Great Game - Review/Suggestions

[Thork]

this thread was posted at atari too..

i just wanted to thank all those who made axis&allies possible.
(even "if" most/all wont read)..

im mostly a tbs gamer (favorite game all time: panzer general) but this game is by far the best rts out there.
(panzers nearly equals but lost in gameplay)

so since im stoned - and in the mood..
and i realised.. this forum is pretty deserted for such a nice game..

getting to the point:
im trying to write kinda review of this nice game (for those undecided) to hopefully get you a few buyers and me a nice community!

im just going through the most important stuff so dont expect 2 much...
a complete review at a game that complex would be pretty long..


Good Ones

Research/Resource Management:

• making money kinda reward for owning strategic positions (flags) and/or expand the base is a great idea (reminded me of "Z")
• the 2 other resources ammunition and oil dont need "harvesting" - which means more time to concentrate on the main fighting..
  (just need to watch your depos)
• research differs depending on the nation and needs wise choice.
  each nation got weaker and stronger parts - choose what you like best.

War Management:

• small squads for land units was a good choice. (balances performance and playability)
• all supplies for your squad will be send automatically inside your supply lines.
• oil/ammo and/or supplydepos expand the supply lines and need protection.
• sea force consists of battleships and aircraft carriers - both are able to send troops.
  -battleships bomb pretty far and provide headquarters for disembark.
  -aircraft carriers like airfields are able to fly airmissions.
  Theres also a choice of abilities to use depending on nation and commanding general.

Gameplay:

• complex stategies are possible.
  f.ex:
  -a massive attack with combined forces takes out every stronghold
  -an ambush in a valley may stop/delay ground forces
  -a surprising attack at depo-supplylines may give you an crucial advantage-stalingrad really works
  
• nations are nicely balanced as i can tell to now - still no multiplayer experience.
• squads got leaders and get experience - both interact with squad-attributes..
• terrain effects your units abilities.. f.ex infantry got a good chance against tanks in a city.
• even the ki is surprisingly hard.. week points mentioned below
• slowdown/accelerationg time option is a life-saver.. wont go over 50% in fights. (i hope there is an option in multiplayer)

Media/Campaign:

• nice soundtrack - i leave it on
  when in the mood some megadeth fits better - but thats just me
• great and lots of movies - more!
• ingame sequences give you a nice introduction to the szenario.
• nice option to save your replays.

Bad Ones/Suggestions

Resource Management:

• packed trucks should provide small additions to your supply line.
  when deployed outside the supply line they should provide supplies for some time.

War Management:

• supply radiation of trucks would raise strategic possibilities.
• a menu option to limit or raise max units and buildings would be great.

Gameplay:

• artillery should automaticaly attack enemys in range.
• more options for units plz. they are pretty nice done but i need a few more.
  f.ex.
  -withdraw to: withdraw to a defined line if energy below 1/3 (or give a choice)
  -hold ground: wont move unless fleeing
  -custom formation: set your own formation and use it
  
• terrain effects are nice - but i would like to have infantry occupy the houses for a nice streetfight.
  -to make this a huge update just add +5 defence when in buildings. and give a research option for infantry streetfight +10 attack.
  -maybe give the tech to banzai infantry by default.. japan seems a bit weak.
• loss of a squad member and/or at least leader should reduce squad xp.
• aircraft/ships should gain experience.
• add a posibility to exchange equipment in the same batallion class with reduced xp.
  (f.ex while in supply line show a option to change infantry to mortar/flamethrower/...)
• terrain should have greater effects. especially height should increase fire-range.

Media/Campaign:

• map in user-interface should be rotatet like camera (or at least the formation) (kinda weird)
• user-interface is to big.. (maybe a hotkey/option to switch between disabled shown and minimum)
• grafics are pretty nice but needs a lot of power..
  batallion emblems should match the nation -
  i dont want a communist symbol on a us-battallion.
• would like to see other animations for somethings. f.ex. kamikaze (more zeros)
• ki is generally very good.. but got its weaknesses.. f.ex wont build bunkers/anti air.
  -additional ki troups (f.ex. stalingrad city) dont seem to be controlled at all.
• tank crews should be shown where it fits.

so.. thats all about the rts part..
dont wanted the "bad" side to dominate but these mostly are suggestions to make a brilliant game perfekt.

about the ww2 mode (which is more like the boardgame or hasbros earlyer game.)
its 2 easy.. its a nice addition to the game but not more.
getting this all worked out needs a lot of time. (multiplayer would be great 2)
would be nice for an expansion or update but i dont expect it.

Summary

if you buy axis and allies you wont get whats the board-game is all about.
but youll get the best rts out there.
...and im too f****** stoned to write...

-------------------
got a few questions after all
is there an irc channel? (multiplayer)
any fansites out there yet?
how (if possible) do i move the camera in a horizontal line?