[Wargame: European Escalation] 1st Free DLC for Airland Battle out now!

Dongs Galore

oh god I've never made an OP before I did it wrong didn't I oh god oh god I'm so sorry guys all I wanted to do was tell you about this neat game I didn't mean to do it so bad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gQrDjAdOVM&feature=player_embedded

Wargame: European Escalation is an RTS by Eugen Studios, the developer behind last year's acclaimed theatre-level WW2 strategy game RUSE. W:EE emphasizes large-unit tactics on a grand scale, affording the player command of Battalion or Regiment-sized NATO or Warsaw Pact forces, fighting for control over massive, meticulously detailed stretches of Central Europe.

This time, however, the little mans and tanks are set in the 1980s, and the maps are even larger (16x16 kilometers, which is... a lot of kilometers) and the tanks are even shootier and the mans are even manlier. RUSE was notable for emphasizing careful deployment, battlefield intelligence and reconnaissance, and W:EE improves on this formula quite well, while shifting from RUSE's relatively sedate battles of attrition to the much more mobile, heavily mechanized warfare of the 1980s.

Features
- Highly detailed maps up to 16km wide
- Scaleable zoom from theater-wide to street level
- 8 distinct nations with historically accurate unit rosters
- Realistically modeled armored warfare
- Combined arms warfare including infantry, helicopters, tanks and artillery.
- Persistent units in single-player (veteran units carry over between missions)

The game's incredibly detailed unit roster includes dozens of accurately-modeled units, allowing the player to design a personalized army list incorporating units from any of the 4 countries which make up each side - The United States, United Kingdom, France and West Germany for NATO against the USSR, East Germany, Poland and Czechoslovakia on the Warsaw Pact.

All four countries have their own infantry, tanks, artillery and helos. You can mix-and-match a completely international force, or, if you so desire, you can build an entirely British or Czech army. Since the unit lists closely follow real life, they do reflect the contemporary doctrines of the respective militaries: For example, British forces emphasize light infantry, elite airborne troops and heavy armor, while the Polish Army is built around mechanized infantry supported by a lot of Soviet hand-me-downs.

W:EE is now available on Steam!

Reviews

Strategy Informer - 8.5/10
RTSguru - 8/10
OutofEight - 7/8

Steam Names For Multiplayer Tankshoots

Dongs Galore: Dongs Galore (Kung Fu Treachery ingame)
Bastable: Bastables
Pedro0930: Brother Pedro
Canuckont: Canuckont
Dashui: Dashui
Stopgap: Stopgap
Pharezon: Pharezon
Albino Bunny: Royal Canterlot Voice

Cantido

You got Action in mai RTS.

I'll take three copies.

Lord Yod

Makes me want to go home and play World in Conflict.

Dongs Galore

It basically does seem like World in Conflict on a larger scale.

I am utterly content with this.

Lord Yod

So it seems like they are going to a more traditional RTS type of gameplay, instead of using the territories and unit markers style from RUSE?

Dongs Galore

There's no more "Card" system of ruses and no more big counters representing your units (although I assume there must be something to indicate where your units are at max zoom).

Instead of showing unidentified enemy units as counters, it seems like you can't see them at all without actually having eyes on them (artillery has unlimited range now, presumably to balance this out) There's also no more base building - you get one HQ and can purchase a starting force before the game starts.

I think the lack of ruses is an attempt to refine the system into something more realistic, while the changes in general appear to be geared towards reflecting the time period and the faster-paced combat involved in modern armored warfare. They do still seem to be going for a lot of strategic depth - the previews refer to fuel as a logistical consideration for vehicles, as well as difficult terrain causing damage to tank tracks.

Its hard to separate the hype from reality right now, but they certainly claim to be trying for a deeper, more realistic game than RUSE was.

Edit: There's still a territory system, though, which apparently affects where your reinforcements enter the map from.

Dongs Galore

Incidentally, RUSE was also pretty great and if people wanted to talk about that in this thread they could do that too?

