Afterwind reviewed on gamingirresponsibly.com, my thoughts on it

Review here >>> http://gamingirresponsibly.com/review-afterwind

GI's final score: 6.6
GI's pro/con's

Pros

Detailed and Impressive In Game Board
Great Player Turn System
Currency Management Brings Nice Challenge
Impressive Online Modes
It's Free

Cons

Uneven Battle System
No Single Player
Weak Tutorial
Difficult Learning Curve
Monthly Charge for Premium Features

----

I think this should be a wake-up call for AW. I've heard a lot of people with the same opinion as GI's, pretty much "The battle system is unfair, it's too hard to learn how to play, and the Tutorial didn't teach me much".

I have an idea on how to solve the learning crisis: Make the Tutorial much more advanced. Add in how the battle system work's with actual gameplay screenshots / video's, explain ARB and factors such as turn blocking. Explain how to use Flower's and 3-lines, how to properly make a Dline, and how to Turn block, this sort of stuff. Maybe after you buy a strategy, it unlocks a tutorial on how to use it? Maybe make a tutorial menu with many different lessons in it for different parts of the game, and practice against bots? Something like this should be priority no.1, seeing as if the game were easier and funner to learn, a lot more people would continue playing, and a lot more premium would be bought.

Not too good of an idea, but maybe make a third, more stat based battle system to solve what many people think of as an "unfair battle system"? Or maybe make an option to switch between the third, second, and hypothetical third systems for what kind of player your are?
Just a thought really.

It's true, you actually have difficult access to information and even the faq is outdated on battles (since like march)

Prispeval Aristosseur, 23.11.2011 at 21:47

It's true, you actually have difficult access to information and even the faq is outdated on battles (since like march)

It would be cool if the players could write up the tutorial, and all amok would have to do is paste it in (im not sure how Sl works, so it's probably much more complicated than that) but if the players were to make commented video's and take screencaps, would the admins use it?

This guy does have some valid criticisms...imperfect battle system, very basic tutorial (no walls) and steep curve, but this?

Citiraj:

It's a bit odd that the developers charge a monthly fee instead of a onetime payment or some kind of donation.

There is a one time fee option, and its fairly prominent on the premium page. Maybe it needs to be featured more on the home page? It sounds like he didn't really spend a lot of time playing the game/researching before he wrote it up.

We need someone good making these toutorials like Aristo istead of some random rank 2 with and HD pvr that decided to play this game cause he was bored of quickscoping in COD

Prispeval Guest14502, 23.11.2011 at 21:53

This guy does have some valid criticisms...imperfect battle system, very basic tutorial (no walls) and steep curve, but this?

Citiraj:

It's a bit odd that the developers charge a monthly fee instead of a onetime payment or some kind of donation.

There is a one time fee option, and its fairly prominent on the premium page. Maybe it needs to be featured more on the home page? It sounds like he didn't really spend a lot of time playing the game/researching before he wrote it up.

That's why i left the Premium issue out, this is the first time i've ever heard anyone look down on it.

Prispeval Aristosseur, 01.06.2011 at 09:50

We need someone that made the game to come here and answer. I had sent a private message to amok about the FAQ not being up to date, check it:

Citiraj:

Battle mechanics
Unit's Attack and Defence represent the maximum amount of damage you deal to the opponent. Attack and defence are executed simultaneosly, so you're guaranteed to deal some damage in a battle. Each unit has Hit points - so damage is applied directly to Hit points, and if the unit runs out of them, it gets destroyed. The remaining damage is then transferred to the next unit.

So, for example, 1 Tank (9 HP) attacks 1 Infantry (8 HP) and 1 Militia (7 HP). Tank deals 6 damage (attacking), Infantry deals 4 damage (defending). Now Tank has 5 HP left and Infantry 2 HP. Tanks now deals 3 damage and Infantry also 5. Tank dies, Infantry dies, Militia takes 1 damage, but survives to fight another day. After the battle all HP is restored for surving units.

ARB (After-roll bonus)
ARB has around 20% chance to be applied to each attack/defence roll. Minimum is always 1, maximum is different for each unit.

Update and clear up the ARB issue please.

Told them to change it on 1/6, I had already sent a pm in May, the system shown was changed before I joined even.

Prispeval Aristosseur, 01.06.2011 at 12:43

So, total is:
+1 25%
+2 25%*66%=16,5%
+3 16,5%*66%=10,89%
+4 10,89%*66%=~7,19%

right?

Also, if the default attack of a unit is 7, does he always deal 7 or does he deal 1-7 +ARB?

The only place where proper ARB is shown.
http://afterwind.com/forum/topic.php?topic_id=1381
If there is no time to change it pass power to someone else.

>no single player


WELL YEAH, IT SAYS MULTIPLAYER STRATEGY

I think that's quite unfair to put as a con, also it technically does have a single player but it has no point.

btw the tutorial thing is a good idea.

