Great improvement to the Decisive Battles games

[Tzar007]

Hello guys,

First time I post in this forum. I must admit I haven't played much traditional hex-based, turn-by-turn wargaming since discovering 4 years ago the superb wargaming engine of HTTR and Conquest of the Aegean, but the Decisive Battles series is one of those rare exceptions. I own all titles except Across the Dnepr, and I always felt the Decisive Battles system worked quite well.

But Kharkov is even better. The system has been improved and I enjoy the game even more. Congrats SSG for a job well-done with this title.

What I appreciate the most are the modifications to the Supply system. It makes much more sense to have supply go through these Formation HQ (which also provide all kinds of other support and benefits to units, making them valuable additions to the game). The supply truck system of the previous games looks more like a hassle now

The Off-Map interface that manages the arrival of reinforcements is great too. It feels realistic. I like the possibility of transiting units from one area to another, at the expense of losing some time.

Regarding the implementation of the AO concept, my opinion is rather positive. I understand the philosophy behind it and it's true that being able to move formations all around the place was not realistic at all. I must say however that playing as Germans is rather frustrating in the first turns with the AO system since you are so much limited in what you can do to reinforce the areas suffering under the vigorous Soviet advances. There isn't much you can do except weathering the storm as best you can and try to limit the damages. That's probably how it felt to most German commanders of the front at that time though. I haven't tried yet Mystery variants.

The Direct Attack system leaves me a bit indifferent, but the simplified movement system is better.

All in all, a great update to the engine !

[e_barkmann]

I must say however that playing as Germans is rather frustrating in the first turns with the AO system since you are so much limited in what you can do to reinforce the areas suffering under the vigorous Soviet advances.

Glad to hear you're enjoying the battle, Tzar007.

I think this is something rather special about this particular battle - both sides get the rapturous ennjoyment of being able to deal the enemy substantial blows, as well as being subject to the less exciting rigorous attacks from the enemy - all at different stages of the battle.

The game does seem to have all the elements required to ensure both players get a feeling for the decisions needed to be made, and the limitations imposed, during the actual battle. 'Frustrating' can be a reasonably applicable descriptor!!

Any battle where the outcome can possibly be decided within the last 3 turns is well worth the investment.

Cheers Chris

[Gregor_SSG]

Thanks for the encouragement, Tzar, it's always nice when people take the time to tell us that they appreciate the changes to the system, especially when you consider how much has changed since the original Ardennes Offensive. In all of that improvement, it is good to be able to simplify some things, and I think the deletion of the supply trucks was a great idea, especially given the increased importance of all the other HQ functions in the Kharkov system.

Gregor