D-Day at Tarawa

[Dr. Foo]

Anyone have this? I haven't seen any in-depth reviews of the PC version. At $24 bucks I might just have to check it out, it's a solitaire game so I'm not sure how much flexibility there is or replay value.

Thank you!

https://shop.decisiongames.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=2109

[Red2112]

A friend got it and said he could not get it to work. That´s all I know...

[Dr. Foo]

ORIGINAL: Red2112

A friend got it and said he could not get it to work. That´s all I know...

Thanks I've read similar things about D-Day Omaha Beach.

[Noypi53]

These games (Omaha & Tarawa) are the digital versions of the board games. It doesn't have an AI like the computer games here in MatrixGames if that's what your friend meant by it's not working. Cards provide the AI part of the game which are drawn each turn.

[Red2112]

In D-Day at Omaha Beach, if you look under the "additional Information" tab it says...

- LATEST PATCH -10/20/2017
- Solitaire (1 player game)
- Has AI

http://shop.decisiongames.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=2107

Also, the description mentions control (The game system controls the hidden German defenders in Widerstandsnest resistance points on the bluffs overlooking the beaches.)

Full description:

D-Day at Omaha Beach recreates America’s most bloody and heroic day of World War II. In this solitaire game from the designer of the solo classics RAF and Ambush, you control the forces of the US 1st and 29th Divisions landing under fire on the Normandy shore, and struggling desperately to establish a viable beachhead.

US units include assault infantry, amphibious tanks, artillery, engineers and HQs. The game system controls the hidden German defenders in Widerstandsnest resistance points on the bluffs overlooking the beaches. US forces that manage to break through the deadly coastal defenses and reach the high ground must then contend with German mobile reinforcements in the bewildering hedgerows of Normandy’s bocage. An innovative diceless combat system highlights unknown enemy deployments and the importance of utilizing the right weapons and tactics.

Event cards keep the action flowing and the rules simple, while controlling German strategy and introducing extensive historical detail. The game includes amphibious landings, German artillery and rocket barrages, US naval bombardment, tides, engineer operations, and intangibles such as US leadership under fire and the initiative of the American GIs.

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All there PC solitaire games state that they have AI, so a bit confusign overall...


Red

PD.: My friend could not get the game to start, had nothing to do with the AI!
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[Red2112]

@Noypi53

What your saying would match the case of there "War in Europe PC" which has NO AI, It´s just a way to manage the game and play via PBEM, as well as use of editor function...

http://shop.decisiongames.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=2100

Same goes for there "Patton´s First Victory"...
http://shop.decisiongames.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=2104

Red

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[rocketman71]

I have both Omaha and Tarawa and really like the games, warts and all...
The UI is clunky and not that intuitive. You really need to know the boardgames to understand the PC game fully (Youtube is your friend).
There are some oddities and bugs lingering, hopefully there will be an additional patch to both.
If you can stand these things the base game design is elegant and VERY challenging. Bordering on unforgiving. But I like a stiff challenge.

[Red2112]

ORIGINAL: rocketboy

I have both Omaha and Tarawa and really like the games, warts and all...
The UI is clunky and not that intuitive. You really need to know the boardgames to understand the PC game fully (Youtube is your friend).
There are some oddities and bugs lingering, hopefully there will be an additional patch to both.
If you can stand these things the base game design is elegant and VERY challenging. Bordering on unforgiving. But I like a stiff challenge.

Thanks for your input Rockeboy! So dose that mean both have AI? BTW RAF is there too [:)]

[rocketman71]

The boardgames are designed for solitaire play only, so the PC version just uses that system, with some minor changes. What I like is that the limited amount of actions you have each phase, every decision matters a lot. It is very tense that way. And you know that whatever you do, there will be severe casualties, it is all a matter of how to deal with it in the best way.

[Red2112]

Thank you Rocketboy! Hope that makes it clear to all of us.

[Dr. Foo]

ORIGINAL: rocketboy

The boardgames are designed for solitaire play only, so the PC version just uses that system, with some minor changes. What I like is that the limited amount of actions you have each phase, every decision matters a lot. It is very tense that way. And you know that whatever you do, there will be severe casualties, it is all a matter of how to deal with it in the best way.