Dongs Galore

There's now a video showcasing the actual gameplay:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cD1df8wOrBI

THAC0

So.. anyone else playing the beta right now? It took me about 5 games to even work out the flow of the game but once it clicked I really liked it. When a bunch of tanks roll right into the area you have complete control over it's just beautiful watching them panic to get away

krylon666

I've played a few games in the beta, still getting my bearings though. I like the game a lot. It's a nice mix of grognard realism and RTS, all inside a great setting. Tactical decisions seem to trump micro-management, and that's a big plus in my book.

This is a great video to get a feel for the game:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVeNnQT7uF4&feature=youtu.be&t=36m3s

edit: you can skip to the 36min mark to just watch his game replay and get a good idea for how the game works. The earlier stuff is going over the UI, etc.

Dongs Galore

The full game's out now!

I haven't had the chance to play much, but the single-player campaign is pretty good so far. It's divided into four different self-contained sets of missions, each set in a different Cold War flashpoint scenario (FRG-DDR border skirmishes, Polish Civil War, Warsaw Pact invasion over Able Archer, and a fourth one that only unlocks after the other three). It's a bit unusual in that there's no actual characters - just an overview of events - but that works pretty well in context, since the game is about large unit actions in WWIII and not about the adventures of Colonel Butts, Savior of Europe.

They also do a surprisingly good job of keeping the scenarios realistic, considering how hard it is to come up with a decent European War situation that doesn't lead to a full-scale nuclear exchange.

What I am saying is its a pretty fun game you should buy it if you like somewhat grognardy strategy games that aren't set in WW2.

eobet

So, the trailer didn't show any terrain deformation at all, which makes me think this game isn't anywhere near World in Conflict in awesomeness. But, not having played this, I can only comment that it's a very poor trailer.

Is there by any chance anyone who has played World in Conflict and this game, and can comment on how they compare?

EDIT: Noticed the first video in the comments now, and I don't know any German, but holy fuck that looks like World in Conflict.

EDIT: Ok, there's a second video... that might be in English (I mean, damn)... still haven't seen any terrain deformation by skimming it, but I'll watch it later when I have time. First impressions are still that it looks very barren and not as good as World in Conflict... (have I mentioned the name of that game enough yet... yeah, I want someone to play it online with).

Dongs Galore

This game isn't anything like World in Conflict, although the trailers make it look like it.

Basically, World in Conflict uses a vastly smaller scale and significantly less realistically-modeled units.

Kadoken

One question:
Does it have a cover system for infantry?

Dongs Galore

Kadoken wrote: »

One question:
Does it have a cover system for infantry?

Yes, it has one for all units, mostly hedgerows/forest/buildings.

Moving vehicles into forests tends to have them throw tracks or get stuck in mud temporarily, though.

Kadoken

What about broken down vehicles, fences, and craters?

Dongs Galore

It's too large to account for things that small, Company of Heroes-style. You're dealing with platoon-size units more than individual squads.

Synthesis

I'd noticed this on Steam--took my interest immediately. While I was hoping for something more in the scale of CoH, but hey, if it doesn't have WiC's ridiculousness and simplified twitch gameplay, but has its good features, I'm quite excited.

Hope they fixed some of the minor issues in unit naming/identification (that's not a T-80U! You've put a lot of work in this, get it right!), I would definitely like to check it out.

Dongs Galore

I really wish there was a demo available, because the advertising campaign really doesn't do a great job of emphasizing the simulationist aspect of the game, which is actually uniquely well-done for an RTS - this is stuff you usually only see in low-budget turn-based games like Steel Panthers.

Tank engagements take place over kilometers. Fuel and ammunition are both limited and require resupply via supply trucks or helicopter (it isn't as finicky as it sounds - tanks have enough shells to keep operating for a long time, but fancier stuff like TOW missiles or helicopter rocket pods run out fast). Artillery can fire across the map. Recon elements are essential for not getting ambushed by infantry in the treelines. There's also a morale system: units which take heavy fire can panic, causing them to start falling back from their positions.

