Looking for a good wargame at operational level

[Vincent38]

Hi,
back to wargaming after a break, I'm looking for a good wargame at operational level. To give a bit of background I've been playing wargame for the last 35 years, beginning with Squad Leader on some other good one from Avalon Hill, Victory Games and others. then move to computer wargame, like ToaW, Panzer Campaign, Uncommon Valor, Highway to the Reich ...

what would be a good choice today ? I'm a bit lost among all the game available.

thanks

[RodyMetal]

Those games are the best currently for operational level game:
Decisive Campaigns: Barbarossa
Gary Grigsby: War in the East
Gary Grigsby: War in the West

[Kuokkanen]

ORIGINAL: RodyMetal

Those games are the best currently for operational level game:
Decisive Campaigns: Barbarossa
Gary Grigsby: War in the East
Gary Grigsby: War in the West

War in the * are monster games where you have most of the Eastern/Western front (short of Finland on the Eastern front). If that is more than you bargain for, then look up Unity of Command, Panzer Corps (remake of Panzer General) and Order of Battle series.

[Franciscus]

Hi. I assume you prefer WW2 based games ?

Not to everyones tastes, but you may want to check WWIIE (WW2 Europe) by Schwerpunkt games http://schwerpunktgames.com

It has a cranky interface but strives to emulate an old-school board game "feel". Multitude of scenarios, from the small to the gargantuan, some of them still in development.

Otherwise, DC: Barbarossa is perhaps the most innovative and fun operational level war game I have ever seen. A must for every war gamer, IMHO.

Regards

[76mm]

Honestly I haven't really found anything better than Panzer Campaigns; not that the games are perfect but I don't mind their flaws as much as those of the competition.

[wodin]

DC:Barbarossa

Recommended without a shadow of doubt. Highly innovative and totally engrossing.

[fvianello]

ORIGINAL: wodin

DC:Barbarossa

Recommended without a shadow of doubt. Highly innovative and totally engrossing.

+1

[budd]

ORIGINAL: HanBarca

ORIGINAL: wodin

DC:Barbarossa

Recommended without a shadow of doubt. Highly innovative and totally engrossing.

+1

Agreed,best operational game I've played in a long time.It's surprising how much replay value it has.

[Eambar]

Command Ops 2 - no longer in the Matrix stable but a great game. A lot of scenarios (although no Eastern Front official scenarios). Still includes the original scenarios updated to the new engine, and some new ones. Best played on a dual monitor setup.

Outside of WW2, Flashpoint Campaigns and Command: Modern Naval & Air Operations are both excellent, although very different. The latter is closer to a simulation than a game.

I played Decisive Campaigns: Barbarossa but couldn't quite get into it. The lack of Corps HQ for the Axis threw me off...I can understand why from a development standpoint but it just didn't work for me. I did like the card system, focus etc.

Cheers

[wodin]

Flashpoint Campaigns is another great game..

Both Flashpoint and Decisive and recently GGWITW have been reviewed over at my blog

LINK TO BLOG

[76mm]

ORIGINAL: wodin
DC:Barbarossa

Recommended without a shadow of doubt. Highly innovative and totally engrossing.

Yes, wodin likes this game. I didn't care for it at all, largely because of the tedious decisions you need to make every turn about whether to promote Colonel X (and piss off Gen Y) or ask for more trucks from Gen Q (and piss off Gen S)(although playing as Sovs you're not burdened with these decisions, because the devs only built out the German side).

You can turn off these decisions, but then it is just another operational game, although it does pay more attention to logistics than many games.

[Neilster]

The Operational Art of War 4 will be out soon...depending on how you define soon [;)]

Cheers, Neilster

[Vincent38]

many thanks for your answers guys ! good to see the forum is still very active and helpful [8D]
yes, my preference goes for ww2.
I've already WitW and WitE, monument of wargame.
I give a try to DC:Barbarossa, looks very interesting this mix between political decision and terrain operation.
Command Ops, how can we buy this today ? If I remember correctly they are the one who have made "Trial of Strength" one of my favorite paper wargame.

cheers

[proflui]

If you can like WITE and WITW why not try WITP AE also? This one is a masterpiece.

[Vincent38]

very good point ! WITP AE looks awesome. I've far more choice than time to play [;)]
Schwerpunkt also looks interesting, it's nice to see that the wargame's editor continue to give quality product.

[rocketman71]

ORIGINAL: Vincent38

many thanks for your answers guys ! good to see the forum is still very active and helpful [8D]
yes, my preference goes for ww2.
I've already WitW and WitE, monument of wargame.
I give a try to DC:Barbarossa, looks very interesting this mix between political decision and terrain operation.
Command Ops, how can we buy this today ? If I remember correctly they are the one who have made "Trial of Strength" one of my favorite paper wargame.

cheers

You can get Command Ops 2 core engine for free with a few scenarios to try, then buy modules as you wish.
https://store.lnlpublishing.com/index.p ... uct_id=193