Decisive Campaigns: Ardennes Offensive

Decisive Campaigns: Ardennes Offensive is the fourth installment of the turn-based strategy series, launched in 2010. Game was developed by VR Designs studio and was published by Matrix Games.

Plot

As the title suggests, in Decisive Campaigns: Ardennes Offensive we take part in the offensive in the Ardennes, the great battle that in late 1944 and early 1945 was fought between the Allies and the Third Reich. The game allows us to take sides of the conflict, and an extensive campaign has been prepared to reflect the 16 days of the offensive. In addition, the game includes a number of minor scenarios devoted to events that took place in specific parts of the frontline (such as the battles for Bastogne or Sankt Vith).

Mechanics

Similarly to previous productions under this brand, Decisive Campaigns: Ardennes Offensive is characterized by high realism. The gameplay takes place in turn-based mode (each day is divided into four turns), on the map presented from the top-down view and covered with a grid of hexagonal fields. During the game we lead battalion-sized units into battle. While completing our tasks, we have to work on developing the right tactics, taking into account the capabilities of particular units, as well as paying attention to a number of other factors, such as time of day, terrain and weather conditions.

The developers have introduced numerous innovations and improvements, the most important of which is the view range of individual units. Apart from that, they modified the system of supplies and introduced two types of movement of our troops (march increases their speed but makes them vulnerable to enemy fire, while in the battle mode they move slower, but can react faster and more effectively to enemy attacks). In addition, there is the so-called uncertainty rule, which is an optional feature that, when activated, gives each unit a hidden modifier that affects its combat capabilities.

Game modes

In Decisive Campaigns: Ardennes Offensive you can play both solo and in multiplayer mode (PBEM++). The game also includes special editors that allow you to create your own content.

Technical aspects

Compared to the previous games in the series, Decisive Campaigns: Ardennes Offensive stands out thanks to the refreshed and clearer graphics. In addition, the controls have been improved, and the interface has also been tweaked. To top it all off, the AI has been improved.