What a pleasant surprise! The folks at Slitherine have ported the outstanding wargame Battle Academy to iOS and the iPad version turned up on the app store today. I love this game on PC and have been playing it, and the expansion packs for a long time. I hope you can give it some love in the review category, and someone who is wise in the ways of forums will do a proper post . (sanuku?) This is a full on, everything included version of the PC game. Nothing has been taken out, or stripped down to put it on iPad and it plays great with a touch interface... Battle Academy Slitherine This is a 32 bit app. You will always be able to play this app on iOS 10.3 or older but Apple may remove support for 32 … $19.99 Buy Now Watch Media DetailsThis is a 32 bit app. You will always be able to play this app on iOS 10.3 or older but Apple may remove support for 32 bit apps in future iOS updates. Number#1 Strategy game in 42 stores. For 24/7 tech support and updates visit www.slitherine.com/forum * PocketTactics – 5 out of 5 - “In price, content, and execution, Battle Academy is a proud game from another time. And worth every penny.” * DigitallyDownloaded.net – 4.5 out of 5 Stars - “Really, when you buy this game, you’re buying into the excellent, competitive, online environment, and it looks like a healthy community at this stage.” * NoHighScores – “…you’d be hard pressed to find a richer, more satisfying turn-based wargame on the platform.” * TouchGen – 4.5 out of 5 Stars - “Battle Academy is a welcoming but challenging experience.” * StrategyPrime – 4.5 out of 5 Stars - “Probably one of the finest strategy games you can find on the iPad just about now, and definitely a must-have.” * FortressAT – “Battle Academy is…a real game, a proper game…” * Esquire - “…this is the best game we’ve played yet on the iPad.” * Plughead.net – 82% - “A proper wargame! On the iPad!” * PCDome.hu – “…the ideal tactical casual wargame for iPad.” * SlideToPlay – 3 out of 4 - “…for those of you who are willing to take the challenge, you’ll encounter a highly engaging, absorbing and lengthy experience the likes of which has rarely been seen on iOS.” * BoardGameGeek – 3 of 4 Stars - “Hands down this is the most impressive war game yet on the platform.” ***************************************** Description Approachable, absorbing and visually impressive yet detailed, Battle Academy aims to revolutionise the strategy games market with a blend of intuitive design and compelling game play driven by cutting edge technical innovation. Inspired by an original online game concept devised by the BBC, the game has more than 30 battles in a range of theatres of war from the North African desert through D-Day to the to the snowy Ardennes mountains where the Allies battled to repel the final German offensive. The team at Slitherine worked with Professor John Buckley, Military Historian at the University of Wolverhampton and a keen wargamer himself, to make sure that the strategy, tactics, scenarios and available firepower of the battles fought in WW2 were turned into realistic AI behaviour, powering expertly crafted battles. The revolutionary server-based PBEM++ Slitherine system completes the package, for a gaming experience that will certainly please both hard core wargamers and newcomers. This revolutionary system allows iPad, Mac and PC players to play against each other, and even allows you to play 1 turn on your PC at home, continue the same game on the iPad on the train to work and play a turn at work on your Mac, all without you having to do a thing - the server handles it all! ***************************************** Features Control British, US, Polish, Canadian forces in 3 epic campaigns covering more than 30 varied battles or take control of Italian and German forces in multiplayer. Select from a vast array of equipment including 100 units from 6 nations - Shermans, Fireflys, Panthers, Tigers, Stukas, Hurricanes, P47s and much more! Gameplay features include ambushes, line of sight, artillery barrages, airstrikes, scouts, morale, APCs, flame throwers, heavy bombers, snipers and suppression. Your units gain experience as they fight. Get promoted to Veteran and Elite status and gain new skills. Addictive multiplayer modes using Slitherine’s revolutionary multiplayer server that’s linked into an online ranking system. Information Seller:Slitherine Genre:Board, Strategy Release:Feb 24, 2012 Updated:May 12, 2014 Version:2.70 Size:519.3 MB TouchArcade Rating:Unrated User Rating: (14) Your Rating:unrated Compatibility:HD Universal StratAll Well-Known Member Dec 24, 2009 160 17 18 #2 StratAll, Mar 14, 2012 At 15.99EUR it will be hard to convince people to take the risk. Not saying this isn't worth its price, but it's going to need positive reviews and frontpage coverage. Card Well-Known Member Jan 12, 2012 818 6 18 Toronto Canada #3 Card, Mar 14, 2012 Last edited: Mar 14, 2012 $20...wow. "Additional campaigns available" - So there's IAP's as well? MunkieSuthorn Well-Known Member Jun 11, 2009 364 3 18 IT Manager Connecticut, USA #4 MunkieSuthorn, Mar 14, 2012 Last edited: Mar 14, 2012 Getting past the age old argument of pricing might be difficult, but take a look at the video below from the development team and you questions will be answered. