Almost every time I decide to look into a game I see the same thing, the multiplayer is lots of fun but the solo play is essentially a warm up for online play. With the recent Matrix sale, I have been investigating Commander: Europe at War since it always seemed like an interesting game. While there are some people who state the single player game does provide some enjoyment, most seem to believe that once you learn the mechanics you will beat up the AI, the question is by how much. A preview of Strategic War In Europe also expresses the game mechanics are pretty good but the AI was quite bad. While I have started play a little online (Ticket to Ride - Woo woo!), I am 99.9% a solo game player. I think many people are this way.

So the $100,000 - what is your favorite wargame where you play solo against the AI? I know Command Ops is reputed to have a very good AI, but  your selection may be your favorite solo game because the AI provides a stiff challenge, or it may be your favorite despite a weak AI. If you care to elaborate why it's your favorite, even better. 

I'll start it off.

Unity of Command gets my vote. The mechanics are clean, the UI provides all the important info at your fingertips, and the AI provides a challenge. I didn't have to replay scenarios more than 1 or 2 times to achieve victory, so I didn't get bored replaying the same scenario many times.

Command Ops because of the AI

I liked Unity of Command, Hegemony Gold (and looking forward to Hegemony: Rome)

My best wargame memories are of playing panzer general when I first discovered it.  I had never played anything like it before on a computer. Even though I've played better games since then. I haven't enjoyed myself as much as when I discovered that game. 

Provided you consider Total War series wargames, by far my favorite wargame is Medieval 2.  I just love that game to no end.  I find the AI plenty challenging and it has a lot of depth in my opinion.

Oh mine would be Norbsoft's Gettysburg/Antietam.

About the only multiplayer game I play nowadays is World of Tanks, so other than that each and every game I play is strictly solo.  It can be Hard to choose an absolute favorite since I tend to flit to and fro from game to game depending on many factors (time available to play in any given session, mood, etc..)   But, if I had to choose just one, and stay within the boundaries of what some may consider a "wargame", I'd go with Unity of Command.

Panzer General & Civilization series.

Originally Posted By Wolverine101 (8 JUN 2012 1:57am)

Oh mine would be Norbsoft's Gettysburg/Antietam.

This.

I suppose that the original post is referring to a great challenge in single-player, considering the mention of it usually only being an easy warm up for multi. 

Scourge of War can be challenging in single-player (the scenarios anyway).  Even more so would be Hannibal:Rome & Carthage.   I've also had some tough going with World War One Gold (with the Entente), and need to fire that up since it's latest patches.

Originally Posted By Dale H (8 JUN 2012 7:24am)

Panzer General & Civilization series.

I'm not sure if I would consider Civ a wargame but it is certainly the game series I've ploughed the most time into.  I would say the V4V series probably was my greatest obsession in wargaming back in the day.  These days, not a lot really keeps my attention for very long.  Not sure if it's me getting old or just the genre!  

Command Ops has got to be tops against the AI in my book.  I also enjoy DC: Warsaw to Paris against the AI.  ...I also play WitE vs. the AI...because I suck at it it gives me quite a battle.

...Non Matrix: NWS Steam and Iron.

Field Commander Napoleon   An excellent game mechanic for this gem!...and for video games CoH....

Hearts of Iron 3, though the AI is only marginal in some respects. I think the AI does a good job playing land powers, but it has trouble with maritime powers and ally coordination.

Overall though, HOI3 is my favorite wargame (for the PC that is).

Originally Posted By Joram (8 JUN 2012 8:08am)

Originally Posted By Dale H (8 JUN 2012 7:24am)

Panzer General & Civilization series.

 

I'm not sure if I would consider Civ a wargame but it is certainly the game series I've ploughed the most time into.  I would say the V4V series probably was my greatest obsession in wargaming back in the day.  These days, not a lot really keeps my attention for very long.  Not sure if it's me getting old or just the genre!  

Did you ever play CIV I by chance?

Originally Posted By Joram (8 JUN 2012 8:08am)

Originally Posted By Dale H (8 JUN 2012 7:24am)

Panzer General & Civilization series.

 

I'm not sure if I would consider Civ a wargame but it is certainly the game series I've ploughed the most time into.  I would say the V4V series probably was my greatest obsession in wargaming back in the day.  These days, not a lot really keeps my attention for very long.  Not sure if it's me getting old or just the genre!  

Originally Posted By JaguarUSF (7 JUN 2012 7:42pm)

Command Ops because of the AI

Bar none the best AI.

Originally Posted By BlondKnight (9 JUN 2012 9:05pm)

Originally Posted By JaguarUSF (7 JUN 2012 7:42pm)

Command Ops because of the AI

 

Bar none the best AI.

With NWS's Steam and Iron a very close second.