Quick Axis operations 40 review (Dutch and historical path)

[Sveroboi]

So far, I liked this campaign the best. I feel the campaign had better designed maps. And in the 3rd campaign, core management begins to shine. Until now I have huge amount of heroes which I can shuffle around, and tons of loot. I didn't use much of the latter - I like to keep it a bit of historical simulation, and don't want to use KV2 or 210mm russian guns. I still had the Sturmovik, but changed it to a Ju87 after I had no reserves. Generally, PzCorps 2 is very gamey, and we have to live with it, guess. PzC was not exactly historical, but had sometimes more effort in that.
In the general traits, I chose No Overstrength – turned out to be a no-brainer, as I could keep overstrength on units I already had. Exploitable for further campaigns. I also chose AA veterans, very useful for this campaigns, but is a bit overpowered, since the game attempts to make AA not the killing machines they were in PzC 1 – but in this way, they get there.

Quick breakdown of maps:

Fornebu: A typical campaign opener, not too hard, not too interesting. It seemed that we would get „Helmut Lent“ here, a household name in PzC1, but his unit was only there for flavor, I guess. Strangely, no other Norway scenarios.

Valkenburg: actually one of my favorite maps. I indeed used only paratroopers and aircraft, though you can do it another way. But I also love Paratroopers! Took me 2 attempts actually, since you need to scout and choose the right path (and airports) to leapfrog with Paratroopers.

Para training: back to Czechia. Weird instructions, skippable map. I had already enough prestige so I could change infantry units anywas how I liked. I found it hard to really rack in experience on new Paras.

Battle of the Grebbeberg: very nice map with a strong dutch position in the center. I used the recommended way and used a lot of Paras, and it payed off to take the bonus goal, Utrecht, which is behind the lines.

Sedan: the first time we meet with sister units, the 1st and 7th Panzer division. I generally like the 3rd party approach in Panzer Corps 2, even though it was heavily criticized for the Spanish DLC. I do think, it was much better implemented, in AO 40, though, as the scenarios are designed better that they don't block your path all day. I forgot to bring bridge engineers, but still worked out well.

Arras: here it gets a little bit harder, in total I found AO 40 easier than the 2 DLCs before. This was a somewhat classical but well designed PzC map, where the real stuff happens near the end. I already had 2 8.8s at this point (and one with the awesome fast deployment hero), this DLC strongly recommends to have these.

Siege of Lille: this I enjoyed a lot. Took me two attempts because I wanted to have all bonuses, and here you have to think a little outside of the box to make the here very strong 7th Pz. Division not take the main objectives before you have your stuff.


Abbeville: the hardest map in the DLC, at least on this path. And well, I am not sure about these kind of maps – see Battle of Ebro. Very gamey, as the spawn points are so heavily protected and kind of ahistorical (Maginot line didn't extend to that area). Its the first time the Charles de Gaulle tank appears. I am also not that fond of the idea of having end bosses in Panzer Corps. This one is not to dangerous (not a strong damage dealer) but hard to destroy without 8.8 AA guns. This time your AI buddies get wrecked and I don't understand the idea why they have to go back all the way to the main base to reinforce, as they are very unreliable anyways and just attack where the next enemy-occupied hex is.

Dunkirk: I like this scenarios were you are focussed to use a limited types of weapons (here: fighters and bombers) very much. However, 2 attempts here because I missed one goal. Its a bit too easy, I think, as enemy fighters just respawn in one point and are predictable.

Neufchateau: this was the map I liked the least. As I said, I am bit more of a „historical“ player. France was beaten at this point in history, and they throw an elite „Panzer Corps“ at you complete with a fantasy tank. Too reach the bonus goal, also its better to beat the DeGaulle tank here, which I also didn't like.

Pindus Valley: I chose the „historical“ path here, and I guess its the more disappointing one. I already saw that the campaign tree offers more scenarios on Sealion – and also its not historical at all, because the Wehrmacht never send units to help on that front. However, thats a nice scenario itself, with a lot of flexibility. Two attempts because I tried to save more of the Italian units in the center, but I guess its hard and involves a lot of micro management to save a lot of them. But not impossible. The whole map is challenging, but not too hard to win including the bonus goal and the approach is flexible – I like that.

Valona: disappointing finale but a call back to PzC 1, as this is a more classical map of holding the line and falling back. There are quite some defensive scenarios in PzC 2 where you are quite busy to prevent the enemy overwhelming you. This is not one of those, as the enemy could be easily held at some choke points and had no chance getting near the main goals.

[Kerensky]

Thanks for the feedback!

I am especially glad to hear this much more focused and restrained application of AI allies has been a positive experience.

Spanish Civil War we really want to push the 'new feature' angle and also a feature that reflects the historical situation of that conflict, but it may have been too much radical change too fast. =)

People very much noticed the absence of any AI Allies in all of 1939 *cough* Finland *cough*, which was it's own kind of unfortunate solution.

Hopefully now we have a happy medium for important AI allies making historical appearances to enhance the flavor and variety of scenarios, without going too far in either extreme. =D