Help me choose a game

[greengiant]

So after a lot of lurking and reading up, checking reviews etc I've managed to narrow my choices down to three games.

1: Advanced Tactics Gold
2: Flashpoint Campaign series
3: Decisive Campaign series

I'm a little weary of the generic nature of titles like TOAoW and ATG, but ATG seems to have enough going for it to still feel...well... not quite as generic as TOAoW.

My current experience in war games lie in tactical titles, such as WinSPWW2 and WinSPMBT since Shrapnel made them available with a few PBEM's over at TheBlitz, and the PG series way back when in the 90's (although I now play the PC updated version, haven't played #2 yet though). Also, the first Unity of Command but I want something a little more meaty to dig my teeth into

So, for stepping into the operational level of war games, which of the above three do you recommend, and why?

Thanks all!

[OldSarge]

I have both #2 and all the titles of #3 and both series are quite good!

The Flashpoint game is WEGO with a twist in that player turns are asymmetric due to their individual OODA command loops. If you get inside your opponents loop you get more opportunities to issue new commands. It is set in a hypothetical match up between forces of NATO and the Warsaw Pact during the late '80s.

The Decisive Campaign series are IGOUGO and there are titles that cover a wide number of periods in WWII. I recently finished Case Yellow in DC:WTP, because I hadn't played it in so long it was like a new game. DC:Barbarossa is an interesting twist, a bit unique, in that there is a strong role play element to it. I haven't had the opportunity to get into the full campaign in DC:Ardennes Offensive, but the smaller scenarios have played fairly well and the map is splendid.

[greengiant]

I have both #2 and all the titles of #3 and both series are quite good!

Thank you for your input, much appreciated!

Hmm I see that while Matrix Games did remember my username/account/email, with the Slitherine take-over it appears my real join date and post count have been lost. Oh well, no biggie.

[ernieschwitz]

I find Advanced Tactics Gold, now with the New Phoenix Patch very good (disclaimer, I am part of the patching team). I like the fact that you get many games in one. ATG can be anything, basically. There are two things it is very bad at though: Choppers and Line of Sight. The random game element is just the cherry on the top for me, I think the real game is in the many scenarios that you can download and come with the game.

DC-series is made by VRDesigns like ATG is. They are more focused, and that is good for their scope. They do a very good representation of the era. There is a game editor too, for all of them. There is also a stand-alone "game" in the form of DC: Community Project, that you gain access to with any purchase of the DC-series. Basically this is an editor for any conflict you might want. I have made several scenarios in it.

I have no experience with the Flashpoint campaigns series of games.

[Deathtreader]

Hi,

Of the 3 games you listed I have Flashpoint Campaigns and recommend it unreservedly. The enemy AI is able to give you a good run for your money, the asynchronous wego is a great feature, and the scenarios/campaigns are generally well balanced.
I'm not sure of what you consider "Operational" level to be...... as that term is pretty fluid. NATO maneuver units tend to be platoons plus individual batteries and WARSAW PACT units are generally companies. Probably more "Grand Tactical" in nature. But you can go up to Division level and boy oboy will you have a LOT of platoons or companies to utilize. WITE experience will come in handy here size wise.

Whichever you pick --- Enjoy!

Rob.

[greengiant]

Just wanted to say thanks one more time. I feel like I will probably try the other titles sometime in the distant future, but I decided to go with Adv. Tactics Gold. Read through a good portion of the manual, now I'm running the tutorials.

[greengiant]

Excuse the double post, but I was able to purchase all three at the end so yay! I wasn't sure when I'd see such a good sale again so...

With the tutorials behind me I fired up one of the scenarios to get going and I'm having a lot of fun.

Also, so as not to clutter the forum with a new thread; question: Will Wargame Design Studio ever release their products on Matrix? Stalingrad '42 Gold sounds like a very interesting twist on the approach to handling commands etc. It needs a very robust AI to handle that kind of approach but then I've heard a lot of praise from users that it does the job well.

[Zovs]

I seriously doubt you’ll ever see any WDS games on Matrix/Slitherine website. WDS has there own website and store and has no need for Matrix/Slitherine.

[Kuokkanen]

Excuse the double post, but I was able to purchase all three at the end so yay! I wasn't sure when I'd see such a good sale again so...

There is some overlap with Advanced Tactics Gold and Decisive Campaigns series. Decisive Campaigns games are more historical, but ATG is perhaps more flexible and varied.

[greengiant]

There is some overlap with Advanced Tactics Gold and Decisive Campaigns series. Decisive Campaigns games are more historical, but ATG is perhaps more flexible and varied.

I didn't actually make the connection or realise it was the same company till I fired up DC Barbarossa and noticed many similarities. And yes you are right; Adv Tac Gold is more popular/known for it's highly robust random campaign generator while the DC series zones in/focuses on a specific theater. They both have their pro's, but since I checked out DC (was intending for it to be a quick peek) I've since put my Adv Tac Gold random campaign on hold as I am super sucked into the the German offensive in Barbarossa. The political aspect of the game is so unique and fun and lends itself to a lot of replay ability.

[pepita17]

I seriously doubt you’ll ever see any WDS games on Matrix/Slitherine website. WDS has there own website and store and has no need for Matrix/Slitherine.

it is correct
they even have their own forum since 2 days : https://forum.wargameds.com/

[CharlieTill]

Decisive Campaigns: Ardennes Offensive is not a game for everyone. It’s a pretty dense hex-based wargame with a lot of moving parts and it’s not exactly a feast for the eyes or ears either. This is the kind of game that appeals to a niche audience, more so than say Panzer Corps 2 or Unity of Command II does. But to this niche audience, those who enjoy more detailed and granular wargames, and who don’t mind the simple graphics, Decisive Campaigns: Ardennes Offensive is well worth its price. It’s deep, it’s not too tough to get into, all things considered, and it gives a good representation of the kind of engagements that were fought during the Battle of the Bulge. It also operates on a scale rarely seen in wargames, usually they’re either on a either a grander, or a smaller scale, and that alone makes it special.

[ernieschwitz]

Ok, I'll bite. Why on earth would he be looking for an arcade game, in a wargaming forum?

what about arcade games? there are many cool games available online