Is this game any good ?

[BertBlitzkrieg]

First of all: despite the title of this thread it is NOT my intention to stand on peoples toes. So if I did: I apoligize !

The reason why I ask this question is twofold: first of all I'm very interested in the concept. So I'm thinking of purchasing it. The second reason is, because when I read the AAR's (read the scenario where the dutch have to fight the french: great idea !) it seems quite easy to win. So, is there a challenge apart from managing all your forces ?

A couple of years ago I bought the game Horse and Musket. Quite nice, but I quit playing when I never lost to the AI.
Nowadays I play the three Combat Mission games which are very challenging against the AI (depending on forces) AND they have a great PBEM capability, so I can play human players too.

[Herman Hum]

The reason why I ask this question is twofold: first of all I'm very interested in the concept. So I'm thinking of purchasing it. The second reason is, because when I read the AAR's (read the scenario where the dutch have to fight the french: great idea !) it seems quite easy to win. So, is there a challenge apart from managing all your forces ?

The simple answer to that question is, "You Betcha!" :D

Even though Harpoon may be infested by a number of bugs, many of them can be managed. The Scenario designers have done an excellent job of working around them to deliver superb third-part scenarios.

The scenario you mention, Battle of Britain II, is made with the PlayersDB. You can check out the AAR Battle of Britain II (http://www.xtreme-gamer.com/forums/harpoon-after-action-reports/42740-aar-batle-britain-ii.html). In fact, we've just had three more people play this particular scenario. I was one of them and I got my butt handed to me. Only one of us managed to actually win it!

And this is only against the computer opponent. Just wait until you go up against a wily and cunning human player in the ANW MP!

No, it is a great deal more than simply managing your forces.

Unfortunately, there is no demo available for Harpoon3: ANW. If you give me an e-mail address, I can see if I can scrounge up a copy of the older demo v3.6.3

[BertBlitzkrieg]

Very Good ! Searched for a demo, but couldn't find it. My e-mailadress is bert@hamoen.com

To play versus a human, do you have to stay online the whole time ?

Thanks in advance !

[TonyE]

Very Good ! Searched for a demo, but couldn't find it. My e-mailadress is bert@hamoen.com

To play versus a human, do you have to stay online the whole time ?

Thanks in advance !


Yes, human vs human games require you to stay online the whole time. You can save the game, disconnect, and finish later but you cannot play part of a multiplayer game offline.

imho Harpoon in all of its forms are well worth the expenditure but it is a different kind of game, and only giving it a try will answer the question for you (but looking at screenshots probably helps, one can see it isn't an eye candy series of games!).

There are scenarios for all kinds of players. I happen to not like to lose and there are scenarios for me. Some people want a real challenge and there are some scenarios you'll rarely if ever win. The variety is here, in large part due to the decade+ of scenario and database writing. To that end, while many of the built in scenarios are good, I think you'll quickly want to try out the third party databases and scenarios where the real tweaking has occured.

[Herman Hum]

Done.

Unfortunately, the Demo only gives you a few tutorial sessions to see a few game mechanics. You don't actually get to PLAY any scenarios for real feel or flavour.

[liuzg150181]

It is a good game, a classic akin to a grand naval chess game.