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNqWt6GN6uo&feature=player_embedded If Square Enix can ask 17.99 for a product (Tactics) that admittedly was unfinished out the door (graphics are pixelated), I don't see why another well known studio in the turn based wartime arena can not ask the same. And yes I agree, they will have a tough road to hold at the $20 price point, but I believe after watching the video their reasoning is solid. Munkie! Oh and here is a link to the App: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/battle-academy/id499901136?mt=8&uo=4" target="itunes_store" VimFuego Active Member Apr 27, 2011 27 0 0 IT Geek Extraordinaire Brisbane #5 VimFuego, Mar 14, 2012 Tempting, looks like real quality ... I gather you can create and download scenarios too? This would help longevity. Now, if there was some way of getting the PC and iOS version in the same package for the cost of the PC downloadable version that would be the icing. I think I'll wait for some iOS reviews first for that kind of $ though. Good to see this kind of gaming depth being ported MunkieSuthorn Well-Known Member Jun 11, 2009 364 3 18 IT Manager Connecticut, USA #6 MunkieSuthorn, Mar 14, 2012 Well, I went ahead and took the plunge. I will report back tomorrow after a good night of playing. Munkie! djflippy Well-Known Member Mar 9, 2009 4,441 0 36 #7 djflippy, Mar 15, 2012 Last edited by a moderator: Sep 16, 2012 This game is excellent. dreadnok Well-Known Member Jun 8, 2011 4,157 7 38 I came here to kick ass and chew bubble gum I'm ou #8 dreadnok, Mar 15, 2012 I saw this today and having never played the PC version find it hard to shell out for it even if the videos look great, with FF tactics they have the advantage of the Square Enix name that ensures a preexisting fan base this company needs to get the word out more have the game reviewed on some of the major sites to set peoples minds at ease about spending that money dreadnok Well-Known Member Jun 8, 2011 4,157 7 38 I came here to kick ass and chew bubble gum I'm ou #9 dreadnok, Mar 15, 2012 Gratitude Marcus70 Well-Known Member Dec 7, 2010 950 0 0 #10 Marcus70, Mar 15, 2012 Are the 30 campaign levels included in the initial purchase? DotComCTO Well-Known Member Feb 17, 2009 477 0 16 Chief Technology Officer Westchester County, NY #11 DotComCTO, Mar 15, 2012 Looking forward to a report. I never played the Mac or PC version, so I'm rather reluctant to plunk down $20 for the game - especially since some of the reviews knock the consistency of the AI and the scripted missions (reviews seem to be something like 7-8 out of 10). I'm wondering how close the game is to something like Battlefront's Combat Mission series. Have you ever played that? Thanks! --DotComCTO MunkieSuthorn Well-Known Member Jun 11, 2009 364 3 18 IT Manager Connecticut, USA #12 MunkieSuthorn, Mar 15, 2012 It seems so... 10 per nation. Munkie! MunkieSuthorn Well-Known Member Jun 11, 2009 364 3 18 IT Manager Connecticut, USA #13 MunkieSuthorn, Mar 15, 2012 It seems not at all like that series. That series seems to be full 3d while this has a animated stylizing. More to come tomorrow. Munkie! geoelectric Well-Known Member Apr 22, 2010 464 22 18 San Jose, CA #14 geoelectric, Mar 15, 2012 Last edited: Mar 15, 2012 Some reviews of the PC version: http://www.matrixgames.com/products/387/reviews/Battle.Academy Also, may want to Google "Battlefield Academy," as I think it must have changed names sometime in its life. MunkieSuthorn Well-Known Member Jun 11, 2009 364 3 18 IT Manager Connecticut, USA #15 MunkieSuthorn, Mar 15, 2012 I don't know if anyone else would agree, but the PC is chock full of in depth strategy games, where there aren't the pickings on the iOS. I believe that lends some further value to this title on THIS platform. Munkie! Werechihuahua Well-Known Member May 26, 2010 137 0 16 Eternal labors Pensacola, FL #16 Werechihuahua, Mar 15, 2012 The new definition of Outstanding If you are unsure, why not check out the PC demo version. The iOS version is IDENTICAL except for the touch interface, which I like better. http://www.slitherine.com/games/bbc_ba_pc I have spent all day playing through missions that I already enjoyed on the original, PC, game and enjoying them all over again. My poor PS Vita has been ignored, the XBOX is lonely, the PC only used for Facebooking. I can't wait to get some new PBEM games going. BTW... the user generated campaigns and missions ARE available on iOS too. I though for sure they would make it impossible to get new content without paying, but