That sounds pretty cool. How do you feel about replay value? As there may be limited decisions but each one can play out differently each replay.

[rocketman71]

I haven't played that many games, but my impression is that replay value is high. In both games, the randomness of the landings makes things change a lot and for example in Omaha, just which defensive positions you initially manage to suppress changes the direction of your approach. Also, in both games there are variants that changes some aspects of the game for change itself, but also to make it easier/harder. But generally, which units that become casualties tend to take the game in new directions and you have to change tactics accordingly. The games can also be played at different lengths and starting points.

[Dr. Foo]

ORIGINAL: rocketboy

I haven't played that many games, but my impression is that replay value is high. In both games, the randomness of the landings makes things change a lot and for example in Omaha, just which defensive positions you initially manage to suppress changes the direction of your approach. Also, in both games there are variants that changes some aspects of the game for change itself, but also to make it easier/harder. But generally, which units that become casualties tend to take the game in new directions and you have to change tactics accordingly. The games can also be played at different lengths and starting points.

Thanks, I think I'm going to give it a try. It does sound like there are many different directions the game can take making it highly re-playable.

[Rosseau]

I can't even find one screenshot of what the computer game looks like. The patch has an AI. Does that mean you don't have to play both sides? Is it downloadable or CD in the mail with an additional shipping charge? Thanks.

[Red2112]

ORIGINAL: Rosseau

I can't even find one screenshot of what the computer game looks like. The patch has an AI. Does that mean you don't have to play both sides? Is it downloadable or CD in the mail with an additional shipping charge? Thanks.

It´s only CD via mail + shipping. The problem I see is for us in Europe, with the customs fee!

I think some of us are missing the concept here...

The original boardgame is intended for "solo play", which means you play out the OPFOR with the games "system rules" for the OPFOR, you then follow the rules for your own game/side turn. In a nutshell, there´s rules (system) for the AI (OPFOR) and rules for the allied. That dosen´t mean you might not have to move/place a card/counter yourself somewhere on the board for the OPFOR (AI). Just guessing mind you...

Like other "solo" games systems, you might need to do some dice rolls against a chart/events to see what the OPFOR is going to do in responce to your recent action.

I don´t know the D-Day Omaha Beach game mechanics/rules, but most solo games have similar systems etiher with charts or cards. "The Hunters" for example uses charts for AI, and U-Boat Leader uses charts and cards for AI. It´s up to the dev, but could be a mix of charts, cards, text etc.

Owners will sure answer your cuestion alot better.

I too are thinking about these games from DG, but last time I asked in another forum was the above friend did not get it to work, so I forgot about them. It seems from folks here that DG has fixed some issues and people are playing them.

I do have a doubt, do you need to have the CD in your drive in order to play, or is it just for installation? Because I don´t have a CD drive, just a portable CD drive I use when needed. It would also be good to know what OS is being used to play, most of us are in W10.

Red

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[rocketman71]

You can email sales at Decision Games and arrange for a digital download only, but you have to do the purchase the regular way. I did that for both Tarawa and Omaha. Wouldn't have bought it unless. The game looks almost exactly like the boardgame with some additional info like likelihood to take casualties in different hexes. Gameplay for the opposite side is swift. You basically won't have to do anything (other than die [:@] ). You don't have to keep track of anything, but most player aids from the boardgame is included for reference.

[Red2112]

Oh, thats great news that you can arrange for a digital download!

Thank you Rocketboy!

[Rosseau]

Well the board game looks nice, and digital download is appealing - all for $25. Thanks for the info. I prefer Omaha, but guessing Tarawa may have updated features that haven't been back-ported to the older game.

[rocketman71]

I like Omaha more, both as a game and the setting - but Tarawa's production is a bit slicker.

[Dr. Foo]

No digital download, no sale for me. I sent sales and email on Friday but still have not heard anything. Seriously, it's 2018...waiting for a CD in the mail is ridiculous.