SP with better Graphics?

[gabeeg]

Originally Posted by Cross

My 2 cents:

I like the 2D environment and the graphics.

I like to play with the Hex Grid turned OFF. It perhaps took a whole game to get used to, but I've found that I can more easily recognise map features and in particular hill levels and slopes. This has not been the cause of misclicks! I mostly PBEM so you can't take back wrong moves, and so I would soon be using the Grid if it caused problems.

There's a Hot Key '.' (dot) to turn the map Hex Grid OFF and ON. I recommend using it. I only turn it on briefly, a couple of times a battle, to count hexes and figure out where some hidden ATk gun/MG fire is probably coming from.

There's a couple of different infantry mods available if you want more visible infantry icons; and you can also turn on ID Tags (flags) in the preferences screen (there's no Hot Key for ID tags).

Cross

Cross, I just discovered the hex grid off in my last PBEM game...you are absolutely correct. It made map reading much easier for me...still not perfect, but much easier. I am glad you brought this up, it may help others.

As for the infantry mods, I have a problem with the small infantry...I do not like spending time hunting when a PBEM turn has taken awhile and I do not exactly recall where everthing is (even with ID tags...since I like mine small). A long time ago someone came up with a larger infantry mod where the helmets are a bit bigger and contrasts a little better with the surroundings. I am pretty sure I found it in an old TOE post...does anybody recall this mods name or author? It may help those that have issue with locating infantry in forest hexes, etc.

[Imp]

Hex grids off is a good point makes it look like table top minitures in my view.
Takes a while to get used to but if you stick with it become very good at judging ranges. Its like wearing a watch I suppose if you dont bother stop being reliant on it & become pretty good at judging time but put the watch or hex grid on & brain goes into lazy mode & uses them.

[antonm]

like cross says, putting hexgrid of gives a better impression and that is how i play the game as well.

as gabeeg mentions still the grafik is far from an eye candy. and right: i did not realize before but i believe gabeeg might be correct: it is not the pixel resolution given the old school feeling, but the number of colors used. can anybody give some insight to his question if there is a 8bit or lower restriction to the hex design?

thanks drg for answering the initial question. to bad all hope for a visual more sophisticated version is lost. - the rest of the game, as mentioned before, is superior to everything comparable on this gaming sector

[Cross]

Originally Posted by gabeeg

As for the infantry mods, I have a problem with the small infantry...I do not like spending time hunting when a PBEM turn has taken awhile and I do not exactly recall where everthing is (even with ID tags...since I like mine small). A long time ago someone came up with a larger infantry mod where the helmets are a bit bigger and contrasts a little better with the surroundings. I am pretty sure I found it in an old TOE post...does anybody recall this mods name or author? It may help those that have issue with locating infantry in forest hexes, etc.

Here's some links to infantry mods:

1. These are very realistic (WW2 & MBT) but a bit too large in IMHO:


Download:
http://www.theblitz.org/message_boar....php?tid=52809


2. This SPWW2/MBT infantry mod is not realistic, but shows up well:


Download:
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showthread.php?t=42984


3. This mod is the same size as the original infantry, but some of them show up better, especially the cavalry:



Download:
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showthread.php?t=46332


Cross

[gabeeg]

Thats a nice post Cross, thanks. I do not recall seeing those top ones before. I am using the ones in #2 as they show up real well (think it is the shine off the helmets)...but take some getting used to. The third set is from your mod correct? I was tempted to try them but they look the same size as the originals so have thus far have not...they are very, very well done though.

[Cross]

Originally Posted by gabeeg

Thats a nice post Cross, thanks. I do not recall seeing those top ones before. I am using the ones in #2 as they show up real well (think it is the shine off the helmets)...but take some getting used to. The third set is from your mod correct? I was tempted to try them but they look the same size as the originals so have thus far have not...they are very, very well done though.

Yes, the third set is my infantry icon mod.

They were deliberately designed the same size as the originals, as the mod is only supposed to improve the graphic representation of the infantry, with more realism and variety.

I like small infantry, and think it's especially important with larger sections/squads. I usually have ID Tags/Flags turned on. But use the mini-ID flag mod, so the flags are very small.

I agree that there's often a break-in period where you have to get used to a mod. But try a few, and see what works best for you. In the end it's a personal preference.


Cross