Warlords 2 Deluxe
Gregorios Dimitriou
--
---------------------------------------------------------
"Put them in the Chair and I'll throw the switch for you"
excerpt from book Clear and Present Danger by Tom Clancy
Harry Dimitriou hd...@athena.compulink.forthnet.gr
Keith Johnson
>What features does this game have that doesn't the original?
800x600x256 graphics (the game is *beautiful*)
New terrain types (impassable for *everytone*, including fliers)
Better music (sounds awesome w/ AWE 32)
Somewhat improved AI
Most importantly... It comes on CDROM.
More scenarios, too.
keith
--
Keith P. Johnson, keeper of rec.games.pinball DynaFAQ
Try the pinball archive: http://pinball.cc.cmu.edu/
Enhance your calm.
Ervin Thompson
>
>hd...@athena.compulink.gr (Gregorios Dimitriou) writes:
>
>>What features does this game have that doesn't the original?
>
>800x600x256 graphics (the game is *beautiful*)
>New terrain types (impassable for *everytone*, including fliers)
>Better music (sounds awesome w/ AWE 32)
>Somewhat improved AI
>Most importantly... It comes on CDROM.
>More scenarios, too.
Huh.. I didn't even know there was a Warlords 2 Deluxe. I have been
replaying Warlords 2 as a nice change of pace from the micromanagement
games such as MOM. With its simplified city management (basically
limited to deciding what unit type to produce) and simplified combat
mechanics, it still conveys a nice conquer-the-world feeling. Also, the
simplified mechanics apparently lend themselves well to a challanging
AI. At the hardest level, it really can be a challange. And the only
cheating I have noticed is a tendancy for an additional AI unit to
appear immediatly in a captured city.
Glen Barnett
Gregorios Dimitriou <hd...@athena.compulink.gr> wrote:
>What features does this game have that doesn't the original?
Check out the FAQ, or even some of the reviews, at
http://www.princeton.edu/~rfheeter/w2home.html
Glen
Gary Makin
Johnson) wrote:
> hd...@athena.compulink.gr (Gregorios Dimitriou) writes:
>
> >What features does this game have that doesn't the original?
>
> 800x600x256 graphics (the game is *beautiful*)
> New terrain types (impassable for *everytone*, including fliers)
> Better music (sounds awesome w/ AWE 32)
> Somewhat improved AI
> Most importantly... It comes on CDROM.
> More scenarios, too.
Actually, it's only 640x480x256 graphics.
For more info on Warlords II generally, and info (and soon a demo) of
Deluxe specifically, check out the Warlords page on SSG's web site:
http://www.ssg.com.au/warlords_ii_home.html
Thanks,
Gary Makin
SSG
mailto:ga...@ssg.com.au
http://www.ssg.com.au
Anshu Prasad
: Also, the
: simplified mechanics apparently lend themselves well to a challanging
: AI. At the hardest level, it really can be a challange.
Unfortunately, I find the AI quite easy to beat, even playing alone
against the maximum number of computer controlled players all set to
the maximum difficulty.
Still, the game is quite enjoyable, especially when playing against
other human opponents. Warlords II was certainly a big step up from
the original Warlords. I haven't yet played Warlords II Deluxe, but
from what I've seen/heard, I'm not sure its worth upgrading considering
the relatively high cost. If I were going to spend that much money,
I think I'd rather be buying Warlords III (ie: completely revamped and
improved in every facet of the game) rather than just a tweaked version
of the game I already have.
--
,> )\ `a_ Anshu Prasad _a' /(
( _ )/ /{_ ~~ Bell Northern Research Ltd. ~~ _}\ \( -
`(,)_,)/ Ottawa, Ontario, Canada \(,_(,\\
,<_ ,<_. Opinions are my own, not my employer's ._>, _>,``==>
Paul Oko
Well, I've had a chance to play a head-to-head modem game and it is
glorious! However, it is slow; even with a small scenario (Twin
Towers) and a 14.4k connection. My friend and I both have 28 K modems,
but were unable to get it to work faster than 14.4. Since he is 2 time
zones away, we didn't spend much time tinkering with trying to get the
higher speed connection. Has anybody been able to do it and how? TIA
Paul
Gary S. Best
> >cheating I have noticed is a tendancy for an additional AI unit to
> >appear immediatly in a captured city.
>
> alse happens, there's another unit), that is one of either:
> (i) a reward for a quest (most likely)
> (ii) a bug
>
> If its just on the very next turn for a unit that takes *more than* one turn to
> produce, that's not a bug - just vectoring.
But vectoring takes two turns.
Gary S. Best
"CompuPick -- Artificial Intelligence: Knowing the TRUE line"
g...@compupick.com
http://www.compupick.com/
Bjorn Gustavsson
ans...@bnr.ca (Anshu Prasad) writes:
> Unfortunately, I find the AI quite easy to beat, even playing alone
> against the maximum number of computer controlled players all set to
> the maximum difficulty.
