Blimey, this thread got way too long and full of rude rants pretty quick - my eyes were glazed over for about the last 8 pages...
It's funny, but even as someone brought up on "proper" wargames (i.e. ones played with metal figures and models on a large tabletop, not itty bitty cardboard chits) I have generally preferred the "counters" option to date. HoI3 I thought hit a nice compromise - counters at zoom-out, with sprites as you zoomed in (and the distance of zoom for sprites being configurable). HoIIV, though, seems to be headed right at the sweet spot. At zoom-out, all I want is the counter data - general type and numbers of troops. Zoomed right in, the sort of information available from a really nice model - the type and model of the predominant version of armoured vehicle, the actual detailed arm of service of the foot troops present - will become useful. In other words, the level of detail visible will generally suit the zoom level of the view.
On top of that, it looks stunning, too - right down to the warm deserts and cold snow. Night view is cool - though I hope the change in day/night pattern with seasons is handled properly (as it wasn't in any previous HoI), and I hope civil defence decisions kill the city lights at night...
The only other worry I have is that the fog of war doesn't hide the wrong stuff. In HoI3 FoW hid Infrastructure levels, even in peacetime. Missing enemy troops in a province with reconnaissance just means their camo and dispersion was OK - missing roads and railways means the recce crews are both blind and have defective cameras... Not to mention the spies that get lost travelling in peacetime! In short, please let us see at least what was in the provinces in terms of buildings and infrastructure when last we had free access there through the FoW.
