Computer Wargames
CO: Battles from the Bulge Videos Available
Matrix Games now has a couple of video tutorials on how to play Command Ops: Battles from the Bulge.
Battles from the Bulge Video Tutorial 1: Getting Started
Battles from the Bulge Video Tutorial 2: Assess, Plan, and Order
Command Ops: Battles from the Bulge — Now Available!
Command Ops: Battles from the Bulge from Matrix Games is now available. Command Ops: Battles from the Bulge is the latest incarnation of the older Airborne Assault series. Airborne Assault: Highway to the Reich was one of our favorite operational level wargames so we have high hopes for CO:BftB.
Panther Games brings us to the Winter of 1944 with Command Ops: Battles from the Bulge. Although the Battle of the Bulge is ground that has been visited by wargamers before, it has never been done with this level of fidelity and historical accuracy. The most advanced and realistic model of command decision-making implemented in a commercial wargame, combined with thorough historical research on the battlefields and forces involved in this campaign sets Command Ops apart from the competition.
There is now a demo available. Update 4.1.235 is now available.
[Updated: 23AUG10]
Apple iPad Review — A Gamer’s Perspective
With the release of the Apple iPad we thought we would break a bit from our usual gaming coverage to give a gamer’s eye review of the new tablet. We have had the iPad since Saturday (3APR10) and have been using it quite a bit. So we have had time to find most of its faults and enjoy its benefits.
We will not repeat what you can read in a hundred other iPad reviews by now. Suffice it to say the hardware is gorgeous, the display vibrant, the performance amazing, and the battery life really is 10 hours (if not more). The WiFi-only model is available now and the 3G model will be available at the end of April. But what does the iPad mean to you as a gamer? Well it has a number of applications (no pun intended), some obvious and some not so obvious.
Midway — Now Available
Naval warfare fans have an opportunity for a new look at a classic battle. HPS Simulations released its latest addition to its Naval Campaigns computer wargame series, Midway. While it is the fourth game in the series it is the first game to include air combat.
Midway features 36 scenarios ranging from small 10 minute actions covering a specific air attack to 12+ hour scenarios covering full fleet actions with dozens of ships and hundreds of aircraft. These scenarios include the entire battle of Midway as well as specific actions, such as attacks on individual carriers and recreations of each attacking wave of aircraft. There is also a “what if” scenario based on the Coral Sea action not having been fought a month earlier. But aside from Midway, the game also includes the historical carrier battles of the Eastern Solomons, Santa Cruz and the Philippine Sea, as well as a hypothetical IJN-USN confrontation at Pearl Harbor.
The Best Games Not Yet Published, 2010
Another new year, another new set of games and miniatures to lust after! It is time for our annual look at the games and miniatures we are most anxiously awaiting in 2010. Our 2009 prognostications did pretty well so here we go again. As always, there is no guarantee any of these titles will be published in 2010, nor that they will be any good if they are, but we are optimistic.
Read the rest of this entry »
War in the Pacific – Admiral’s Edition — Released
Matrix Games quietly released the War in the Pacific – Admiral’s Edition computer wargame. This is a sequel to the original War in the Pacific with numerous improvements.
Matrix Games, 2by3 Games (www.2by3games.com) and Henderson Field Designs are thrilled to announce that the highly anticipated sequel to the legendary wargame War in the Pacific is now available! Many additional man-years of development from a dedicated and experienced team including subject matter experts and experienced programmers has resulted in an improved War in the Pacific experience across the board. This is the entire War in the Pacific down to individual aircraft, vehicles, ships, guns and squads – more than just a game, it’s an encyclopedia of the war compiled from many sources to an unmatched level of detail. Add in a much improved AI and more secure PBEM play and you have the makings of a new classic!
Theatre of War 2 — Review
Armchair General magazine has a nice review of Battlefront’s Theatre of War 2: Africa 1943. TOW2 is a WW2 tactical computer wargame.
Overall, Theatre of War 2 is just the sort of game tread-heads have been waiting for. Historically accurate and lovingly detailed, the easy-to-use interface is great for intermediate and advanced wargamers. Newer players may be put off by the brutal combat environment, but they will be rewarded by sticking with it. While the limited number of scenarios is disappointing, future expansions will hopefully fill the gaps. So if the sound of tanks on the move warms your heart, sign up for Theatre of War 2. The panzers await your command.
The Best Games Not Yet Published, 2009
With the New Year upon us it is time, once again, for our annual look at the games we are most anxiously awaiting in 2009. Our 2008 prognostications did pretty well so we thought we would keep the tradition going. As always, there is no guarantee any of these titles will be published in 2009, nor that they will be any good if they are, but we are optimistic. Read the rest of this entry »
Jutland — Released
Storm Eagle Studios released its long awaited computer naval wargame Jutland. Jutland is based on their Distant Guns engine. The game comes in two versions: standard and pro. Pro provides a scenario editor. There is a demo available for download and there is also an online tutorial.
Storm Eagle Studios is proud to present the sequel to it’s 2006 Wargame of The Year Distant Guns!
JUTLAND covers the 1916 Noth Sea Naval actions between Germany, England, and France.
Featuring an astounding 900+ historically accurate, highly detailed 3D ship models, Jutland delivers the most realistic, True Physics Ballistics ever released in a commercial wargame.
JUTLAND features as easily accessable user interface that allows the novice game to quickly dive into the game. For the seasoned vertern, it also provides access to advanced features and detail that will satisfy the most demanding Admiral of the Fleet!
Combat Mission: Shock Force – Britsh Forces Announced
Battlefront announced a new upcoming expansion for Combat Mission: Shock Force.
Battlefront.com is thrilled to announce Combat Mission Shock Force – BRITISH FORCES. British Forces is the next Module in Battlefront.com’s Combat Mission Shock Force series of modern warfare tactical simulations.
Britain fields one of the most powerful armed forces in the world today, which Combat Mission fans will soon experience for themselves. The full range of British weaponry is brought to life with the same amazing level of detail found in the previous Combat Mission titles.
Everything from the new version of the L85A2 rifle to the Challenger 2 with all the latest upgrades is included in order to give a full accounting of the capabilities of the modern British Army. Play with them on their own or as part of multi-national joint task forces using any of Shock Forces’ other units. As with the MARINES Module, all new scenarios and a campaign are included for exciting play right out of the box, before digging in and using the powerful editor or sharing scenarios with other Shock Force gamers. New voices (multiple accents), sound effects, and game features round out the game experience. Oh, and of course some great surprises which will be revealed as the release date nears!
The View from the Turret 
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