I have to agree on the manual. I don't want to print anything that is 196 pages, much less keep the unbound 8.5x11 mess on my desk.

I'm not that disappointed thought, because I'm so totally spoiled by Combat Mission now that I can hardly look at a hex-based wargame. I've tried to go back and play the Rising Sun demo, but my passion for the old paradigms is gone. I hope 2x3 can make something innovative & stay away from the limitations of cardboard.

"I'm not that disappointed thought, because I'm so totally spoiled by Combat Mission now that I can hardly look at a hex-based wargame."

Dammit, one of these days I'm going to actually have to get Combat Mission. But in the meantime, I really like John Tiller's EF/WF/RS system. I'm man enough to come to terms with my hexagonal past. :)

-Tom

Have you played the CM demo, Tom? Go do that if you haven't. www.battlefront.com My wife's beef with their online ordering is no sales, no coupons. She finally made my brother buy it for me (Christmas 1999 pre-order) since it came out to be $54 shipped. She just couldn't bring herself to pay full price!

I'm counting on 2x3 (or somebody, please) to do something better than Rising Sun, because the guys at Big Time Software aren't interested in the Pacific theater, so they are not planning on making a version of CM that covers it. Early WWII (1939) is on the list, but no Pacific? Maybe it comes from living in California, but I always found that theater more interesting than Europe.

"I'm counting on 2x3 (or somebody, please) to do something better than Rising Sun,"

I guess what I like about Rising Sun is that it's the same old mechanics in a new place. I like the island combat concept, the rough terrain and infantry, the American firepower vs. the Japanese fanaticism/morale. We've all done tanks on hexes, but Rising Sun is a nice change of scenery.

"because the guys at Big Time Software aren't interested in the Pacific theater, so they are not planning on making a version of CM that covers it. Early WWII (1939) is on the list, but no Pacific? Maybe it comes from living in California, but I always found that theater more interesting than Europe."

You and me both, brother! Give me fluid island-hopping campaigns and cat-and-mouse carrier battles instead of Normandy hedgerows and supply lines through France any day of the week. Plus, the weather is better in the South Pacific. Man, I might just have to dig out an emulator and a copy of War in the Pacific...

Is it any coincidence I prefer Thin Red Line to Saving Private Ryan?

-Tom

Ahh, the Thin Red Line (the book version!) IS a Combat Mission scenario! A small one, but a perfect one. Three platoons moving through hills and jungle terrain to get at a couple of Japanese platoons and MG nests. The Americans are backed up with some artillary. Oh perfect!

I highly recommend trying out Combat Mission. It is incredibly good, and so is Big Time Software. Their next move is to make the Russian Front, which will be fun, but I would love to see them make a Pacific version too. I think the engine might even be better suited to infantry battles in Jungle settings than tank battles on the steppes, or city battles. Why can't we have all three!!!

Sorry, getting greedy.

For anyone who hasn't tried it, d/l the demo. Worth every second of your time.

-CAV

Yah, I think Thin Red Line is a better rewatchable movie than Saving Ryan's Private (though the hyperreal battle scenes in SPR are great). The artillery barrage in Tihn Red Line . . . aye scary stuff. . . i remember an old ww2 vet grade school teacher told me about the Battle of the Bulge saying "was real cold, and all i saw was artillery killing friends . . . didn't see any germans"

Also as well, i wish they didnt have to ALWAYS release big budget American views of WW2. . . i'd like to see a full blown ww2 epic from the japanese or russian perspective . . . i mean war is war and most ppl i know loved Das Boat (and thats aboiut german subs!).

etc