At the same time it actually looks really nice, and the unit list is ridiculously complete. Pretty much every tank has three or four variant models with distinct stats. Moreover, it feels quite satisfying to put together a combined-arms operation using French artillery and American gunships to suppress enemy armor around a town before helicoptering in British paratroopers to occupy it while German tank squadrons take the flanks. (You could also do it with German artillery and British helos and American infantry and French tanks, of course)

What I'm saying is this is a grognard's TBS game dressed up like an AAA RTS title. And that's a good thing!

beta.lyrae

For what it's worth, I absolutely love it. Think real time Combat Missions using cold war units and gorgeous graphics, though not quite as deep.

Here's a review:
http://www.outofeight.info/2012/02/wargame-european-escalation-review.html

Synthesis

This'll probably be the closest I'll ever get to a Close Combat game with T-80s, BMP-2s and Patton tanks. That being said, I have a few reservations, and cash is tight this month.

Zibblsnrt

I picked it up more or less on impulse last night and have a sinking feeling that it's going to be eating quite a bit of my time. I'm enjoying the skirmish mode immensely, especially the times where a couple of recon units notice each other and five minutes later everyone on both sides is going at it hammer and tongs in the same place.

Dongs Galore wrote:

I really wish there was a demo available, because the advertising campaign really doesn't do a great job of emphasizing the simulationist aspect of the game, which is actually uniquely well-done for an RTS - this is stuff you usually only see in low-budget turn-based games like Steel Panthers.

It really does feel like a realtime Steel Panthers. Smaller scale of course, but..

krylon666

Synthesis, this game rocks. What are your reservations? Maybe I can help...

...enable you to buy another game

Der Waffle Mous

I'm liking the hell out of this.

Frei

I don't know if I've ever been more "OH GOD MUST RESIST IMPULSE TO BUY" for a game more than this one.

Someone put me over the fence, one way or the other.

SammyF

Frei wrote: »

I don't know if I've ever been more "OH GOD MUST RESIST IMPULSE TO BUY" for a game more than this one.

Someone put me over the fence, one way or the other.

Set in the 1980s? Pfft, people had the worst hairstyles back then.

krylon666

It's "Red Storm Rising: The Game"

Bastable

This Game is epic, currently I'm at work debating on getting rid of the t72's or t55 in order to get T34-85's as part of my deployment "deck". Why you ask, because at 0400 in the morning I was almost overrun by British recon troops, delta and sas teams that had snuck around an attempted to kill our arty (while I was lunching an abortive support attack with 8 T64 and a Platoon of Infantry). I had a platoon of BTRs and their infantry I had to call in two cheap T55's and it was still a near run thing. You know what costs the same as basic t55's but has a 12,7mm MG? The 1969 T3-85 from Germany or Poland.

But the later T55's are accurate guns although low pen, and the final version has the effective M1 killer in Soviet tank missle form. So maybe I'll get rid of my T72's as I hardly use them or the T80s.

The reasoning still continues, and this is before I turn to if i want to swap my East German recon platoons and soviet atgm teams in favour of German and polish para's.

This game is magnificent. I love the multiple kilometre engagement ranges alongside infantry gunning down a hind from a forest at less than 50m.

There are some crash issues concerning DX 11 which the dev's have said they're looking into, but my god this game is addictive especially the multiplayer with it's los, recon helos, tanks, corrected/accurate arty fire.

2012 Game of the year for me, I'm calling it in febuary.

Zibblsnrt

SammyF wrote:

Frei wrote: »

I don't know if I've ever been more "OH GOD MUST RESIST IMPULSE TO BUY" for a game more than this one.

Someone put me over the fence, one way or the other.

Set in the 1980s? Pfft, people had the worst hairstyles back then.

And what better way to address them than by calling in artillery?

Bastable

Kadoken wrote: »

What about broken down vehicles, fences, and craters?

Broken down veh are: A chance to bog or throw a track when going through woods tree lines ect and critical damage such as knocked out optics, targeting computers, ect which are displayed by a count down in seconds before the veh is fully operational again.

