HPS Games We Play - Ancients

Greek Wars

HPS Greek Wars brings this era to computer gaming, with a full panoply of scenarios of Greek versus Persian and Greek versus Greek. Greek Wars has over 60 scenarios in which Athenians, Spartans, Persians, and many more clash in battles which still resound today. Scenarios allow players to deploy armies of the era using the full range of classical weapons, from infantry spears to bows and various types of cavalry. Command anything from the famous 300 Spartans to the mass armies of the Persian empire, 100,000 strong.

Greek Wars includes an enhanced computer A.I. that plays an aggressive strategy against the gamer. In response, players must use their best formations and tactics to win the day. Game tactics are based on historical factors, so you can use the lessons from Herodotus and other ancient historians to win through. You may also face off against an opponent, or join in a multi-player PBEM battle with hundreds of units. Scenarios are drawn from history, or players can engage in balanced hypothetical matches from the table top series of battles

Greek Wars uses the HPS Ancient Warfare engine. This provides a hex based, tactical, plot, simultaneous resolution execution. A game turn is composed of three phases:

(1) The player assigns commands to his units (movement, changing formation etc).

2) The program then determines the net effect of these orders as the move is played out.

(3) Finally, units move, fire at each other, and engage in melee combat.

The players watch the outcome of their decisions as a turn of action unfolds. The game then moves on to the next turn.

Game Scale:

Each hex represents a distance of 20 meters.

Each turn represents 15 minutes of real time.

Greek Wars Features

In addition to the main game engine there is also a scenario editor included which allows players to create their own scenarios from scratch, edit existing scenarios, and build their own Order of Battles. Detailed instructions are included on how to use the editors but also on how to calculate points for your army and even how to modify the stock graphics if a player so desires; this latter function is called “Paint your own army”. Covering everything from palisaded camps and fortifications to open plains and mountain passes, 48 maps are included in the game covering both historical and random locations. Thus, a large amount of terrain is available for scenario designers to use in creating custom battles.

This is the fourth title in the Ancient Warfare series of games and significantly extends the face of simulated warfare. Features include improved skirmishing for light troops, coalition armies whose contingents can change sides, and more realistic Command and Control rules. Any nation in the game can combat any other nation, providing for a vast array of battles to be fought. So grab your spear and hoplon and march along with Greek Wars.

Alexandrian Wars

Alexander of Macedon - possibly the greatest military commander of the Ancient World. From the outset of the Persian Wars in 334 BC and the eight years that followed, Alexander was never defeated in battle.

There are 44 scenarios included (20 historical, 16 hypothetical & eight from the Table Top Series) covering actions such as Chaeronea, Pelium, Gabai & Hydaspes. The Table Top Series (TTS) are scenarios made up of evenly matched armies based on points. Many miniature wargamers will recognize the structure of TTS battles.

In addition to the main game engine there is also a scenario editor included which allows players to create their own scenarios from scratch, edit existing scenarios and also create their own Order of Battles. Detailed instructions are included on how to use the editors, calculate points for your army and even modifying the stock graphics, called "Paint your own army". 41 maps are also included in the game covering historical and randomly generated locations, so a large amount of terrain is available for scenario designers to create custom.

Alexanderian Wars Features

The Ancient Warfare engine is a hex based, tactical, plot - simultaneous resolution engine. A game turn is composed of three phases. Each player assigns commands to his units; movement, changing formation etc. The computer then determines the net effect of these orders as the move is played out. Fire and melee combat is automatic. At this point the players observe the outcome. The game then moves on to the next turn.

This game provides a wide range of actions, from small skirmishes a player can complete in one evening to monster battles with over 40,000 men in your army.

You can play against the computer, by e-mail against a human opponent, or with two people on the same PC (hot seat). You can play single historical battles or campaigns where your army is carried through from scenario to scenario. Choice of reinforcements and even the next battle location in a campaign make Alexandrian Wars another great game.

