HOI is Currently Unplayable

[unmerged(12303)]

Look guys the game has its flaws - mostly with ai now (which is being worked on)- point me to a game that has a good ai that does not cheat. There is no use ranting about stuff that has been said and everybody knows about.

Sorta - try the game - lan with a 2 other players - thats the real thrill. There is no fun trashing the computer since its only a machine. You dont need 5 people - 3 are okay - and make sure you send the girlfiends/wives/kids off on a 3 day trip stock up on food and play like hell .

F

 

[unmerged(16020)]

If you want a challenging game I suggest downloading the StonyRoad mod (and prepare to lose!).

I agree with you that the AI could be improved, what I disagree with is that you label the entire game as "unplayable" because of this. The true strategy has always been against human players, no matter what strategy game. I find the game great because I play against 7 other humans twice a week and have a blast.

 

[unmerged(2457)]

Yes there are problems with the US AI and war entry. Yes there are problems with the pacific island war. These issues will be worked out one way or the other I have faith in that. This faith is based on the excellent support I have observed from Paradox.

However with patch 1.05b HOI is playable and enjoyable. My advice to you if you are still unsatisfied is wait a couple of months and come back here. See if a new patch has been released. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

 

[Mutton]

I agree with sorta, but im still a big fan of hoi. Ive had this game since it came out. Ive tried every patch to see if the allies were fixed. I am unable to have fun time with it when I know D-day never comes.
But the concept is so good that I will still try it when another patch comes out.
I hope the day comes when I too can buckle up for a long sp game and not get annoyed by the mentioned factors.
No matter how good the eastern front or any other part of the game gets. It wont be World war 2 without the allies.

 

[unmerged(17179)]

Regarding the virtues of multiplayer I dont need convincing. However, my original point was that the game is unplayable UNLESS you are lucky enough to have a regular MP group.

I hope that the patches fix this but hoping doesn't fix the problem. I am still interested in the people who said everthing was wonderul to answer my specific issues, which are certainly not exhaustive.

 

[unmerged(18027)]

I think you exaggerate the problems. Most everyone agrees the US AI is pretty bad - its one of the focus points for AI revision work currently underway. However I don't have a problem with Commenwealth or USSR AI. Commenwealth nations will land in mainland Europe, fight in North Africa, and fight versus the Japanese in India/Burma, and fairly effectively - I have seen the Commenwealth drive the Japs clear out of Burma by concentrating their resources there. They are an active prescence in all my games. The USSR wins roughly 1/2 the time vs Germany in my hands off games (sounds like a reasonable percentage to me), and by "win" I mean annexing all of Germany. Sure a very good human player can beat them in three weeks, but thats like saying the <xxx wargame> sucks because you can win the campaign - human players who pay attention to the game will always be better than the AI. That doesn't mean Russia is a walk in the park however. I would love to see the US do more and Japan be more aggressive vs the USA, but the other AIs work reasonably well for me - I get quite the challenge landing in Europe as the USA from Germany when they have Russia on the run, and the Soviets have also put up a challenge when I have played Germany. I am confident you can "beat" any country's AI in the game using a strong enough major, but that does not mean they are incompetent.

 

[Patriotes1837]

Originally posted by Fiendix

Sorta - try the game - lan with a 2 other players - thats the real thrill. There is no fun trashing the computer since its only a machine. You dont need 5 people - 3 are okay - and make sure you send the girlfiends/wives/kids off on a 3 day trip stock up on food and play like hell .

F

This comntradicts your SIG dont you think... Sending your loved ones away for a couple of days, locking yourself up and living a imaginery fantasy is hardly: Making things happen

I agree that must of us are somehow WWII or military history freaks and stuff but you gotta keep things in perspective. Sorry to rant but this upsets me every time. There's no way in hell that playing a computer game for 3 days is worth more then getting away somewhere new with or without people you like. Maybe it was just mant has a joke but I find more often then not then some people on these forums spend to much time playing, not enough living. Anyway, I'm here and I play... but there's a limit...

 

[Sark]

Having bought the game when it came out, and taking a long break from it until recently, I have to agree with the original poster. It's been 9 months since this game came out - I don't know how much improvement you expect at this point from future AI upgrades. Throw in my conviction from early on that the designers paid scant attention to the Pacific theatre in the creation of this game, and I have little hope of a major improvement.

In some ways, I think the latest version is worse than the original. In my current game (as US) the Germans declared war on Poland on 8/30/39 and Japan on the US in late Nov 41. That strikes me as scripted AI and not one smart enough to make it's own decisions. The fact that the Germans were already at war with the SU and thus created a two front war (which they quickly lost) just adds to my negative impression.

The saddest thing is that even now the AI is probably worse than it was on SSI's old "beer & pretzels" treatment of WW2 in Europe, Clash of Steel.

As for mods, well, their great. But, I expect more from the company I paid $50 to.

