Campaign Sixth Army Strikes! Scenario 1 observation

[gap4452]

Not really sure what to title this....I was starting a campaign playing as axis and started Sixth Army Strikes! which is scenario one.

My observations would be that I am confused on the direction to take in playing this game. I am not bashing the game! I have played a few times as the axis with no bonus to AI and fog of war checked. The first and second game I tried to get over the Don and hit them over the river (not a good choice by the way as the soviets fought any river crossing no matter where I tried to place it). In the third game I played to destroy units and focused on taking Kalach for VP and ignored trying to cross the Don River.
The long and short of it is I played three times trying different strategies and failed as the axis. I got scores of points in causing casualties to the soviets but lost on objective points.

So I played as the allies and watched what the axis AI did and the results were disappointing in my opinion. The AI did what I did and were able to punch a hole along the middle of the map lines and get some mobile units to sit on N. Pincer #2 for several turns. These units generated almost 100 objective points. The whole axis army had caused 4 casualty points. These units on N. Pincer #2 were exposed and if the game was 16 turns instead of 14 I would have been able to knock them off the obj.

As a casual player who loves Panzer Corps and other games such as Decisive Campaign, GG War in the East 2 to name a few I felt kind of flat on this game.

To me getting a few units to take an objective while the vast majority of the army sat dozens of hexes back seemed kind of stale.

And yes....doing good recon made the AI win possible because they bypassed all my main blocking forces.

In the game briefing one of the task of Army Group B was to smash the enemy forces....It should read the big task is to get to one objective with several units and build up obj points.

I can win with axis and move on in the campaign and I will because I do enjoy the game.

Pretty long ramble....not really sure at this point what to make of the game in general.

Just wanting to hear what the game community feels and thinks I am guessing?

[gwgardner]

From your post I couldn't tell for sure that you had used the objective hexes as your goals - you did mention going after one of the VP hexes, so I guess you did.

Given those objectives I have found it satisfying to attempt to achieve them.

[governato]

Historically (and to Von Paulus surprise) the battle was "a draw" ..you can see that in "Gordov's Counterstroke" that starts right after the scenario you just completed. The German Panzers made it to the river, got isolated in the process and had to sit idle and get rescued. The Red Army forces were in trouble but not defeated yet. Sounds similar to your outcome. Would you post a scenario end screenshot? It'd be really useful.

[gap4452]

My original post wasn’t too thought out. At this point I just have to say the game is not for my taste and I do regret the purchase. I wont give it up as yet.

[Rosseau]

I don't have this newest game and may be stating the obvious, but maybe using the editor you can rework the scenario for the balance you desire.

Best wishes!