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[Zaptruder]

Finally got around to downloading the demo and played through the single mission and played the skirmish for a bit.

Pretty excellent stuff, great to see the WH40k universe come alive so well. Finally justice done to a great license.

But it suprised me... after hearing about all the new fangelled resource management ideas and what not, how much this game still feels like a normal RTS game. I mean it feels pretty solid and the graphics and animations kick all kinds of ass, but the core gameplay feels alot more like say... Starcraft then Warhammer 40k.

Maybe a neat multiplayer mode to have, would be to give the player points at the beginning, let them choose their army and then deploy it on the map, similar to the table top game (choose and deploy armies with a 5 minute time limit in MP games, or maybe let players preselect armies for point values and save them like the army color chooser options).
The battles would be pretty quick, but I imagine the intensity of facing off with 2 large and relatively equally matched armies would be a pretty awesome experience.

Finally I know few people outside of actual Gamesworkshop/40K fans would care, but it would've been nice if the army painter could've gone into more details (hide the detail at first, but if people wanted to be pedantic about army colors they could be), such that you could pick the color for the chest crest, left shoulder pad trim, right shoulder pad trim, left knee, right knee, helmet color, etc, etc. I imagine it wouldn't be that tricky to do and would mean alot to a good portion of the people buying the game. But what's done is done. It's still pretty good!

 

[explodet]

Some of the play mechanics are new to me and pretty neat - the way you can set your squads to automatically replenish to a certain number; customizing your units with specific upgrades; or morale effecting your squad's power and running speed. It all comes together pretty nicely.

I hear the Eldar are tough to play as, as they fall victim to early rushes. Is this true?

Maybe a neat multiplayer mode to have, would be to give the player points at the beginning, let them choose their army and then deploy it on the map, similar to the table top game (choose and deploy armies with a 5 minute time limit in MP games, or maybe let players preselect armies for point values and save them like the army color chooser options).
The battles would be pretty quick, but I imagine the intensity of facing off with 2 large and relatively equally matched armies would be a pretty awesome experience.

I like the sound of this one, only because it's so tried and true on the tabletop game.

 

[Priz]

I'm liking the demo from what I've played so far. I need to experiment more, but I'm planning on picking this up in the future, hopefully on sale at Fry's or something.

One question about the scrolling - it's really jerky when I scroll around the map on my machine, especially with many units on the map. Is the demo like this? Is it my machine? (I hope this is fixed/patched for the final version)... it's a little annoying... but other than that...

I haven't figured out how to make your units auto-replenish. I guess there's still some stuff I need to read up on.

 

[Sinatar]

I enjoyed the demo, didn't seem like there was a whole lot of strategy too it, but that doesn't mean much off the limited demo.

Whether or not I purchase it depends on how my bank account is looking in this already overcrowded fall lineup.

 

[EviLore]

You can auto-replenish by right-clicking on the reinforce button. This works for facilities, too.


I'm finding that the game's a LOT more strategic when I play with resource rate set to "low." A lot less of a clickathon, more strategic depth.

 

[Cimarron]

i'm still waiting on my copy from Bishoptl.

Bishoptl: do want me to pm address to you again?

 

[Slo]

I didn't think this came out until the 20th? Anyway, I plan on getting it as soon as I have funds. Hopefully that won't be more then a couple of months.

 

[Zaptruder]

You can mod the demo...

to include orks and terminators and land raiders.

Land raiders are awesome... and terminators are too; if you can tech up to them then pack them with dreadnoughts, they kinda stomp all over everything in the game.

The ork AI seems broken. Or maybe it just really doesn't have any decent way of getting past heavy bolter turrets because by comparison the comp just isn't very challenging with space marines vs orks. On the other hand, hard space marine vs space marine is quite deadly.