Prispeval Aristosseur, 23.11.2011 at 21:54

Prispeval Aristosseur, 01.06.2011 at 09:50

We need someone that made the game to come here and answer. I had sent a private message to amok about the FAQ not being up to date, check it:

Citiraj:

Battle mechanics
Unit's Attack and Defence represent the maximum amount of damage you deal to the opponent. Attack and defence are executed simultaneosly, so you're guaranteed to deal some damage in a battle. Each unit has Hit points - so damage is applied directly to Hit points, and if the unit runs out of them, it gets destroyed. The remaining damage is then transferred to the next unit.

So, for example, 1 Tank (9 HP) attacks 1 Infantry (8 HP) and 1 Militia (7 HP). Tank deals 6 damage (attacking), Infantry deals 4 damage (defending). Now Tank has 5 HP left and Infantry 2 HP. Tanks now deals 3 damage and Infantry also 5. Tank dies, Infantry dies, Militia takes 1 damage, but survives to fight another day. After the battle all HP is restored for surving units.

ARB (After-roll bonus)
ARB has around 20% chance to be applied to each attack/defence roll. Minimum is always 1, maximum is different for each unit.

Update and clear up the ARB issue please.

Told them to change it on 1/6, I had already sent a pm in May, the system shown was changed before I joined even.

Prispeval Aristosseur, 01.06.2011 at 12:43

So, total is:
+1 25%
+2 25%*66%=16,5%
+3 16,5%*66%=10,89%
+4 10,89%*66%=~7,19%

right?

Also, if the default attack of a unit is 7, does he always deal 7 or does he deal 1-7 +ARB?

The only place where proper ARB is shown.
http://afterwind.com/forum/topic.php?topic_id=1381
If there is no time to change it pass power to someone else.

The ''pass power'' idea irk's me...maybe let the mod's change the faq if it's requested? Like, you could send the the PM to add in and they update it?

EDIT: Wanted to add some more, a lot of the cons he/she posted were a bit unfair, but what i wrote down is what I think needs to change. Plus, this has nothing to do with this but I kinda wanna bring it up, maybe if somebody's good at adobe illustrator or something, they could make render's of the units instead of stock images?

Prispeval Garde, 23.11.2011 at 21:56

Prispeval Aristosseur, 23.11.2011 at 21:54

http://afterwind.com/forum/topic.php?topic_id=1381
If there is no time to change it pass power to someone else.

The ''pass power'' idea irk's me...maybe let the mod's change the faq if it's requested? Like, you could send the the PM to add in ad they update it?

I'm fairly certain Ivan will change it if it is called to his attention. Most likely he didn't notice the earlier PM mentioned.

I am actually reading the review, it's pretty wrong on the uneven battles (common noob lol) and the screenshot seems to be from 2010 if you check the player names. Also the thing where he expects battles to be fought out and counts it as a con is retarded as well, plus he says no skill is involved while the skill is in what to engage and when.

Prispeval Aristosseur, 23.11.2011 at 22:01

I am actually reading the review, it's pretty wrong on the uneven battles (common noob lol) and the screenshot seems to be from 2010 if you check the player names. Also the thing where he expects battles to be fought out and counts it as a con is retarded as well, plus he says no skill is involved while the skill is in what to engage and when.

The review is pretty shitty, but I just thought it would serve as good background to raise awareness on key problems in AW, seeing as the review has a drastic appearance.

I left a comment hoping to fix things.
Forgot to add about scenarios and scenario editor as well.

Citiraj:

"There is no skill or luck with winning a battle, whoever has the most soldiers pretty much wins."

>implying it doesn't take skill to get more soldiers onto a front

Citiraj:

"Difficult Learning Curve"

yeah, just a mad noob. I agree though, I thought aw was junk until I got to like rank 4 and actually understood the game. But everything else he mentioned is just butthurt (see: 'uneven battle system').

Also, lol @ this caption: Apparently the Only Countries Worth Invading Are In Europe

>china
>india
>U.S.

also he's playing a europe map. I don't trust this review at all, if you can't tell that there are different maps that correspond to the environment you play in, you're just dumb. and I think this guy is just that

1. I hate ARB, please remove it from the game.
2. If there wouldn't be a 'war' between the biggest coalitions, there would also be at least one public tutorial. But since everybody is afraid of other players using his or her tactics, everyone uses the coalitions forums for that. If there wont be peace, there also wont be progress.
However, such a tutorial shouldn't be a problem. Someone writes it, we discuss it in the forum and add points if the creator forgot something and then a moderator makes it a sticky or the admins punblish it another way.

Prispeval Guest, 24.11.2011 at 00:22

1. I hate ARB, please remove it from the game.
2. If there wouldn't be a 'war' between the biggest coalitions, there would also be at least one public tutorial. But since everybody is afraid of other players using his or her tactics, everyone uses the coalitions forums for that. If there wont be peace, there also wont be progress.
However, such a tutorial shouldn't be a problem. Someone writes it, we discuss it in the forum and add points if the creator forgot something and then a moderator makes it a sticky or the admins punblish it another way.

My tactics:
Block every threat 1st turn
Defend all important cities
Tank spam
-

Not the best, but works for me.

