Wargame-European Escalation
http://wargame-ee.com/index.php?rub=home

From makers of RUSE, but more realistic, and less twitchy. I just bought RUSE, great game and visuals, but still too twitchy and clicky for a wargame. This new one looks different.

I found a PC Gamer interview about this one:
http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/10/25/ruse-d...ean-escalation/

This one is the most informative:
http://www.wargame-ee.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=84

Thanks for the tip. Looks interesting enough to follow.

Well, I am crossing my fingers for this one: Naval War Artic Circle

http://www.paradoxplaza.com/games/naval-war-arctic-circle

If they do it well, it would be quite awesome . . .

Here are some gameplay videos from Wargame (in french):

http://gamingzoneblog.msn.com/dk/blogpost.aspx?post=605b6516-f944-42e4-bd28-937f46becbf1

NDA has been lifted. If any of you got questions about the game, I'd be happy to answer them.

Well I must say I was really excited to see the start of a game play video showing the graphics engine ( shown in the other thread ) It looked absolutely fantastic, the landscape, the units, wow amazing... Then I saw the troops come running at each other like demented football hooligans. Then saw the vehicles blasting at each other as if they were an 80's arcade shooter.

Looks way too arcadey for me, shame as the engine looks impressive and I would love to see a realistic war game feel to it such as TOW or the combat mission series, oh well, maybe it can be modded?

Having played the closed beta, the trailer belies the gameplay.

Hey Tac, do troops moved tactically then? Can you put them into formations and give them particular orders such as hold, defend etc?

Also the speed that the units seem to be running at is a cause of concern. Can this be adjusted or is it not as fast as it appears in the video?

Cheers

The game focuses on a higher level of combat than those to focus on the granularity of individual troops. There are no formations aside from a line formation and column formation when you use a "move on roads" command, but generally vehicles and infantry will automatically move to nearby cover (forests, buildings, hedges) when appropriate.

When you take into account of the scale of the game (see the video below), the walking pace of infantry doesn't seem out of place. (Also, all infantry are purchased with some sort of transport since nearly all belligerents were mechanized at this era)



Video shows the newly-added NATO markers.

Cool video, thanks for sharing. It was compared to Ruse, though the game interface seems a bit different. Can you elaborate Tacerror? Thanks in advance. Also, any update on the release date?

Matt

I never played RUSE, so I can't say. The publishers claim that the release date will be around late Feb.

Hey Tac, thanks for answering my questions and the video, my one complaint about the video is... hey that was just getting interesting!!! I would have liked to see how the game play developed, sending those tanks forward to contact the enemy and a bit of exchange fire.

But definently looks interesting, the more I see, the more Im impressed by their engine!

Yeah, it was only a demonstration video to show the NATO icons.

The more videos I see, the less I like it. Infantry should be engaging with ATGMs from hundred of meters away, but I saw them charging armor on the road firing their rifles. Weird. I saw Appaches helos attacking armor by flying right over them...and getting shot down. They should be engaging with hellfires from 8KM away.

I think its light on the realism, and heavy on the alternate hollywood/ RTS reality. Too bad, would like a hardcore war sim that looked this good.

Oh, there will be long-range ATGM shooting if the terrain permits--the trailers the publishers released don't represent the actual gameplay that was in the closed beta unfortunately.

On helicopters, flying directly over infantry or armored formations (even self-propelled artillery with top-mounted heavy machine guns) is a good way to lose your loses in the game.

Game is for preorder at steam now! PPl who preorder get a key for the final MP-beta wich already startet!
One guy made e pretty nice video trying to explain the game menu and mechanics!

Looks very interesting!

Looks nice, I like the big zoomable map. It's cols war era, right? Sorry if it was mentioned early but I haven't read the whole thread, as Jesse Ventura once said " I ain't got time to read" .

Yes. 1975 to 1985 with some leeway on both ends for more unit variety.

