GODSPEED

For those asking when the game goes live.... just look on your steam page. It has a countdown for you and your time zone... you can even watch the seconds go by. Tick tick tick...

WOW! You just said it!!!! This is why someone who comes here and argues 💩 they don't understand sounds like a teen arguing with his parents about something he doesn't know. JAGGED ALLIANCE IS A ROLE PLAYING GAME!

Not this again. If you can't play a f'n game with intuition, experience and judgement... ...no one here is forcing you to buy it! Wait for the mod being released almost on game release. Damn this CtH thing is ridiculous! The ones arguing for it don't even know Jagged Alliance. WE DON'T WANT NU-XCOM, WE DON'T WANT CTH! This is JAGGED ALLIANCE!

...and one of my favourite reviewers. He has the habit of being brutally honest, will seriously "destroy" a game if senses any bullsh!t.

ACG, one of the few Youtube reviewers I trust to actually be honest. He doesn't do any sponsored bs. He's always upfront about pros and cons, in ALL his videos. I would take his word over any of the "hype-train" big review boards who rate games a 9 and deserve a 4. That said, very good review:

For myself, Eastern Time (UTC -4) it is now 16:34 (at time of starting this post). So for me, 09:00 Friday morning I can start the download.

Oh.. and hopefully you guys give my something to argue about.. 'cause you know, I love arguing 💩 ! (Just in case none of you noticed). 😁 Apologies to @Wigen for hijacking his post. 😅 This is about REVIEWS guys.. please stay on topic!!

I beg to differ (in a very friendly way btw). Jagged Alliance contains EVERYTHING that makes a "Roleplaying game" a Roleplaying game. What is so different from a game like Baldur's Gate or Icewind Dale ? Those games have much in common with Jagged Alliance. You build a team of unique characters that banter, you have skill/stat progression and even if minor, you do make a few moral choices throughout. Even games with WAYYYY fewer roleplaying elements are still considered Roleplaying. Skyrim. It lacks any moral dilemnas, lacks any "banter" (unless you count what Lydia, your steward, says when she acknowledges a command).. yet, as light as the RPG elements are, it is still an Roleplaying game, becasue your decide what kind of role you play. Just for fun, I took my big and small boxes, here are some of the words on those boxes. Jagged Alliance: "A Strategy Role-Playing Adventure" "Superb turn-based mercenary action and great role-playing, all in one package." ***** Value //(that is not a bard word, but 5 "STARS" 🤣) -Electronic Entertainment Jagged Alliance 2: //Front of box: "The Role-Playing Strategy Game of 1999" //Inside front cover flap of box: Intense Role Playing A vast new story, huge new world, many quests plus mercenaries with unique personalities that improve with experience. //Back of box: The best of strategy: - Non-linear gameplay - Dozens of realistically modeled weapons - Unique blend of real-time exploration and turn-based combat The best of role-playing: - Interact with more than 150 in-game characters - Recruit your own team of unique mercenaries - Create your own custom mercenary - Conflicting mercenary personalities affect gameplay Jagged Alliance 2 Unfinished Business & Jagged Alliance 2 Wildfire Side of box: ROLEPLAYING STRATEGY The only box I can't find mention of Role-Playing is the Deadly Games box. It's more about 6000+ lines of digitized speech, taunts, insults, multiplayer, etc..

@Hendrix, @Wigen, @Kordanor, @SWi74... and MANY others here (I just mention the ones I have exchanged with the most over the past years). I'm anxious to see if you will be back here to post a review. (Will you?) I don't put much faith in big review agencies anymore. I think each and everyone of us "old-schoolers" should come back to this forum in a few weeks/months to write our own review. See what we like or don't like after getting our hands dirty in blood money (diamond mines are very dirty business). Looking forward to your comments, likes/dislikes. I think what is important in the coming months is to be able to appreciate the good things, but criticize the bad ones so that they can patch/fix/think what the next step/evolution of the game will be.

What do you mean? It's a small squad tactics game. It's real-time, like Men of War. I like the fact it's in the Aliens universe.

