quote:

ORIGINAL: zakblood
imo it's a very new and novel way of game play, and does add to the re playability of the game over time, while some will love it, others won't, as it's new and also needs to get used to it

quote:

ORIGINAL: GI_Tom

Ok, so I came home and purchased the game. Very much appreciate those who posted above that helped sway my decision.

1. Big thanks to designers/developers, etc. and the entire VR team.
2. The tutorials are FANTASTIC. Well done and thanks for taking the time to do those. For those who may not have the game, or who were NOT familiar with any of the previous series (like me), these tutorials do an excellent job of explaining various aspects. Combined they take in excess of 1 to 1.5 hours to watch, but are well worth it. These are the very best tutorials for a more complex game that I've had the pleasure of viewing.
3. The manual is superb. Excellent descriptions, art, etc. Well laid out and explained.
4. The detail and info on the counters is also excellent. Like how I can see at different levels and customize counters to my preference.
5. Reading the reports and making strategic level decisions really adds to the gameplay experience. I really felt as if I could be at HQ as I perused the info coming in from the front, etc.

Complaints? Only one. The map. So much more (imho) could be added to the immersion factor with some added polish. It is fully functional, but could use an upgrade in terrain type graphics, city graphics, etc.

All in all, very pleased with the purchase. Tonight only had time for the tutorials and 3 or 4 turns. While Der Fuhrer is not fully pleased with my progress, I have managed to encircle 20-25 divisions thus far and am making good progress in the Center.

I will be spending notable time learning this title.

Thanks for putting out a quality product. [8D]

quote:

ORIGINAL: 76mm

quote:

ORIGINAL: zakblood
imo it's a very new and novel way of game play, and does add to the re playability of the game over time, while some will love it, others won't, as it's new and also needs to get used to it

I agree that it is new and novel, and that some will love it; personally I'm on the fence. I guess it depends on what effects the cards have? My concern is that the cards could be essentially "magic spells" dressed up as operational or logistical decisions; ie, if their effects are too powerful, their effect would be more like magic than like some kind of decision made by a commander.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Barthheart
The card play effects are not like magic bombs. They are actually fairly subtle.

quote:

ORIGINAL: 76mm

quote:

ORIGINAL: Barthheart
The card play effects are not like magic bombs. They are actually fairly subtle.

Thanks; do players get the same cards every game, or is there some randomness in what cards appear?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Templer

...the empty space, the placeholder was left - it looks very cheap and sloppy!

[image]local://upfiles/30978/A57B580845F8450DA1D6ECF48A09650F.jpg[/image]

That is hard to accept for a high-level game with high demands.

quote:

ORIGINAL: gwgardner

I've been playtesting the game, so this is not a first impression, but after playing it from both sides extensively.

Anyone having played Advanced Tactics Gold, or even better the Decisive Campaigns games, will have an idea of the basics of play. However, even if you have not played those, the video tutorials in this game are outstanding and can be completed quickly.

The game is at the army/corps/division level, just perfect for a campaign of the scope of Barbarossa.

It's the most immersive gaming experience I've ever had, and I've been playing wargames since the '70s.

The AXIS player is involved in decision-making related to diplomacy, propoganda, morality, and most important of all - the entire supply/replacement organization and pipeline. Every decision you make has an impact on your relationships with the historical generals and political figures of the time, from Hitler to Brauchitcsh, Keitel, Jodl, Ribbentrop, Goebbels, Goering and to all of your army group and lower commanders. And you will develop a VERY intense relationship with Generals Wagner and Gercke, who are in charge of road and railroad supply and infrastructure/repair. You will learn to utilize the skills of your aide-de-camp and chief of staff. Their reports and presentation of decisions makes your job manageable.

The Soviet player essentially plays the part of the Stalin's chief of staff. Underneath you, you have Kruschev as overall political commissar, and Zhukov as your military hammer in the field. Both serve to tighten up your control and influence over your Front and army commanders, providing them encourgement, the benefit of your skills, or threats, as needed. Your decision-making has less overall scope than the Axis player, but there are high-level actions you are able to make on a turn-by-turn basis that impact supply, replacements, reinforcements, command capabilities in the field, and the very organizational efficiency of the Soviet military forces.

Of course, on both sides, you will be pushing the counters around. Yes, you take on all the above decision-making/role-playing, but you will also be managing the division, corps and army movements and combat.

I can't imagine another wargame on a specific historical campaign that has more plausible replayability than this game.

This is THE ultimate PC wargame. An absolute must have.

quote:

ORIGINAL: XXXCorps

quote:

ORIGINAL: GI_Tom

Ok, so I came home and purchased the game. Very much appreciate those who posted above that helped sway my decision.

1. Big thanks to designers/developers, etc. and the entire VR team.
2. The tutorials are FANTASTIC. Well done and thanks for taking the time to do those. For those who may not have the game, or who were NOT familiar with any of the previous series (like me), these tutorials do an excellent job of explaining various aspects. Combined they take in excess of 1 to 1.5 hours to watch, but are well worth it. These are the very best tutorials for a more complex game that I've had the pleasure of viewing.
3. The manual is superb. Excellent descriptions, art, etc. Well laid out and explained.
4. The detail and info on the counters is also excellent. Like how I can see at different levels and customize counters to my preference.
5. Reading the reports and making strategic level decisions really adds to the gameplay experience. I really felt as if I could be at HQ as I perused the info coming in from the front, etc.

Complaints? Only one. The map. So much more (imho) could be added to the immersion factor with some added polish. It is fully functional, but could use an upgrade in terrain type graphics, city graphics, etc.

All in all, very pleased with the purchase. Tonight only had time for the tutorials and 3 or 4 turns. While Der Fuhrer is not fully pleased with my progress, I have managed to encircle 20-25 divisions thus far and am making good progress in the Center.

I will be spending notable time learning this title.

Thanks for putting out a quality product. [8D]

I agree with everything you say here, particularly as regards the map. Having played WITE with Jison's map mod this map makes my eyes hurt. It's like a throwback to the 1990's and makes the game look really dated which is ironic as the game is a huge innovation in PC wargaming.

It's a shame the map doesn't reflect this.

quote:

ORIGINAL: **budd**

OK, i'm folding....where's the buy button[:)].

quote:

ORIGINAL: Treale

quote:

ORIGINAL: **budd**

OK, i'm folding....where's the buy button[:)].

Right now the only thing that has me scared is the 300 page manual! I don't want another Grigsby game. I do have the first two DC games, and they are fine?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Barthheart

quote:

ORIGINAL: Treale

quote:

ORIGINAL: **budd**

OK, i'm folding....where's the buy button[:)].

Right now the only thing that has me scared is the 300 page manual! I don't want another Grigsby game. I do have the first two DC games, and they are fine?

Only the first 257 are actual rules. The rest are designers notes etc.
Also the rules have lots of illustrated examples and designers notes so that makes them stretch out.
Not as bad as it sounds.

quote:

ORIGINAL: **budd**

I believe it was stated that there are less counters then case blue. I just got WITE and i enjoy it. of course i won't be playing the main campaign, too many counters for me. I just ordered and installed DCB. I did something i haven't done it years, i ordered the hard copy. That manual looks nice.

quote:

ORIGINAL: **budd**

i have never seen taxes and didn't this time. Probably its a state to state thing. I'm in Washington state, no physical presence, no taxes. It's been so long since i ordered a hard copy the shipping charge surprised me[:)]