted to share two major updates on the development of The Glorious Cause, our upcoming American Revolution strategy/wargame that blends large-scale strategic planning with detailed hex-based tactical combat.

[b]1. Major Project Milestone – Meeting With Slitherine[/b]
We’re excited to announce that we have scheduled an upcoming meeting with the publishing leadership at Slitherine to discuss [b]The Glorious Cause[/b] and the long-term scope of the project. This is a huge step forward and an opportunity that could shape the future of the game’s development and release trajectory.
During the meeting, we’ll be presenting the full concept of our three-stage plan:
[b]• Phase I –[/b] [b]The Glorious Cause: The Battle of Trenton[/b]
A complete standalone tactical scenario covering Washington’s attack on Rall’s Hessian garrison.
[b]• Phase II –[/b] [b]The Battle of Trenton & Princeton[/b]
A strategic-tactical hybrid campaign, allowing players to reshape Washington’s 1776–1777 winter operations-maneuvering, cutting supply lines, or forcing Howe to fight under American terms.
[b]• Phase III –[/b] [b]The Glorious Cause[/b] [b](Full War Game)[/b]
A combined Strategic + Tactical experience covering the entire American Revolution, planned to align with upcoming 250th-anniversary commemorations.
We believe there is a major opportunity here: despite the historical importance of the Revolution, very few modern strategy games have tackled it. Our goal is to deliver the most historically grounded, deeply strategic American Revolution wargame to date.
We’ll share a follow-up update for the community after the meeting.

[b]2. Prototype Release – Version 0.1.0 Now Playable[/b]
Our [b]first playable prototype build[/b], Version 0.1.0—is now available.
This is [b]not[/b] the final build that will be shown to Slitherine, but it is the earliest working version of the tactical engine that will power the project. In this build, you can:
Command all of Washington’s brigades
Lead the Continental attack against Trenton.
Engage two outlying Hessian outposts
Overwhelm them quickly to delay alerting the town’s Hessian regiments.
Choose your attack method
Decide between volley fire or direct charges to break Hessian lines.
Manage speed and timing
If the Hessians in Trenton are alerted too early, the battle becomes significantly harder—and casualties increase quickly.
This first build uses an extremely rough placeholder GUI, but everything needed to play the scenario is functional: movement, volleys, charges, basic AI, and victory conditions.

A [b]much newer build[/b] will be released in the coming days featuring:

• The newly designed Tactical Screen GUI
  
• Improvements to the Hessian alert system
  
• Better AI logic
  
• Additional bug fixes
  

And over the next 1–2 weeks, we’ll be releasing rapid updates adding:

• Historically accurate troop numbers & statistics
  
• A refined Rally system
  
• Detached companies for flanking and rapid action
  
• Marching, firing, volley, and casualty animations
  
• Retreat & rout mechanics
  
• Terrain-based defensive modifiers
  
• Expanded AI behaviors
  
• Many additional tactical and historical refinements
  

This is the foundation of something much bigger, and we would love feedback from the community.
We dont want to violate any rules and directly link to the Patreon but if you go to Patreon and Search For -> The Glorious Cause - it will pop up.]]> https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=77134 Thu, 02 Oct 2025 10:01:58 +0000 Dreamslayer_spb]]> https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=77134
https://www.matrixgames.com/game/war-in-spain-1936-39
https://forums.matrixgames.com/viewforum.php?f=12043


The introduction the game in the Home of Wargamers 2025 video:
https://www.youtube.com/live/aX_NRBVb07c...CSi&t=1167]]>
https://www.matrixgames.com/game/war-in-spain-1936-39
https://forums.matrixgames.com/viewforum.php?f=12043


The introduction the game in the Home of Wargamers 2025 video:
https://www.youtube.com/live/aX_NRBVb07c...CSi&t=1167]]> https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=76564 Sat, 20 Jul 2024 19:37:08 +0000 cal755]]> https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=76564 https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=76426 Wed, 27 Mar 2024 03:31:19 +0000 Scaz]]> https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=76426

Just a heads up for those who had them.]]>

Just a heads up for those who had them.]]> https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=76415 Wed, 13 Mar 2024 17:05:20 +0000 todk]]> https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=76415 https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=76298 Fri, 08 Dec 2023 18:37:21 +0000 Jim]]> https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=76298
Did I just DREAM it? lol Anyone know of such an animal?]]>
Did I just DREAM it? lol Anyone know of such an animal?]]> https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=76294 Wed, 06 Dec 2023 03:51:48 +0000 Scaz]]> https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=76294
https://www.gog.com/en/game/wargame_cons..._campaigns

I'm a big fan of this game so its good news to me.

