GrogHeads Forum

Tabletop Gaming, Models, and Minis => Wargaming => Topic started by: Mad Russian on December 20, 2013, 02:33:46 PM

Title: The Dark Valley
Post by: Mad Russian on December 20, 2013, 02:33:46 PM
I have been an Eastern Front fanatic since my first ever wargame - Panzerblitz. I have been a Russian Front(RF) enthusiast since that game came out in 1985.

http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/329/russian-front

Since that time I've made numerous house rules to correct some of the minor issues for RF. But it still was missing that 'something'. We were continuing to work on it. Then by accident last week I found out about The Dark Valley by GMT.

I ordered it, downloaded the rules, scenario booklet and errata. Opened the Vassal module and starting looking around. This looks very much like what I've been looking for in an Eastern Front game.

Has anyone gotten TKV yet? Or played it?

If so, what do you think?

Good Hunting.

MR
Title: Re: The Dark Valley
Post by: GJK on December 20, 2013, 09:56:26 PM
Quote from: Mad Russian on December 20, 2013, 02:33:46 PM
I have been an Eastern Front fanatic since my first ever wargame - Panzerblitz. I have been a Russian Front(RF) enthusiast since that game came out in 1985.

http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/329/russian-front (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/329/russian-front)

Since that time I've made numerous house rules to correct some of the minor issues for RF. But it still was missing that 'something'. We were continuing to work on it. Then by accident last week I found out about The Dark Valley by GMT.

I ordered it, downloaded the rules, scenario booklet and errata. Opened the Vassal module and starting looking around. This looks very much like what I've been looking for in an Eastern Front game.

Has anyone gotten TKV yet? Or played it?

If so, what do you think?

Good Hunting.

MR

What are your initial thoughts on it as compared to say "No Retreat"?  To be fair to NR, I don't think that we gave it a good through (at all really); or did we just find a critical flaw maybe?  I forget.
Title: Re: The Dark Valley
Post by: Mad Russian on December 23, 2013, 07:00:28 PM
I've just played the opening round of Barbarossa with one of the games playtesters.

From my play through of the first turn I have some likes and dislikes about the game and will do a review once I play it some more.

Good Hunting.

MR
Title: Re: The Dark Valley
Post by: Ubercat on March 19, 2014, 05:39:43 PM
Quote from: Mad Russian on December 23, 2013, 07:00:28 PM
I've just played the opening round of Barbarossa with one of the games playtesters.

From my play through of the first turn I have some likes and dislikes about the game and will do a review once I play it some more.

Good Hunting.

MR

I'm also an eastern front enthusiast and TDV has just caught my eye. I eagerly await your take on it.
Title: Re: The Dark Valley
Post by: ArizonaTank on March 21, 2014, 09:37:33 AM
Looking forward to your thoughts as well.  I recently purchased TDV, but just have too much on my gaming plate at the moment to get much into it. 
Title: Re: The Dark Valley
Post by: Michael Dorosh on March 30, 2014, 12:01:31 PM
Quote from: Mad Russian on December 23, 2013, 07:00:28 PM
I've just played the opening round of Barbarossa with one of the games playtesters.

From my play through of the first turn I have some likes and dislikes about the game and will do a review once I play it some more.

Good Hunting.

MR

Adding my name to the list of those awaiting your thoughts, MR
Title: Re: The Dark Valley
Post by: Mad Russian on April 04, 2014, 03:55:36 PM
The game doesn't work for me. A bit too much abstraction.

I like the game mechanics of the chit pull but don't like the unhistorical ratio and the complete randomness of it all.

Those of you that have known me for awhile know my big issue is to get the situation as close to historically accurate as you can and then go from there.

Some of you may like it.

After several discussions with the designer it ended up not being for me.

Good Hunting.

MR