This game is set to look pretty good... plus fans are already working on mods to include a few of the other armies/races... including Grey Knights! :O

 

[Ghost]

I just completed it i have mixed feelings

I love the game and the way it works i knew i would after the beta, theres something totally compelling about the way combat is depicted so much so that theres nothing more fun than building up a huge set piece then just watching it unfold. The only minor complaint i have about the actual gameplay was the lack of line of fire on projectiles (when you are firing up ramps or hills they go through the floor, and also through most of the structures in the world) thats a really minor thing to an otherwise great RTS though, id expect no less from Relic.

My only real complaints come against how the single player experience unfolds, the story is great in itself but it doesnt do much to accomplish variety in the game, you only play as the space marines, one race stories were fine in the homeworld series where the races were virtually identical (preferred in fact, i hate playing through the same game 4 times just with different dialog) but when you've got such a brilliant variety of races it would have been nice to get to play as them without having to play a skirmish or multiplayer game. The story also contstricts the action to one planet, which again seems like a shame when you have the entire warhammer universe at your disposal. I also wasnt a fan of the games preferred method of narative, the in game engine is great and all but it does detract from the experience (real shame in this case because as i mentioned, the story itself is great) because theres no body language and any combat in the cutscenes is done using ingame animation. I guess the faceless Homeworld universe made things easier for relic to create such perfectly stylised story elements but after watching the opening FMV to DoW i was expecting better on this side of things.

That said though i totally enjoyed DoW, it has rekindled my love for RTS. I dont really play multiplayer RTS anymore (seeing as i suck) but the single player and the fun i'll have in skirmishes has made this totally worth the purchase. I assume there will be add-ons/sequels and i wish relic all the best, maybe though they could mix their success with their original ground breaker, doesnt Warhammer have a space based game?

 

[Burger]

I'm liking the single player, but it hasn't taken long to get to mission 4, and I hear there are only 11 missions.

I was expecting campaigns for at least 2 races. Multiplayer RTS isn't where it's at for me.

 

[Ghost]

I especially wanted to play an eldar campaign in single player, they seem like something pretty unique to play as.

 

[WarPig]

I especially wanted to play an eldar campaign in single player, they seem like something pretty unique to play as.

Yeah. The way I see it, it really wants an Eldar campaign to teach people how to play them, because the strategies are so different.

DFS.

 

[bishoptl]

I imagine it wouldn't be that tricky to do

You have no idea.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

its one of the greatest games i've ever played. Words cannot express...i have tears right now just thinking about it.

 

[Drinky Crow]

11 fuckin' SP missions. 11!

11 PER SIDE is what I expect. Wah wah wah multiplayer is where it's at NO EXCUSES.

 

[Ghost]

I guess you are just trying to get some attention here dc, but still.

11 per side would seriously drag

 

[bishoptl]

shut up and buy 8 copies

Daddy needs some new rings

 

[automagnus]

The game is so fun, I love it. It really does have a lot strategy involved.

Also the predator tank is the unholy mother of all destruction

 

[teepo]

this game needs to become the new ga's kohan.

 

[BlackMage]

IT IS EXCELLENT! GOTY

 

[WarPig]

The game is so fun, I love it. It really does have a lot strategy involved.

Also the predator tank is the unholy mother of all destruction

Funny, I never used the Predator much. I either made a shit-ton of Hellfire Dreadnoughts or skipped straight to the Land Raider.

A squad of, say, five Dreads will mop up the entire map in maybe the first 2/3 of the SP campaign, especially if you kit out the basic models with assault cannons for the serious long-range antipersonnel capability. Watching 'em crunch up Orks is a hoot, and Guardian squads go down in about half a second.

DFS.

 

[Sinatar]

I've got the full version now, its good but has some issues:

1) Stupidly short, only 1 campaign, with 11 missions. Takes about 5 hours to play through.
2) Some glaring balance issues, like the Eldar's Seer Council for example.
3) Lots of game breaking campaign bugs. For example, I had to redo the 8th mission because I killed a squad of enemy troops. Apparantly I wasn't supposed to do that till they attacked me first. Broke the whole mission. On their forums they have a big list of really silly things you can do to break about 90% of the missions in the game.