All of the above. There are times I play JA2 to experience the Roleplaying aspect more than the tactical one. That is when I try new mercs (different combinations), just to explore the way they interact.. all the while I am playing a Tactical game full of cool guns. Then there are times I start a new game with the mercs I like most and know by heart, simply because I want a deep tactical game. I already know the lines they say, what to expect from the mercs. I just want battles to take place. Jagged Alliance 2 is unique in that it offers something special and different for each and every player. Which is also why it would seem 1.13 has a divided fanbase. Those who favour tactical depth and complexity based on some virtual form of "realism" don't usually like 1.13 as much as those who prefer "realism" and tactical minutia. Me? I like to know if my bipod has something to rest on. I want to know if the barrel of my HK 21E is overheating or not. I need to store my FN Five-seveN mags into the appropriate Molle pouch, or else something doesn't sit right with me. But, with all that detail, Jagged Alliance wouldn't be a thing without the mercs and their uniqueness.. and wouldn't be a thing without the Roleplaying elements. All of those aspects make it such an extremely unique game.

This weekend, (unless there is some major bug or my computer self-destructs), I will know whether JA3 will be a game I complete or not. Either I complete it over the next few weeks... or I looks for a tactical itch elsewhere. Regardless... here is what I probably will try next: Aliens - Dark Descent

I share this feeling as well, unfortunately. I'm divided on how I feel about it... But I would still suggest trying it. You know, there might be some things in the game that are a let down, or won't feel right.. but there might also be a few things that after a few hours of play, might compensate or feel good enough to balance out. I'm also a little bit more "hardcore" in that I want Jagged Alliance 2.5 with 1.13 influences. My own expectations are either the right standard I've set for myself and where my money should be spent, or they are a hindrance at how I perceive this game. The way I'm seeing Jagged Alliance 3 at the moment: Jagged Alliance 1.85 (somewhere in between 1 and 2) in a modern engine. The characters and lines they say (so far) feel a little more in line with the comical nature of the characters in JA1. JA1 had a way more "cartoon-like" nature, many names were word-play, many lines were over-the-top and either satirical or goofy. JA2 toned down that aspect and toned-up the "seriousness" and grim nature of the business. 2 got it's comedy through other interactions in a very subtle way. It's writing was VERY different from JA1. The inventory feels closer to a tweak of the one in JA1 and base JA2. (I would have wanted more of the 1.13 influence in this department. While I understand I don't need hardcore "pouches", we aren't all military gear buffs!! I would have liked the idea of basic backpacks, leg pouches, belts. Something that translates well, regardless your knowledge.. because this adds to the progression of the game as well. To me, that is as basic as progression with armor and gun. As the game progresses, you make choices of the type of gun, type of armor... and type of gear. Do you want large bags to carry many many things but be weighed down, or do you want to have minimal equipment to be as agile as possible?) The dialogue options & "questing" (as long as questing doesn't distract too much from the main game) feel like a slight tweak to the system in JA2 (not being insulting to HG, I know that kind of thing requires incredible amount of work, writing and testing). Then some of the mechanics is where it's a little blurry for me. Until I play it and get a feel for it; that kind of thing doesn't translate well in video-gameplay. I must experience it myself; see if it flows, feels fluid and well integrated within the gameplay. But I also have a side of my that likes to weigh things as unbiased as I can try to be. I like to view things from the perspective of another, and in this case, especially from the one of the devs. Afterall, the hours and energy spent building a world and the detail in it is something I have extreme amounts of respect for. The amount of time taken to "record" the audio from the gun range; there is something that I truly appreciate! As a comparison, I have incredible memories of Battlefield 3... not for the gameplay, not for any memorable experiences (because I find it paled in comparison to BF2), but because the soundstage was absolutely incredible!! I clearly remember playing it and being blown away at the sounds. It was INCREDIBLY immersive. EA had doen the same thing too... recorded sounds from actual ranges and the weaponry. Also, JA2, while I love it to death... the landscapes are.. let's not hide it.. bland. Yes, some mods really add much needed detail and atmosphere, but I mean it's a game showing its age right? If JA3 can live up to the level of detail they seem to have put into the atmosphere, lighting, weather and various tones for different locales. Wow!! Look, sorry for the book I just wrote, I tend to write alot if you haven't noticed 🤣, but all that to say.. give it a try!

Ah. Darn!! Point taken!

Huh... Jagged Alliance 2; everything you do, is from a laptop. You don't know the mercs. You've just hired them based on "abstract" stats they provide and limited knowledge. From that point of view, when commanding them on a battelfield, it makes sense that you have to go by estimate. After some time, you know when they will or won't hit. CtH become irrelevant. It's also a reason 1.13 implement an option for CtH reading that isn't accurate. Just like they implemented an option so when you enter combat, you do not see the amount of bullets left in your mag. It's meant for you to "guess" and go with your gut feeling.

