Warplan - early review from a new player

[PzB74]

Hi all,

Been playing Warplan for last couple of months and also tested Warplan Pacific.
As a new player it's always super exciting to test new WW2 strategy games as I've been playing them since the hay days of SSI and Gary Grigsby in the 1980's starting with games like Warship and War in Russia.
Visited many games since and it's always a challenge to find the right complexity. Spent 3 years playing a single game War in the Pacific Admirals Edition

So I found Warplan to be a fine mix of high level abstraction and at the same time detailed enough to keep it fast and furious.
A big thanks to Nirosi for setting me up playing Axis in my first PBEM game. I truly love the first playthrough - still so many unknowns that ensure enough FUBARS to reflect reality.

I found it easy to get into the basics of land combat but struggled more with grasping how air and sea worked, so little surprise that Rommel never did go to North Africa....
The fact that Axis can produce 15+ panzer corps by May 1941 set them up to be really powerful.
The fact that 4 British bomber groups without escort can ignore 2 fighter groups and smash my subs docked in France made it impossible to really commit to BOA. #sub-pens

After playing War in the Pacific I'm used to more control than what we have in Warplan, but that's ok - and as I understand I can already look forward to Warplan II.

In my Small Fleet 1939 game against Nirosi Germany still had 95% manpower by Autumn 1942 while Russia approached 50% - a bit surprised by this.
At the same time I learned the hard way that even elite Panzer Corps under Manstein will shatter when ordered to stand or die (didn't mean it THAT literally )

When assaulting Nirosi's prepared defenses I easily bled my troops white - this was especially true when his retreat stopped at Moscow and head butting started.
The gambit seems to be able to keep pushing without getting locked in place.

Axis ability to drive deep on the entire Eastern Front also in 1942-3 seems a bit to strong and game balance could perhaps be reduced a bit. Maybe countered by forcing Allies to spend more time getting US into the war and invading North Africa / Sicily.
Also would like to see more action in North Africa - but since so few forces were involved historically it's hard to re-create this exciting theater when playing at Corps level.
Drive to the Qattara depression and dig in - cause there is no way to push further without supply - then wait for Allies to land in North Africa and get the heck out of dodge...

I like the trade system, and oil is a constant concern. Need to send 25 to Italy to keep her going which forces the 1942 offensive into Caucasus to drench the thirst.
Research is also fine and easy to understand, when you first have set a direction you need to live with it.
What I miss is a more elaborate diplomacy and event system - Strategic Command II - World at War and Cauldrons of War - Barbarossa have spoiled me a bit here and maybe something similar can be implemented for Warplan II?

All in all I really enjoy your great game Alvaro - thanks a million for putting all the effort into creating a superb wargaming experience!
Will continue to play the game and no doubt learn a lot more about the intricacies of it all.

Cheers

[AlvaroSousa]

Thanks for the review here. Eastern Front is always a work in progress for balance.

[ncc1701e]

Welcome to this great game. Eastern Front is better and better as far as I can tell. The problem is to do something where USSR is weak in 1941, not very good in 1942, strong in 1943 and strong in 1944 but with manpower problems.

And the problem is to not have USSR too strong too quickly.

But it is better clearly.

[canuckgamer]

War Plan is a great game with some nice features such as interception and supply interdiction making it more than a turn based game. My friend and I completed three 1939 campaign games the last two being the small fleet scenario. We have not yet played with accelerated activation of Soviet corps. Took us about 10 months in real time to complete the games.
Even with all the changes we both still think the game favours the Axis. In the games we played the Allies always invaded mainland Europe in 1943 to try and take the pressure off the Russians resulting in significant Allied losses. The Axis can actually go on the defensive after capturing "sufficient" victory points and win on points.
War Plan Pacific has the same VP issue. We played the 1941 campaign game which went to the last turn. The Japanese won on VPs even though they only held 2 cities in Japan at the end of the game. The rest of the map was Allied controlled.
In regards to your comment about u-boats being bombed, I am wondering if you placed 6 AA in the city where the u-boats were as that makes it pretty expensive for the Allies to bomb.
I am looking forward to War Plan 2.

[ncc1701e]

War Plan is a great game with some nice features such as interception and supply interdiction making it more than a turn based game. My friend and I completed three 1939 campaign games the last two being the small fleet scenario. We have not yet played with accelerated activation of Soviet corps. Took us about 10 months in real time to complete the games.
Even with all the changes we both still think the game favours the Axis. In the games we played the Allies always invaded mainland Europe in 1943 to try and take the pressure off the Russians resulting in significant Allied losses. The Axis can actually go on the defensive after capturing "sufficient" victory points and win on points.

The acceleration of the Soviet corps to small armies conversion is already a huge step forward. This plus the Soviet corps and armies going to Defense level 5 is really going to help.

[generalfdog]

Glad to see a another new player! hopefully play you at some point. Some of your critiques are things others have mentioned in the past, i think the next patch will help Ussr some, as long as something is done about Leningrad. Your sub complaint, idk what's happening there, fighters do intercept, and the boa is well worth the investment to keep the UK off your back, as is some in na, which can make that theater more interesting, build some landing craft and look for an opportunity in Syria. Happy gaming

[PzB74]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone

@Generalfdog / Alvaro - I noticed that Leningrad is out of supplies when the 1942 Small Fleet game starts - bug?
Always open for a challenge when you feel for it

@Canuckgamer - Regarding my subs; first I did not have enough defense around Bordeaux so brought in 6 AA and 2 Fighter units. Still Nirosi sent in 4 bomber units and sank one Sub unit, bottomed another and damaged a third. Seems like he invested in 4 UK bombers and this was enough to close down my ports in France.