no. You can download and play all the good UGC easily. I paid $40 for the boxed PC version, $15 more for Blitzkrieg France, $15 more for Market-Garden and Operation See Lowe expansions. Selling it for $20.00 all together is a steal. I haven't unlocked the later campaigns on the iOS version yet, so I can't say for sure if they are free or IAP, but either way I'm thrilled to death and happy to spend a fraction of the PC price on this great game. And the UGC has some really good missions that are certainly free. With the PBEM there is infinite replay value. If you want top quality, AAA products to come to iOS instead of stripped down, half-assed "mobile versions" we are going to have to pay more than the price of Angry Birds. It isn't right for every budget, but then serious, deep strategy games aren't for the same users who need a 5 minute fix of Tiny Tower either. Check out the PC demo. Then decide whether to spend $40 for that, or $20 for the iOS version. I got both and am very well pleased. Now, to get that 5th star on the Tobruk defense... Farmer Harv Well-Known Member Oct 20, 2009 293 0 16 #17 Farmer Harv, Mar 15, 2012 Jumped right in and bought this, and I *think* it's worth the 20 beans so far. I've only played two missions and the tutorial so far and it seems to be a very well done turn based tactical game. So far I wish the animations were a little (30% or so) slower, and the map rotate and zoom were smoother. Otherwise it looks like a keeper so far. However, the last 3 campaigns (France, Market Garden & Sealion) are IAP. For $10. Each. Puts the total price for everything at 50 bucks, which must be another App Store high for games. Had I known that going in I might have waited for a sale, as that's even more than the two Final Fantasy Tactics versions I purchased. Oh well, someone had to TOFTT I guess. Marcus70 Well-Known Member Dec 7, 2010 950 0 0 #18 Marcus70, Mar 15, 2012 Last edited: Mar 15, 2012 Watching the videos on youtube from the PC version, the gameplay looks great! I just wished their had a lite version for ipad to try out first. Their other game on the Android platform "HISTORY Great Battles Medieval" is $6.99. I would think $9.99 would be a good base price, since the other campaigns are $10 a pop. Pricing aside, I'm really surprised and very happy, they brough this over to the IOS platform. hsthompson Well-Known Member Jul 14, 2010 118 0 0 #19 hsthompson, Mar 15, 2012 I think the biggest bugger about this is that at $50, you're talking only the grognards who are going to buy it. That means a tiny, tiny universe of people to play with. They're still thinking in terms of "how many hours of gameplay do you get for $50", and that is much less important than "how tiny is the community when it costs $50". Yes, a rational case can be made for a high price, but the App Store, especially for games that rely on multiplayer so much, is about getting a mass audience, even if that audience isn't as massive as say, Angry Birds. eAdvisory Well-Known Member Nov 22, 2011 1,090 0 0 Detroit #20 eAdvisory, Mar 15, 2012 i dont see how they think charging 20 bucks plus 10 bucks per DLC pack is reasonable. this is the ios. EVEN THOUGH the game is worth the price. people just wont pay for it. BUT we will see in 3 months how they are progressing. (You must log in or sign up to post here.) Show Ignored Content Page 1 of 38 1 ← 2 3 4 5 6 → 38 Next > Share This Page Tweet Your name or email address: Password: Forgot your password? Stay logged in
At 15.99EUR it will be hard to convince people to take the risk. Not saying this isn't worth its price, but it's going to need positive reviews and frontpage coverage.
Getting past the age old argument of pricing might be difficult, but take a look at the video below from the development team and you questions will be answered. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNqWt6GN6uo&feature=player_embedded If Square Enix can ask 17.99 for a product (Tactics) that admittedly was unfinished out the door (graphics are pixelated), I don't see why another well known studio in the turn based wartime arena can not ask the same. And yes I agree, they will have a tough road to hold at the $20 price point, but I believe after watching the video their reasoning is solid. Munkie! Oh and here is a link to the App: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/battle-academy/id499901136?mt=8&uo=4" target="itunes_store"
Tempting, looks like real quality ... I gather you can create and download scenarios too? This would help longevity. Now, if there was some way of getting the PC and iOS version in the same package for the cost of the PC downloadable version that would be the icing. I think I'll wait for some iOS reviews first for that kind of $ though. Good to see this kind of gaming depth being ported
Well, I went ahead and took the plunge. I will report back tomorrow after a good night of playing. Munkie!
