So, how is it?

[NathAttack]

I'm tempted to buy it whilst it's only 15.99. How is it? Anyone here got or played it?

Anyone know if theres a demo available? I couldn't find one.

[sgtsolo]

According to metacritic it scored (based on an average) 67 out 100. Released in 2006, it was brave attempt to mix albeit an arcade flight simulation with an RTS, but failed to delivery due to the amount of bugs.

:( One to avoid (probably).

[JeffM4]

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...but failed to delivery due to the amount of bugs...
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The version of Pacific Storm (v1.6) offered through Steam includes all the patches since the game's initial release in Oct. 2006. Therefore some of the comments in the reviews from that time concerning bugs, are not accurate in the Steam version. However if you do find bugs, we'll do our best to correct them.

[sgtsolo]

------------------------------------------------------------------
...but failed to delivery due to the amount of bugs...
------------------------------------------------------------------

The version of Pacific Storm (v1.6) offered through Steam includes all the patches since the game's initial release in Oct. 2006. Therefore some of the comments in the reviews from that time concerning bugs, are not accurate in the Steam version. However if you do find bugs, we'll do our best to correct them.


Suggest you head over to http://www.cdv-forum.de/cdvboard/english/forumdisplay.php?f=84 as there's plenty of bugs still to be fixed according to the forums discussing v1.6 :)

[Robert]

The version of Pacific Storm (v1.6) offered through Steam includes all the patches since the game's initial release in Oct. 2006. Therefore some of the comments in the reviews from that time concerning bugs, are not accurate in the Steam version. However if you do find bugs, we'll do our best to correct them.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the info. Two additional questions: is 16:9 widescreen supported? Is the Steam version more up-to-date compared to the retail game patched to version 1.52 (May 2008)?

Gameplay looks interesting. I do hope that widescreen is supported ...

[sgtsolo]

I've looked around for a demo, but no luck so far.
I'm a bit old skool and prefer 'try before you buy'.
If anyone spots a demo, shout :)

[JMC5005]

Demo on Fileplanet

http://www.fileplanet.com/search.aspx?searchtype=2&q=Pacific+Storm

[WatchdogO]

The version of Pacific Storm (v1.6) offered through Steam includes all the patches since the game's initial release in Oct. 2006. Therefore some of the comments in the reviews from that time concerning bugs, are not accurate in the Steam version. However if you do find bugs, we'll do our best to correct them.

Thanks for the info. Two additional questions: is 16:9 widescreen supported? Is the Steam version more up-to-date compared to the retail game patched to version 1.52 (May 2008)?

Gameplay looks interesting. I do hope that widescreen is supported ...[/QUOTE]

Steam version is buggy for me - I can't run the game because of graphics probs and CTDs.

[sgtsolo]

Demo on Fileplanet

http://www.fileplanet.com/search.aspx?searchtype=2&q=Pacific+Storm

Thanks for that !
Looks like you saved me some money too ;)

[rx78nt]

I love how 2 years after the game launch, the game still routinely crash to desktop, and major bugs like planes not landing once in a while, bombers not dropping their payloads. Then there are the published features that just doesn't work, for example missiles.

Best to skip this title, a waste of money and a waste of time.

[PPBoyington]

For me the program run correctly in 1680X1050 if I omit my wingman joystick not working even if its recognized, no crash (even after some ALT-TAB !),have just done some training and tested a mission. I just need to find how to activate the joystick to start have fun

J/K key was the answer...
The game is worth what it cost, for 15$ you dont get the last megagame !

[klastsotsi]

I bought it yesterday(6/28). I am having a blast with it!

[Robert]

I bought it and widescreen is supported. The ingame menu/options give you the opportunity to change your screen size. Indeed, "the J-button issue" gave some frustsration! Reminder: I must read the manual or check the control settings in the ingame menu before I play.
I have Vista Home Premium on a Intel Core 2 Quad 6600, 3Gb RAM and the game runs great. The vidcard is ATI (3870, 512 Mb). This could be interesting because a guy from work has problems with his game, graphics look scrammbled, and he has a Nvidia 8XXX. But this game is optimized for Nvidia, so this cannot be an issue?
I made a remark on the version before, but the mentioned patch was for it's successor: PS: Allies. The Steam version is indeed the latest version of the game. I didn't know that at the time.
First impression: runs great on Vista (and my hardware); widescreen is supported. The game itself is hard to master, but if you take your time it has many suprises for you. It's not Battlestations Midway, but a more complicated, but a rewarding maritime wargame. The graphics in BM are more impressive, so don't expect top-notch effects in PS. They're good enough and be real: the game is 2 years old.
Is it worth 16 bucks (or 11 euro): yes, if you're into battle planning and targeting before the real battle starts.

[Budenniy]

Did anyone won the game playing for Japanese?

[Aetius]

Well first time i loaded up pacific storm (just then) the screen was flickering and it crashed after one minute. I immediately tried to go back in and the game froze when loading up the menu screen. Third time was not lucky, in fact i got the blue screen of death and crashed. So i haven't even got a chance to experience pacific storm yet and i doubt i ever will.

