Question before purchasing

[Antmf_slith]

I am fairly new to the genre and do have games like WiTE WiTP AE and I also have DC Barbarossa, But they are way to big in scope for me right now. So I was wondering how this game is and how big in scope it is. I honestly didnt like DC Barbarossa because I didnt like the decisions. I just want to play a great wargame that is deep ( Not to deep just yet) and have fun. Please give a brother some advice...

[SwampYankee68]

ORIGINAL: Antmf_slith

I am fairly new to the genre and do have games like WiTE WiTP AE and I also have DC Barbarossa, But they are way to big in scope for me right now. So I was wondering how this game is and how big in scope it is. I honestly didnt like DC Barbarossa because I didnt like the decisions. I just want to play a great wargame that is deep ( Not to deep just yet) and have fun. Please give a brother some advice...

No decisions in Ardennes. The scale is smaller, Battalions & Companies as opposed to divisions. You have control of artillery support and airstrikes unlike Barbarossa (which I loved, it really grew on me, and I think it was a work of art). So based on your post I think you would be very happy with it. It is a deep game but accessible. The smaller scale has you making more tactical decisions whereas Barbarossa was more about movement to encircle, the fights in Ardennes have more...nuance. Anyways I recommend it, brother!

[Antmf_slith]

Thank you so much. I really want to like DC Barbarossa but so many units to move tons of micro lol. I could be wrong though because I really don't know what I am doing with it . Thank you...

[Jagger2002]

All of the scenarios except for the two monster scenarios are easily manageable in size and great fun as well. IMO, I have played every scenario except the two monster scenarios and the quality of every one I have played has been high.

[SwampYankee68]

It's a big game, but the manual is extremely helpful then play the AI... I've gotten to the point that I can win vs. a human as the Sovs or as the Germans, or at least give them a good game. Keeping your units in command radius and supply is vital. Learning when to change posture is important, especially as the Germans.

All that said, Barbarossa is just as deep and challenging, but the scale is smaller so that helps with understanding what you need to do.

[Antmf_slith]

I love deep and complex but the sheer size and unit moving is overwhelming for me in Barbarossa...

[SwampYankee68]

Understandable. It was for me too, until I played enough to get comfortable. Even in PBEM I often will save during a turn to attend to real life, then come back. Having time to think about my turns is a help.

[Goodenough]

I love deep and complex but the sheer size and unit moving is overwhelming for me in Barbarossa...

The smaller scenarios are fun and manageable, I started with the smallest and worked up. As I learnt what was happenining and why it all seemed to fit into place. I wouldn't start with a large scenario but it's great that they are there and the progreesion works lovely.

I found Barbarossa a little intimidating but from memory there were no smaller scenarios (I think)

Ardennes Offensive is well worth getting, just start small and work up.

[Octavian]

I must clearly contradict.
All three DC titles are in my view much cleaner and easier to read than DC Ardennes.
Before buying dive into this forum and read some posts about recon points or battle calculation and you will see what I mean: this game is in some places unreadable for the player. He simply can´t make informed decisions, because there are so many hidden factors that it is impossible to do unless you are a complete freak.
All other DC titles were deep, but you always knew why things happened the way they did.
I recommend starting with DC Case Blue - it has a very nice linked campaign (1st panzer or so it is called), where you start with small scenarios and work your way up with just one division. And DC Case Blue doesn´t have decisions, if this is what you don´t like, Brother.