new to SOW

[keithrose]

I have been playing the demo of the game and am enjoying it. I'll soon have Foote's 3 volume civil war history & wanted a game to play alongside it.
Before playing the SOW demo I had & spent (& spend) many hours playing TCM2. There were a couple of things I liked about this & a couple of things I didn't, and I would ask the community if these are addressed in the full OR modded versions of SOW...

1) The mini map - is there any zoom facility, as the icons seem a little fiddly. Its not a killer but it annoyed me in TCM2 & I wonder if SOW is the same?
2) One thing I liked on TCM2 that seems to have gone on SOW was the easy ability when centred on a regiment (clicking on the bullet graphic) to see a units abilities, weapon, ammo levels & casualties taken/given. I see some of this is available on a mouse over, but only the weapon stats - for the rest you seem to have to go to the order of battle.

Am I right in assuming that the demo represents the full game & the above concerns will hold good for the full version, or am I missing a trick somewhere?

By the way, aside from the above this seems to be an outstanding game - the order flexibility is excellent and it is very immersive.

regards
Keith

[General P R Cleburne]

Hi keithrose,
First id like to congratulate you for your excellent choice to take a look at this piece of software.Its perhaps not as well and widely known about as other more financially backed pieces of software sponsored by bigger companies but believe me when i say that it is an injustice that it is not.This is not simply a 'Game' in my opinion , it is a 19th Century battle simulator that can immerse the user into an experience not available anywhere else.That said..in answer to your questions:

1. Im not aware of any way to zoom on the mini map (someone might correct me on this) but there are other modded mini maps available that offer something different.I never have any sight problems with the mini maps and the only time things become a little fuzzy and awkward to see is when the troops are thickly engaged and the lines are close and units appear over one another on the mini map.This to me is not a problem as im ussually focused on the intensity of the moment and am not on the mini map until after that action has subsided.Once your boys are engaged in melee actions id think opening the minimap would be last on the list of things to do.

2.All the important statistics for each regiment/battery is avilable on the main HUD but if you do want more individual stats like for example wether the regiment has an experienced surgeon then yes you would have to open the Order of battle.The ones you mention tho are avialable with a mouse over like you pointed out.

The demo does indeed represent the full game and is in fact the full game which will open up once you purchase an activation code and insert it.That part i liked alot.You dont have to make an immediate decision or face downloading the software again at a later date you can simply leave it on your machine and if you decide to purchase then insert the code and you already have the game.not bad eh.

Id go and stick my neck out at this point and suggest you buy it regardless of any apprehensions as for the money you will not find a better portrayal of a 19th century battle simulator anywhere else.These guys have spent their time making sure of this fact.It may not have all the pretty ribbons and fancy packaging of other titles nor the reputation of a branded well known production company but these guys deliver what they say they will and they support it afterwards with outstanding customer service regarding problems.You cannot really lose out.

Hope you decide to do the right thing and support this company as im sure with growing and continued support they will only keep on delivering the best they can and that is good enough for us!

Enjoy
Cleburne

p.s Also worth a mention is the multiplayer community.This is to me where this software comes into its own.Its an experience to behold using it online with 15 other players and watching the battles unfold.Check it out !

[keithrose]

Thanks Cleburne for your swift & precise answers. It does indeed seem an excellent game and for me I think now its just a question of do I buy it myself or get the wife to get me it for Xmas!
Thanks again - point noted on the multiplayer - maybe you'll find me forcing you off Little Round Top some day soon!

Regards
Keith

[General P R Cleburne]

Your welcome Keith
Id think carefully about waiting for that xmas package tho if you intend to send your boys against mine at LRT! Might be better sending the courier now and inserting the acces code before my men have 2 xtra weeks to dig in and fortify...
Cleburne

[X Navy Seal]

Glad to hear you are gonna tackle Foote's narrative. It'll prob take you six months to read what it took him 20 years to write but it is well worth it. Stick with it, and do not give up. I just started Volume 3 and cannot recommend it enough!

[born2see]

keithrose wrote:

I have been playing the demo of the game and am enjoying it. I'll soon have Foote's 3 volume civil war history & wanted a game to play alongside it.

The Gettysburg portion of his work was excerpted into a book of its own called "Stars in Their Courses : The Gettysburg Campaign, June-July 1863" which I referred to extensively as I was going through the Historic Scenarios. It's hard to go wrong with his writings.

B