Just wanted to give a heads up.]]>
https://www.gog.com/en/game/wargame_cons..._campaigns

I'm a big fan of this game so its good news to me.

Just wanted to give a heads up.]]> https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=76174 Sat, 29 Jul 2023 07:39:58 +0000 Sean]]> https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=76174 It allows changing of colour/bloom/depth of field/fisheye view/chromatic aberration and similar fun graphical treats.
In the WDS/JTS games howver Reshade does not work.
Reshade needs Direct X 9/10/11 or OpenGL games to work basically (all the new games since 2000 in general).
I wanted something that does similar for the graphics used in WDS games.
I have found it.

It is called ShaderGlass ,see

https://mausimus.itch.io/shaderglass

You can make the glass go full screen using CTRL SHIFT G at same time.
(when in full screen if you alt tab to your Shader Glass window you can press "m" for menu and then make adjustments on the fly -note that your game is visible thru the glass so you can see changes instantly , then press m again to close menu tab ,and then alt tab to game again.Sounds more complicated than it is.)

I suggest using the little window until you find a shader you like.

There is a menu at top of window screen.
Pick Shader pick NONE for starters.
Input PIXEL SIZE pick  x1.
Output SCALE pick 100%.
Output FRAME SKIP pick none (default is/2 ,I think none is better, no expert but in FPS game this seems to be smoother)

You can save the basic options ,choose save and then maybe create a folder in Documents(anywhere really) and call it BASIC ,then load that when you start the app. Makes it easier. Then as you make some variations you like ,save them with a catchy name ,like Cartoon1 or Blur 1 ,etc.

This app works pretty good for FPS games as well.
Note though that game must be in a WINDOW or more importantly ,for an FPS game for example in BORDERLESS WINDOW. Else the app does not work on TRUE FULLSCREEN.

Then just experiment to see if you like any of the SHADERS ,I would suggest look in this SHADER TAB for your first changes.
Not sure if 2 shaders can be operative at once.
Only played with it for 10 minutes.
When the app is operating a yellow border is shown on edges of windows screen ,even when GLASS is in small window. This is ,I assume to remind user that app is operative.
Thought other users of the WDS games might be interested.
Have not tried JTS Campaign Series yet.
It would probably work there too.
In case you want to turn it off ,assuming it is full screen then ALT F4 should exit the app.
((There is a more enhanced version of the app available on GitHub ,but I dont even know how to start it ,I am sure developer types might have more fun with that version maybe.)) I am sticking with the version I linked. Good enough for me.

Worth a look.


EDIT-
my 4th post gives some shaders I have tweaked for WDS games.
Maybe give it a whirl.]]> It allows changing of colour/bloom/depth of field/fisheye view/chromatic aberration and similar fun graphical treats.
In the WDS/JTS games howver Reshade does not work.
Reshade needs Direct X 9/10/11 or OpenGL games to work basically (all the new games since 2000 in general).
I wanted something that does similar for the graphics used in WDS games.
I have found it.

It is called ShaderGlass ,see

https://mausimus.itch.io/shaderglass

You can make the glass go full screen using CTRL SHIFT G at same time.
(when in full screen if you alt tab to your Shader Glass window you can press "m" for menu and then make adjustments on the fly -note that your game is visible thru the glass so you can see changes instantly , then press m again to close menu tab ,and then alt tab to game again.Sounds more complicated than it is.)

I suggest using the little window until you find a shader you like.

There is a menu at top of window screen.
Pick Shader pick NONE for starters.
Input PIXEL SIZE pick  x1.
Output SCALE pick 100%.
Output FRAME SKIP pick none (default is/2 ,I think none is better, no expert but in FPS game this seems to be smoother)

You can save the basic options ,choose save and then maybe create a folder in Documents(anywhere really) and call it BASIC ,then load that when you start the app. Makes it easier. Then as you make some variations you like ,save them with a catchy name ,like Cartoon1 or Blur 1 ,etc.

This app works pretty good for FPS games as well.
Note though that game must be in a WINDOW or more importantly ,for an FPS game for example in BORDERLESS WINDOW. Else the app does not work on TRUE FULLSCREEN.