Colorful 3-D units (100 different types) of all the historical troop types in Alexander's army plus many of his adversaries' bring to life classical warfare from the period 400 - 300 B.C. Specially designed terrain features show the battlefields of the ancient world from Greece to India.

This game contains all the great elements of the Ancient Warfare series such as fortifications and siege warfare as well as massed ranks of pikes, Indian elephants, and finely tuned combat. An enhanced computer A.I. plays an aggressive strategy that requires you to use the best formations and tactics history has to offer in order to win each battle. You may also face off against an opponent in a balanced hypothetical match from the "table top series" of battles or join in a multi-player PBEM battle with hundreds of units.

A variety of scenarios from historical classics of the Ancient World to fictional conflicts are provided, plus a scenario editor allowing players to create as many battles as they like. This game accurately reflects Macedonian tactics and the need for combined arms to win battles against superior numbers. This is your chance to see if you can best the greatest commander in history!

Game Scale:

Each hex represents a distance of 20 metres.

Each turn represents 15 minutes of real time.

The game may be played against the computer AI or via E-mail against one or more players.

The battles can be viewed in either 3D, 2D zoom-in (plan view) and 2D zoom-out (strategic view).

Roman Civil Wars

Immortal Strife

Roman Civil Wars focuses on the famous battles of the years 55 BC to 10 AD where legionary fought wild barbarian tribesmen, Parthian horse archers, and all too often, other legionaries. The era of the Roman Republic and early Empire was a time of great military conflict. This period saw the Civil Wars of Julius Caesar, Pompey the Great, Augustus and Marc Antony, as well as Caesar's conquest of Gaul, Crassus' disastrous expedition against the Parthians, and Rome's push over the RhineRiver and into Germania.

It was in these wars that the Imperial Roman army would be forged. The basic legionary unit was the cohort, supported by various auxiliary forces.

Cross the Rubicon

The First Triumvirate, 59 BC - 53 BC, saw Caesar, Pompey and Crassus divide the Roman world among themselves. But this fell apart with the death of Crassus at the battle of Carrhae against the Parthians. Caesar and Pompey then fought for supreme power, 49 BC - 44 BC. Caesar triumphed, but following his assassination the second Triumvirate of Octavian, Lepidus and Mark Anthony ruled the Republic from 43 - 33 BC.

The Triumvirate soon fell out among themselves and another civil war was in the offing. The decisive battle of Actium in 31 BC saw Octavian defeat Mark Anthony and become the first of the emperors as Augustus. Octavian consolidated the frontiers and expanded Rome's domain in to Germania. In 9 AD the German disaster of Teutoburger Forest resulted in the destruction of three Roman Legions and temporarily halted Rome’s expansion.

So ended a century of warfare, the momentous effects of which are still with us to the present day.

Take Command

In Roman Civil Wars, you take command. You choose your army, your troop types, weapons and armor, then play them against the computer AI or a human opponent. The game combines history with playability to deliver an exciting tactical level conflict on Rome's battlefields.

The game includes all of the previous series capabilities, including a Scenario Editor for editing and creating new scenarios and orders of battle. New features include – unique unit types, competition style battles, limited missile supply, and morale impact. Additional free expansion packs are also available: Jersualem Wars, and German Wars, adding even more scenarios, units, and terrain types (see the Updates Page).

These additions make for a new and exciting game in HPS's Ancient Warfare series. Roman Civil War Play Options

Roman Civil Wars Play Options

 

Punic Wars

Rome vs Carthage

The Punic Wars were arguably the most significant armed struggle in all of antiquity. Over the course of more than a century the two most powerful nations in the Mediterranean battled for supremacy. The forces involved, and the casualties suffered by both sides, were far greater than in any wars fought before modern times. The outcome of the wars was even greater. For Carthage it meant total destruction. For Rome it meant rising from a regional power to become the dominant military force that would rule Europe and North Africa for hundreds of years to come.

