A bit of PC Gaming

In a lull/rut of wargaming activity here at present as I am finding figure gaming somewhat lack lustre in its appeal whilst in seemingly never ending solo mode, so I played a few games on PC.

First up is a free (via Steam) WW2 card game called Kards - The World War II Card Game that is a nice quick playing very light game that can certainly while away some time.

Lots of free decks to start you off and easy to play on PC.

You can of course buy more/better cards if you wish (not done so) and there is an online version which I have not tried yet.

Then it was back to an old favourite Eastern Front II with a late war Hungary vs Russia scenario, still a great game this despite its age (especially in PC terms) and just so many scenarios available.

Finally another oldie but goodie Combat Mission: Barbarossa To Berlin with some 'Squad Leader' type action (am still playing this system by Email with a US chap) on the chilly Eastern Front.

Field Of Glory II PC game and a couple of other purchases

Made a couple of purchases on Ebay and a downloaded PC wargame (been ages since I looked at PC games)


First up 3 sets of miniatures rules.
I had always heard good things about Corps d'Armee so was glad to see this available the other two I know nothing about but when has that ever stopped me !

PC game purchase (via Steam) is Field Of Glory II from Slitherine/Matrix
It is a port of the miniatures (although I think 1st version was a more direct port) rule set but with some tweaks for the PC environment.
It has a nice manual (PDF version sadly) but if you have played the miniatures game then its pretty intuitive.
I have only played initial tutorial and set up a 'luck dip' type custom game but quite impressed with this, good solid game play with a host of scenarios and campaigns and of course the custom battles and it sports 2-player/Pbem mode (not tried this).
The animations and battlefields are very nicely done with lots of viewing options including a top down view.
The interface is easy to use and seems to run on fairly low spec.

Here a couple of screenshots from ongoing Gallic vs Roman game showing a couple of the views available.

Conflict Of Heroes online PC game tournament game and Shifting Sands Pbem

Played first game in an online tournament of Conflict Of Heroes: Awakening The Bear PC game tonight.
Played a very nice chap called Herve from Luxembourg and a very good game it was too.
We played a scenario called Crossfire which is new to the PC version and was totally new to me as I decided not to view/test the scenario beforehand as more fun that way.
I was Germans in a 1941 setting with a very Infantry few units and a single mortar initially but receiving reserves of more Infantry 2 x 38T and 2 PzIIIH plus a very nasty MG42 HMG unit.
Usual hordes of Russians back by artillery a couple of BT7 and T26 tanks and a beast in a T34A. 
Essentially a fight for a village in a valley and a fairly close run thing it was too.
Artillery on both sides was potent killing 6 units apiece and turning the landscape into moon surface in short order !!
My HMG was top dog in killing stakes with 3 kills followed by the T34 with 2 kills.
I managed to take 1 victory hex but could make no headway against the others.
The Russians ran out 19:16 winners over the 6 turns game.
I had forgotten how slick and enjoyable the COH system is and found the PC version quite well produced and compatible with boardgame experience of course playing a lot quicker.
It was a real time online game and my first with the game and also with Skype for chat/waffling (just as well Herve has perfect English as my French is non exsistant).
I 'borrowed' an old microphone headset from my sons room which worked fine if a little sore on ears as cushioning long gone.
I hope to play second game of my first round match-ups next weekend.
Am playing as part of a team and thankfully the tourney is strictly just for fun and crowing rights and a great way to learn the PC game.

Only one screenshot from post game (as I forget to paste captures as I went along)

 As you can see I prefer the board game style counters to 3D icon options (even though I have take screen shot at lower angle than I would play game). Note the extensive artillery damage on show !

 

Also started (has been a great weekends wargaming) a new Pbem game via Vassal with Norman of Shifting Sands North African Campaign game. Norman has picked the Allies in the Sonnenblume scenario which starts in Spring 1941 and our first exchange of files just completed. I enjoyed this game solo and expect it to be great versus a real opponent especially as its a derivative of the excellent Paths Of Glory game.

Arty Screenshots (and 118)

Couple of doctored screenshots (messing about with an App called Instagram) from ongoing Pbem PC games.
Arty types and I don't mean artillery for once.





Panzers on march on Eastern Front (Campaign Series)

 Churchill in Normandy lane (Combat Mission)

T34 awaits (Combat Mission)

Original screenshot pre 'Arty-fication'

*******************************************************

Also just noticed I now have 118 'followers' !!
Last I looked ages ago it was 50.
Many thanks to all who peruse my ramblings and so a fanfare salute to you all

PC Pbem WarGaming (and board Wargaming)

Still wary of starting painting despite my eye being on mend but did play a couple of Pbem PC wargames as one needs to keep ones  wargaming 'hand in' as it were.

Jagdpanther on prowl in graveyard in a Combat Mission Barbarossa To Berlin game against my Dad

(this beast has been decimating my Ivans for several turns)

Campaign Series Western Front game with my Brits trying to hold back 21st Panzer counter attack in Normandy scenario 'Too Little Too Late' (this one against a chap in USA - one of best features of Pbem Imho)

Another Western Front game this time holding the Panzers back with French in 1940  

(again against my Dad)

For reasons largely unknown to my self I have also been looking at buying a couple of board wargames (when I think I will have time or opponents is beyond me !!!!), but contenders (so far) are :

Pbem PC games

Couple of screen captures from ongoing Pbem games.


Panzers advance on Ostfront (Combt Mission: Barabarossa To Berlin)

KV1s is brewed (Combat Mission: Barbarossa To Berlin)

Heavy action in the desert (Campaign Series: Western Front)

Ivan tanks held up by Tigers at Malkov (Campaign Series: Eastern Front)

PC Pbem Game turns

No miniatures tonight so couple of Pbem game turn pictures instead.

Combat Mission: Barbarossa To Berlin scenario with my T34/41 surveying damage wrought on Huns (mostly SD251s and PzIIIs). Playing this against a Cannuck

West Front (Campaign Series) with my Yanks defending Rochefort in the Bulge at night. This one against my Father

Pbem games ongoing

Some images from ongoing Pbem games with Combat Mission and Campaign Series games.

West Front game

East Front game 'Panzer Blitz' style

CMAK 'Bulge' game with my Shermans in their usual state.............

CMBB 1941 action with some mighty T26s 

CMBB enemy Tiger on prowl.....................

Combat Mission

Quick divergence from table-top stuff with couple of screen captues from the excellent Combat Mission series of PC games (which I have been playing avidly since first Beta version back in 2000 !!). I have several ongoing PBEM games with players from UK and USA/Canada and great fun they are too.

Artistic shot of Panther on Eastern Front

Different form of art as my Hellcat brews on Western Front !

Much older picture from original Combat Mission