DC:Ardennes Offensive Reviews

[nikdav]

Conclusion:

Decisive Campaigns: Ardennes Offensive is a solid experience that might have some trouble finding an audience. I appreciate the battalion-level simulation, the care shown in presenting the battlefields, and the historical situation. The game does take time and solid energy investment to master. The mechanics themselves, from reaction fire to line of sight and command and control, work well but feel dry.
Previous entry Barbarossa managed to compensate for this by making inter-personal relations a major part of the gameplay. But in the winter of the Ardennes, there’s no place for favors or moral choices. The battle will be won by paying attention and implementing the best tactical approach, for which the new Decisive Campaigns offers plenty of maneuver room. Get ready for hours of solid tactical action that will allow players to both understand history and re-create it.

Rating: 8,5/10


https://www.softpedia.com/reviews/games ... 4433.shtml

[Erik Rutins]

Verdict- Decisive Campaigns: Ardennes Offensive is the best operational-level wargame I’ve ever played, period. The decision to stay away from the more abstract aspects of other operational level wargames and to bravely implement novel features should serve as a textbook example of how a genre, considered by many to be stale and long past its prime that, with the right knowledge, passion, and inspiration, you can always reach new heights. For going above and beyond the call of duty, Decisive Campaigns is hereby granted the first, Golden Strategy and Wargaming Seal of Approval.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

https://strategyandwargaming.com/2021/1 ... -standard/

[Erik Rutins]

4.5 / 5 Stars

"It’s rare that a hex and counter wargame truly surprises me. I, like many of you, have been playing these types of games for years, and know what to expect from our niche genre. There will be familiar mechanics around movement, unit composition, statistics, combat odds, and supply lines. There will be detailed rules, long campaigns, short scenarios, archaic multiplayer systems and decent game editors.

And then there’s Decisive Campaigns: Ardennes Offensive.

....

I was so pleasantly surprised by how tight a package Decisive Campaigns: Ardennes Assault was, I had trouble articulating it for this review. "

https://letstalkaboutwargames.wordpress ... ve-review/

[eddieballgame]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

4.5 / 5 Stars

"It’s rare that a hex and counter wargame truly surprises me. I, like many of you, have been playing these types of games for years, and know what to expect from our niche genre. There will be familiar mechanics around movement, unit composition, statistics, combat odds, and supply lines. There will be detailed rules, long campaigns, short scenarios, archaic multiplayer systems and decent game editors.

And then there’s Decisive Campaigns: Ardennes Offensive.

....

I was so pleasantly surprised by how tight a package Decisive Campaigns: Ardennes Assault was, I had trouble articulating it for this review. "

https://letstalkaboutwargames.wordpress ... ve-review/

Excellent review & I have yet to have any crashes. (win 7 & win 10) [:)]

[Rosseau]

Same here - no crashes and an excellent review by Joe F.

There's one infinitesimal thing I've found that hurts immersion for me just a little bit: When using a Card to order reinforcements to the battle as the Allied side, one gets the vanilla Axis reinforcement graphic. That's how little there is to respectfully criticize about this game so far.

[nikdav]

Hi Mike !
I fix this graphic issue in the final version, if i remember you had still the 0.96 ?

Davide

[Rosseau]

You are correct, Davide. And thanks to Paolo's kindness I now have a version that I can update going forward.

It was such a minor issue, not even a bug, and you changed it already!

And for those spending money on the current Matrix Holiday Sale, please know that this game needs no sale to be worth every dollar.

[Erik Rutins]

A Wargamer's Needful Things:

https://www.awargamersneedfulthings.co. ... -post.html

"For computer wargamers looking for a medium-complexity, battalion-level simulation (1 km per hex) with a comprehensive suite of editors, this game is the literal "critic's choice," and the $40 U.S. asking price is a mere pittance for the content one will receive. And, most importantly, for board game players who have thus far resisted the urge to purchase a digital wargame? Well, this is the product you really want to consider."

"Even when modding the small West Wall scenario into a mammoth slug-fest, the computer opponent somehow refuses to be confused with all the tinkering. So one can imagine just how well the AI handles the stock scenarios. And PBEM as the Axis may well be the greatest and most enjoyable challenge board wargamers have yet to face in the digital game arena.

And that is by far the strongest "must buy" recommendation we can currently offer."

[nikdav]

Save or Quit review - Closing Thoughts:
"Decisive Campaigns: Ardennes Offensive is not a game for everyone. It’s a pretty dense hex-based wargame with a lot of moving parts and it’s not exactly a feast for the eyes or ears either. This is the kind of game that appeals to a niche audience, more so than say Panzer Corps 2 or Unity of Command II does. But to this niche audience, those who enjoy more detailed and granular wargames, and who don’t mind the simple graphics, Decisive Campaigns: Ardennes Offensive is well worth its price. It’s deep, it’s not too tough to get into, all things considered, and it gives a good representation of the kind of engagements that were fought during the Battle of the Bulge. It also operates on a scale rarely seen in wargames, usually they’re either on a either a grander, or a smaller scale, and that alone makes it special."


https://saveorquit.com/2021/12/14/revie ... offensive/

[paramedic52]

Posting a comment on a "glitch" I think I found. Not sure this is the proper board for this, but I think it will get to where it needs to go.
I finished Wacht am Rhein and am know into The Tide Turns, on version 1.02 d. I noticed the 4th Infantry Division only has 2 regiments, 8th and 12th. Historically the 22nd was also part of the 4th. Is this a glitch or is there a purpose I cannot find.

drac92r

[nikdav]

The 22nd regiment was defending Luxembourg offmap !

22.jpg (19.98 KiB) Viewed 1805 times

[paramedic52]

Knew there had to be a good reason.

[SGHunt]

I have played a lot of wargames and I am really enjoying this one - it does take a lot of time and quite a lot of learning, but it is really worth it.

I love the map, the manoeuvre, the combined arms stuff (artillery is really well handled, as is the shock of the best armour). I think the combat system is very good indeed (although I agree with some comments about too much benefit gained from height advantage). I love the fluid front line and the hidden units.

You don't have to micro manage units, but it is fun (and realistic, certainly for the Germans) to re-organise and re-constitute depleted units and create KG's etc. The balance between resting and just one more push is exciting, the supply system seems to have got a good balance too (I shall be interested to see how that works in Russia!).

I have all the DC games and this is probably the best.

Give us an Eastern Front version!

[nikdav]

This is the link of the AAR made by Daniel McBride that is really a great and deep review of the game!

https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 9&t=386445

[Jagger2002]

it’s not exactly a feast for the eyes or ears either.

https://saveorquit.com/2021/12/14/revie ... offensive/

What do you mean it is not a feast for the eyes??? It is an absolutely beautiful game!!!!

[nikdav]

Thanks, i agreed with you !
It's not my thoughts, was the "Save or Quit" review Closing Thoughts.