Cossacks 2: Napoleonic wars review and screenshots

[Adrian II]

Good game, does anyone find that the BFE game is a hell of a lot easier than the skirmish game?

I think you are right. In the meantime I have been promoted to General and I have conquered Yurp twice. I found that the BfE is easier than a Skirmish in Very Hard mode. Although in the BfE the strategic part outweighs the weaker tactical AI.

It is as if in each BfE battle the AI has only one plan, and as soon as that fails they fall back on hillsides, replenish in nearby villages and hang back in the hope that you will run out of gunpowder. I am not complaining because that is actually quite realistic. Battle plans used to last only so long in the period; after that it was up to the initiative of individual officers.

But if you fail to corner them properly, the AI sure tans your hide and hangs you out to dry. Yesterday, playing Ney, I sweated for a full fifteen minutes as I attempted to outmaneuver the Bey. Not a shot was fired whilst he tried to launch his Tuaregs where they could wreak havoc on my lines and I tried to pre-empt him. You can usually take the Tuaregs out with either three Fusileer volleys, or one Fusileer plus one Voltiger volley. And a Howitzer softens them up nicely since they move slowly. But getting these assets in place at the right spot and at the right time was a heck of a job.

EDIT
The strenght of this AI is that it mercilessly exploits your weak spots in its initial attack. Even if that is its only plan, it is good enough to keep you on tenterhooks. You are constantly faced with the dilemma of whether to (1) split your force, cover all angles and conquer assets in remote villages, or (2) concentrate your force and hope for a quick, decisive mass battle.

[Androo]

Hey Adrian II (and anybody else who is playing the game at the moment), how about some After Action Reports (with screens!)?! I need my (vicarious) fix of this game!

Edit,02-14-2006: I went cold turkey.