>
> Still, the game is quite enjoyable, especially when playing against
> other human opponents. Warlords II was certainly a big step up from
> the original Warlords. I haven't yet played Warlords II Deluxe, but
> from what I've seen/heard, I'm not sure its worth upgrading considering
> the relatively high cost. If I were going to spend that much money,
> I think I'd rather be buying Warlords III (ie: completely revamped and
> improved in every facet of the game) rather than just a tweaked version
> of the game I already have.
That«s a very good idea! I found the Deluxe version a total
disappointment. First of all the graphics aren«t at all that much
better. And the only new features are that it«s now possible to use
alternate terrain sets and troops. Really, what«s the point in
releasing a "Deluxe" version just for that?
Bjorn Gustavsson
termorsp
>
>Unfortunately, I find the AI quite easy to beat, even playing alone
>against the maximum number of computer controlled players all set to
>the maximum difficulty.
>
>Still, the game is quite enjoyable, especially when playing against
>other human opponents. Warlords II was certainly a big step up from
>the original Warlords. I haven't yet played Warlords II Deluxe, but
>from what I've seen/heard, I'm not sure its worth upgrading considering
>the relatively high cost. If I were going to spend that much money,
>I think I'd rather be buying Warlords III (ie: completely revamped and
>improved in every facet of the game) rather than just a tweaked version
>of the game I already have.
Wow, you do not know what your talking about, Warlords2 Deluxe is cheap first
of all, only 40 dollars if you have bought the previous game, and it is so far
advanced that it might as well be Warlords III. So tweak on that pal!!
Glen Barnett
Gary S. Best <g...@shore.net> wrote:
>> >And the only
>> >cheating I have noticed is a tendancy for an additional AI unit to
>> >appear immediatly in a captured city.
>>
>> If its really "immediately" (i.e. take a city, and before anything
>> alse happens, there's another unit), that is one of either:
>> (i) a reward for a quest (most likely)
>> (ii) a bug
>>
>> If its just on the very next turn for a unit that takes *more than* one turn to
>> produce, that's not a bug - just vectoring.
>
>But vectoring takes two turns.
True, but its still possible to have units show up in a city
just the turn after you take it. I was not making myself clear before,
so here is how it can happen:
Computer player takes city A, changes the vectoring of some units to that city.
Opposition takes that city. CP retakes it the turn before the units
are due to arrive. They do indeed arrive next turn. Elephants (say) show up
in a city that the computer player has just taken!
Glen
Paul Mortimer
>>the original Warlords. I haven't yet played Warlords II Deluxe, but
>>from what I've seen/heard, I'm not sure its worth upgrading considering
>>the relatively high cost. If I were going to spend that much money,
>>I think I'd rather be buying Warlords III (ie: completely revamped and
>>improved in every facet of the game) rather than just a tweaked version
>>of the game I already have.
> Wow, you do not know what your talking about, Warlords2 Deluxe is cheap first
>of all, only 40 dollars if you have bought the previous game, and it is so far
>advanced that it might as well be Warlords III. So tweak on that pal!!
I wholeheartedly agree
Anshu Prasad
: term...@mala.bc.ca (termorsp) wrote:
: I wholeheartedly agree
Well, as I said, I haven't played the Deluxe version. Instead, I've only
looked at the package and followed discussions in this forum. Could you
tell me what changes have been made in the Deluxe package which warrant
the price?
Some things I know have been added:
- more scenarios
- a scenario editor
- addition of impassable terrain
All of the items mentioned above are, IMO, add-ons and don't qualify the
Deluxe package as new release. That's why I referred to it as a tweaked
release.
Screen shots on the package do not show any appreciable change in the
graphics or in the gameplay. I've heard no mention of improved AI.
So, since two people have now proclaimed Warlords II Deluxe *IS* actually
a Warlords III, I assume I've been misinformed with regards to what the
Deluxe package offers that the original Warlords II did not. I'd appreciate
someone shedding some light on this for me.
With regards to the cost of $40, I assume that's US dollars. It equates
to about $55 Canadian. I paid $49 Canadian each for Warcraft and NHL'96
(these were not upgrade prices but costs for full versions). Seems to me
that $55 as an upgrade price is a little steep.
I've seen no local stores which carry the upgrade version. The full
version of Warlords II Deluxe is $69 Canadian, last time I checked.
Paul Weimer
Other differences include:
A more aggressive AI. It's still beatable, sure, but I was shocked to
see one Computer Opponent take down another one on Turn five.
Slight changes to the default army set(now called Erythea). Some of the
units have been adjusted--pikemen, dwarves and elves are now time one,
Griffins are now time 2, and a few other changes. None of the other army
sets seem to have been tweaked
Also, some rule changes in general: No more vectoring to a standard, and
boats now have a strength of 4, or the strength of the unit, whichever is
LOWER. Thus, all those scout fleets are strength one now!
