News As History - May 17, 2008
News As History - May 17, 2008 |
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Overview/BackgroundOperation Market Garden was a daring plan by British Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery in September, 1944. The plan did not succeed, but not for a lack of daring.ManualsThe manuals are online. They provide information on how to run the simulation, but they could stand to be more clear. It took some effort to figure out the interface.SystemThe system is reminiscent of the hex-based board games. It works well, albeit it is not very transparent. Both the order of battle and scenario can be edited, though. It is workable. Advantage can be adjusted.Game FeaturesFeatured modes are one-player, two-player hotseat, two-player by-email,and network play (via LAN/wireless networks). The game can be done on either a small tactical scale or over the entire campaign. It is highly flexible, and realistic. The eye-candy aspect is traded for a more understandable (and classic) board-game appearance. The game is simple to play once the user interface is figured out. That does take a little time (perhaps the only negative to this game’s playability). I was unable to figure out how to call for air support. Lessons LearnedFor the Allies: The only way to succeed is to have every advantage possible AND to be lucky. This is as it was historically, and that is something to keep in mind. The Allied player is facing long odds, and that is if everything goes as planned and the Germans do what is expected. For the Germans: Here, one just has to avoid doing something stupid, and victory is easy to grasp. The Allies have overextended. One should not have much difficulty in winning the battle and buying precious time. SummaryThe game is a decent effort, but could stand to have a better user interface. This shortcoming limits the playability by increasing the frustration level. This game is recommended, based on its use with just about any computer from the past five years, but a player should be aware that it will take time to figure everything out.System Requirements: |
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