Decisive Campaigns: Ardennes Offensive releases November 18th

[Grim.Reaper]

Will pick up next week. just saving my coupon until holiday sale so I can use for other games at same time:)

[-budd-]

Is it safe to assume it comes without a Steam code but will get onto Steam some time later?

Have the other Decisive Campaign games made it to steam?
Will buy day after Christmas when my Anniversary Coupon arrives!

Yes, all the other games are on Steam. There's a nice bundle of all the DC games if you haven't bought any of them   https://www.matrixgames.com/bundle/decisive-campaigns-collection 
Just over $68 for all 4 games. There all good, but Warsaw to Paris may still be my favorite.

[al_infierno]

First impressive detail that jumps out to me is the sheer number of scenarios and editors available.  Wow.  On the offset I'm even more impressed than I was with DC: Barbarossa, which remains one of my all time favorites.

[Redwolf]

Can somebody describe how it compares to playing TOAW on a similar scale?

[Zulu1966]

Can somebody describe how it compares to playing TOAW on a similar scale?

Much better imho. Rivers at hexsides for a start.

[devoncop]

One thing to note is that for some reason the excellent  PBEM++  multiplayer system which was implemented for Barbarossa is not integrated  here so in Multiplayer where the game will truly shine,  it will require the old style file  exchange which has put me off and made the difference in deciding not to buy.

A strange decision given Shadow Empire also has this implemented.

[al_infierno]

To be honest, I'm just plain happy I finally get to play as the good ol' Stars and Stripes in a Decisive Campaigns title.      

A couple random improvements I've noted while fiddling with a small scenario:

• The UI in general is slicker and less cluttered, and it's more obvious how to control things.  For example, it's easier to adjust between movement modes and you can simply switch back to inspecting units by pressing Escape.
• Infantry companies can use their company mortars to take part in bombardments of adjacent tiles (pretty sure this is a first for the engine as mortars usually just add to a unit's defense)
• You can set units to "Intercept" (aka Overwatch) and open fire on units that enter adjacent tiles.
• When you commit to an attack, you have more detailed options: "Probe", "Recon In Force", "Attack", and "All-Out Attack", where you can effectively sacrifice attack power for hitpoints and vise versa, in addition to retreating at different levels of losses
• Cards seem more streamlined that Barbarossa but still impactful for reinforcements and supply

[al_infierno]

Glowing review from Strategy and Wargaming:

https://strategyandwargaming.com/2021/11/20/decisive-campaigns-ardennes-offensive-review-new-golden-standard/

Verdict - Decisive Campaigns: Ardennes Offensive is the best operational-level wargame I've ever played, period. The decision to stay away from the more abstract aspects of other operational level wargames and to bravely implement novel features should serve as a textbook example of how a genre, considered by many to be stale and long past its prime that, with the right knowledge, passion, and inspiration, you can always reach new heights. For going above and beyond the call of duty, Decisive Campaigns is hereby granted the first, Golden Strategy and Wargaming Seal of Approval.

[Tanaka]

Glowing review from Strategy and Wargaming:

https://strategyandwargaming.com/2021/11/20/decisive-campaigns-ardennes-offensive-review-new-golden-standard/

Verdict - Decisive Campaigns: Ardennes Offensive is the best operational-level wargame I've ever played, period. The decision to stay away from the more abstract aspects of other operational level wargames and to bravely implement novel features should serve as a textbook example of how a genre, considered by many to be stale and long past its prime that, with the right knowledge, passion, and inspiration, you can always reach new heights. For going above and beyond the call of duty, Decisive Campaigns is hereby granted the first, Golden Strategy and Wargaming Seal of Approval.

Nice link have not seen this site before thanks!

[MengJiao]

Glowing review from Strategy and Wargaming:

https://strategyandwargaming.com/2021/11/20/decisive-campaigns-ardennes-offensive-review-new-golden-standard/

Verdict - Decisive Campaigns: Ardennes Offensive is the best operational-level wargame I've ever played, period. The decision to stay away from the more abstract aspects of other operational level wargames and to bravely implement novel features should serve as a textbook example of how a genre, considered by many to be stale and long past its prime that, with the right knowledge, passion, and inspiration, you can always reach new heights. For going above and beyond the call of duty, Decisive Campaigns is hereby granted the first, Golden Strategy and Wargaming Seal of Approval.

  Yep, I agree; this game is stunningly well done.  And I mostly don't like Battle of the Bulge games -- but this one is great!