With all ports garrisoned and UK Fleet in Med it's not tempting to sortie the Italian fleet - oil gusslers that are prone to sink.
Open for a Pacific Game one day if you want to show me what Japanese can do.

@ncc1701e - I notice that there is still much testing and adjustments to Soviet strength, is it so that a good Axis player always will subdue the Red Army?

[AlvaroSousa]

There is no 1942 small fleet scenario. Do you mean 1942 scenario? If so then yes. You need to supply them by air or break the siege.

[PzB74]

Ah ok thanks! AI doesn't do this of course and looked a bit silly.

There is no 1942 small fleet scenario. Do you mean 1942 scenario? If so then yes. You need to supply them by air or break the siege.

[stjeand]

Ah ok thanks! AI doesn't do this of course and looked a bit silly.

That is why I played to learn with the AI then players...

AI it just too easy even on Uber.
Susceptible to crazy things

[PzB74]

I use 1942 scenario to learn more about game - like that it IS possible to invade Baku from Caspian sea.

Not so sure about how realistic it is. In reality Leningrad starved while being supplied over Lake Ladoga - no need for air supplies. Not possible to simulate this I guess.

[ncc1701e]

@ncc1701e - I notice that there is still much testing and adjustments to Soviet strength, is it so that a good Axis player always will subdue the Red Army?

Yes, so far yes. BUT, it is improving. See, USSR can do it.

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March 1944.JPG (340.99 KiB) Viewed 497 times

[generalfdog]

War Plan is a great game with some nice features such as interception and supply interdiction making it more than a turn based game. My friend and I completed three 1939 campaign games the last two being the small fleet scenario. We have not yet played with accelerated activation of Soviet corps. Took us about 10 months in real time to complete the games.
Even with all the changes we both still think the game favours the Axis. In the games we played the Allies always invaded mainland Europe in 1943 to try and take the pressure off the Russians resulting in significant Allied losses. The Axis can actually go on the defensive after capturing "sufficient" victory points and win on points.

The acceleration of the Soviet corps to small armies conversion is already a huge step forward. This plus the Soviet corps and armies going to Defense level 5 is really going to help.

honestly i'm hoping it doesn't help to much i already find it difficult in 41/42 to achieve anywhere near historical axis expansion but it often seems to bog down in to a stalemate, which is why I was campaigning for forced soviet forward deployment, but increased late game Soviet production and manpower

[ncc1701e]

War Plan is a great game with some nice features such as interception and supply interdiction making it more than a turn based game. My friend and I completed three 1939 campaign games the last two being the small fleet scenario. We have not yet played with accelerated activation of Soviet corps. Took us about 10 months in real time to complete the games.
Even with all the changes we both still think the game favours the Axis. In the games we played the Allies always invaded mainland Europe in 1943 to try and take the pressure off the Russians resulting in significant Allied losses. The Axis can actually go on the defensive after capturing "sufficient" victory points and win on points.

The acceleration of the Soviet corps to small armies conversion is already a huge step forward. This plus the Soviet corps and armies going to Defense level 5 is really going to help.

honestly i'm hoping it doesn't help to much i already find it difficult in 41/42 to achieve anywhere near historical axis expansion but it often seems to bog down in to a stalemate, which is why I was campaigning for forced soviet forward deployment, but increased late game Soviet production and manpower

This is true that in 1942, a push towards the Caucasus will have hard time to even reach Stalingrad. But a strong Axis player can do it.

[mssm45]

This is a very interesting point: "The fact that Axis can produce 15+ panzer corps by May 1941 set them up to be really powerful."

Producing 15+ panzer corps should be allowed and it makes the game interesting.
If doing so, then the Axis should have less U-Boats in the Atlantic and fewer planes to fight against the Soviets.

Also such amount of panzers will create logistical issues.
Is there enough oil? And if yes, can this oil be transported to the frontline while these panzers are moving forward?

If the game models these 3 elements well, then it's a fantastic game.

[stjeand]

This is a very interesting point: "The fact that Axis can produce 15+ panzer corps by May 1941 set them up to be really powerful."

Producing 15+ panzer corps should be allowed and it makes the game interesting.
If doing so, then the Axis should have less U-Boats in the Atlantic and fewer planes to fight against the Soviets.

Also such amount of panzers will create logistical issues.
Is there enough oil? And if yes, can this oil be transported to the frontline while these panzers are moving forward?

If the game models these 3 elements well, then it's a fantastic game.

The game does not model oil movement...but oil does become an issue late in each year, at least for me...depending on how many battle the panzer corps have to be a part of.

Normally the Germans, when I play, have less air...I try to get to 9 / 12 Uboats, then 15ish panzers...with maybe 4 mech.

But rarely get to air because of that.

[CHINCHIN]

The game does not model the movement of oil, but it does model the supply, if you advance too quickly with your armored units through the USSR you may run out of supply.

[mssm45]

Maybe it could be interesting to limit the max number of Panzer Corps that could be produced to for instance 130% of what the Axis produced historically.

[AlvaroSousa]

I would have to change the structure of the game.

[CHINCHIN]

With the weapons that the game offers us, the only way to limit their construction would be to need shipyards (rename it to steelworks, factory, or whatever you want) to build armor, mechanized, and airplanes. Besides boats. But it would be difficult to balance everything.