So, who's playing
this game? I bought it on a whim a few days ago. I played the tutorial, and since then I've played 3 multiplayer games. I've won every time. I'm beginning to think this might finally be an RTS which doesn't suffer from the same problems as every other RTS.
Comments
If you're not familiar with the game, it's basically a hacking simulation in which all computer interfaces are like they are in movies. This is far more fun than it sounds, and the game is loaded with easter eggs. You can even play Global Thermonuclear War, and access Steve Jackson Games' file server!
Seriously: I love the game, but dang is it hard. Maybe it's because I've only played against AI's so far... A geeknights Defcon night would be awesome.
The Linux version of the game is coming out in November. But that's relatively useless because it won't be able to compete with the Wii.
And for people struggling with the game, one thing that I don't remember being mentioned in the tutorial was that fighter jets can shoot down nukes. Very helpful in a tight spot.
Chiyo-chan: You sick fuck!
Osaka: Thats wrong.
Sakaki: Understandable, but wait until she's older.
Nyamo: Hot.
I have a feeling that I will soon be about $18 poorer now and $60 poorer in 60 days.
Please Advise.
If I am placing my fleet, and the DEFCON changes, I lose all of my ability to place my fleet. What has already been placed stays out there, but I can't place any more ships. This happens during the first DEFCON change in the game, so I doubt highly that this is intentional.
The biggest issue for my strategy-wise is with the fleet.
I've been making two groups of six submarines, and the remaining groups are comprised of three battleships and three carriers.
Does this sound like a decent way to organize the fleets?
The other issue I have is what to do with my surface fleet. I obviously want to protect my shoreline from enemy subarmines, and have to leave some fleet there.
Does it make sense to send some surface ships out to the enemy's coastline? The computer certainly likes to do this. I also need to protect my subarmines, since on more than one occassion I've launched a missle from a sub, only to have the sub blown to pieces. (Does the sub have active sonar? - I can't even remember.)
My strategy with boats is constantly in flux, and I'm beginning to think it's the most important part of the game. First, your fleets will inevitably enter combat with your opponent's fleet. Your goal is to destroy all of your opponent's fleets while retaining as many boats as possible. The reasons for this are three. First, any battleship you keep alive will serve an an excellent defender against incoming nukes and planes. Second, any carrier you keep alive will serve as an excellent defender, via its fighters, and a platform for up to 5 nukes via its bombers. Lastly, every sub you keep alive can potentially launch 5 nukes.
My current strategy with boats is to first deploy my ships according to which territories are selected. If I am Europe and my opponent is South America, everything is going for the Atlantic Ocean. Second, I immediately send my nearly undetectable submarines out. You really need to send the fleets out during defcon 5, asap. They move very slowly, and if you don't send them on their way from the start, they won't get into good positions. Anyway, I send the submarines to circle around behind the enemy where his defenses will be less. Next, I put all my boats in a strong position in the ocean, but keep them close enough to my territory so that fighters and bombers from my airbases can reach them. Then, once the fighting starts, I make sure to get as many planes in the air in the most heated part of the battle. Since you likely have the same number of boats as your opponent, air dominance is the key to naval victory. If I've learned anything it's that a Pearl Harbor strategy is awesome. Bomb the crap out of the enemy boats for the win. Yes, bombers can drop normal bombs, they're not just for nuking.