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Wargamer's treat

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 39 / 43
Date: October 24, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Most wargamers look at a game as an investment. They know that a truly exceptional game will require large amounts of time, and they want the game to be able to hold up its end of the deal. TOAW:CW is no exception. Once installed, you'll be able to play some of the smaller scenarios immediately (the US invasion of Grenada is a fun one). Once you get used to the incredible level of detail here, such as the combat resolution calculations, you'll be ready to tackle larger scenarios, such as a civil war in the US - in the year 2008.

The game includes data on units and weapons from about 1880 or so to modern day, so WWI scenarios are included as is a hypothetical invasion of Yugoslavia in 1999. In fact, there are a number of "forgotten" battles (like Attu Island) and hypotheticals (Invasion of Cuba during the missile crisis in 1962), which is quite refreshing.

If you're looking for a wargame to occupy you for several weeks, lots of replayability, and a high degree of accuracy, this is it. There's a few glitches: the game runs problematically on some older CD drives (the latest patch helps a little), and a few other quirks, but overall, it's one of the best choices you can make.

Great game but a little complex

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 32 / 33
Date: June 25, 2000
Author: Amazon User

This is the latest package of the "Operational Art of Warfare" from Norm Koger and Talonsoft. Unlike earlier Norm Koger offerings (all fantastic) this one models warfare at a larger overall level, such as a theater level.

The game itself is very minutely modeled and complex. It is somewhat difficult to get into as you simply can't fire it up and start moving units around. The map interface is full of dozens of controls for micromanaging your forces. There is no "tutorial" campaign nor is there a tutorial in the manual, which is not very instructionally written.

However, the game itself is very well made once you learn how to play it. After you get past the learning curve, you will find a construction set, quite a few highly detailed included campaigns, and lots more stuff to be downloaded off the internet. The graphics are not over glittery and distracting (and they have different levels of display options to suit your tastes). The resolution phases of combat are highly detailed and modeled, and the AI may not be Napoleon but you're going to have to work for your victories. And furthermore, since the game sports several multiplayer options, you can face the most difficult adversary of all: That buddy of yours who pleads ignorance of wargames and whipes you from the map in six turns!

This is a true wargamer's delight. A bit complex and with a longer learning curve, but a must have for armchair generals.

The best of the lot

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 21 / 24
Date: April 30, 2001
Author: Amazon User

If you're a wargamer and still haven't bought any of Norm Koger's "The Operational Art of War" series games then go past the first few installments and pick this one up. Everything in the first two versions is here plus extras. The game comes packed with tons of scenarios from World War I battles to speculative modern day conflicts in Korea. And the scale is eqaully diverse, in the Kasserine Pass you're commanding companies and battalions over a map that extends 100km at most, in Barbarossa 41 you're commanding hundreds of divisions in a front stretching from Finland to the Black Sea!

The game also comes with a scenario editor which is user friendly and filled with equipment, Koger reaches back into the mid 1870's and claims the game can be used to recreate battles back to about 1870, Franco-Prussian war anyone?

The only real danger is that you might find this game sucks up an enormous quantity of your time as you play with it!

Graphics are pretty much like the old paper maps, hexes (which can be made invisible but they're still there) and square counters. Visually, they are not stunning but they're functional enough and represent the "operational" viewpoint the game takes where you're a division, corps, theater commander giving orders to your units as opposed to a first person shooter or platoon commander.

All in all, if you want a good 20th century strategy game, don't look any further than here.

Grognards rejoice!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 15 / 15
Date: June 17, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This game would be a bargain at twice the price- why, you ask? Because almost every cardboard chit and paper map game simulating operational 20th century warfare you would normally shell out 30-50 bucks for is included in this game. Can't find the specific battle you want? Still can't find that elusive scenario? Then break out the books and design it yourself using the game's scenario editor with its massive equiment database- it's a lot of fun and you'll be surprised how much you'll learn. The game is actually a great learing tool in and of itself- want to find out why Operation Market/Garden turned out the way it did? Want to find out why the American focus on logistics in WWII wasn't really such a bad idea? This game is not only fun to play, but can be used to supplement more traditional means of learning (it's great to read about a battle as you play). Every aspect of each battle is carefully rendered- unit organization, logistics, fatigue, air support, interdiction, naval power, morale, weather, terrain, fog of war, random events, nuclear and chemical weapons- this is a game not only for the hobbyist, but for the serious historian. Century of Warfare is a proven game system with numerous players (and potential email opponents) world-wide. If you prefer depth of simulation over eye candy, then this is a game for you.

