Your favorite HASL/CG

[Klaus Fischer]

Hi all,

what is your favorite HASL/CG and why?
I'm pretty sure that RG is still high on everybodies list, but what about the other CG's, what about the "independend" CGs like "Achtung Panzer" and "Poland Aflames"?
What do you like about CGs, is it the replay value, seeing units "evolve", or what is it? What do you miss?
Ciao

Klaus

 

[Klaus Fischer]

My List

Well, to get the party started, I state my list:
-RB is still my number one - it has a great amout of replay value since you have so many options. It is not as scripted as some of the newer CGs. The terrain is the right mix of openness and buildings. And is a very "sticky" theme.
-KGP is a love/hate thing for me. I love the maps! They are wonderfull. The forces are great, it is the representation of a monumental battle. BUT, some of the force options are so very scripted, and the darn fog :-(
It could be a nice manouvering battle....
-Well, of course OtO :? (But I try not to be biased)
I've only played it half-way through, but so far I'm having a lot of fun as the Russians. I'm banging my head against the German Fortifications and my infantry melts away, but I got so many cool toys that I can use. Lots of options, so for me replay value is high. But the manouvering is not as big as I thought - but that's the nature of the battle.
What I'd like to see?
Some big tank stuff, with lots of manouvering. I guess Kursk from MMP will feed me on this.
What I like about CG's?
I like the personal connection, see some of your squads battle harden and improve, your favorite leader biting the dust. All of this.
I'd like to see a CG over a longer time frame, so you could upgrade your units and stuff, but I guess this is out of the ASL scale.
OK, lets hear what you have to say.
Ciao
Klaus

 

[rryeates]

Favorite CG

My favorite has to be RB. Coming in a close second would be BRT. I like 'em big. Size does matter. I also really like the OVHS CG. The bigger the better. I have played all of the AH/MMP CGs and I have to say there is really not one I did not enjoy. Probably my least favorite experience was my two playings of LG. I am really looking forward to the upcoming VoTG, RO, and Ortona offerings.

 

[Nat Mallet]

My favorite Hal has always been the computer in 2001: A Space Odessey. I mean that voice: "What are you doing, Dave?". Creepy.

Oh, HASL!.

Um. Haven't played one yet. I've played a scenario from RB (see my Bread Factory #2 AAR in the AAR forum), and I'm looking forward to KGP I/II (I can't explain why. The Ardennes have always fascinated me).

Nat "Swoosh: The sound of most ASL posts going over my head" Mallet

 

[mglouie]

RB hands down! 8)

 

[SamB]

Well, RB is great, but my current favorite is Operation Watchtower.

Seriously.... Lots of night action, but it doesn't "feel" that different... Tons of starshells all over - still dark in the jungle, but dang, this puppy is fun.

Lots of interesting choices for both players.

The Jap does need to be very agressive - but that's just part of the "flavor".

Sam

 

[apbills]

RB remains at the top.
KGP has a map of beauty, but the mist just kills things, and slopes, although I like the concept, are very difficult to see at times, causing all kinds of problems.
ABtF is cool from the German standpoint - you get a ton of options to choose from. Not sure if I want to play the British after the first few scenarios.

The key to HASL games for me is OPTIONS. I want to be able to have as many options as possible. This adds to replay value, allows me to play it the way I think it should have been accomplished, and doesn't script it to the point it is more a reenactment then a game.
The next thing is balance in player involvement. Both sides have to have some ability to attack/counterattack, etc. Having one side just sit and watch waves of infantry die trying to take their territory (BRT) just doesn't sound exciting to me. It may look interesting to start (BRT does look interesting to me), but in the end the replay value is very low.

I used to play DYO stuff, which is the ultimate in options. HASL should take that wide open format and place it in context, leaving as many options as possible.

