HPS Games: Looking for Recommendations

[Lützow]

I don't like the visuals either, mainly due to the small and less informative counters. But it's also their policy I disagree with: using same engine for like 15 years, no forum on their website, no download ability for games ... There would be much room for improvement.

[E]

ORIGINAL: Lützow

I don't like the visuals either, mainly due to the small and less informative counters.

Yes, having to look at the unit info in the windows that default to the side of the screen takes some getting used. But all the info is there... just not on the counters. Alternatively, one can use the 3d counters in 3d mode, which have more information on the counters (and helps me get a handle on terrain).

ORIGINAL: Lützow
But it's also their policy I disagree with: using same engine for like 15 years,

Can't argue much with that. But it does allow them to update all their games to their latest standard(s). So that even the oldest games play like the newest games. But the flip side of that is it makes them feel justified for their prices never dropping for OLD titles. *sigh*

ORIGINAL: Lützow
no forum on their website,

I think they have informal forums at wargamer.com (I know there are dedicated forums elsewhere as well, but I think that's where I got an official answer to a problem a long time ago).

ORIGINAL: Lützow
no download ability for games

As a binge-buyer, I cannot disagree there! But the flip side is that if I have to wait, I might as well look around for better deals first. And I've saved a lot of money by buying their games elsewhere.

[eastwindrain]

As someone already said, playing against the AI ensures you will always win.
My name is Lowlander, I'm a PC and I think I'm so lucky having so many games to choose from.

[elcidce]

Everyone is neglecting to mention the Squad Battles Series which I have enjoyed. They also range from ww2 to Soviet Afghan War.

There is also an ancients, and civil war series to try.

[madgamer2]

I have my doubts that the tiller games were "Upgraded" in the usual sense. I had all the civil war & Napoleon game installed and all would run on my XP with patch's that were obtained from a site I found. There was actually only one of the civil war games that would not boot after being installed in XP till I found a patch.
I have installed the Tiller series games both civil war & Napoleon and to me there is no difference in the two versions. Perhaps someone can enlighten me to this "upgrade" you speak of I see no difference in the graphics, the same bad AI,(other than having all the games on one disk) I do not see any difference.
So if someone can tell me what the Upgrade was exactly I will feel a bit better.

Madgamer

[V22 Osprey]

ORIGINAL: madgamer

I have my doubts that the tiller games were "Upgraded" in the usual sense. I had all the civil war & Napoleon game installed and all would run on my XP with patch's that were obtained from a site I found. There was actually only one of the civil war games that would not boot after being installed in XP till I found a patch.
I have installed the Tiller series games both civil war & Napoleon and to me there is no difference in the two versions. Perhaps someone can enlighten me to this "upgrade" you speak of I see no difference in the graphics, the same bad AI,(other than having all the games on one disk) I do not see any difference.
So if someone can tell me what the Upgrade was exactly I will feel a bit better.

Madgamer

No, they upgrade functionality.For example, when Campaign 1776 released it didn't have the option of Battalion colors(used for you to help keep formations together).But it was released in a later title Battalion clor option was released and was then added to Campaign 1776.Basicly, if there is a bug in the engine, it will be fixed for all the titles, not the just the latest one.This is so all games are at the same status.

[madgamer2]

as can be the case I did not make myself clear. I am talking about the two prgrams sold by matrix consisting of his civil war and Napoleon game that were formally sold by Talonsoft.
There is no real difference between the talonsoft and Matrix versions.
As far as any of his HPS or other games such as 1776 game you are right. Its just that the poster I responded to mentioned that the matrix versions were Upgraded but only on the sense that they were on the same disk and could run on OS's they may not have been able to before.

Madgamer

[madgamer2]

The games are many in number and are in some ways very good games but on the web site they all have that same look about them. I would swear that they look the same as in the 70's which does not make them bad games just a bit dated. This is not a bad thing to many gamers. I have some older games I still play to.
It is not so much a case of good or bad but what an individual player is willing to except
as a minimum standard in games he buys. I am willing to spend $70 for a matrix game and not consider it to high a price if it is one that interests me. I know that the graphics and sound, and AI will be as good as the state of game design will allow.
I am not willing to pay $50 for games that do not meet what I consider minimum requirements. There are a couple of HPS games I am considering in spite of this but I have not yet decided to buy them.

In the end it comes down to personal choice and what we think is important in a particular companies games. The value of any game is in the hands of the buyer as it should be in a fair marketplace.

Madgamer