AWESOME Strategy-Not For Beginners

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 15 / 16
Date: August 18, 2000
Author: Amazon User

This game is possbily THE best theatre level computer strategy game ever made. It has a large learning curve, but once you learn its great. Though i warn you, THIS is NOT for beginners. The game requires thought and challenges you. This should be a part of the training for army commanders. If you are into strategy, definitely give this a spin!!

Bookcase Wargame for your PC

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: April 26, 2003
Author: Amazon User

If you played bookcase games by Avalon Hill, SPI, GDW, etc, you will immediately be at home with this computerized version of hex-based and turn-based strategy games. You are already familiar with the lengthy manual concept, and this game is no exception. In fact, most of the game is NOT in the manual, which makes it important for you to get in contact with the community of gamers who play this game (search for "toaw forum" on the net to find them!). There are so many websites dedicated to understanding this game, and it can be so involved that it doesn't surprise me some folks are turned off by the complexity.

However, most veteran players admit they too were turned off at first by the learning curve - and only those who fought through the manual were able to emerge on the other side to what is undeniably the best operational/strategic computer wargame in existence.

This game has a healthy design community, and there are over 500 scenarios available recreating such notable events as Normandy 44, Barbarossa Campaign at battalion level, Europe 39-46, Japan 41-45, as well as scores of tiny battles you never heard of. In short, you can put your whole collection of bookcase games on back on the shelf, because most campaigns depicted in those games are also available as a scenario in this game.

There are literally hundreds of players who play-by-email and this is where this game really shines. Playing the PO (programmed opponent) is one thing, but pales in comparison to playing against a live, unpredictable human opponent. If for nothing else, the PBEM element of this game makes it a must have for those of us who seldom found live opponents for the carboard games (or who lacked the table space required of them!).

If you can find this game, and if you like hex-based wargaming, you will not be disappointed with this purchase. Especially once you get online and see how many others are out there right now playing against each other. A fitting tribute for a game that is several years old!

Just recently (March 2003) a new patch for the game has been released by Norm Koger which includes full support for WindowsXP.

Wargaming at it's Best

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: May 09, 2001
Author: Amazon User

After playing now-archaic paper and cardboard wargames for years, and now addicted to historical computer gaming, I ordered Operational Art with trepidation. After playing numerous scenarios, this collection is definitely among the best! The variety of scenarios, ease of introductary play, and potential variations make this a favorite with me. I already play Talonsoft's Civil War and Napoleonic games, enjoy them mightily, and recommend this set for any gamer interested in adding playable, enjoyable WWI, WWI, and modern wargaming scenarios to their collection.

Although, I have the impression the computer "cheats" when he's getting beaten pretty badly, I continue to play some scenarios that I never would have imagined I would be interested in! After five tries, I continue to search for a winning strategy for the Germans to "win" France 1914. Who would have thought WWI could be so interesting?

Try this one. There are so many options, you will find an instant fit. And, you might find some of the esoteric scenarios, like the Balkans 1912, a future favorite.

too complicated

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 8 / 12
Date: July 20, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I love war strategy games and played clash of steel, panzer general series, etc. countless times, but AOW is just too complicated for me. The interface is busy and there are hundreds of tiny icons. You just can't tell how good or what a unit is without clicking on it. I tried to learn the game twice over a year and couldn't even do the tutorial. I'm sure its good if you can figure out how to play.

The ulitmate compilation of The Operational Art of War

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 12
Date: June 21, 2000
Author: Amazon User

This title combines all of previous "The Operational Art of War" titles into one box.

This means it includes scenarios spanning the entire 20th century as well as future scenarios.

This game can be daunting in learning how to effectively command your units, but starting with the smaller scenarios will help get you up to speed.

What a game!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: October 29, 2001
Author: Amazon User

OK! This is for hardcore war gamer. This is not for the beginner or anyone attracted by the box-set. You can spend the rest of your life on this game. Or you will throw it away before you finish the first game you play. Buy it now if you are the former and forget it if you are the latter.

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