Kim Eriksen
improvements you mention is true and it also add-on:
- better SVGA graphic
- email and network play.
The gameplay is not changed. There may be a improvement in AI, but its hard
to notice. I figure these improvements pay an upgrade. At least bying
WarlordsII Deluxe is better than bying the Scenario builder alone. To
call it WarlordsIII you need a change like the one from Warlord to
WarlordII wich was rather big.
Kim Dokmo.
Craig Bartell
20 turns to build, then you put units on them separetly. This made things
much more interesting.
Craig
Darrel B Riekhof
And the first attempt at a standarized email format. Personally, although
incredibly fun, it suffers from some weaknesses that could easily be
fixed. Why not let email players have a password so others can't look
ahead at your turns? And something needs to be done to not allow players
to take their turns over, i. e., keep fighting a battle until they win.
Darrel
--
// The following teams shall someday rule the sporting world:
// Pro Football: Arizona Cardinals
// Pro Baseball: St. Louis Cardinals
// College: Mizzou Tigers
termorsp
The new upgrade has improved AI, E-mail capabilities, Enhancement option,
which upgrades all armies +2 in strength. As far as terrain types, there are
now Castle, cavern, dungeon and desert terrains. 256K colour, which has made a
vast improvment on the graphics. New random map features include size of map,
and all the other features can be changed as desired. The scenario builder
allows army and city copying, plus with the 256K colour feature, you can design
some pretty cool cities.
d...@epx.cis.umn.edu
>: I wholeheartedly agree
Gameplay is pretty much the same, however the AI is somewhat improved.
(The "I am the greatest" option is more difficult.) The graphics are
slightly improved. (Full VGA capability). There is an Undo option
that allows the undoing of some moves. Allows for e-mail, network,
and modem play. There is a significant difference. However, if
you have Warlords II, (and are happy with it) why change? If you do
not have it, then it is a good place to enter the world of warlords.
Most of the scenarios were done by non-ssg people, and are available
via anonymous ftp, and they will work with the original warlords II.
>So, since two people have now proclaimed Warlords II Deluxe *IS* actually
>a Warlords III, I assume I've been misinformed with regards to what the
>Deluxe package offers that the original Warlords II did not. I'd appreciate
>someone shedding some light on this for me.
I disagree, it isn't a big enough difference in game play to consider it
a "new" version. Warlords II Deluxe is a fitting title. It puts the
game warlords II, and the scenario editor together. With some improvements
to both. But, if you have played warlords, and then warlords II you notice
a significant difference in play. But, between warlords II and Deluxe,
you will barely notice any changes. (Except you can't double click on
a stack to join all the armies together. most annoying)
>With regards to the cost of $40, I assume that's US dollars. It equates
>to about $55 Canadian. I paid $49 Canadian each for Warcraft and NHL'96
>(these were not upgrade prices but costs for full versions). Seems to me
>that $55 as an upgrade price is a little steep.
>I've seen no local stores which carry the upgrade version. The full
>version of Warlords II Deluxe is $69 Canadian, last time I checked.
>--
> ,> )\ `a_ Anshu Prasad _a' /(
>( _ )/ /{_ ~~ Bell Northern Research Ltd. ~~ _}\ \( -
> `(,)_,)/ Ottawa, Ontario, Canada \(,_(,\\
> ,<_ ,<_. Opinions are my own, not my employer's ._>, _>,``==>
--
Douglas E. Gogerty No, I'm from Iowa...
d...@boombox.micro.umn.edu I just work in outer space.
-James T. Kirk
Matt J. Carlson
>And the first attempt at a standarized email format. Personally, although
>incredibly fun, it suffers from some weaknesses that could easily be
>fixed. Why not let email players have a password so others can't look
>ahead at your turns? And something needs to be done to not allow players
>to take their turns over, i. e., keep fighting a battle until they win.
>
>Darrel
>
I thought I read in my manual that the game DOES refuse to let you
replay battles when you're playing an email game. As for passwords,
I think that's an iffy kind of thing, sure, it reduces temptation for
some, but it isn't that hard to crack passwords when they have to
be contained in the save game file anyway...
Matt
--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
O O Matt J. Carlson m...@wag.caltech.edu
\___/ HAVE A NICE DAY! http://www.cco.caltech.edu/~mcarlson/
------------------------------------------------------------------------
RICHARD ABBOTT
>Darrel B Riekhof <dar...@CS.Arizona.EDU> wrote:
>>And the first attempt at a standarized email format. Personally, although
>>incredibly fun, it suffers from some weaknesses that could easily be
>>fixed. Why not let email players have a password so others can't look
>>ahead at your turns? And something needs to be done to not allow players
>>to take their turns over, i. e., keep fighting a battle until they win.
