Matrix Games Forums

A list of reviews, in no particular order. Send me a pm if you come across any others and I will add to the list.

Awards:

War-Historical Game of the Year 2010 Awards - Gold


Reviews:

• Armchair General - Review - Score 97%
• EuroGamer.dk - Review and a google translation - Score 9/10
• Sugarfreegamer - Review
• GamersHall.de - Review - Score 88/100 - Silver Award
• Out of Eight - Review - Score 8/8!
• CYBERSTRATEGE - Review - 8/10
• PCGAMER - Review - 84%

Command Ops: Highway to the Reich Coverage:

AAR/Review on Rock Paper Shotgun
7idgaming Review - 87%

I think there was just a very extensive USENET review of the game on the USENET. Of course, I don't know how you draw the line between reviews and simply personal extended customer feedback. These days everyone and his brother are content producers.

I just found the link:

http://groups.google.com/group/comp.sys ... c868878784#

I'd just like to add to the Eurogamer review mention a quote/score:

9/10 - [Translated from Danish] ...a competent and flawless release that makes an already excellent war game even better.

Gamershall-Review in German is done. BftB got a score of 88/100 and a Silver Award.

Have fun by translating my conclusion. [;)]

ORIGINAL: Lützow

Have fun by translating my conclusion. [;)]

Well may I?

Conclusion: "Battle of the Bulge" [shouldn't this be Battles from the Bulge?] is a complex and comprehensive strategy game, whose relatively steep learning curve is narrowed down to an adequate level by the included video tutorials, and fully recommended to hardcore gamers with good English skills, who are willing to buy a ticket for this first class trip through the Ardennes."

ORIGINAL: Lützow

Gamershall-Review in German is done. BftB got a score of 88/100 and a Silver Award.

Have fun by translating my conclusion. [;)]

Hey Lützow, why would a game like BFTB require a "USK 18" rating?
There's no "gore", violence, explicit language etc. in there.

Good thing you included a hint that ppl need a decent level of English in order to be able to delve into the manual, due to the fact that there's no German GUI/manual. Matrix should do something about it. [:)]

Btw, describing the weather change (when the snow kicks in) and the different map gfx would have been an informative addition. Also, on page 3, you make it sound like orders could only be issued when the game is paused (which is not the case, as you should know):

".... sondern erteilt im Pausenmodus Befehle an Batallions- oder Regiments-Hauptquartiere, ..... "

The second half of the sentence also gives the reader the impression, that you can only issue orders to Bns or Rgts., even though you can control (and micromanage) each and every unit, from a platoon (if present in the scenario) up to an Army/Corps HQ, if you want. You could then add that the usual (and recommended) command level would be the Rgt. or the Bn. Imho, the AI does best on the Rgt. level, but that may have changed in BFTB to some extent, I don't know.

ORIGINAL: GoodGuy

Hey Lützow, why would a game like BFTB require a "USK 18" rating?
There's no "gore", violence, explicit language etc. in there.

Due to the fact that BftB was not revised by the German USK and in this country non-rated games are by default approved to adults only. That's at least what I got told.

The second half of the sentence also gives the reader the impression, that you can only issue orders to Bns or Rgts., even though you can control (and micromanage) each and every unit, from a platoon (if present in the scenario) up to an Army/Corps HQ, if you want.

Well, my concern was to give a short introduction for an audience interested in hardcore strategy and already proficient in hexbased wargaming, but not (yet) familiar with the unique Panther Engine. Pointing out every detail about BftB had bloat the review to a size that probably nobody would read it anymore.

Having said that, I may add another sentence or two for emphasizing the difference between macro- and micromanagement. And thank you for constructive criticism. [:)]

Added the PERFECT score on Out of Eight!

I prefer "highest possible" rather than "perfect"

Un test français de 4 pages, très complet, sur CYBERSTRATEGE !

Un beau 8/10 : http://www.cyberstratege.com/magazine/2 ... es-tripes/

I skimmed through parts of it quickly; nothing to do with language as I don't think I've read one English review from start to finish either. A nice review.

New Review

PCGAMER - Review - 84%

Added a 97% score from Armchair General!

Added a nice mini-AAR review of COHTTR from rockpapershotgun.com!

My review in Italian for NWI in homepage

http://www.netwargamingitalia.net/

[Deleted by Admins]

Hi all,

It costs me to admit it, but I noticed CO:HHTTR was out when I saw the review in the french mag PC4WAR I received today.

6 full illustrated pages.

5 out of 5.

Lots of pros.

Cons : "On en redemande !" : "We want more !"

Congrats to the team !

JeF.

Why is this review not mentioned anywhere? [&:]
No longer interested in good product advertising?

The Wargamer
PC Game Review: Command Ops: Highway to the Reich

TO SUM

Despite a too-long list of minor annoyances and failings, Command Ops: Highway to the Reich is simply one of the best operational level games this reviewer has ever played. It rates stunning successes in the areas most wargamers hold most dear: accuracy and fidelity. The real-time two-down orders system means even incredibly complex scenarios remain manageable, and the game’s AI is stunningly effective. In short, this game deserves to be on the hard drive of every computer wargamer.

It’s that good.

A review on Battles for Greece, by Chelco, whom I consider a very informed non-professional reviewer

http://kriegsimulation.blogspot.com.au/ ... eview.html

Check out his blog: he's got a lot of good stuff there, both for reading and thinking about.