@Wigen doesn't plagiarize anyone. He's been among the "founding" members on this community since it's inception. The amount of feedback, opinions and discussions him and a few others here have shared/discussed since then should be proof enough. Throughout the last years, it has been a pleasure to share and exchange with members like @Wigen, @Hendrix, @Solaris_Wave, @Kordanor and some others I apologize I miss. We may not have always had the same opinion. I may have expressed mine pretty loud, but one thing is for sure, at least we were a mature enough bunch not to resort to insulting or acting child-like among one another!

I won't even vote, because this is absolutely ridiculous. It's already been said, they removed the CtH and it will be one of the first things that is also modded in game. So, everyone will be happy. I don't even understand why this topic must continue. Personally, I never cared for CtH, even in 1.13, always disabled it. My arguments are the same as the reason I want "abstract" mechanics like Interrupts. I DON'T want to be told or given a number to count on. I want to go with my own experience, my own judgment and my own intuition. That is how I play games. Jagged Alliance is THE perfect example for this method, because it requires experience and using mercs to be able to acquire a feel for how they perform. Just like it would if you were with them for real. That's what the game has always tried to 'emulate'. Anyways, it was never in Jagged Alliance. Finally something I agree 100% with the devs. The way they studied the effect it had on the playtesters is argument enough for them.

I liked Back in Action for the fact it was a Turn-Based Squad Tactics game, just like Brigade E5/7,62 High Calibre. But... That ^ I also really liked Bethesda Fallouts, but not for the "Fallout" part (mostly lacks the humour and "darker" side of old Fallouts). 😅

While some of the game decision/mechanics have me scratch my head sometimes, I'm really looking forward to exploring this world. Skyrim remains one of my favourite worlds to explore due to the weather, season, tones and the way regions each have their own appeal and feel. If the world you've created is as good as this article would have it, it will be a great place to be. ...just hope the mosquitoes won't be too distracting. Hopefully I can buy some bug spray for my camping trips! 😅

I'm late to this DevDiary, but THAT ^ Very common for me in JA2 (1.13 naturally) to aim a 10 round burst at the legs (with a merc without auto weapons) from a high recoil smg/ar... and actually get a bullet or two on the torso (rarely, and very lucky, a headshot too). Anyways, bullets often hit another body part and always enjoyed seeing the "stat" loss from such randomness. I would also prefer missed bullets be able to hit another body part. If a miss can hit another enemy (or even merc), they should be able to hit another body part.

I haven't planned yet; I tried hard to NOT see what mercs say, or merc profiles.. just the game mechanics. I want the discovery and surprise when I play the first time. I'm waiting to see the mercs in their profiles, hear their voices and see what skills (qualities/flaws) they have. I usually like sticking to the more cost-effective mercs, even later in my game. Voices seem to be quite different from JA2, but I'm hoping Buns will be her!

Thanks guys! I have my own reservations on the title.. but I'm really anxious to see what you have in store for us.