Then just experiment to see if you like any of the SHADERS ,I would suggest look in this SHADER TAB for your first changes.
Not sure if 2 shaders can be operative at once.
Only played with it for 10 minutes.
When the app is operating a yellow border is shown on edges of windows screen ,even when GLASS is in small window. This is ,I assume to remind user that app is operative.
Thought other users of the WDS games might be interested.
Have not tried JTS Campaign Series yet.
It would probably work there too.
In case you want to turn it off ,assuming it is full screen then ALT F4 should exit the app.
((There is a more enhanced version of the app available on GitHub ,but I dont even know how to start it ,I am sure developer types might have more fun with that version maybe.)) I am sticking with the version I linked. Good enough for me.

Worth a look.


EDIT-
my 4th post gives some shaders I have tweaked for WDS games.
Maybe give it a whirl.]]> https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=76121 Thu, 29 Jun 2023 14:30:56 +0000 cal755]]> https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=76121 https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=76011 Sun, 02 Apr 2023 08:09:58 +0000 Sean]]> https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=76011
Klotzen Panzer Battles.

The game is here,

https://store.steampowered.com/app/80486...r_Battles/

My mod uses JGSME ,Jones Generic Mod Enabler.

My mod is here,

https://www.mediafire.com/file/j61w6sp9m...D.zip/file

edit , 2nd part which is Infantry NATO component-

https://www.mediafire.com/file/6ariqx9yl...T.zip/file






There is a thread here,

https://steamcommunity.com/app/804860/di...457635439/]]>
Klotzen Panzer Battles.

The game is here,

https://store.steampowered.com/app/80486...r_Battles/

My mod uses JGSME ,Jones Generic Mod Enabler.

My mod is here,

https://www.mediafire.com/file/j61w6sp9m...D.zip/file

edit , 2nd part which is Infantry NATO component-

https://www.mediafire.com/file/6ariqx9yl...T.zip/file






There is a thread here,

https://steamcommunity.com/app/804860/di...457635439/]]> https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=75995 Sun, 19 Mar 2023 06:57:46 +0000 Sean]]> https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=75995 It keep coming up when i moved to bottom of screen.
I have it in hide mode ,where it only pops up when you hover down bottom of screen.

I found a Steam App that seems to solve this problem.

It makes Windowed games ,what it calls Borderless Fullscreen.

I bought it to play TOAW4 ,the operational art of war 4,since this taskbar issue was very frustrating.

But I sorta got same problem with my Squad Battles games as well, and just sorta lived with it.

I just tested the app works for at least 2 Squad Battles games I tried it on,
Dien Bien Phu and AOTR.
I assume it works on them all.

The app is on Steam ,it is pretty cheap ,maybe check it out and buy it.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/38808...ss_Gaming/


It is a bit hard to show in screenshot ,but there is a before and after screenie.
In the 2nd screenie I need to alt tab to access desktop ,and the task bar is nowhere to be seen or touched in the fullscreen game.

]]> It keep coming up when i moved to bottom of screen.
I have it in hide mode ,where it only pops up when you hover down bottom of screen.

I found a Steam App that seems to solve this problem.

It makes Windowed games ,what it calls Borderless Fullscreen.

I bought it to play TOAW4 ,the operational art of war 4,since this taskbar issue was very frustrating.

But I sorta got same problem with my Squad Battles games as well, and just sorta lived with it.

I just tested the app works for at least 2 Squad Battles games I tried it on,
Dien Bien Phu and AOTR.
I assume it works on them all.

The app is on Steam ,it is pretty cheap ,maybe check it out and buy it.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/38808...ss_Gaming/


It is a bit hard to show in screenshot ,but there is a before and after screenie.
In the 2nd screenie I need to alt tab to access desktop ,and the task bar is nowhere to be seen or touched in the fullscreen game.

]]> https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=75622 Fri, 24 Jun 2022 12:32:52 +0000 r6751]]> https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=75622
I have written a set of rules for a game depicting the Atlantic Campaign in WW2.

Using a standard deck of playing cards.  For 1-4 players, as submarine captains.

The attached file is an Apache, Open Office .doc file. If you can open an MS Word file, you can open this one.

Enjoy

  subdeck.doc (Size: 48 KB / Downloads: 3) ]]>
I have written a set of rules for a game depicting the Atlantic Campaign in WW2.

Using a standard deck of playing cards.  For 1-4 players, as submarine captains.

The attached file is an Apache, Open Office .doc file. If you can open an MS Word file, you can open this one.

Enjoy

  subdeck.doc (Size: 48 KB / Downloads: 3) ]]> https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=75541 Mon, 16 May 2022 14:37:51 +0000 DogWon]]> https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=75541
This battle happens to be the opener/point in time Unity of Command #1 jumps in with its campaign where you can choose to be either the Allies or Axis. The mission description/blurb got me interested so I went and researched it on the net. Holy cheese on a pogo stick, talk about disaster! I've not read or heard about such a lop sided massacre before. Sure, maybe between an army that has guns vs an army that has spears (Battle of Blood River etc), but this.... this was nuts. Twenty thousand or so casualties on the German side and almost a third of a million dead on the Russian side. 