HASL should also only have SSR for things particular to that situation. I don't want special rules for terrain that exists in the core rules, just because the designer wants something else. Use the core rules, add SSR for particular events/situations that are not covered. Sacrifice some realism to conform to the existing rules as much as possible. I do not want to spend a ton of time trying to relearn some rule that will then screw me up when I am playing scenarios or other HASL.[/list]

 

[syfaulk]

Klaus writes:

what is your favorite HASL/CG and why?

Faves:
RB: Of course. I've played a full campaign as the German and a few days as the Russian. Most fun I've had playing ASL hands down. Options galore, historical "feel" is right on and both sides can utilize multiple strategies.

Gavatu-Tanambogo: Even though it's kind of higher up the rules ladder, and the first time through was a nose-in-the-rulebook affair, it was a LOT of fun. Marines, dug in Japanese, tanks at night, NOBA, landing craft. For those of you without the time or room for BR:T, I'd highly recommend it.

Berlin: Red Vengeance : Cool toys for both sides, drunken moabits, BIG guns and a lot of RB type terrain. Plus it's really cool to have banner carriers!

Take it or leave it:
ABTF: Bogs down after while with the Germans just playing whack-a-mole with ammo-deprived, thirsty Brits. The few scenarios that I've played from this were far more enjoyable than the CG.

Pegasus Bridge: Played it twice, once as the hapless Germans. While it's historical feel is close to the quality of RB, I fear it may have some balance issues. I've heard different, but haven't seen a German strategy work effectively. My jury is still out.

--
I also liked Op Watchtower. My opponent wasn't aggresive enough with the Japanese, so as the Marine I dug in and waited. Ended up as a joke when the Japanese finally tried to take the ridge in force. Marine firepower was really too much to deal with. I'd like to try it again...

Tarawa would probably be the next on my list of those I'd like to try. I've heard mixed reviews, mostly dealing with it's fun factor vs. how cumbersome it all is.

-Scott

 

[g_young]

Klaus asks

What I'd like to see?
Some big tank stuff, with lots of manouvering

Hmmm. Agree with the big tank stuff!! What do you guys/gals think of the Battle of Targul Frumos (May 1944, Eastern Front) as a game topic? According to an an account of the battle written in WWII History magazine, both sides would get to defend and attack; elite units on both sides; first(?) concentrated use on the eastern front of the JSII. Given the large area the action took place in I suppose it would suit a "Historical study" better...anyway, just my two cents worth

Cheers
Gary

 

[Joe W.]

Favorite HASL CGs

Certainly RB remains my favorite for most of the reasons previously mentioned.
The others are harder to rank, let's see...
BRV has great urban combat, a smaller CG than RB and lots of options for both sides. The SSRs in this one add lots of flavor.
OWT was lots of fun, but I don't think the Japanese have much of a chance. The Japanese in the jungle at night, is a treat to play. This seems to be the most fun night action that I ever played.
BRT was a big blast, but it is BIG! It was cumbersome to play during the landings. Yet it really gave that feel of an amphibious assault.
Finally, OtO seems to be great too, although only finished with 1st day.
Actually, I've enjoyed all CGs. They seem to add another dimension to ASL play, as you try to win over the long run.
Never played PB, KGP, AbtF or most of the 3rd party CGs.
Has anyone have some thoughts about the CH CG in Jeruslahem?

 

[Pitman]

I'm much more into scenarios than campaign games. Having said that, there hasn't yet been an HASL that has really, really gripped me. It seems that each one has at least one strike against it.

That's not to say I haven't had fun with both official and third party HASLs, but overall, I think I've had *more* fun with geomorphic scenarios.

 

[ToxicShock]

Aside from the Grand Dame (RB CGIII), I very much enjoyed playing the King Of The Hill CG from HoB. I would definitely play it again (either side).

 

[Matt Romey]

Aside from the Grand Dame (RB CGIII), I very much enjoyed playing the King Of The Hill CG from HoB. I would definitely play it again (either side).

Man, that CG was kick-*ass. The components were garage-quality, but the CG itself was one of the best I've played.