[Elshar]

It's really too bad you guys can't get it working on steam. It's really a very fun game :)

[Aetius]

I finally got it to work. It's incredibly fun inhabiting the planes and boats. The simulation is the best part about the game. The strategic map gives me a headache though (very complex). I'm still learning how to use it. Reminds me of the complexity of the europa universalis games. Anyway it's a lot better than its metacritic score. I haven't played the expansion yet though. But don't judge this game until you have played it. The strategic mode is good but is not where the game shines - its battles are incredible (you can have up to i think 100 planes and 50 boats in any one battle). Try it out!

[oto niel]

be warned that the demo will ask you to install certain drm drivers, truly a ♥♥♥♥ up from the developer part.

as for the game itself, it was an epic fail because of the decision of including tages on the retail, steam does not suffer from that so it's more stable, plus being patched to the latest version.

[Opiate666]

to anyone looking at this old thread to get an idea of the game now, ignore the QQ. the current steam version of this game has no game breaking bugs, atleast on my rig. as for what to expect from this game....

the strategic level almost plays a little like a tabletop wargame, exept that it is real time and offers a bit more micromanagment than is logisticaly possible on tabletop.
the tactical battles are the best part. kind of like battlestations midway/pacific, but with less graphics and more kicka** depth. unlike the battle stations games, that hand you like 3 ships(woohoo...), in this game(on the open campaign anyway) what you bring to the battle is entirely up to you. you end up enjoying some MASSIVE fleet battles. i love it =)

[Dragobr]

Is this game worth it just for the tactical battles?

I don't feel like playing the complex campaign mode right now, so is there any way to make this mode completely automatic, and just fight out any battles the AI puts me in?

Or maybe there's a random battle generator?

Thanks.

[Ozi]

Multithreading doesnt work under Win 7 and graphical options dont seem to work either (horible graphics if you compare to screenshots). So a slideshow is the result for me...

[Quantumentangle]

to anyone looking at this old thread to get an idea of the game now, ignore the QQ. the current steam version of this game has no game breaking bugs, atleast on my rig. as for what to expect from this game....

the strategic level almost plays a little like a tabletop wargame, exept that it is real time and offers a bit more micromanagment than is logisticaly possible on tabletop.
the tactical battles are the best part. kind of like battlestations midway/pacific, but with less graphics and more kicka** depth. unlike the battle stations games, that hand you like 3 ships(woohoo...), in this game(on the open campaign anyway) what you bring to the battle is entirely up to you. you end up enjoying some MASSIVE fleet battles. i love it =)

No game breaking bugs? Im having serious issues with CTD with Pacific Storm:Allies after large battles. May i ask what system and settings you have?

[Caseck]

Is the strategic level multiplayer? Or only human vs. AI?

[dmagro]

While I absolutely LOVE the game, I simply cannot play it as I'm never able to complete a single large scale battle without the game crashing (CTD).

It's so frustrating because I REALLY enjoy the game, and it's so rewarding to destroy a large ship that you know costs so much time, materials and personnel.

It's even more frustrating because it's a game that has been out for years, yet still is unplayable (not to mention I PAID for it, despite being on sale), even on a fairly modern PC (which is years newer than the game).

[sryanz]

Is this game worth it just for the tactical battles?

I don't feel like playing the complex campaign mode right now, so is there any way to make this mode completely automatic, and just fight out any battles the AI puts me in?

Or maybe there's a random battle generator?

Thanks.


there is no campaign based purely of tactical battles however:

- There is an Arcade Option for the campaign, under the effects of Arcade, you do not have to worry about transportation, Resource gathering and vehicle ( ships + planes ) building happens instantly. This means less times microing on the strategic overlay and more time playing battles
- There's a variety of single tactical missions to enjoy.
- If you burned through all that content and still left craving for more there's the Battle planner, allowing you to create your own battles with great finesse without the complexity of an editor

so in my opinion, there is more then enough content even if you are not interested in the content of the strategic overlay

[AirLandBattle]

Just bought it for under 4$ :). Trying out the training missions. Lots of fun to be had here. Good value for the buck.

You can pause the game and move the camera in 3d. So you can rotate around a paused plane while it was maneuvering. Then you can select any unit, give it an order or control it yourself.

You can select which unit to zoom to by using a drop down list for aircraft and ships. You can see info on your units on screen, (floating next to the unit). For example, its distance and damage percentage. So lets say you select a plane and order it to land, you can follow the plane and while watching the distance to the carrier count down, you can see when your plane lowers its landing gear... hehe I know, just a detail. :) You even see a vector to your ship if it is off screen. Great for situational awareness. Wargame European escalation needs these features.

Graphics are good enough. What I like is the flexibility. Just the idea of trying out all these planes and seeing all these ships makes this sale a screaming buy.

Training missions in pacific storm use text menus but in pacific storm allied, they include audio reading of the text. You can pause, you can increase or decrease the speed of the game. You can lock on to units(even enemy) to see their point of view.

Just a quick first impression from one training mission.