From what little I've read it appears that Stalin screwed the pooch big time here (or at least his generals blamed him). Completely underestimated the German strength, left flanks glaringly unprotected and not nearly enough reserves in place for oopsies. 

What is your take on this battle? Is this holy and solely Stalin's fault, or are there alternative sources out that there reveal more?

While we're at it, does anyone know if any war film (documentary or normal) ever depicted this battle?

EDIT: Oops, this should have gone under 'Historical Discussion'. Apologies moderators, if you could move the thread that would be great.]]>
This battle happens to be the opener/point in time Unity of Command #1 jumps in with its campaign where you can choose to be either the Allies or Axis. The mission description/blurb got me interested so I went and researched it on the net. Holy cheese on a pogo stick, talk about disaster! I've not read or heard about such a lop sided massacre before. Sure, maybe between an army that has guns vs an army that has spears (Battle of Blood River etc), but this.... this was nuts. Twenty thousand or so casualties on the German side and almost a third of a million dead on the Russian side. 

From what little I've read it appears that Stalin screwed the pooch big time here (or at least his generals blamed him). Completely underestimated the German strength, left flanks glaringly unprotected and not nearly enough reserves in place for oopsies. 

What is your take on this battle? Is this holy and solely Stalin's fault, or are there alternative sources out that there reveal more?

While we're at it, does anyone know if any war film (documentary or normal) ever depicted this battle?

EDIT: Oops, this should have gone under 'Historical Discussion'. Apologies moderators, if you could move the thread that would be great.]]> https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=75540 Mon, 16 May 2022 14:21:22 +0000 DogWon]]> https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=75540
I think my fascination dates back to the  80's as a little tyke who found one of the old boxed games that the previous tenants left behind. I pulled out all the contents, wondering what on Earth I was looking at; specifically the hundreds of tokens representing each unit (many were still connected to the cardboard and had to be broken off - the previous tenants brains obviously malfunctioned upon seeing the complexity of the game and abandoned it). Well at the age of 8 I wasn't exactly going to be doing much more than them, but still, I wanted to know what it was. The manuals seemed really interesting, and forcing my mother to try explain it to me most likely resulted in me falling asleep from boredom (what a great bed time story!). 

Fast forward 30 years + and here I am, sitting with a copy of a few different operational level games to choose from. Admittedly I went with the most aesthetically pleasing one; Unity of Command (and number 2 is out now as well) through Steam. I've got Gary Grigsby's War in the East 2 plus one other waiting for me, but I figured with Unity of Command eliminating a fat bit of the learning curve by having actual graphics represent each unit that it would be a good place to start; heck, possibly even easy by comparison to the more hardcore grognard friendly games. Well, I was right about the aesthetics assisting with the learning curve, but I was dead wrong about the difficulty. 

After putting some time in (and mostly failing but improving with each attempt) I went back to the reviews (and homepage) and discovered that the game may look great compared to some of the other operational level games out there, but it is just as challenging so there's no need to play this game in a shady corner where none of your grognard friends can point and laugh.

When the day comes I'm ready to move on, it'll most likely be Unity of Command #2 then as the game is getting its praises sung even more-so than its predecessor. Seriously, for anyone interested in getting into operational level games, this is a great introduction simply because it will allow you to get used to how they generally work, still be an insane challenge with the bonus of being able to mostly easily recognise everything being shown. 

You might be wondering how the game accomplished this with a paltry 24 page rule book (well technically 48 pages) versus say Gary Grigsby's 500 page+ manual?  Well okay, GG's represent the extreme in control and complexity for opertional level games, but still? What does have GG have that UoC doesn't?

After diving into the manual and the game (not to really play, just to see), from what I can tell, yeah, it's control and complexity. GG's campaigns/scenarios offer almost unparalleled freedom and realism. What UoC does is shed most of the fat in favour of a functional, easy to understand and yet complex under-the-hood game. Some of those features you may end up missing (if you're a Gary Grigsby fan or fan of similar, highly complex war games) but the core of UoC provides everything you need to really feel like a general making decisions that matter. 

Hell, I was able to do some historical research and duplicate the tactics used by the Germans in one of the scenarios; that's crazy levels of historical accuracy and scenario design. 

