Section8
Cipher
Realism doesn't necessarily equate to complexity. Realism just means the systems are modelled to reflect, as accurately as possible, the real world. The complexity of the simulation is almost completely independent.
Magic is a fantasy element (!realistic), but I could quite easily argue that a magic system would add complexity to a game. Likewise, I could argue that hitpoints add complexity, even though a single hit from a sword is more realistic.
Realism, in my opinion, falls under setting. I can say "Orks are t3h bestest ev4r, I <3 games wit orkz!" and you can say "Realistic games are my bag." Neither of us is right, it's just a personal preference, and I have no problem with people having their own opinion, as long as it's informed.
I don't dispute that pausing can eliminate the twitch elements, and with enough time and effort put into the system, a RTwP system can theoretically do anything a TB system does. The question to ask is "How is it better?"
Once again, I never said it was impossible, I even quoted an example where I'd seen it in action. The idea of parallel actions pretty much nails it. If you have two event queues, one for movement and one for actions, I think that's a simple enough abstraction, as long as the two interact intuitively.
And now that I've played the demo, I'd say that it's the best implementation of RTwP that I've seen. It works exceedingly well within the context of the game, given that it basically works like a "go code" in a tactical FPS, with added tactical input from the player. However, I found for anything beyond takedowns, it was confusing to track the actions of more than one squaddie.
One of the great strengths of turn based combat is the ability to see absolutely everything that goes on. I can see every shot fired at my team member, because they happen sequentially. In a RT system, where everything is happening simultaneously, I can't see the shots aimed at my sniper who sits half a map away, because I'm watching somewhere else.
The other main strength of turn-based is that its far simpler to crunch the numbers, lending a greater degree of measure to the tactics. Call it dumbing down if you will, but I think of it in the same light as controlling dozens of individual soldiers as a unit in the Total War series, it's a necessary simplification.
But thanks for turning me onto Brigade E5, I wasn't around when you first brought it to the Codex's attention, and it seems like quite an interesting and unique tactical game, even if its noticeably lacking in certain areas (many of which I'm willing to overlook, given it's a demo)
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