>>
>>Darrel
>>
>I thought I read in my manual that the game DOES refuse to let you
>replay battles when you're playing an email game. As for passwords,
>I think that's an iffy kind of thing, sure, it reduces temptation for
>some, but it isn't that hard to crack passwords when they have to
>be contained in the save game file anyway...
Don't know about the deluxe version but in WL2 there is nothing more than
trust as a basis for PBEM games. There are no bragging rights to be got be
cheating your way to victory, and to do so spoils the basic idea of the game
anyway which is to have a fun and competative game, in a multiplayer game that
means someone has got to lose and someone win.
If someione is blatantly anf obviously cheating then don't play against them
again, and tell them why, they will soon see the errors of their ways
Richard Abbott
RJAb...@its.dundee.ac.uk
SIMISLE FAQ is at http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~rjabbott/islefaq.html
"Baldrick, I want to be young and wild,
then middle aged and Rich,
and then be old and annoy people by pretending to be deaf."
(By E.Blackadder Butler to the Prince Regent)
Darrel B Riekhof
>I thought I read in my manual that the game DOES refuse to let you
>replay battles when you're playing an email game.
Nope, not so. You can just replay the turn, if you didn't like the
outcome of the battle. It's totally the honor system on this one.
This would be a difficult problem to solve, similar to the commit
functions of a database.
> As for passwords,
>I think that's an iffy kind of thing, sure, it reduces temptation for
>some, but it isn't that hard to crack passwords when they have to
>be contained in the save game file anyway...
They could use some kind of encryption to make it very difficult, or
just let the password reside on your home machine installation.
termorsp
Warlords II. If you don't mind spending the money, I feel it is one of the
best strategy games out there.
SkyLoon
Deluxe. It always locks on my Win 95 system as well as on a friends Dos
system. I have tried all the SSG patches to no avail. Any help would be
appreciated.
BarryL3100
> As for passwords,
>I think that's an iffy kind of thing, sure, it reduces temptation for
>some, but it isn't that hard to crack passwords when they have to
>be contained in the save game file anyway...
:They could use some kind of encryption to make it very difficult, or
:just let the password reside on your home machine installation.
:Darrel
Use a check digit method for establishing the validity of a password. The
password never has to be transmitted then.
Barry.
Kim Eriksen
start from where you saved. When playing email you cant save whitout
quitting. Is this stupid?
Kim Dokmo
Dana Richmond
Robert F. Heeter
>Why not make the save option to quit when you save. You then have to
>start from where you saved. When playing email you cant save whitout
>quitting. Is this stupid?
At first I thought it was a really good idea, but you could still
get around it by save-quitting before a major battle, making a copy
of the game file, and then playing the original and restoring from
the backup if you don't do well. It's more tedious than the
usual cheat method, but you can still win any battle if you
really want to. Rats.
------------------------------------------------------
Bob Heeter
Graduate Student in Plasma Physics, Princeton University
rfhe...@phoenix.princeton.edu / rfhe...@pppl.gov
http://www.princeton.edu/~rfheeter
Of course I do not speak for anyone else in any of the above.
Gary Makin
<rfhe...@phoenix.princeton.edu> wrote:
> On the subject of PBEM cheat prevention,
> In article <49uqv8$a...@due.unit.no> Kim Eriksen, ki...@stud.unit.no writes:
> >Why not make the save option to quit when you save. You then have to
> >start from where you saved. When playing email you cant save whitout
> >quitting. Is this stupid?
>
> At first I thought it was a really good idea, but you could still
> get around it by save-quitting before a major battle, making a copy
> of the game file, and then playing the original and restoring from
> the backup if you don't do well. It's more tedious than the
> usual cheat method, but you can still win any battle if you
> really want to. Rats.
Speaking unofficially here, Bob is right. No matter what you do, there's
always a way around it. A email game must be able to be played with trust.
Just one of those facts of life, I'm afraid.
(And the more tricky you make the program to prevent cheating, the less
flexible it becomes to dealing with normal problems like lost email.)
Gary
Darren Bostock
Why not put a counter into the save file which counts how many times a
game is saved. Technically there should be only one per turn. If there
is more then you can decide what to do from there.
--
Regards,
Darren Bostock (Email :- dbos...@enterprise.powerup.com.au)
'...... I'd swear to God, If God would let me swear......'
Tim Maushardt
I haven`t played Warlords II, but of all the pbem games that I've played
the only system which really prevents someone from redueing turns are
games where 1)you plot out your units moves for the next turn and save
them in a file 2)a person not currently playing recieves all the players
plotted moves and processes the turns 3) the program creates a result file
which is then sent to the players.
VGA Planets uses the above method and TACOPS (which is soon to be released
for the PC) can use the above method.
My 2cents
Tim