Post originally by Zapp at 2005-05-26 14:54:29
Converted from Phorums BB System

I agree the new A&A is a major improvement. With som much experience gained, it would be a disappoinment if it weren't. I especially admire the amount of analysis that is sure to be behind the bold move of the 10 IPC fighters.

As for the Pacific, however, even though the new game has slightly increased the desirability of its territories, the basic fact is still that the game is won or lost in Russia.

To raise the Japanese interest in the Pacific to historic levels, Siberia and China must be made much huger. (Compare to A Pacific where you have loads of territories, with a total sum of one (1) IPC I believe.)

Sorry, any Japanese ventures in the Pacific garner... nothing. They already have it!

By the time the yanks can rebuild the fleet - and expand it to match and overpower the huge japanese navy, the game is already won or lost in Eurasia.

Perhaps if the US was divided in two separate entities (somewhat like the Australian/Indian split of Pacific) you could get a more historic gameplay. I.e. part of the US money cannot go to Europe. That way, you'd see action in the Pacific.

It's not that the Japanese don't want to defend their possessions, its more that any US dollar is much better spent in Europe or Africa than on some boring (and hugely ineffective) stand-off in the middle of the sea.

But again, even though there's no action in the Pacific, the game is still great. Greater than the old edition and probably greater than any of the other A&A games.