 

[unmerged(17430)]

The only way to create a somewhat challenging game vs. the computer is to divide the game into two halves. I like to be Germany from '36 to '41 - this is usually plenty of time to conquer France, Poland, Russia, Balkans, Turkey/Middle East and Scandinavia, occupy Britain, and forge alliances with Italy, Spain, Japan, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina that result in the death of China and the Axis conquest of virtually all of the important bits of Africa and Asia. From '41 on, I play as the US and attempt to rescue the globe from the Axis, without resorting to nukes which makes it too easy. The first hour playing as the US is done with the game paused and is devoted to disbanding about 200 useless aircraft, rounding up Patton from Hawaii, Ike from Midway, etc., getting an entire zero-org navy back into port, redoing the production/research queues, lending a little knowledge to my buds in Canada, Australia, SA and UK, and hoping that all my provinces undergoing industrial improvement will be finishing up soon - a little tedious, but the price of a good game.

Can't speak to MP, as that is not my interest.

I have a question, though. Everyone talks about Paradox improving the game and the patches from Paradox and all the work Paradox is putting into the game, but it looks to me that Paradox does very little and the gaming community is putting in all the work. Who on this board actually works for Paradox? Johan? Is that it? I understand this is a small company, but Paradox are getting off very lightly for releasing a beta version that has depended on the efforts of hobbyists to (try to) turn this into a viable product. How about anyone who mails in the proof-of-purchase from the side of the HOI box gets a $10 rebate to their next Paradox purchase, which presumably would be Victoria? I can guarantee you that will be the only circumstance under which I will transact with this company in the future.

 

[ComteDeMeighan]

Originally posted by Sorta
Lunar/Compte,

I'm interested in your views. How can it be a great game if the US doen't move units and the USSR collapses in 3 weeks?

I haven't mentioned crashes etc - I'm discussing the complete lack of playability...

What are your experiences of the above and 1942 onwards?

The U.S. Moves units this is preposterous I have seen the U.S. take north Africa numerous times from the Axis and kick the crap out of the Japanese. And Russia I always have a hard time fighting the Reds they usually slap me around and I've been playing the game since 1.0. I mean cmon this is the best WW2 grand strategy game ever made period if you can do a better game then make it yourself. I think Paradox is making the best historical strategy games ever I've been waiting years for games like Eu2 and Hoi. Don't write this game off yet and if your looking for something different then add the C.O.R.E. mod or Stoney Road but anway good luck bro its just a computer game

 

[SykoNurse]

Originally posted by Sark


As for mods, well, their great. But, I expect more from the company I paid $50 to.

heh, my humble opinion on this: I personally would rather pay a 50 for a game that I can play over and over again but for some eye-candy like Splinter Cell that costs the same but I´m through with after a week (latest)...

 

[unmerged(10750)]

Yep, I've owned the game for 9 months now and have yet to get sick of it. True, the first couple of patches were disappointing, and the USA AI is still a big issue, but the more I get into it, the more I've found I can do with it, and I feel like I'm still just scratching the surface. I've spent hundreds and hundreds of hours playing and modding, all for $50. I'd call that a bargain.

Of course, the community here is a big reason why I'm still into HoI. I have never seen a level of support and dedication that I've seen with Paradox. With other games, I wouldn't even bother to complain, because I knew I'd get no feedback. Here, I feel like my opinion and input means something. Of course, YMMV...

 

[Montemurro]

Unplayable is a bit of an overstatement isn't it?

I like HOI, because you can play it in so many ways: i.e. recently I kept Italy neutral, while nice and quitly take over the countries around the Mediterranean, until I finally dowed Britain in '45 and took the Suez and Gibraltar, ultimately the good guys have to win though and they did... with the help of some American nukes .

Next I got inspired by Mathguy's Finland AAR 'Winter War Diaries' and I'm now trying to defend Romania against a Soviet pre-Barbarossa invasion (Caused by the Bessarabia event, by the way)

So until the problems are fixed, find another way to play the game, where it doesn't matter how bad the US ai is

 

[Mutton]

I love the potential this game has, but the only thing it needs to be truly great is.
Germany needs some danger from the west!
Right now it does not need to sacrifice a thought to the western powers.
The game should at the moment be called.
"The great patriotic war" simulator and not a "world war 2" simulator.
This annoys me so insanely much!

 

[unmerged(2457)]

Well stated everyone.

Just another note to add to the list.

I haven't used any mods for my game (C.O.R.E., Stonyroad, etc.) but am still having a blast with this game.

I too bought the game the day it came out. Shelved it for over 5 months and just recently fired it back up with the advent of 1.05b. I must say this game is not yet perfect but a great leap forward from what it was out of the box.

Good job Paradox, please keep up the good work. And to all the modder's out there, thanks for your efforts as well!

 

[jxa536]

A good debate....

But Sorta, are you playing the latest patch (1.05b) and on very/furious settings?

 

[Mutton]

Originally posted by jxa536
A good debate....