Hey BadKarma,

I've just pre ordered the game, downloaded it last night and have just taken a peek at it in action. Looks very impressive... just one question...WHAT THE HELL AM I MEANT TO DO!!!! LOL

I'm just making my way through the video ( French guy speaking ) and now I've had a quick look at the game in action hopefully his vid will make more sense!

If you have any tips please feel free to let us know. First thing I'd like to do is setup a multi player game on my own so I dont ruin things for any one else playing while I get familiar with the game ( if thats possible ).

Cheers

** EDIT **

Video is very helpful with getting an understanding of the game, things make a lot more sense now! Still a little worried at the speed of the units, seems pretty fast but have yet to try the game for real. I really dont want to play if its a click fest, but would like to take a more slow and deliberate approach. However I get the feeling others will be playing it a lot faster than myself.

I guess I wish for the srategic gameplay like TOW or more ideally combat mission series, time will tell.

I am disappointed that the game does allow for cheesy, out of reality tactics...perhaps that's one of the side effects of the players--the ranking system breeds a "win with all available means" mentality.

I'll be looking forward to mod tools to make a "grognard edition" minimod, IMO.

I guessed I missed that . . . like what?

I'm not happy with the speed of the units after looking at videos, especially infantry. Looks like a select all and attack 'action RTS' game.

You can do that, but you'll be hurting.

IFVs and AAA are way overpowered. Really know this game is going to annoy me more than please me when people just find out the uber-units and use them.

I'll caveat by saying that I haven't actually played it yet, but . . .

Looking at the troubles the AH-64 had in OIF, I'd wager they would have found the Soviet AAA to be "overpowered" in a real life Fulda Gap scenario.

Yeah, against helos and aircraft it should shred them but not decimate an MBT!! AAA rules in this game not arty. Set up AAA in tree lines and you are invincible.

Hmm, that is disappointing. Maybe it will be rebalanced in the full release and/or a patch.

I doubt it as they are pandering to their key audience. Same devs that did RUSE and I hated that too but people said it was better and while it doesn't have the RUSE gimmicks it's still no sim.

Got this yesterday, but haven't gotten to put more than a few minutes into it.
It's not RUSE, although the zoom feature is the same. Quick first impression is a little like EndWar due to the persistent units. Seems like it's taken a lot more seriously than RUSE (which is good) but to the point of being a dry RTS game. I think it's mainly for MP. I've only finished the first campaign tutorial mission though. Looking forward to learning more, but I won't be approaching it as another RUSE game.
Graphically, it's nice once everything has popped in. LOL

I picked it up too, played one mission from the campaign, the controls feel a bit clunky, but I'll get used to them.

I bought this one. It's really not too bad at all. I wish there was a skirmish mode against the AI like Compnay of Heroes. Also, anyone seen anything mentioned on any forums about additional downloadable content, such as missions or other countries? I liked Ruse's DLC and content very much.

Thanks

Matt

There is a skirmish mode right on the top of the solo-player screen! You can choose the map and some other parameters and unleash hell on the the enemy!

So far i like it, watching the supplies is crucial and so is the moral of the troops! AI seems variable sometims the attack and try to flank and the other time they wait and try to ambush your troops.
It´s no Gary Grigsby but no C&C clickfest either.

Thanks Karma. I totally looked over that bar......now, to make my personalized deck and kick some WP butt.....reminds me of Steel Pathers in RTS.

Matt

I've been playing Wargame pretty consistently with some friends in MP since Beta. I'm actually quite impressed. It's easy enough to get your head around in short order (in-game). Conversely, it has enough depth that things like suppression and observed/unobserved fire makes a differences. When playing on a limited points budget, it really helps to divide up the battlefield responsibilities which also significantly increases the teamwork aspect. That said, unlike games like 'world in conflict' this role based play isn't enforced.

Things That need work:

- The menu interface (ie, not in the 3D game). Its bloody awful and counter-intuitive as all get out. The guy who designed it needs a slap. Seriously, its a dogs breakfast totally at odds with the reasonably streamlined 3d interface.

- PvE. Yes, I know there is player vs AI (1v1), but how about letting friends take on the many tentacled beast?

