We could probably benefit from a map guide actually. Have recently encountered quite a few players that seem confused about map control, especially with regards to fuel and cut-offs. On old maps like Steppes then of course everyone just pounds the fuel, but some of the newer maps (particularly La Gleize) encourage fighting over key strategic points in a slightly more centralized (and co-ordinated) fashion. It's hard to talk productively to randoms in game when they're stuck in the mindset of sending everything they have to the fuel, despite it being way off in the corner of the map and not actually connected to anything due to losing map control.
There's a streamer who looks like he really struggles to use computers. Even the way he moves the map around makes me cringe. But he's amongst the better players just because he makes excellent decisions every now and then. I really like that about this game.
To improve loading times pick up a cheap SSD such as the Crucial MX100. It will help a lot.
Apart from that you're only limited by the graphics card. If you upgraded to an R9 290 you'd see a *massive* improvement. As mentioned the recommended specs are only what is needed for a pleasant experience - they don't imply maximum or even high settings.
It's fine on my old i5-2500 7970 at 2560x1440. Textures max, snow medium, other settings high, no AA. I put vsync on too since the frame rate is high enough. It's not totally flawless though - it does weird lockups occasionally even when there's no action going on (such as early game). It's probably more related to lag than performance though.
Well yes 9 out of 10 games in 4v4 Axis has a team of competent players while Allies has at least one newb. It's pretty hard to judge the gameplay without both sides having a basically functioning team. Those 1 in 10 games where Axis has a newb are generally the games that may be lost. The matchmaking pretty much defines the outcome in random 4v4.
It's interesting how they manage to change it over time though. It used to sound like aliens; then some time this year it became more of a gunshot; and recently it's been changing character with most patches. At the moment it's like a time-stretched "khkhkkhhaaaaaaaaa "
Oh is the eardrum exploding gunshot only a problem with high settings? I never knew that. Still, unit voices sound so much better I'd rather put up with it.
I'm not a 1v1 player so perhaps it's a different perspective, but my understanding is that Allies generally have indirect fire superiority. Axis are extremely hard to tackle head-on when entrenched on one position, but all the good players will keep pounding that position from afar. It's incredibly draining when well executed. It won't do much if Axis becomes more aggressive but then that's problem solved since they're spreading out.
It could have a tiny munitions cost. Doesn't seem to generally be a problem, but it's silly that it's always the right thing to do on Ettelbruck since there's no downside whatsoever.