Command Ops:BftB

[Bison]

Jomni's point is interesting.

I find the series AI to be so strong that often I find myself giving orders and then sitting back and watching the game more like a movie than a game.

I came away from the demo with that impression, which was my worry, I guess...Anyway, thanks for all the replies.  I'll do some more pondering...

The same concept is true for most all games.  Sure you might do more clicking to give specific orders, which you can do in BftB if you want, but ultimately you watch the computer play out your plan.  If you want an operational level game, this is the finest engine for that level of consim on the wargaming market.

[LongBlade]

Jomni makes a fair criticism.

I'll tell you straight up that when I first played these games I didn't like them or get them. It was only after Battles from the Bulge was released and I was able to be tutored by the videos that I understood and liked what was happening.

Some guys immediately got it. I was not one of them. Battles from the Bulge changed my mind.

That said, there is a lot of noise being issued by the game with a lot happening under the hood. You'll need to click an icon to see exactly how a unit is fairing, and even then it's just numbers - morale, casualties, etc. I can see how this game could be too dry for some gamers.

I really came to love it, but I can understand why some folks might not.

[MengJiao]

This is one good game that's gathering dust for me. A great simulation but it lacks a soul to be very engaging in my case.

Yep.  I loved conquest of the Aegean, but decided to skip the Bof the B and wait for the game engine to move on to
Little Saturn -- which it was last I heard.

[gabeeg]

I was also one of those that felt like I was watching a game vs. actually playing a game.  I decided to invest some time into it based on others postive opinions and it paid off.  I no longer feel that I am just watching a game, but feel very engaged in the decision making and management.  For me this is one of those games that you have to invest some time in and experiment with to get the most from...and when you do it rewards you.  I felt the same about WitP:AE...another game that rewards commitment. 

BftB IMO is one of the best wargames available...and I say that from the perspective of someone that normally does not like real time games.

[Nefaro]

I enjoyed HTTR quite a bit.

But as Bison mentioned, my gamer ADD usually limits me to short stretches with any one game.  And seeing the big prices on BftB, when I haven't even come close to finishing the earlier games, just made no purchasing sense to me.  Add to that my long-lasting WWII burnout, and I've not even been tempted at all.  :-\  For those weirdos who only buy WWII games, this should probably be a staple.

The command structure mechanics are great.  There are only a very few wargame series I can say that about. 

[sandman2575]

i'll be the completely shallow one to admit that the only reason I haven't picked up any Command Ops games is simply because they are, how shall one say, visually displeasing.

i know i'm missing out.  i've tried the demo for BftB but just cannot overcome my intense dislike of how it looks.

[Ubercat]

I'm in the same boat in hating the look of the game. I had the same problem with Conquest of the Aegean, which I bought anyway, and then couldn't beat the second(?) tutorial scenario for the life of me, so I gave up.

I have a question for those who have it, though. I hear the AI is really good. Does it use its assets appropriately? For example, do recon units take point and then bug out when they hit something they can't handle?

[Bison]

Your units will break contact based on a number of factors though to be honest I'm not sure superior numbers of an enemy force is enough a factor to do it alone.  They would break contact after getting hit a few times though.

[jomni]

Does it use its assets appropriately? For example, do recon units take point and then bug out when they hit something they can't handle?

I think it depends on the ROE you set.