Best Operational Game for Barbarossa?

[Slick Wilhelm]

Hey gents,

I've been reading a couple of books about the Eastern Front lately, and it's gotten me into the mood to fight Barbarossa from the Russian side. Which game would you say has the best gameplay?

Here are the games that I already own which might qualify:

War in the East
TOAW 3
Panzer Corps
Strategic War
Unity of Command
WWII: Time of Wrath


I also own both Decisive Campaign games, but I don't think either of them includes a Barbarossa scenario.

If you have any other suggestions for games that I don't already have, I'm all ears.

[smittyohio]

If you have any other suggestions for games that I don't already have, I'm all ears.

The interface takes some getting used to, but Russo-German War by Schwerpunkt is pretty good

[spelk]

The interface takes some getting used to, but Russo-German War by Schwerpunkt is pretty good

+1

[spelk]

If I had to order them

Russo-German War
Unity of Command
War in the East

If DC did Operation Barbarossa, that would probably be at the top of the list.

[Rayfer]

Also depends on what level of complexity/depth you are looking for.  The games you listed run to both extremes from War in the East at the high end and Time of Wrath at the other.  Both are good for what they are and what they try to do but they are quite different in how much time and effort are needed to learn how to play them and then to actually play them.

[Zulu1966]

Hey gents,

I've been reading a couple of books about the Eastern Front lately, and it's gotten me into the mood to fight Barbarossa from the Russian side. Which game would you say has the best gameplay?

Here are the games that I have that might qualify:

War in the East
TOAW 3
Panzer Corps
Strategic War
Unity of Command
WWII: Time of Wrath


I also own both Decisive Campaign games, but I don't think either of them includes a Barbarossa scenario.

If you have any other suggestions for games that I don't already have, I'm all ears.

I can only add that War in The east was probably the most disappointing game I have ever bought. Only my opinion of course but if you are going to splash that kind of cash you might want to do some investigating before you do. Other than that schwerpunkts Russo German war is good (but has full hex rivers) - I am patiently awaiting his new full european wwar game.

[Slick Wilhelm]

I can only add that War in The east was probably the most disappointing game I have ever bought. Only my opinion of course but if you are going to splash that kind of cash you might want to do some investigating before you do. Other than that schwerpunkts Russo German war is good (but has full hex rivers) - I am patiently awaiting his new full european wwar game.

I already own WitE, so it's too late. What about it was so disappointing?

I just checked out Schwerpunkt's Russo-German War and that looks worth a try. I sure hope Vic decides to add a Barbarossa DLC to DC:Case Blue, because I love that game engine. 

[spelk]

I just checked out Schwerpunkt's Russo-German War and that looks worth a try. I sure hope Vic decides to add a Barbarossa DLC to DC:Case Blue, because I love that game engine.

Have I mentioned my Crimean AAR in Russo-German War? :)
http://sugarfreegamer.com/?p=2598

I'm with you Slick, I haven't played enough Case Blue yet, but I'd hanker after any DLC Vic was going to add to the DC engine. North Africa please!

[MengJiao]

Hey gents,

I've been reading a couple of books about the Eastern Front lately, and it's gotten me into the mood to fight Barbarossa from the Russian side. Which game would you say has the best gameplay?

Here are the games that I have that might qualify:

War in the East
TOAW 3
Panzer Corps
Strategic War
Unity of Command
WWII: Time of Wrath


I also own both Decisive Campaign games, but I don't think either of them includes a Barbarossa scenario.

If you have any other suggestions for games that I don't already have, I'm all ears.

The best game about Barbarossa I have played is Vance Von Borres Roads to Leningrad.  It's a board game but it looks
at some crucial battles in an interesting way.

Other than that, some of the TOAW3 scenarios seemed better than WitE.  I never really got into WitE and I tried pretty hard.

[Bismarck]

Matrix's Operation Barbarossa is simple and fun but overpriced. Also, Strategic War in Europe has been overlooked and is well-priced/

[sandman2575]

If DC did Operation Barbarossa, that would probably be at the top of the list.

I couldn't agree more.  If I could snap my fingers and make any new game magically appear, it would probably be:  DC: Operation Barbarossa. 

Are there whispers that Vic is thinking about this?  I feel like I've read things to that effect, but may just be my wishful thinking.

[Slick Wilhelm]

Strategic War in Europe has been overlooked and is well-priced/

Yeah, actually I just bought Strategic War, but haven't played it at all. It might be a little too high-level for what I'm thinking of, but I should give it a whirl anyway.

[Bismarck]

Strategic War in Europe has been overlooked and is well-priced/

Yeah, actually I just bought Strategic War, but haven't played it at all. It might be a little too high-level for what I'm thinking of, but I should give it a whirl anyway.

Ah, then give Operation Barbarossa a whirl.

[Zulu1966]

If DC did Operation Barbarossa, that would probably be at the top of the list.

I couldn't agree more.  If I could snap my fingers and make any new game magically appear, it would probably be:  DC: Operation Barbarossa. 

Are there whispers that Vic is thinking about this?  I feel like I've read things to that effect, but may just be my wishful thinking.

Well he said the other day that he was trying to work on a 3rd game (somewhat dissapointingly phrasing it as "the engine deserves one more game" implying he will not be producing more) - not sure what front but hopefully eastern - so maybe a barbarossa game ? Anyhow - he says his next secret project is taking up all his time so dont expect it anytime soon. The secret project is rumoured to be a remake of steel panthers - or at least a tactical game - that would be interesting to see what he comes up with as his operational games are excellent.

[Zulu1966]

I can only add that War in The east was probably the most disappointing game I have ever bought. Only my opinion of course but if you are going to splash that kind of cash you might want to do some investigating before you do. Other than that schwerpunkts Russo German war is good (but has full hex rivers) - I am patiently awaiting his new full european wwar game.

I already own WitE, so it's too late. What about it was so disappointing?

I just checked out Schwerpunkt's Russo-German War and that looks worth a try. I sure hope Vic decides to add a Barbarossa DLC to DC:Case Blue, because I love that game engine.

OK - thought your question implied you were looking to buy one on the list... as for why it was disappointing it would be a long list - but essentially I just found half the systems didnt work very well - the air system was awful - and the game has had so many changes to make it work its barely intelligible any more. for the investment - I was hoping for something as well designed and programmed as one of Vics games. the investment in time and effort required to play it just wasnt rewarded for me. essentially it always seemed to me they had a game that was the subject of a very long development break and suffered for it. For the premuim price I dont want to have to read hundreds of forum posts and pages of release notes just to understand whats going on. For me it was a typical grigsby game. Long on complexity and short on design.