But Sorta, are you playing the latest patch (1.05b) and on very/furious settings?

The allies does not invade no matter how furious they are...

 

[unmerged(17536)]

Originally posted by czolgosz
Yep, I've owned the game for 9 months now and have yet to get sick of it. True, the first couple of patches were disappointing, and the USA AI is still a big issue, but the more I get into it, the more I've found I can do with it, and I feel like I'm still just scratching the surface. I've spent hundreds and hundreds of hours playing and modding, all for $50. I'd call that a bargain.

Of course, the community here is a big reason why I'm still into HoI. I have never seen a level of support and dedication that I've seen with Paradox. With other games, I wouldn't even bother to complain, because I knew I'd get no feedback. Here, I feel like my opinion and input means something. Of course, YMMV...

Well said!

I couldn't have said it any better.

True, there are problems with the AI and many bugs that pop up here and there but the support and the depth of the game help it overcome many of these shortcomings.

Also, keep in mind that Paradox is very receptive to our opinions and criticism and try and do their best to make the game better.

This kind of support is a measuring stick to a company's integrity and quality of people and products.

Like cz says, it doesn't even help to post at many sites because the Mods or support people DO NOT even acknowledge you.

I usually don't name names but I will make an exception.

I was critical of a game that Interplay/Black Isle/Bio-Ware at the Interplay website and received NO comments or anything from any IP people until today....they UNREGISTERED ME and ERASED ALL MY POSTS I assume because they didn't like me being crtical of their lack of support (ONE patch in 1 year....) and MAJOR GAMESTOPPING BUGS in multiplayer. I guess this means that they lose a longtime customer who has bought at least 6 of their titles.

What a CRAP company they are!!!


I just keeep in mid that Paradox truly support their product and show the same enthusiasm and love of the product as their customers do and that is really all you can ask for from a company-100% commitment to their customers.

 

[Johan]

Originally posted by Crusss Daddy
I have a question, though. Everyone talks about Paradox improving the game and the patches from Paradox and all the work Paradox is putting into the game, but it looks to me that Paradox does very little and the gaming community is putting in all the work. Who on this board actually works for Paradox? Johan? Is that it? I understand this is a small company, but Paradox are getting off very lightly for releasing a beta version that has depended on the efforts of hobbyists to (try to) turn this into a viable product. How about anyone who mails in the proof-of-purchase from the side of the HOI box gets a $10 rebate to their next Paradox purchase, which presumably would be Victoria? I can guarantee you that will be the only circumstance under which I will transact with this company in the future.

1) We got 2.5 programmers in Paradox. We are company of totally 7 developers. I'm the half-programmer/half-projectlead.

2) Of the 50$ you pay for a game in a shop, we end up with <5$... that is about 5-6 months after the game is sold, and the publisher actually pays on time.

3) I work 10+ hours each day working on games, and we spent about 90% of our time on Hearts of Iron after the release until late February to support the game with patches. I just got home from a 13 hour workday on Victoria and I was gonna check on a HoI bug...

4) We've still lost an insane amount of money on HoI as it costed more to develop than we ever got paid.

5) I'm tired of hearing all the.. The game is not finished because feature x does not work as I want it/The AI sucks/The engine doesn't work/etc.. Its a game, not a simulation, and I find it fun to play myself.


Here's the deal... I'm not gonna take any more whining.. Go to your publisher and whine if you have to.. They earn all the money anyway.

 

[unmerged(17536)]

Originally posted by Johan
1) We got 2.5 programmers in Paradox. We are company of totally 7 developers. I'm the half-programmer/half-projectlead.

2) Of the 50$ you pay for a game in a shop, we end up with <5$... that is about 5-6 months after the game is sold, and the publisher actually pays on time.

3) I work 10+ hours each day working on games, and we spent about 90% of our time on Hearts of Iron after the release until late February to support the game with patches. I just got home from a 13 hour workday on Victoria and I was gonna check on a HoI bug...

4) We've still lost an insane amount of money on HoI as it costed more to develop than we ever got paid.

5) I'm tired of hearing all the.. The game is not finished because feature x does not work as I want it/The AI sucks/The engine doesn't work/etc.. Its a game, not a simulation, and I find it fun to play myself.


Here's the deal... I'm not gonna take any more whining.. Go to your publisher and whine if you have to.. They earn all the money anyway.

Johan,

I think most of us appreciate and are amazed at the amount of patches and work that is put into HOI.

Like I said, your support compares most favorably with any company I've delt with and I mean this in a absolute sense, meaning that even if you guys are doing more than many companies that have 25 or even 125 support people.

I am impressed that "profit" is NOT the bottom line at Paradox but your commitment to the product and most importantly, us, the customer.

That is why this community thrives and has such support from the customers too--since we know that you guys ARE NOT half-assed, it is worth our time to play and trust the game.

Please keep up the good work and can't wait to see the next patch after you guys are done with Vicky!