Citiraj:

Gameplay wise, Afterwind is your basic point and click RTS title.

Afterwind is Turn-Based Strategy, not Real-Time Strategy.

It goes downhill from there. The author is butthurt for instance because the fight happen in a "little box". Also, he's advocating for an increase in the luck element which is utter bollocks. Don't listen to this guy.

However, as far as the learning curve is concerned, he is more or less accurate. The same thing happened with both me and Aristosseur; we both played a game after being invited by others (I invited Aristo, Bernds invited me) and were left with such a bad taste in our mouths we didn't touch the game again for another week.

I've actually asked a few people and it was pretty much the same experience for everyone. Something drove them to come back as you would have it. I can't remember what it was that I didn't like about the game the first time I played it but this needs to be sorted out. Soon.

Thanks for bringing ARB to my attention, I updated the FAQ now. If there are any other inconsistencies, please PM me directly (not Amok). I am aware of the problems with the tutorial and a steep learning curve, but have yet not found a way to resolve them. Perhaps a video tutorial(s) would be good, but ideally need to find someone who can do a decent voice-over.

Yes, making the process as painless as possible for new players should be a priority, but it's difficult to organize a gradual learning process (the way most games do) - since that means a boring solo game. And then players are dumped straight into the shark pool (the lobby), where experienced players prowl...

Prispeval Ivan, 24.11.2011 at 11:52

Thanks for bringing ARB to my attention, I updated the FAQ now. If there are any other inconsistencies, please PM me directly (not Amok). I am aware of the problems with the tutorial and a steep learning curve, but have yet not found a way to resolve them. Perhaps a video tutorial(s) would be good, but ideally need to find someone who can do a decent voice-over.

Yes, making the process as painless as possible for new players should be a priority, but it's difficult to organize a gradual learning process (the way most games do) - since that means a boring solo game. And then players are dumped straight into the shark pool (the lobby), where experienced players prowl...

Well, what you could do is like I said, make a sort of list of tutorial lessons and stuff, but if you wouldn't want to make it so complicated you could try just including some important thing's in the tutorial that's already present. I don't know about voice-overs though, does anyone here have a beautiful voice? xD

It's more about the mic than the voice, little bro.

Prispeval learster, 24.11.2011 at 12:56

It's more about the mic than the voice, little bro.

Lol, well I think it would drive people away hearing some little squeaker announce how to play the game or something like that ;P

The reviewer evidently doesn't understand Afterwind, hence it's pointless to acknowledge what he says as worth discussing.

Afterwind isnt an rts, and read the tutorial, idiots....

Prispeval darkstorm777, 23.03.2012 at 21:17

Afterwind isnt an rts, and read the tutorial, idiots....

RTS = Real-Time-Strategy if i'm correct. And the tutorial needs some work, but this reviewer is definitely butthurt, but it's good nowadays all of the new players play together instead so they have a chance. Someone needs to do a new review.

This review is ancient.

The developers have gone miles in reducing the learning curve. I would feel that the tutorial is still quite weak though. But otherwise, excellent.

I kinda wanna see if I can get G4 to review this.

Prispeval Deray YG, 24.03.2012 at 23:49

I kinda wanna see if I can get G4 to review this.

LOL, good luck with that. They would never review anything remotely indie. They are all in the pay of the big publishing studios like Ubisoft and EA.

And G4 is too mainstream and far too Americanised anyway. It would literally destroy AW's reputation and fill it up with frat boys, har har har.

Prispeval YOBA, 25.03.2012 at 08:04

Prispeval Deray YG, 24.03.2012 at 23:49

I kinda wanna see if I can get G4 to review this.

LOL, good luck with that. They would never review anything remotely indie. They are all in the pay of the big publishing studios like Ubisoft and EA.

And G4 is too mainstream and far too Americanised anyway. It would literally destroy AW's reputation and fill it up with frat boys, har har har.

Meh....... Just changed my mind.

Prispeval YOBA, 25.03.2012 at 08:04

Prispeval Deray YG, 24.03.2012 at 23:49

I kinda wanna see if I can get G4 to review this.

LOL, good luck with that. They would never review anything remotely indie. They are all in the pay of the big publishing studios like Ubisoft and EA.

And G4 is too mainstream and far too Americanised anyway. It would literally destroy AW's reputation and fill it up with frat boys, har har har.

Lol I agree completely. I've always been big on video games but G4 is just garbage. Really boring to watch too.

Reruns of COPS + Biased and paid for review scores + Stupidity = G4

The cons are crap. Seriously wtf, steep learning curve? This is one of strategy games that has the lowest learning curve I've ever played... :|
.. and no single player? Argh.. did they say that about World of Warcraft and Counter-Strike too? :|

What needs fixing is balance of strategies. Problem is that some strategies just works so much better than any other because of how units are implemented (I'm talking about bomber + air transport combo) and that putting out units around your cities should be "automated" or something, because it is really not alot of fun having to place them in *perfect positions*. I'd give Afterwind 7.5/10 as it is now. 9/10 if these problems were fixed. The last point is bug fixing. :]