Review from a Grognard

[Tweedledumb]

This game simulates the invasion of the Soviet Union from June 22nd, 1941 until the end of January 1942. The Germans code-named the invasion Operation Barbarossa and their intent was to defeat the Soviet Union before winter. Anyone who knows a bit of history knows how that worked out...

As the German player you are placed in the role of Franz Halder, the Chief of Staff of the eastern Theatre of Operations. You are not Hitler - you are not even the highest ranking German officer! This is VERY important to game play as you navigate a myriad of relationships with superiors (including der Fuhrer) and subordinates (Army Group commanders) who EACH have a bias in favour of (or against) you and an overall "relationship" level with you (from say Terrible to Superb and everything in between). This relationship network is variable from game-to-game.

On the Soviet side, you play as the big guy, Stalin, and get a larger measure of control than Halder, but you are paranoid! If things start to go wrong on the front (losing territory) you have a "paranoid episode" and start executing commanders who you perceive to be a threat to you! Needless to say, this grinds the whole Soviet command and control apparatus to a halt for a few days.

At its core, DC:Barbarossa is a hex and counter wargame but the role-playing aspect outlined above makes this game unbelievably immersive and interesting to play. Casual players will not like having to move and attack with hundreds of divisions while managing supply etc... but for grognards this is no problem. It takes about 30 minutes to do a turn so this is not a "twitch-fest". The game is more streamlined than monster games like those of Gary Grigsby, however.

I have played exclusively against human opponents, but according to the forums, 90% of people play against the AI and many have a LOT of trouble winning even against lower levels of difficulty! As a human-human struggle, this is BY FAR the best computer wargame experience I have ever had in over 40 years of board wargaming and computer gaming back to the C64 days.

The designers are actively tuning the game balance and supporting the fan base's requests for new features but they are also turning their thoughts to a new game using this engine. This is great news.

If any of this is remotely intriguing for you, check this game out!

[Giri Hachi Roku]

great Review... Kudos +1

[Philippe_at_bay]

I had mine ready to go as well, but I like this one better. Good job!

[Slitherine_Iain]

The more reviews the better so please post yours! Remember to do a steam review too as they really matter!

[Eyeshutight]

Two player? Not sure that's the correct terminology and may put some people off (including me).

From the YouTube videos it seems to be a 1-player game that can be played from both sides with "what if"-style relationship decisions as you well describe. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Otherwise a good review - thanks.

[Philippe_at_bay]

The game can be played against the AI or a live opponent, and has some of the most robust AI in the industry.

There's an active community over at the Matrix website if you need to find a live player.

[Eyeshutight]

Thanks for the clarification. I will go ahead and open my wallet. Cheers.

[beltsman]

Great review! Make sure to add it to the Steam official reviews. I seriously can't wait to play this. The roleplaying aspect is what I've always been longing for in a wargame. I hope this is a huge success and we see this type of system expanded to other theaters, and other wars!

[Gizzmoe]

Originally posted by Eyeshutight:

Two player? Not sure that's the correct terminology and may put some people off (including me).

I agree, that should be reworded in the review.

[Tweedledumb]

Originally posted by Gizzmoe:

Originally posted by Eyeshutight:

Two player? Not sure that's the correct terminology and may put some people off (including me).

I agree, that should be reworded in the review.

Done!

[Superfly]

I think this game looks nice, but at 30 minutes a turn, I would struggle to find time to play it. can you save at any point without penalty?

[Philippe_at_bay]

Yes.

If you're playing the Germans, for example, you're in charge of three Army Groups and the Finns.

What I often do is make all of the High Command level decisions, save, and take a break.

When I come back I often play one Army Group at a time.

High Command needs to use a completely different kind of logic and thinking from the Army Groups.

And you don't really want that kind of thinking going on in the back of your head when you wear your Army Group hat and have to get down in the weeds.

[Come_Get_Some]

Awesome review!

[numsei]

excellent, going to my wishlist for now, i think its better to drop this grognard ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥, have no idea who the hell came with it but the guy deserve a well done punch in the face, better to stick with casuals and hardcore audience

[Swinging From Nosehair]

Looked for definitions, first was:

"Definition of grognard. plural -s. 1 : an old soldier. 2 often capitalized : a soldier of the original imperial guard that was created by Napoleon I in 1804 and that made the final French charge at Waterloo."

But like the wiktionary one:
"Noun. grognard ‎(plural grognards) An old soldier. (games, slang) Someone who enjoys playing older war-games or roleplaying games, or older versions of such games, when newer ones are available."

[numsei]

yep, i confess i didn even bother to look for a definition for it, its a ugly as hell word, its like you are been called a caveman or other crap like that, i see people using it as insult frequently, not cool