December 24, 200916 yr Downloaded the demo and took a short look at it. It doesn't feel (or look) like an automatic fit. Think it will take some time to getting to understand how it all works and then how it will play. No doubt a lot different from the wargames I usually play (Combat Mission series by Battlefront). Haven't looked if there is a manual attached to the demo yet, so I don't yet know if I have to find out for myself how to command, steer, attack etc. or that there is additional info in the demo. But in the coming days I must be able to find some time to figure it out ! BTW, is the big difference between Harpoon CE and Harpoon 3 ASW the fact that the former looks a bit better, is probably easier to learn, but is only singleplay (against AI) ? Is there a difference in quality of the AI ? For which are more scenario's around ?
December 25, 200916 yr Downloaded the demo and took a short look at it. It doesn't feel (or look) like an automatic fit. Think it will take some time to getting to understand how it all works and then how it will play. No doubt a lot different from the wargames I usually play (Combat Mission series by Battlefront). Haven't looked if there is a manual attached to the demo yet, so I don't yet know if I have to find out for myself how to command, steer, attack etc. or that there is additional info in the demo. But in the coming days I must be able to find some time to figure it out ! BTW, is the big difference between Harpoon CE and Harpoon 3 ASW the fact that the former looks a bit better, is probably easier to learn, but is only singleplay (against AI) ? Is there a difference in quality of the AI ? For which are more scenario's around ? Thanks for taking a look at the demo. There is the full game PDF manual with the demo. Some of the files at http://harpgamer.com/harpforum/index.php?a...&showcat=12 will also be of use (keyboard command cards, WestPac 1.0 orders file (a good first scenario)). I've also attached a quickstart guide that may be pertinent. The big differences between the games go beyond what you list. A general consensus would be that H3 models small engagements better and HC handles larger engagements better. They are very different games in so many ways that trying to demos to see if you need to buy both, one, or none is imho the best route. The AI sucks in both games but good scenario design also makes up for that in both games. I'll hazzard a guess that H3 has more scenarios but both games have many hundreds of scenarios and only a handful of people have played all of the scenarios for either game (and one Herman Hum who has played every scenario for both games that he can get his hands on). HCEQuickStart.pdf
December 27, 200916 yr Author Thanks for your reply ! Tried the tutorial and it seems easier then expected. Far from developing/thinking out a strategy though !
January 4, 201016 yr Author OK, I finished the "walk thru" scenario and got a draw because neither of the two parties got their victory goals (couldn't find and sink a submarine). Based on this vast experience , I wpuld say the most difficult thing might be to find your opponent. The game itsself plays a lot easier then I anticipated !
January 4, 201016 yr The game itsself plays a lot easier then I anticipated ! That's why they say HCE is easy to learn, but difficult to master. I'm sure you will have lots of fun in the process.
January 7, 201016 yr OK, I finished the "walk thru" scenario and got a draw because neither of the two parties got their victory goals (couldn't find and sink a submarine). Based on this vast experience , I wpuld say the most difficult thing might be to find your opponent. The game itsself plays a lot easier then I anticipated ! If we're talking about the same scenario: In that scenario, you probably wouldn't really use your forces the way you are instructed. You get a couple of Intruders. But the Intruder has your only airborne radar, so it should be used primarily as a detector! And it can carry spare fuel, so its secondary mission should be as a tanker! And only use it as a bomber when strictly necessary. So if you do what I just suggested, you should have no difficulty finding (and sinking) the surface targets. Finding the sub is another matter. It seems to be that finding subs AT ALL in HCE is a problem, because sonars are pretty poor, except in the most modern units. It turns out in this scenario that some of your ships have been set to crisscross (again and again) the area through which the sub is set to pass. Perhaps it's a noisy sub? But you have to keep your own speed down, and then you still need to get fairly lucky. More on detection: Probably you could say that this is the key to modern air/naval combat. First of all, you have to locate your enemy (any you want him to NOT locate you). You really need to devote a lot of resources to this. In some scenarios, you aren't given proper detection assets. I tend to not play those scenarios ...
January 7, 201016 yr It seems to be that finding subs AT ALL in HCE is a problem ... It would be more accurate to say that finding submarines is a problem, period.
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