The thing that interests me about OVHS is it's surface similarity to KotH. Not that it's derivative, I'm sure it's not, but it seems similar. If so than it should make an incredibly interesting CG.

Matt

 

[ToxicShock]

I think that the 'veterans' from KOTH are going to agree with Matt about OVHS. At least, they will KNOW how to play it if they're attacking. :wink:

 

[huskerfan]

I have never played FTF CGs, so my preferences are different than most folks, but my favorites are Achtung! Panzer! and RB, in that order.

I have a real fascination with the whole Blitzkreig through France period, and have read Panzer Leader (Guderian), Blitzkrieg (Deighton), and Panzer Battles (Mellenthin) over and over and over...

 

[Harold]

Genesis 48 was an interesting CG. The Pultroon Leader rules leave a lot to be desired though. Typical city fighting with lots of PBF and CC/Melee. The Arab forces I controlled accidentally started a fire with Mollies that eventually burned about 2/3 of the city within the walls. At one point there must have been a 50 hex fire going. I did get within one hex of the auto VC's but the Israeli forces were way too much for the Arab Legions. One thing I would have done differently as the Arab forces is try and hold the walls and entrances better to get the isolation mods on the Israelis inside.

 

[LtDan]

I've enjoyed all the CG's that I've played, even though I have yet to play one to completion. I find two factors conspire against finishing. First, the time investment to finish is usually more than one or both sides cares to make after a certain point. Another factor is the "personal morale check". For almost every CG there comes a point where you feel there's no point in continuing, even though it may still be possible to win. This is especially true in KGP and PB. If you don't know what is supposed to happen, you may tend to give up in both of these even though victory is still possible. In KGP for example, as the Americans you are supposed to get kicked off the map initially. In PB as the Germans, you are also supposed to pretty much get wiped out at first. If you don't know that, it can be demoralizing for it to happen to you. Heck even if you do know it's supposed to happen, it can be no fun. I think that's why RB is one of the best-- even though you can get your butt kicked as the Russian at first, you still have a feeling that you are eventually going to bleed the Germans dry. And if you do happen to inflict a lot of casualties on the Germans, that's the time when the Nazi side tends to fail its own personal morale check.

Having said all that, my favorites are:

Red Barricades
Tarawa
Pegasus Bridge
Ruweisat Ridge
Cemetary Hill (this needs to be redone but it's a cool situation)

I hope to play Tarawa again and also have Watchtower and Op. Vertiable on the block to play some day....

 

[Jazz]

Aside from the Grand Dame (RB CGIII), I very much enjoyed playing the King Of The Hill CG from HoB. I would definitely play it again (either side).

Man, that CG was kick-*ass. The components were garage-quality, but the CG itself was one of the best I've played.

The thing that interests me about OVHS is it's surface similarity to KotH. Not that it's derivative, I'm sure it's not, but it seems similar. If so than it should make an incredibly interesting CG.

Matt

Gotta agree on KOTH. Once you got over asking yourself "Just how much fun can a guy have with that much open ground?" and actually play it, its a blast. I too have also hear that OVHS is similar in situation to KotH and I look forward to playing it.

Of course, RB is the perrenial favorite. I really liked BRV. Kinda like RB on steroids.

 

[thedrake]

Favorite CG's

1.Red Barricades--the ultimate;cant wait to see Red October and Valor of the Guards.

2.Berlin:Red Vengeance--late war toys and different troop types combined with 1945-style urban renewal;like the idea you may actually get a chance to kill Hitler (if you have the HOB optional rules for that.)

3.SASL CG's by Hans Mielants--played Mosckva and Band of Brothers and these revived my interest in SASL;check out his ASL page.

4.Original Platoon Leader pack--the ones by Steve Swann from 1995,before CH turned it into Poltroon Leader version 3.xxx;great idea for smaller scale CG;very manageable in short time frame vs. longer CG's.

Next to try is OVHS--looks like a blast!

Mark