Distant Guns 1.5

The first games in a series are too often left stagnant. Sure, they may be patched and have relatively minor features added, but the fundamental engine remains the same. Storm Eagle Studios’ Distant Guns: The Russo-Japanese War was a fine game, but the next game in the series, Jutland, sported an improved engine. Instead of making the first game an orphan, Jim Rose and Norm Koger revamped the first game to the latest standards and added some extras.

More than Just Glamour

Improvements in the graphics are obvious immediately. The 3D ship models, now including more vessels, have greater detail with clear crew animations. Ships are rendered from as far away as 36,000 meters. The smoke persists even more while bow waves and wakes reflect ship speed. New environmental effects include a wide variety of sea states and ships’ reflections on the water. Such enhancements are more than just eye-candy as they provide valuable information during play. Weather effects are much improved and stargazers will enjoy the 24-hour astronomical engine. Sound and music has become surround-sound.

Matters “under the hood” have changed also. The ballistic system tracks every shell and calculates impact by caliber vs. armor down to the millimeter. Centralized fire control has been added. Damage has become more intricate with repair depending more so on crew quality. Camera control and the orders fly-out have been made more user-friendly. Orders such as “line of bearing” make the handling of large numbers of ships easier. Torpedoes are now handled by the player instead of automatically. Better AI and collision logic create an improved yet more challenging game experience. The 2D mini-map can be expanded to cover most of the screen, allowing players an “eagle eye” view when giving orders. A nice battle tutorial has been added in the manual to aid beginners.

New Recruits

The twelve original scenarios are still there plus a new one, “The Tsar’s Crown Jewels”. This hypothetical battle posits purchase of two Italian-built armored cruisers, Mitra and Rocca. Added to the Second Pacific Squadron, these powerful, fast ships make for more excitement at Tsushima. The battle editor has been made even more powerful.

A new campaign has been added. Along with the two historical ones, a campaign adding the two new armored cruisers should make hunting Marus more fun. Also, small ports can now accept larger units, but repair and replenishment is slower and less plentiful. The AI has been tweaked at this level too.