Anyways, enough gushing from my end. No doubt the majority of the player-base on Blitz after reading this are saying to themselves 'yeah dude, this is old news and I'm probably old enough to be your great grandfather.'. Well okay, fair enough; but for those, like me, who've never tried out an operational level war game before, want to, but are a bit intimidated by manuals that are heavy enough to kill someone with a single blow, then do yourself a favour and grab a copy of Unity of Command. Then when you're done, grab #2. You will not be disappointed by the game, I can almost guarantee that. At the end of the day you may find that operational level games are just not for you (fair enough), but it won't be because the game itself sucked, just that it doesn't match your taste/interest.

Here is a screenshot showing you why this game and its sequel are considered the best gateway games into operational level war games.






For those who don't like Steam, you can ignore my previously shared link and head over to Matrix games instead.

EDIT: Okay never mind, Matrix has discontinued its sales. I imagine (really hope so for those who use Matrix as their shop of choice) that they at least still have the download available for those who have already purchased it from Matrix Games.]]>
I think my fascination dates back to the  80's as a little tyke who found one of the old boxed games that the previous tenants left behind. I pulled out all the contents, wondering what on Earth I was looking at; specifically the hundreds of tokens representing each unit (many were still connected to the cardboard and had to be broken off - the previous tenants brains obviously malfunctioned upon seeing the complexity of the game and abandoned it). Well at the age of 8 I wasn't exactly going to be doing much more than them, but still, I wanted to know what it was. The manuals seemed really interesting, and forcing my mother to try explain it to me most likely resulted in me falling asleep from boredom (what a great bed time story!). 

Fast forward 30 years + and here I am, sitting with a copy of a few different operational level games to choose from. Admittedly I went with the most aesthetically pleasing one; Unity of Command (and number 2 is out now as well) through Steam. I've got Gary Grigsby's War in the East 2 plus one other waiting for me, but I figured with Unity of Command eliminating a fat bit of the learning curve by having actual graphics represent each unit that it would be a good place to start; heck, possibly even easy by comparison to the more hardcore grognard friendly games. Well, I was right about the aesthetics assisting with the learning curve, but I was dead wrong about the difficulty. 

After putting some time in (and mostly failing but improving with each attempt) I went back to the reviews (and homepage) and discovered that the game may look great compared to some of the other operational level games out there, but it is just as challenging so there's no need to play this game in a shady corner where none of your grognard friends can point and laugh.

When the day comes I'm ready to move on, it'll most likely be Unity of Command #2 then as the game is getting its praises sung even more-so than its predecessor. Seriously, for anyone interested in getting into operational level games, this is a great introduction simply because it will allow you to get used to how they generally work, still be an insane challenge with the bonus of being able to mostly easily recognise everything being shown. 

You might be wondering how the game accomplished this with a paltry 24 page rule book (well technically 48 pages) versus say Gary Grigsby's 500 page+ manual?  Well okay, GG's represent the extreme in control and complexity for opertional level games, but still? What does have GG have that UoC doesn't?

After diving into the manual and the game (not to really play, just to see), from what I can tell, yeah, it's control and complexity. GG's campaigns/scenarios offer almost unparalleled freedom and realism. What UoC does is shed most of the fat in favour of a functional, easy to understand and yet complex under-the-hood game. Some of those features you may end up missing (if you're a Gary Grigsby fan or fan of similar, highly complex war games) but the core of UoC provides everything you need to really feel like a general making decisions that matter. 

Hell, I was able to do some historical research and duplicate the tactics used by the Germans in one of the scenarios; that's crazy levels of historical accuracy and scenario design. 

Anyways, enough gushing from my end. No doubt the majority of the player-base on Blitz after reading this are saying to themselves 'yeah dude, this is old news and I'm probably old enough to be your great grandfather.'. Well okay, fair enough; but for those, like me, who've never tried out an operational level war game before, want to, but are a bit intimidated by manuals that are heavy enough to kill someone with a single blow, then do yourself a favour and grab a copy of Unity of Command. Then when you're done, grab #2. You will not be disappointed by the game, I can almost guarantee that. At the end of the day you may find that operational level games are just not for you (fair enough), but it won't be because the game itself sucked, just that it doesn't match your taste/interest.

Here is a screenshot showing you why this game and its sequel are considered the best gateway games into operational level war games.






For those who don't like Steam, you can ignore my previously shared link and head over to Matrix games instead.

EDIT: Okay never mind, Matrix has discontinued its sales. I imagine (really hope so for those who use Matrix as their shop of choice) that they at least still have the download available for those who have already purchased it from Matrix Games.]]>