- Pact (as in Warsaw Pact) Chopper spam. For what they bring to the battlefield, Hinds are too cheap. If I had a dollar for every time that horde of red dots coming down the map was the entire USSR's supply of Rotary wing, i'd be a rich man. Catch 22 is that if you spend big on stingers or ROLAND SAMs and the enemy doesn't chopper spam, you get eaten alive by tanks.

-Helicopter engagement proceedure. Helo unit AI attempting to engage from max range = good. Helo unit AI going hell for leather to that engagement line and then trying to stop (ending up well within the engagement zone) = bad.

-Range rings

-An ability to choose 'perks' for a deck (a deck being the selection of units the player chooses to bring to the battle, which is a cool feature in and of itself). Ie, 'German Battlegroup' so German units are cheaper, but others are more expensive. Or 'Armour Heavy' etc.

-Ability to alter facing of units and a more tangible feedback when queued orders are being issued.

So, other than the extensive list above, its a great game and you should all buy it. Now.

How do you get your deck to play the later equipment in skirmish? Do you have to play the later campaign from the 80's? I've only played the 1st campaign module as the West German's. There's 2 more, later, that play Russian and American in the 70-80's.

Also, in skirmish, you only get 4 command vehicles to occupy up to 3 additional territories, is there any other way to get additional command vehicles?

Matt

You've got some command stars by playing through the 1st campaign. If you go into the armory section from the main menu you can choose what units you want unlocked. Then go into the deck section to add those units to your deck.

interesting post on the steam forums:

http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/sh...0&t=2576997

http://wargame-wiki.info

The Wargame Community WIKI opens the door.

What can you find on the WIKI?

Database - A Huge sortable Database with every Unit in the Game
Guides & Strategies
Videos
Replays
Wallpapers
Links
Help - Video Tutorials how you can help the wiki to grow


Please help us to make our community wiki more complete and accurate on Information related to Wargame: European Escalation.
Here you will find the "HELP" Video Tutorials:

Welcome & Register:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzfW19QTubg
Creating an Unit Info Page :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1pXvf4-Y2g
Creating a Guide or Strategy Article: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0PEU4tNjw8
Adding Videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFoIpl-FEEg

Sorry for my bad english, but i hope this videos helps you. When some from the UK or US can help me with Video Tutorials please PM me.

Let us make the Wargame Community WIKI the central point for Informations & Guides.

Interesting thread !

I have a burning question though : about game speed

I really liked RUSE, that is until I became overwhelmed by game speed and could not manage all the unit stacks + bases, approximately halfway through the campaign.

Wargame seems to have been improving upon the RUSE concept, but I fear speed is gonna be an issue again for me.

Is it possible to alter game speed, or to pause and give orders ? (in SP of course)

Thanks in advance for any insight

Jerome

No, I've seen no such controls for pause or altering game speed. It would be useful though, because some missions start you running with enemy forces breathing down your neck at the onset.

Review:
http://www.strategyinformer.com/pc/wargameeuropeanescalation/reviews.html

Interesting game so far, the interface is great - simple and easy to use, no manual required. I kind of question the effectiveness of SPAA guns vs main battle tanks however. Yesterday I faced 4 shilkas and 4 t-62s with 8 leopard tanks ( 1A1 and 1A2 four each ) and got my a$$ handed to me in a head-to-head confrontation where I arguably had better recon in place than the AI did. WTF?

Yeah, the sounds screwed up. IRL, the 23mm on the Zsu-23-4 would do little than scratch paint on a MBT. Something that needs to be addressed in a patch, methinks.

At least someone else is agreeing with me that this is wrong in this game! I said this since the beta and get the reply that it doesn't happen and I am playing it wrong...

Well the AA is shooting at a very high rate of fire, stunning your tankcrews, making them less effective. So even outdated Tanks can take them down.
Tanks are mostly dead when you operate them on their own. Get a good mix which can support ech other.