It models morale breaking/rout, stunning of infantry/crew men due to overwhelming fire power (arty/rkt's auto cannon fire). Fences are driven over and broken (as is long grass/wheat) fires start burning down grass and trees removing cover concealment.
Lot's of little touches like T80s/M1 eating more fuel resulting in shorter ranges and necessitate supply trucks or choppers more often than Longer ranged Leo2/T72's and Amx's.

Frei

Is everything persistent on a map? Burned out stuff, craters, tank remains, etc?

Bastable

Yup helo/tank wrecks, burnt out buildings, craters and blackend fields. I think tree's regenerate in order to provide cover again after a bit but that is based on heresy as sitting here at work I can't recollect if that tree line where my men were flamethrowed alive grew back or not. The reason I can't recollect is that I'm fixated on a you tube lets player's comment that the tree's "regen."
That was during beta and of course for some reason I can't remember bit's of my life.

Frei

You guys are the worst for my wallet.

Synthesis

It's very early, I know, but the modding potential for this game (if it exists) is very attractive.

Mulletude

beta.lyrae wrote: »

For what it's worth, I absolutely love it. Think real time Combat Missions using cold war units and gorgeous graphics, though not quite as deep.

Here's a review:
http://www.outofeight.info/2012/02/wargame-european-escalation-review.html

You just sold me.

Godamnit...I need a new PC

Bastable

I'ma be home in 2 hrs friend me on Steam : Bastables
so we can watch glorious mans die on Germany's plains.

Synthesis

Once I get the game, Bast, we'll have to go and watch Motostrelki die in fields, trying to stop the rise of another German superpower.

canuckont

Hmm, about how long to MP matches last?

Does it take a hour to beat a 4v4 team or is it something in the 20-30min range?

Apostate

Dongs Galore wrote:

I really wish there was a demo available, because the advertising campaign really doesn't do a great job of emphasizing the simulationist aspect of the game, which is actually uniquely well-done for an RTS - this is stuff you usually only see in low-budget turn-based games like Steel Panthers.

Tank engagements take place over kilometers. Fuel and ammunition are both limited and require resupply via supply trucks or helicopter (it isn't as finicky as it sounds - tanks have enough shells to keep operating for a long time, but fancier stuff like TOW missiles or helicopter rocket pods run out fast). Artillery can fire across the map. Recon elements are essential for not getting ambushed by infantry in the treelines. There's also a morale system: units which take heavy fire can panic, causing them to start falling back from their positions.

At the same time it actually looks really nice, and the unit list is ridiculously complete. Pretty much every tank has three or four variant models with distinct stats. Moreover, it feels quite satisfying to put together a combined-arms operation using French artillery and American gunships to suppress enemy armor around a town before helicoptering in British paratroopers to occupy it while German tank squadrons take the flanks. (You could also do it with German artillery and British helos and American infantry and French tanks, of course)

What I'm saying is this is a grognard's TBS game dressed up like an AAA RTS title. And that's a good thing!

Thanks for writing this. Given what you said I would agree the trailers are misleading. They make it look like an RTS spam fest with "real" units. But it sounds like something that's actually right up my alley.

Frei

are there vs. AI multiplayer games?

SammyF

Bastable wrote: »

Kadoken wrote: »

What about broken down vehicles, fences, and craters?

Broken down veh are: A chance to bog or throw a track when going through woods tree lines ect and critical damage such as knocked out optics, targeting computers, ect which are displayed by a count down in seconds before the veh is fully operational again.

It models morale breaking/rout, stunning of infantry/crew men due to overwhelming fire power (arty/rkt's auto cannon fire). Fences are driven over and broken (as is long grass/wheat) fires start burning down grass and trees removing cover concealment.
Lot's of little touches like T80s/M1 eating more fuel resulting in shorter ranges and necessitate supply trucks or choppers more often than Longer ranged Leo2/T72's and Amx's.

Whoa, wait: there's logistics?