Its definitely got potential to be a fantastic game, especially if they iron out the balance issues and release a bunch more multiplayer maps (there are only about a dozen atm).

 

[Zaptruder]

You have no idea.

I thought about that army painter thing... in retrospect it would be rather difficult to do.

But that said... WTF is up with 'trim' been the same color as the crest eagle (except maybe Ultramarines; but their trim differs per company)? EVERY SINGLE CHAPTER I CAN THINK OF HAS THE CHEST EAGLE A DIFFERENT COLOR TO THE 'TRIM'. EVEN THE F---ING BLOOD RAVENS! FIX THAT GAFF NOW

And fix the seer council rush!

The game was short and the story was pretty stupid. That librarian looked like Mister Potato head! an angry one albeit!

But the game is pretty fun, so kudos on that.

 

[Fifty]

I felt it needed a couple more weeks in testing.

 

[bishoptl]

2) Some glaring balance issues, like the Eldar's Seer Council for example.

There's more to balance than rock, paper, scissors - you also have to balance for cost. As one of the most expensive units the Eldar have, the Seer Council works fine. As far as I'm concerned, if you're sitting with your thumb up your ass instead of taking the fight to your Eldar opponent, allowing him to amass enough cash and requisition to afford a Seer Council, you deserve the beating you take.

Get off your butts and fight!

 

[BlackMage]

I say we ban all haters!!

 

[MrAngryFace]

if the game sux you arent playing it right!

 

[Apharmd Battler]

The game is awesome!! It is the title that has brought me back to PC RTS games. I loved the original Command&Conquer, and Starcraft, but when Warcraft came out, everything started to focus on untis, resources, and defense. I got six of spending 45 minutes setting things up in order to get a certain unit. What I like about Warhammer 40K is that it sticks closely to the game universe and you can play'actively'. I mean, you don't sit around in turtle mode setting stuff up, you can play like that if you want, but if you're a war monger like me, you likemoving ot and taking checkpoints, and move the war forward. This game is awesome ad I am seriously hooked on it! I just love the combat animation, brutal and wicked. I just like the ease of pick up and play. But multiplayer is what truly makes this gem shine..........

 

[Zaptruder]

There's more to balance than rock, paper, scissors - you also have to balance for cost. As one of the most expensive units the Eldar have, the Seer Council works fine. As far as I'm concerned, if you're sitting with your thumb up your ass instead of taking the fight to your Eldar opponent, allowing him to amass enough cash and requisition to afford a Seer Council, you deserve the beating you take.

Get off your butts and fight!

Several issues that was talked about on the relic forums;

The Seer Council rush is so powerful because well, they're really powerful units for how early they're available. They're priced fairly, but that's not the real issue.

For most players, they have the option of teching up, or countering a fast tech with rushing. For other races, rushing involves using multiple basic tier 1 units.

For eldar, their seer council lies squarely along their upgrade path. So not only can they rush with a damn powerful unit, they get the advantage of teching up to it.

Coupled with the fact that it really doesn't take that long to get a seer council up (normally I have a seer council building by the time my farseer is ready to turn up; the enemy following the same commander rush build will have their commander out at their side...), and you have one deadly rushing weapon.

But, really the seer council isn't even that over powered. But in tandem with entangle, a relatively cheap guardian squad ability (which you should have 2 to 3 of) puts them over the edge; with it you can basically trap the enemy commander from entering close combat, then kill off their troops with your seer council and guardians. Then kill their commander... if they're lucky they're reinforcements will see their commander getting axed as you advance forward.

As for turrets, they're effective for defending against turrets; but if you harass resource points instead of going for their base, then you'll gain signficant resource advantages with your crack squad.