I think in these cases it´s very important what kind of veteran level your troops have. The lower the level the faster they get stunned and routed/destroyed!

So now one ever bothered telling the poor slobs going through the German Army tank qualification course that 23mm AAA shells could not penetrate the armor of a MBT? I think we need syllabus change!

Yeah, there's a bit of a disconnect. Read over on the game's boards one justified it as the crews getting "knocked around from the torrent of bullets". 7oz moving 45 tons at all, let alone violently enough to impede crew function?..

It seems this has been addressed somewhat in one of the patches over the last few days... something about AP penetration ranges adjusted. I'll have to run a few more missions to be sure but it SEEMS better.

Well, maybe if it were Iraqi T-72 crews after suffering a few weeks of uncontested airstrikes. But no western (or frontline Russian) tank crew would be expected to be supressed by 23mm by itself.

23mm might nok knock you out but comms and sights plus any MG or vision device on the outside can be ripped apart from the 23mm torrent, there should be some suppression, also bear in mind that a 25mm sideshot can ruin most tankers days if he is close enough.
I do lioke this game and have been having a blast, unfortunately CMBN:CF came out and then Strike Fighters NA... and soon the new Total War.... Only so many hours a day!

Staffan

A ZSU is shooting a combo of HE and Tracer. I know the M-60s and early model Leopards were not quite as well protected on the flanks as an M1, but I have trouble believing 23mm HE would pentrate anything (besides MAYBE the engine cover) at any range. And for the ZSU to be close enough to engage the tank with any accuracy, it would have to be within what would be point blank range for an MBT. But then I'm a flyer, not a tanker by trade, so maybe I'm missing something. Its just, if this tactic were really effective, you would have thunk it would be common practice in the tanker world.

so how do you buy troops again?

I'm only on the 2nd mission (other games this week), I go to play it...it tells me I can use my stars to buy new units, by hitting TAB then TO&E...but then nothings there to purchase, just info? I slowly lost everything... could even get resupplied.

Still learning with this one.

(BTW; I was surprised to have it run on medium at 50 fps on my laptop...sweet.)

Mag, as you play though each "mission" or level in the campaign you complete objectives. For each objective you receive stars. At the end of each "mission" or before the start of a new one (I cant remember) you can scroll through a list of your resources (troops, recon, tanks, logistics, ect.) As you scroll through you will see that some resources have a number (1-4) and a star next to them. Just double-click on the resource you want and if you have the stars to pay for it a window will pop up for you to accept or decline. You can keep track of the number of stars you have on the right side of the screen. Also, if you want to look at that particular unit's stats before purchasing just click on the "INFO" which is located to the left of the VAR. button on the lower right of the screen in the -----ACTION----- area. (NOTE: in the below screen shot the "INFO" button is not on.)

http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/505764350191984848/202A1D529A1D4028C495F7645B995DE9A16ABA95/

in game, you need to have control of a zone with a "reinforcement arrow" on it, then click the number in upper left ( command points available )

in between missions, you can use the command stars to make new types available in the next missions.

Out now on steam : free DLC for Wargame with some more maps. Yay!

Have they fixed the AAA killing MBT's yet? If not I'm not buying.

yes, one of the patches addressed AT penetration so the shilkas up close are still somewhat dangerous but they aren't going to be picking off leopards from 1000 yds away any more.

And Weekend Deal -40% (27 Euro), installing now

Got the game just two days ago and only fiddled around with some of the SP missions.
Really like what I' ve seen so far and can imagine that the MP experience could be great.

Anybody up for some multiplay with that title over the weekend?

Just purchased this myself because of the sale. I really like it, but I suck at it something awful. In the first SP mission, which I imagine is designed to be a milk run, everything was going great until I was advancing on the final objective and I noticed the little flashing fuel icon on my units. Then my 4 MBTs were wiped out by a single infantry unit. I think I don't understand how the supply trucks work... I guess I kind of assumed they were magical machines with an unlimited capacity to rearm and repair anything within 100 meters, as these things tend to be in RTS games. That is a good thing of course, but it looks like my Company of Heroes artillery spam tactics aren't going to work.

