Subject: Fw: ACoW: First Impressions SPzAbt501 wrote in message <20000429124403.17117.00000335@ng-cb1.aol.com>... > Having just received my copy of ACoW, I thought I'd take a few moments to post > up my very first impressions, should anyone be interested: > > > The game itself will be nothing new to owners of previous TOAW titles, nor > does it pretend to be. It is in fact a compilation of all of the earlier TOAW > titles and scenarios with the addition of an expanded equipment database, and > the latest version of the basic game engine. > > > The biggest value (only my opinion) is the ability to now have TOAW I and II > in one complete package, without the need to switch between two different > programs for either playing or editing a scenario. > > > ACoW advertises "new" scenarios, but a quick look at these shows that most, > if not all of them (WWI included) have been previously downloadable from either > TGN or the Wargamer. I haven't had a chance as yet to see if any have been > updated to take advantage of the new equipment data either, and the only > completely new scenario I've seen (but I may have overlooked some) appears to > be "Meuse-Argonne". > > > ACoW does seem to able to import scenarios done with the latest versions of > either TOAW WoTY or TOAW II with no problem at all, but after importing, the > unit equipment lists should be checked to ensure that no "new" unwanted items > have crept into a unit's TO&E. This is due to the slot allocation within the > database itself (for example-what used to be cavalry squads will now show as > "mounted rifle-late" squads, etc.). This is not a bug, just something that > requires checking on. This is based on my experimental importing of a few of my > creations on a test basis. > > > The manual is basic TOAW, but thinner because the old data tables in the rear > have been removed. They are still in the game, but are only available online, > in the "docs" folder. > > > So far the only problem I've encountered (yet) is that a few of the earlier > TOAW I scenarios cannot be played or edited using both Cow.exe and CoW300.exe. > What happens is an attempted scenario "auto-update" that does not actually > occur and then a dump to a blank screen. This is followed by an error message. > So far, I've had the problem with "France40" and "Italy43". There may or may > not be problems with others as well. However, this can be fixed if you own a > copy of WotY or the latest version of TOAW II, by simply copying and pasting > from those games directly into the ACoW scenario folder-things work as expected > then. > > > Also on the downside, for those who may have been so inclined, some of the > scenarios supplied are still encrypted and can't be edited. > > > Right now I can't address the PBEM compatabilty issue between this version > and previous editions of TOAW. I'll have to leave it for someone else to take a > look at this. > > So, is ACoW worth the price? For me, yes, but for others it may depend on > whether or not you want or need the new equipment base, and all of TOAW I and > II on one CD. As in all things, it's of course "to each his own." > > I hope this somewhat quick overview was of some help. > > Tom Porto >