Wargame: AirLand Battle

[calapine]

Wargame: AirLand Battle



Info:
Successor of Wargame: European Escalation.
Produced by the French studio Eugen Systems (R.U.S.E.).
Released date 24th May (Beta access open now).
Steam Store page - Offical website


In the broadest sense an RTS, although (as the name applies) calling it a strategy wargame for people with a gronard-itch is much more descriptive. No base building, no healing units (aside of supply units refilling fuel, ammo, repairing thrown tracks and such things), units that are gone are gone, ... Similar to the Close Combat series, yet on a much larger scale. Shares the attention to detail (troop commanders are identified by name, troops have morale) but game-play seems more fast paced.

First impression is of a game that benefits greatly from the multi-player it supports. Battlesize is up to 20 people (10vs10, 2 sides). Playing a bit it seems huuge. Tons of units, large maps. I uploaded the overview of a map that's designatet as small for 2vs2:


Changes/improvements from the predecessor are on first glance: air-power (EE only had helicopters, no planes), less obtuse user interface, graphics very delicious.

I haven't played enough to give a valid review/assessment but definitely having hopes for it. 'Realistic' wargames are a somewhat rare genre, especially if they look good.


Anyone here who has this game on their radar or played EE before?


Further reading:
Rock Paper Shotgun writeup
RPG Codex thread

[Falconeer]

You copyright your screenshots?

[calapine]

You copyright your screenshots?

*blushes* Well, it's more a 'I made that myself!!!!11' sign than a legal 'distribute that and I sue you!' message.

[calapine]

Ha, already like the community. 

Someone in the main channel says something in French. Which prompts one guy to exlaim "no french, please". Three seconds later another person lets loose in Russian (cyrillic font too...). On it goes..."Qui parla italano" "aca habla espanol?" "Danksere?" etc etc... 

Oh..the game itself? Damn, it's hard... I played some skirmish games against the AI and promptly lost. On "medium AI" setting... Actually seems to be easier the more players there are, as the number of troops the individual person has to control goes down.

[kildorn]

The community IIRC is heavily euro centric, at least Wargame:EE's was.

Otherwise, it's a really fun game.

As for players: you set the points value to start (1000,2000,3000). This is then equally divided among the number of players on the team. So a 2 player 1000 point game gives both players 500 starting points. The AI cheats and gets the full 1000 per AI, but hey.

About half the game is managing to make a functional deck, the other half is deploying it properly and not throwing away expensive units and giving the other team points.

[Speedy Cerviche]

Reminds me of world in conflict but more strategic less tactical and more simulation less arcadeish. Gonna get this for sure but was waiting for beta to end since I refuse to pre-order games.

[calapine]

Hah...great. Add me if you play multiplayer (Tressa). If more join maybe we can get a group going? Kampfgruppe 13!

[kildorn]

Well I WAS going to add you, but.. you know.. GERMAN (well, CLOSE ENOUGH!)

I honestly play mostly skirmish so I don't feel bad about fucking around and air striking the shit out of bush to watch the explosions.

[Speedy Cerviche]

I see this was released...

Anyone playing it?

[calapine]

I see this was released...

Anyone playing it?

Not here yet unfortunatly. 31th May in Europe.

And yes, I am playing it quite vigorously. 80 hours according to steam. Stalking kildorn shows he is active too: at 28 hours played. Although if he is like me 70% of that is in menus building a deck.  


Video explaining the campaign, which is single-player and 1vs1. Co-op campaign got axed for the moment, I am praying to God/Stalin that it's going to be patched in.


Finally some self-promotion: I uploaded all maps for viewing and pre-battle planning: http://www.wargame-ee.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=91

[Speedy Cerviche]

I'm assuming you like it then.

[calapine]

Yes. It falls into the category of 'easy to learn, hard to master' and is very addictive. So perfect for a competitive RTS.

I am also positively surprised by the campaign. I had it marked as a 'play compstomps twice to learn the units and then forget single player exists' type of game but the campaign mode that got added today seems quite deep...definitely worth doing.

[calapine]

I might be talking to myself here, but good news everyone!

The co-op campaign, a major draw for me that got canceled for release is going to be patched in later!

[climbjtree]

I want to play this game with a teammate who doesn't mind me being terrible, and isn't a total butthole like the pubbies I've played with.

Who's down?

[Megrim]

I would love to join you guys, but I've got too much on my plate at the moment. Eventually, yes, since I picked up EE and have loved what little I've played of it.

[calapine]

I want to play this game with a teammate who doesn't mind me being terrible, and isn't a total butthole like the pubbies I've played with.

Who's down?

Just add me on Skype (Calapine) or ingame (Tressa).

[climbjtree]

Couldn't find you on Skype, but I added you in game.

[calapine]

I obviously meant to say Steam. 

Anyway, see you on the battlefield.

[Speedy Cerviche]

Does anyone still play this? 66% off on steam for 48 hours.

Still good?

[HaemishM]

Sumbitch. I just started getting into European Escalation! I may have to get this.

[calapine]

Does anyone still play this? 66% off on steam for 48 hours.

Still good?

Still good. I am currently feeling a bit burned out after playing this for (according to Steam) 519 hours. Free DLC 2 is about to hit in November though (more maps, new units, big balance patch) so that's when I am planning to be back. Definitely worth taking W:ALB over W:EE due a) more refined gameplay b) the entire community switched to ALB, so a lot easier to have games in multiplayer.

[Speedy Cerviche]

So the next iteration, Red Dragon, is now in multiplayer beta. 25% off + beta access with pre-order for people who own airland battle (for next 3 weeks).

Airland battle was alright, didnt end up play much multi, found it to be pretty rudimentary. No ranking system so it was impossible to find newbie matches, and if you joined 3v3 or 4v4 matches there was at least one early quitter each time, seemingly no accountability there and it's pretty game-ruining. Also seemed a bit too much micro management in some ways that vets could handle but was a bit overwhelming, like I gotta micro switching long range SAM radar on/off or they will be easily cherry picked by SEAD strikes? Or micro unloading infantry and then again clicking them into buildings?

SIngle player was ok to fool around with for a bit but the AI was pretty limited, predictable behaviour on attack and lacked adaptability.

Seems like RD is promising better multiplayer including rankings, I hope they can deliver for better matchmaking and holding quitters accountable.

[calapine]

Well, I haven't been following RD until about yesterday.

It seems Eugen bit off a bit too much with the naval aspect...anything involving ships is a big mess. Balance is a mess as well. I don't like the changes to deck building...(max 5 units of any type, unless you specialize.) It feels very restrictive and gimps infantry. Graphics got updated, so it's pretty. Beyond that I can report more in a week or.