I guess I need to read the manual. A proper tutorial instead of vague pop-up messages would have been nice.

thats the weakness of the game... hard to learn that interface.

BTW, the new maps... they auto-in, or are they a seperate download somewhere?

Right click on the game icon in your games pages, select store page and the link is in place there. It seems to only auto update your patches, but DLC you have to physically tell it to download.

You might have to delete your Steam appcache folder to make it appear too. Showed as already downloaded for me but the content wouldn't pop up in game until I removed that folder and Steam remade it.

Right.....

Re-purchased it and messing with the SP seems better than early access was BUT how do I play against players of a similar level to me (level 1)? My T-62s against Super M60s and M1A1s aint fun and shouldn't happen as I get no time to play the game and work out how it works, just become the other players target practice.

God, I reaaaaaally wish I hadn't bought it again!!!! Played a game and got to level 3 but don't know how as I only killed a landed chinook and had tons of abuse spammed at me by team mates. Horrible players, reminds me of C&C type of player - 12 year olds. 'Do THIS!!!!!' 'Go there!!!! OMFG he's retarded!!!' whilst my T-62s get creamed by out of sight M1A1's again...

I have 12 command stars now so I guess I can buy better units?

Really don't want to whinge but it is not fun at all and I have paid to not have this fun!

Me and a couple of other SimHqers have a a couple of MP games on our usual Sunday slot - we may try the new coop vs AI mode today.

Will be online with this at 1800GMT - any others welcome to join us - we'll be on the voice activated SimHQ TS channel.

Mace, unfortunately its the same way with a lot of RTS games (and why I never play multiplayer unless it is with friends). I have horrible memories of Supreme Commander and Starcraft, and those to my knowledge were actually ranked too. My advice would be to first plow through a lot of the single player campaigns and gather stars for better units (my plan), and play coop heavily. As for the abuse, that's the pathetic internet we've all grown to have nowadays :/.

LOL, I don't have the answer you're seeking, but you killed a captureable supply vehicle....the Chinook. I enjoy this title and it was quirky at first, but haven't done multiplayer because of the dreaded 12 year old types that have studied every workable nuance of the game.

If you notice at the end of each single player game you complete, you get rewarded stars for accomplishments or goal objectives. These are used to upgrade your battle packs and help defeat the juvenile upgraded hordes...

Best of luck!

Aha! I have made a deck now and have the M1A1 and others! Went to play a game with my new units and I was on the Pact side and I had just bought Nato units, DOH!!

Lol, played a few games since than with better people and getting into it now. Helps especially now i can buy new, stronger units

Anyone know how to best deal with infantry using AT-4 Spigot? The range is so long by the time I move my leopards into range they've always knocked out one or two.

Also, I often have lots of deployment points, but the game stops giving me the option to bring in tanks, leaving me with just mounted infantry and recon vehicles. Anyone know how or why that happens?

The manual doesn't say a whole lot.

For AT teams I find that either artillery or helicopters that can mulch infantry without being shot at by rifles work best. Infantry also work at taking out small groups if they aren't mounted. Sending in armor to take out anti armor teams won't end well.

As for not being able to deploy more units, you only get so many you can deploy of each unit, even if you have the deploy points available. You can have a thousand deploy points but if you've run out of Leopard 1A2 reinforcements off-map, you can't call in more.

What's the best way to deal with infantry units hidden in a town?

either counter with dismounted infantry or lots o' artillery. if you bring the arty up closer to the front lines the accuracy gets significantly better and they will direct fire on anything visible with good effect.

it seems that even quick overflights with choppers to try and spot them doesn't work well, the choppers don't always see em, and the infantry will damage your helos as they fly over. park recon out of missile range to catch movement, tanks behind recon, and assault with cheap dismounted infantry with their battle taxis in tow. once the infantry is engaged you can bring up the bigger guns ( recon autocannons or tanks with HE ) to keep em nervous.

recon+ arty

Just recently I have been up against players with masses of tanks and AAA just storming across the map and wiping me and other players on my team out. I try and plan out where to go, what to take etc. but they just go all C&C tank rush. Funny how it's happened a lot now almost like the words gone round that this is a sure-fire way to win.