Answer: ^ My thoughts EXACTLY! @WILDFIRE: Many of us fans DON'T WANT any of the core to change. Here is a tiny example or two: Why remove Interrupts and replace it with Overwatch? How many fans of JA2 have been asking for the removal of it? That was a core feature that made JA2 pretty unique compared to many other Turn-Based games. It was deeply affected by the Attributes/Stats/Level of a merc. Great mercs could even react to sound. Sometimes you got an interrupt without even seeing an enemy. Moving one step with that merc could show an enemy previously hidden. This "translates" to a mercs' finely tuned ability to listen to his surroundings. You also see high level enemies display this kind of attention to their surroundings. Now, we have overwatch instead. So you can only "watch" a cone in front, and regardless how good or attentive a merc is, everything comes down to a more board-game like feature. The enemy can be next to him, as long as it isn't in that cone, too bad! Now, you'll defend overwatch and say it might be a good feature, I don't know. The point is, we've seen this repeated for every attempt at JA. EVERY single time a game was made, they decided to change things. So far, all we are left with is a bunch of failed attempts. Or games we never play a second time. We see this repeated here.. If graphics were everything. I wouldn't still be playing JA2. Yes, most of us (I believe) would have wanted something like a refresh of the graphics. I mean, who prefers uglier graphics right? So yes, I'm happy that the gameworld looks good. But looks don't make the game. JA2 might be "basic" for graphics, but it has weather, day/night, etc.. so it's pretty basic to have that. I often say I feel the game looks and feels like a nu-xcom. And even after watching way more content than I wanted, most of the game looks like a twist on xcom. From the UI, to the overwatch, to the inventory, to the guns that don't have stats the same way at all, to the perks and even to the way each gun doesn't seem to care about the ammunition used, as the gun itself is either armor piercing, or this or that bonus, when that should be ammo related. The way the U.I. works, and the way the camera pans, the way targeting enemies it's way less fluid and simple like it used to be. In JA2, I can mouse over any body part, on any enemy at any time. It's simple, efficient, quick and doesn't "waste" my time. I right click to aim more (or mouse wheel in 1.13) and left click to fire. It's so damn simple. Now, we get this system that locks onto the enemy (like xcom), once locked on, then you can click different things. Why can't I just move my mouse around at my leisure? Why is this such a concern? Because, TBS games are already "slow", last thing I want is a UI to slow me down like in JA Rage! it tells me the game will play like xcom (new), where everything is small encounters. It almost makes the game feel extremely lightweight, like a deep computer game, but streamlined so I can play on tablet/mobile. Chance-to-Hit is still in the game, they simply hid the % from the UI. Yes, I would hope they could expand on JA2; dialogue, factions, allegiances. I'm sure you already know this, I'm not trying to be insulting.. but if a game takes 4 years to make (example);, so much % of time is dedicated to working different elements of the game to finalize it? Tell me, would it not have been better to simply leave the core of the game intact? Keep all the stats, attributes, weight, movement... everything exactly the same! Imagine all that time that could be focused on creating allegiances, factions, branching stories. Instead of dividing all that time to implement changes to the core game, testing it, etc.. What JA2 fans want most isn't a re-imagining of the core game, but simply new scenarios, expansions on factions system, making choices, new mercs, new land. So they spent alot of time changing the core, the weapons... everything that JA2 is already loved for and adored by its fans. But it's like I also think. I'm that generation that really like JA2 and have always played it regularly. The game is not aimed for me. It is aimed for the new generation. Those who will showcase it on twitch, youtube, streamers...

http://ja2v113.pbworks.com/w/page/4218334/Downloads Both versions below are pretty "standard" stable versions. Some of the newer version are simply incremental updates that add features. Build 4870 If you want something way closer to vanilla JA2 with higher resolutions and with just slight improvements to amount of enemies, and a few more options regarding basic features that were disabled in stock JA2, than this is the version. I've completed the game with this version and overall it is pretty stable. It lacks some of the more expansive (but true-to-JA2) options in character builds. So the release below is the one that has become my own standard because of the character creation providing more options and the resolution options. I consider this version to be the oldest core 1.13 version you can go to and the most stable as well. Release 7435 with update (Build: 7609) If you want slightly MORE options in character builds, more experimenting with extra features; you've got a food system (you need to eat!), the option to use NCTH (New Chance-to-Hit system; supposedly more realistic bullet 'physics'). You get some background options for the mercs and your imp (bonuses and roleplay), many more building types to interact with in the Strategic layer (bars, prisons, mines, warehouses, etc..). It's hard to be brief about everything because there is so much, but it also offers more resolution options that are fitting to my own monitor vs 4870. Keep in mind, anything can be enabled/disabled in the .ini editor. You aren't forced to make use of the food system, zombies, or anything you don't like. Below are are some of the basic options: You can also use the New Inventory System. So, items can receive way more attachments. More details on each weapon used as well. Popup explains what everything is. For myself, I never went back to the old inventory since using the New Inventory. Here are more details on the initial in-game options you can change (anything else needs to be tweaked through the easy-to-use ini editor). It's my go-to because it's stable and has most options I want in the game, without feeling overwhelmed with features I don't care for that much.

That's already in JA2 1.13 It's really fun to pick your map, pick your mercs and loadout and not really know where or what the other team is composed of. It's actually kind of nerve-racking going against another human opponent. If you play with 1.13 + Ai.exe, it gives you a small taste of playing vs "humans"; being flanked, suppressed and then having a bunch of flares thrown your way as enemies do not expose themselves. EEESH!!! 20+ years of JA2 standard tactics can be thrown out the window and are useless.