Civilization on the March

In this first title in the new Ancient Warfare series of games the primary focus is on the land battles from the second Punic War. The time period chosen (300-200BC) is designed to encompass battles Rome fought not only against Carthage, but against their neighboring Italian states, as well as the subjugation of Celtic and Iberian tribes, and the bloody fights with the Epirotes. Try your hand as a Consul of Rome, Hannibal, King Pyrrhus, or one of the other captains in numerous historical conflicts. You may also face off against an opponent in a balanced hypothetical match from the "table top series" of battles included.

There are 41 scenarios included (17 historical, 8 hypothetical & 16 from the Table Top Series) covering actions such as Cannae, Asculum, Heraclea & Trebbia. The Table Top Series (TTS) are scenarios made up of evenly matched armies based on points based on the concepts of many of the miniature gaming rules in existence for this time period of gaming.

Download Punic Wars Expansion Pack #1 for an additional 17 scenarios.

Punic War Features

In addition to the main game engine there is also a scenario editor included which allows players to create their own scenarios from scratch, edit existing scenarios and also create their own Order of Battles. Detailed instructions are included on how to use the editors but also on how to calculate points for your army and even how to modify the stock graphics if a player so desires, called "Paint your own army". 38 maps are also included in the game covering historical locations and random ones, so a large amount of terrain is available for scenario designers to use creating custom battles.

The Ancient Warfare engine is a hex based, tactical, plot - simultaneous resolution engine. A game turn is composed of 3 phases - Each player assigns commands to his units; movement, changing formation etc. The computer then determines the net effect of these orders as the move is played out. Shooting and combat is automatic. At this point the players watch the outcome. The game then moves on to the next turn.

Game Scale:

Each hex represents a distance of 20 meters.

Each turn represents 15 minutes of real time.

The game may be played against the computer AI or via E-mail against another person.

Gallic Wars

An Emerging Empire

In one of the most famous episodes in ancient history, Caesar led the disciplined Legions of the Roman Republic across North and Western Europe, fighting the mighty warriors of Celtica, Belgica, Germania and Britannia. These 9 years of terrible bloodshed are known to us as the Gallic Wars, which climaxed at Alesia. The victory there resulted in the expansion of the Roman Republic over the whole of Gaul and paved the way for Caesar to be sole ruler of the Roman Empire.

A Lot of Gaul

The time period chosen (100-50BC) is principally focused on Caesar's war in Gaul but also includes the major slave rebellion led by Spartacus and the Mithridatic Wars. You can be Caesar, a confident general who is prepared to gamble when the stakes are high, or Vercingetorix, the great Gallic commander able to fuse the different Gallic tribes into one nation in their fight against Rome.

An enhanced computer A.I. plays an aggressive strategy that requires you to use the best formations and tactics history has to offer in order to win the battle. You may also face off against an opponent in a balanced hypothetical match from the "table top series" of battles or join in a multi-player PBEM battle with hundreds of units.

Gallic Wars Features

From Roman palisade camps and fortifications to Gallic strongholds this game has all the features including caltrops, stakes, pits and the famous Garden of Death at the battle of Alesia. Siege warfare is a major element of this game with stone throwing engines, battering rams, wood towers and stone walls.

There are 52 scenarios included (21 historical, 9 hypothetical & 22 from the Table Top Series) covering actions such as Alesia, Sambre, Vosges & Chaeronea. The Table Top Series (TTS) are scenarios made up of evenly matched armies based on points. Many miniature wargamers will recognise the structure of TTS battles.

In addition to the main game engine there is also a scenario editor included which allows players to create their own scenarios from scratch, edit existing scenarios and also create their own Order of Battles. Detailed instructions are included on how to use the editors but also on how to calculate points for your army and even how to modify the stock graphics if a player so desires, called "Paint your own army". 58 maps are also included in the game covering historical locations and random ones, so a large amount of terrain is available for scenario designers to use creating custom battles.