Mace: If they're using heavy tanks, buy dozens of TOW Jeeps and put them along a treeline. Then put some arty behind it. Arty suppresses and weakens the tank rush, the TOW's will finish them if you have enough (which you should since they are very inexpensive).

For lighter tanks (T-55 rush etc...) mix in some Recoiless Rifle jeeps.

Marder VTS1's, which have a deployment cost of 20 points are useful against anything but high end tanks. Theoretically the V-150 90mm and AMX-10's are also effective, although I don't know their deployment costs off hand.

T-55's are tough to beat because they can but a lot of them (5 for 100 points), and in masses they will get kills. Your best option is to deploy even more units en masse to beat them, go for low cost, higher accuracy units, like the Marder's and RR jeeps.

Make sure to keep supply vehicles near your TOW and RR jeeps though, they run out of ammo really quick.`

Cheers, I'll try that

Urgh....

Just played a game a, 3v3, and the opposing 3 sent an immediate spam of choppers down the map and wiped out 1 of our team immediately then turned for me. I left the game.

I like the game but these people are ruining it.

Pretty much sums up competitive multiplayer in general for me :P

Looks like you need a couple of vulcans or SAMS.

Put your units in the trees, put MANPADS, infantry or AAA in with them, make the guy fly into the hornet's nest.

Lots of ideas on the WG forums for setting up air defences.

There is also the cooperative multiplayer option.

I usually have a balanced unit mix. Tanks with SAM/AAA protection, Arty, Helos, infantry etc. But they either spam all tanks which makes the AAA useless and because I don't have as many tanks as them they wipe mine out fast or all helos which take out the AAA with their vast number and then have free reign over the tanks and whatever's left.

Whatever I bring they always go the opposite way and because they attack instantly I don't have time to react and change tactics/units.

Just got a few more stars so have bought the units you suggested, tank destroyers and TOW's, all cheap and will see how they fare

Yup there are some people out there that want to win no matter the cost. They literally just play to win and will exploit the mechanics of games as much as they can to do so. I have never understood it.

I'm going to be buying this tonight and once I've got the hang of it I'd love to take part in some multiplayer with you guys.

Add me on Steam, Mace

We should schedule a co-op v. computer game sometime.

Is it me or are the T80Us just ridiculously overpowered in this game?

Is this a recent patch error?

I consistently have these things rip up entire battalions of tanks, infantry, destroyers, you name it.

I've had a couple T80Us on the move wipe out 3 platoons of 5chevron M1A1s + M1IPs. Who were dug into heavy cover and firing in the the T80s rear. Without the enemy losing a single T80. Have at least a dozen stories like this. They regularly wipe the board with any other tank unit out there (minus perhaps the germans - there's a surprise...).

I'm sorry, I don't care how much european/communism Koolaid you've drunk, that ain't even remotely accurate.

The only thing these things go down to are Helos, and then they are paper bags of gasoline. Would like a little less obvious Rock-Paper-Scissors mechanic going on here.

Otherwise, game is gobs of fun and I've gotten my money's worth 10x over. Can't recommend this game enough.

(Note I avoid multiplayer at all costs, for all the reasons other's have posted above)

I've noticed that too Hillslam and usually know I've lost if I see them heading my way with the AAA cover so helos can't get near. I try to get them with arty but when they don't stay still it's difficult to get hits.

Arty will just stun them, the M109 has an AP value of 0 for indirect fire.

The T80U's are tough, but killable.

The Leo 2A4's are commonly used against them (according to the forums anyways), but since you can buy 16 TOW jeeps for 1 T80U (IIRC), I'd try that.

Also, part of your problem is that your tanks are sitting still. They have less chance to hit against moving tanks. The T80's will hit a stationary target with every volley, you might not.