I saw this today and having never played the PC version find it hard to shell out for it even if the videos look great, with FF tactics they have the advantage of the Square Enix name that ensures a preexisting fan base this company needs to get the word out more have the game reviewed on some of the major sites to set peoples minds at ease about spending that money
Looking forward to a report. I never played the Mac or PC version, so I'm rather reluctant to plunk down $20 for the game - especially since some of the reviews knock the consistency of the AI and the scripted missions (reviews seem to be something like 7-8 out of 10). I'm wondering how close the game is to something like Battlefront's Combat Mission series. Have you ever played that? Thanks! --DotComCTO
It seems not at all like that series. That series seems to be full 3d while this has a animated stylizing. More to come tomorrow. Munkie!
Some reviews of the PC version: http://www.matrixgames.com/products/387/reviews/Battle.Academy Also, may want to Google "Battlefield Academy," as I think it must have changed names sometime in its life.
I don't know if anyone else would agree, but the PC is chock full of in depth strategy games, where there aren't the pickings on the iOS. I believe that lends some further value to this title on THIS platform. Munkie!
The new definition of Outstanding If you are unsure, why not check out the PC demo version. The iOS version is IDENTICAL except for the touch interface, which I like better. http://www.slitherine.com/games/bbc_ba_pc I have spent all day playing through missions that I already enjoyed on the original, PC, game and enjoying them all over again. My poor PS Vita has been ignored, the XBOX is lonely, the PC only used for Facebooking. I can't wait to get some new PBEM games going. BTW... the user generated campaigns and missions ARE available on iOS too. I though for sure they would make it impossible to get new content without paying, but no. You can download and play all the good UGC easily. I paid $40 for the boxed PC version, $15 more for Blitzkrieg France, $15 more for Market-Garden and Operation See Lowe expansions. Selling it for $20.00 all together is a steal. I haven't unlocked the later campaigns on the iOS version yet, so I can't say for sure if they are free or IAP, but either way I'm thrilled to death and happy to spend a fraction of the PC price on this great game. And the UGC has some really good missions that are certainly free. With the PBEM there is infinite replay value. If you want top quality, AAA products to come to iOS instead of stripped down, half-assed "mobile versions" we are going to have to pay more than the price of Angry Birds. It isn't right for every budget, but then serious, deep strategy games aren't for the same users who need a 5 minute fix of Tiny Tower either. Check out the PC demo. Then decide whether to spend $40 for that, or $20 for the iOS version. I got both and am very well pleased. Now, to get that 5th star on the Tobruk defense...
Jumped right in and bought this, and I *think* it's worth the 20 beans so far. I've only played two missions and the tutorial so far and it seems to be a very well done turn based tactical game. So far I wish the animations were a little (30% or so) slower, and the map rotate and zoom were smoother. Otherwise it looks like a keeper so far. However, the last 3 campaigns (France, Market Garden & Sealion) are IAP. For $10. Each. Puts the total price for everything at 50 bucks, which must be another App Store high for games. Had I known that going in I might have waited for a sale, as that's even more than the two Final Fantasy Tactics versions I purchased. Oh well, someone had to TOFTT I guess.
Watching the videos on youtube from the PC version, the gameplay looks great! I just wished their had a lite version for ipad to try out first. Their other game on the Android platform "HISTORY Great Battles Medieval" is $6.99. I would think $9.99 would be a good base price, since the other campaigns are $10 a pop. Pricing aside, I'm really surprised and very happy, they brough this over to the IOS platform.
I think the biggest bugger about this is that at $50, you're talking only the grognards who are going to buy it. That means a tiny, tiny universe of people to play with. They're still thinking in terms of "how many hours of gameplay do you get for $50", and that is much less important than "how tiny is the community when it costs $50". Yes, a rational case can be made for a high price, but the App Store, especially for games that rely on multiplayer so much, is about getting a mass audience, even if that audience isn't as massive as say, Angry Birds.
i dont see how they think charging 20 bucks plus 10 bucks per DLC pack is reasonable. this is the ios. EVEN THOUGH the game is worth the price. people just wont pay for it. BUT we will see in 3 months how they are progressing.