 

[Hooker]

My copy still hasn't arrived yet... I hope today :/

And something else, a fully upgraded predator is more powerful than a land raider. (at least, in the BETA and DEMO)

 

[Hooker]

IT'S HERE!!!!!

 

[bishoptl]

if the game sux you arent playing it right!

Don't get me wrong - we've been studying the forums actively and separating the wheat from the chaff in terms of balance complaints. Micro is the key to beating Seer Council rushes, I've been doing it effectively with the Space Marines for months, and my opponents/testers are some of the best in the business.

That said, a patch is in the works and some abilities are up for review. That's all I'm gonna say about that for now.

 

[Zaptruder]

Good to hear.

 

[Hooker]

The official forums are down so I'll do it in here. (haven't seen you in the chat for a couple of days either)

a bug, in the direct join option, you can only enter a specific number of digits, perfect for an ip-address. But you can enter host-names, which sucks. Because IP's can be a bitch to remember.

Second thing, you can play online without a valid cd-key, again with the direct host/join

 

[Kefkaff]

This game needs some serious patching

Bish, please tell me this game will be patched regularly(like WC3 is). It's a good game and all but there are quite a few broken aspects that kinda ruin it.

 

[bishoptl]

Patches are upcoming. What's broken?

 

[Banjo Tango]

Patches are upcoming. What's broken?

Not a huge bug, but... a lot of times when I tell my builder units to repair units or buildings, they just stand there and do nothing. I have to move the builder unit, then tell it to repair again...

Also, my friend kicked my ass at the game, and it was embarassing losing to him. FIX IT.

 

[bishoptl]

I'm not nerfing units just because you suck!

I'll look into the other stuff though - I haven't seen that builder problem at all, even on slower machines.

 

[Banjo Tango]

I'm not nerfing units just because you suck!

Well, fuck.

I'll look into the other stuff though - I haven't seen that builder problem at all, even on slower machines.

I'll let you know if I can repeat it consistently.

 

[Kefkaff]

I seem to find that a lot of units wander about. If I tell a grouping to go somewhere, they will but a squad or two will be somewhere off in the distance where I don't want them to be (ie engaging the enemy).

other then that, I can't think of much but that's my current major complaint. I have a friend who's played the game a bit more then me so he'll tell me anything else he thinks is broken. Me and him are(were?) avid Wc3 players so we've seen every possible extremity of imablance possible . He also agreed with me on the wandering units thing, and he thinks that the Orks are a bit Imbalanced and need a bit of a nerf.

 

[Sinatar]

I'm not nerfing units just because you suck!

I'll look into the other stuff though - I haven't seen that builder problem at all, even on slower machines.

I've seen the builder thing too, its just an overall problem with the hitboxes on the units, they are too big, especially dreadnaughts.

 

[Kefkaff]

Yea that's definitely another problem. Far too often have I clicked on my barracks only to have selected my Stronghold

 

[Mareg]

I'll look into the other stuff though - I haven't seen that builder problem at all, even on slower machines.

I would say that more often then not my servitor will not be able to reapair my predator/dreads on first click. I will have to displace the unit and tell my servitor AGAIN to reapair. And I have a crazy fast machine !

 

[Hooker]

One thing that pisses me off is when units are in combat and you want the to retreat, just simply clicking on a new location doesn't do the job. You have to use the "move" command multiple times for those fucking idiots to listen.


It probably has to do with the stances etc. but I have no idea how that works exactly. It's not in the manual, FAQ or guide anywhere. It is briefly explained when you have the help context on high but I can't be bothered to read the descriptions when there's a battle to duke out

 

[Ghost]

I have a situation you can recreate to see the servitor problem bish.

On the single player lever (cant remember the number) where the imperial guard just sit in the bottom right of the map and beat 10 shades of crap out of any orks that come alone, try getting a servitor to repair their tanks.

I think its a path finding problem because it seems that if theres troops or anything that blocks a direct route, they just give up (untill you click again).