The Flare Path: A2Z

enFri, 28 Aug 2020 12:00:13 +0000The Flare Path: A2Zhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-flare-path-a2z-21Tim StoneFri, 28 Aug 2020 12:00:13 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-flare-path-a2z-21Cold WatersThe Flare PathGraviteam Tactics: Mius-FrontImperiums: Greek WarsStrategyTrain Sim World 2Panzer MarshalDeadstickCombat Mission Shock Force 2Panzer Corps 2Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865)Helicopter SimulatorMagnet Fishing SimulatorIL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of StalingradSimulationMicrosoft Flight SimulatorDCS WorldX-Plane 11PGA Tour 2k21

A is for Alphabetised wargame and sim news. Welcome to the cosy corner of RPS where the vehicular is valued, the historical is hallowed, and the paragraphs are shorter than 7.5 cm Kampfwagenkanone 37 L/24 barrels.

]]>The Flare Path: A2Zhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-flare-path-a2zTim StoneFri, 02 Mar 2018 13:00:59 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-flare-path-a2zPanzer StrategyMetro SimulatorArt of CombatFlightGearCold WatersThe Flare PathClose Combat: The Bloody FirsttheHunter: Call of the WildStrategyCommand: Modern Air Naval OperationsArmoured Commander IImudspike.comArmored BrigadeProject WingmanDiesel Railcar SimulatorSimulationWars Across The WorldTrain Sim WorldAssetto Corsa CompetizioneX-Plane

A is for A7V action

WWI armour sims are such rare creatures, I can't bring myself to say anything negative about 79p work-in-progress Cry of War. Currently boasting one ~~tiny~~ cosy map and three tank types (the A7V, Mark IV, and Renault FT), the game combines ~~amateurish~~ quirky presentation and ~~crude~~ forgiving movement physics with surprisingly sophisticated ballistics (shells can ricochet... system damage is determined by post-penetration trajectories) and the best 'tip' ever to appear on a military game loading screen. Disarmingly honest developer ShanghaiWindy will be coding around his university commitments, hence the 3-4 year Early Access period.

]]>Tim Stone's favourite games of 2017https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/tim-stones-favourite-games-of-2017Tim StoneTue, 26 Dec 2017 17:00:58 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/tim-stones-favourite-games-of-2017FeatureCold WatersField of Glory IIAfghanistan 11Freelancer's favourite games of 2017

We asked a handful of our contributors to put together a list of their three favourite games from 2017. Their picks are running across the week while the rest of RPS slumbers.

Having just re-read all 51 of this year's Flare Paths carefully noting when and where words like 'lovely', 'compelling' and 'clever' were used, I now know for sure what my Favourite Games of 2017 are. It turns out that although Tank Warfare: Tunisia is 55% 'lovelier' than Steel Division: Normandy, Diesel Railcar Simulator is 113% 'nicer' than Train Sim World, and Venti Mesi is 33% 'more memorable' than Way of Defector, none of them have quite enough 'magic', 'charm' and 'personality' to displace the three evening-eaters described below.

]]>The Flare Path: A Fanfare of Foxershttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-flare-path-a-fanfare-of-foxersTim StoneFri, 01 Sep 2017 12:00:17 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-flare-path-a-fanfare-of-foxersCold WatersDiesel Railcar SimulatorfoxerSimulationThe Flare PathShadow Tactics: Blades of the ShogunPuzzleAfghanistan 11SailawayStrategy

Like a sentry on a bitter night or the Isle of Man in a strong sou'westerly, Flare Path's birthday has a tendency to move about. Last year the champagne corks ricocheted and the streamers tangled on August 12. This year the big day is September 1. Today Rock, Paper, Shotgun's most Panzeriferous and Spitfiery column becomes a hexager. Celebrations will take the usual form – a litter of wet-nosed, bushy-tailed, berry-eyed foxers all far more approachable and, potentially, much more rewarding, than the standard co-op type. (COMPETITIONS NOW CLOSED)

]]>The Flare Path: In Cold Watershttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-flare-path-cold-waters-previewTim StoneFri, 26 May 2017 12:00:41 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-flare-path-cold-waters-previewCold WatersThe Flare PathSimulationStrategyPreviews

A message for Mr. D. Jones Esquire. Over the next few weeks, thanks to unlikely-to-disappoint Cold War sub game Cold Waters [official site], your locker is going to see a lot of action. I strongly advise you to make space, grease hinges, and evict endangered echinoderms in readiness for the imminent deluge of mutilated missile frigates and battered boomers.

]]>The Flare Path: What are they all playing this weekend?https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-flare-path-what-are-they-all-playing-this-weekendTim StoneFri, 19 May 2017 12:00:34 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-flare-path-what-are-they-all-playing-this-weekendCold WatersDovetail GamesSteel Division: Normandy 44Desert War 1940-1942All American: The 82nd Airborne In NormandyCMANOEnglish Civil WarSimulationFlight Sim WorldThe Flare PathStrategySlitherine

April showers filling my gutters, May blossom spangling my hedge, June bugs headbutting my window... Mother Nature seems to have muddled her months this year. I'm not one for idle gossip as you well know but Mr Valentine at the sweet shop reckons she's back on the gin. Apparently she reeked of the stuff when she came in for her sherbet lemons on Monday. Just to be on the safe side I recommend everyone stays in this weekend and plays personal computer games about war and aeroplanes. That's what me and the six FOFPs* below are planning to do.

*Friends of Flare Path

]]>The Flare Path: Things to Come (Part 2)https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-flare-path-things-to-come-part-2Tim StoneFri, 13 Jan 2017 13:00:26 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-flare-path-things-to-come-part-2IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of KubanDCS: WorldCold WatersIL-2: Cliffs of DoverTeam FusionWings Over Flanders FieldsSimulationSteel Beasts Pro Personal EditionThe Flare PathWings Over The ReichLotus SimulatorWolfpackTrain Sim World

Like that chap just to the left of the lady in the big hat in every Victorian crowd photo ever taken, the world of simulation refuses to stand perfectly still. During the next eleven and a half months a constant stream of the Globemasters that have served as the genre's storks since sector deregulation in 2003, will be touching down at Simulatia International eager to disgorge their cargoes of new titles, add-ons, upgrades, and patches. Read on for précis of some of the more noteworthy items due for delivery in 2017.

]]>The Flare Path: Laminar Floeshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-flare-path-laminar-floesTim StoneFri, 14 Oct 2016 12:00:29 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-flare-path-laminar-floesCold WatersThe Flare PathSimulationX-Plane 11Atlantic Fleet

There's a saying in my village:

“When sloes and cobnuts early fall, And goatsuckers in daylight are heard to call, You'll be playing a spiritual sequel to MicroProse's Red Storm Rising and a new instalment of X-Plane in no time at all.”

The local sayings related to wargame pricing and acceptable frame-rates in heli sims scan better but are less relevant to today's column so I'll save those for another day.

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