The Ancient Warfare engine is a hex based, tactical, plot - simultaneous resolution engine. A game turn is composed of 3 phases - Each player assigns commands to his units; movement, changing formation etc. The computer then determines the net effect of these orders as the move is played out. Shooting and combat is automatic. At this point the players watch the outcome. The game then moves on to the next turn.

Game Scale:

Each hex represents a distance of 20 metres.

Each turn represents 15 minutes of real time.

The game may be played against the computer AI or via E-mail against one or more players.

The battles can be viewed in either 3D, 2D zoom-in (plan view) and 2D zoom-out (strategic view).

Major Changes from Punic Wars

For those players who have already purchased Punic Wars (first game in the Ancient Warfare series), the key changes & improvements include:

Major Changes -

1 - Siege warfare (stone and wood fortifications) added with new units - assault tower, battering ram, stone throwing engine, civilians.

2 - Winter terrain features added plus caltrops, stakes and pits for defenses.

3 - New unit types added - Gallic chariots and gladiators.

4 - Roman Legionaries can now build palisades.

5 - Multi-player PBEM game option added.

6 - Option provided to view battle losses at the end of each turn on the map.

7 - Option provided to jump (bypass) combat phase.

8 - LI units are in loose formation so 'Line' and 'Column' symbols removed from 2D unit counter. LI can now shoot with 360 degree fire arc instead of limited frontal fire arc.

Small Changes

- 1 - 'Intelligence Briefing Report' facility added. These are created in the Scenario Editor.

2 - Units can make assault ladders to scale enemy defenses.

3 - Unit formation and direction not shown on 2D counter or unit info box for LI, leaders & civilians.

4 - Replaced Victory Hex 3D flag with another picture when occupied by Barbarian unit.

Key Scenario Editor Improvements

1 - Map scrolling speeds increased.

2 - More unit options added for Roman army

3 - Toolbar button added for rapid creation of new groups.

Diadochoi Wars

The Indispensible Man

Alexander the Great's death in 323 BC saw his empire torn apart by wars between his great, but destructively ambitious generals. These commanders were known as the Diadochoi (Successors). They initially included Ptolemy, Craterus, Seleucus, and Antigonus, but over time many more decided to join in the quest for the spoils of Alexander's conquests. The fighting between these former comrades was often savage and personal. Alliances and threats shifted over the almost 50 years of conflict, which ranged from Greece and Egypt to the far-flung frontiers of Bactria and the Indus.
 
From the remains of one of the largest empires the world had seen would emerge the three empires of the Hellenistic World, which would last until the rise of the Romans, and provide the birthplace of the modern western world.

Armies of All Stripes

As befitting the immense geographical extent of the original empire, and the cultures it encompassed, the armies in these conflicts were were composed of every type of troop imaginable at the time: from veteran phalangites to barbarian mercenaries. In Diadochoi Wars, these disparate forces are yours to command.
 
Beyond infantry and cavalry, pike phalanxes, fully armored cataphract cavalry, peltasts, and elephants are all at your disposal. You also have recourse to special tactics as used by these forces, which include skirmishing and wedges. Elephants can rout and create havoc for both sides. The game combines history with a high level of playability to deliver an exciting and fun tactical level simulation of Hellenistic warfare.

 

Victory Is Yours

As with all games in the Ancient Warfare Series, you have complete control in choosing your army, troop types, and weapons and armor then play them against the computer AI or a human opponent.

Or play one of the many historical battles that are pre-placed and ready to run; how will you measure up to the men on the field that day?
Or, for a more challenging test of your command abilities, the game includes a campaign option that allows you to link battles together to provide a good flavor of the grueling reality of long-term engagement in that age.Other game features include: unique unit types, competition style battles, limited missile supply, and morale impact. You also can view your armies in several modes, from 2D overhead to 3D.

All together, these additions make for another new and exciting game in HPS's Ancient Warfare series.

Diadochoi Wars Play Options

Scenarios

Click Here For Scenario Details

 

 

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Updated: December 16, 2017