Decisive Campaigns: Barbarossa
- April 29, 2016
- VR Designs
- 17h median play time
Get on SteamDecisive Campaigns: Barbarossa is a turn-based strategy war game set in World War II. Players command the German forces invading the Soviet Union, managing military operations, diplomacy, and logistics. The game features a detailed combat system, historical events and leaders, and dynamic campaign scenarios. It also offers a challenging and immersive experience for strategy enthusiasts.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a unique blend of strategy and role-playing elements, allowing players to feel like a true general managing logistics, relationships, and military operations.
- It provides an immersive experience with accurate historical context, making it appealing for fans of WWII history and operational-level wargaming.
- The decision-making mechanics add depth to gameplay, requiring players to balance military objectives with political pressures and relationships with subordinates.
- The supply system is often criticized for being flawed, leading to unrealistic scenarios where units become immobilized or unable to attack due to low supplies.
- The game has a steep learning curve, which can be overwhelming for new players, and some mechanics may feel convoluted or poorly explained.
- There are concerns about the AI's behavior, with reports of it not adhering to the same logistical constraints as the player, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
- gameplay26 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a mix of strategic decision-making and historical realism, offering a unique experience that integrates role-playing elements with operational command. While some players find the mechanics initially frustrating and the Soviet side lacking depth, others appreciate the game's replayability and the impact of relationships on gameplay. Overall, it is praised for its intuitive interface, depth, and engaging mechanics, making it a solid choice for fans of grand strategy and tactical games.
“The gameplay is very deep, and has excellent representation of controlling the high command of either the German or Soviet armies with high fidelity in almost all historical aspects of Operation Barbarossa from supply lines, weather conditions, and army organization to the details of each army's commanders and their relation to you as a player in high command.”
“What really sets it apart from anything else I know is the sheer boldness of its premises: integrate roleplaying and historical reality in the gameplay in order to give it a unique feeling.”
“If you fancy getting this game because you are interested in WWII grand strategy and tactical games (on a huge scale), I would 100% say get this today, give it a go for 2 hours, and once you 'get it' and its mechanics, you won’t look back.”
“No, your main opponent will be the unclear results of your decisions made in the true heart of the game: the unholy union of oddly CYOA-like choices repeated ad nauseam and enigmatic rules governing the war-game gameplay.”
“I don't doubt the Soviets have some very good options later in the game, but the first 4 hours of gameplay have left me feeling disappointed in my overpriced purchase.”
“Soviet gameplay feels really shallow and unpolished; you will hope and think your situation is about to get rolling until it's December and the game is over.”
- replayability7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability due to its depth in political and military decisions, allowing players to experience varied gameplay with different nations, such as the Germans and Soviets, each offering unique strategies. Players appreciate the balance between historical accuracy and flexible gameplay options, ensuring that no two playthroughs are the same. Overall, the game is praised for its challenging nature and potential for extended engagement, with many expressing a desire for expansions to enhance the experience further.
“I can already tell based on the depth of available political and military decisions that I will be interested in this game for many, many hours due to the replayability alone.”
“Perfect balance between replayability and historical feel.”
“Insane amounts of replayability and as much or as little depth as you want.”
“Another thing I was concerned with was replay value. This value is different for each person, but to me, it does that job in two ways.”
“Another way they make it replayable is by having some very important option buttons for your game. You can choose to play historically or in a more fluid way with more possibilities.”
“Great game - challenging and with a lot of replay value - now we need expansions until 1946.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally considered subpar, particularly for infantry and cavalry, with some units using inappropriate graphics, such as Finnish infantry resembling German troops. While the interface is clean and organized, allowing for easy access to information, players feel that the visual effects could be improved with more dynamic elements like explosions and movement. Overall, the graphics are deemed passable, with some appreciation for the artwork on unit counters.
“The graphics and charts are clean and neat, not cluttered at all.”
“My counters now have lovely artwork on them; this game really is a little gem.”
“Although a lot of screenshots show NATO symbols, you can play with a more graphical interface to instantly see if a regiment is infantry or panzer.”
“Graphics for infantry and cavalry are not great at all.”
“The Finns get treated even worse - their infantry uses the German infantry graphics.”
“Although a lot of screenshots show NATO symbols, you can play with a more graphical interface (which I do) to instantly see if a regiment is infantry or panzer.”
- story3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its innovative design and engaging narrative that unfolds uniquely with each playthrough, featuring intriguing side plots, such as managing a troublesome chief of staff. Players appreciate how these elements enhance the overall experience, making the game a compelling choice for entertainment.
“I love the design innovations and the way it tells a story each playthrough.”
“Little story on the side that I had when I lost my internet for about a week. This game was the best thing I had on my PC that kept me through without going crazy :) That's when I realized, thank God I bought this game lol :D Hope this comment will help you all.”
“There are even small storylines, like your chief of staff being a jerk and pissing off all the theater commanders, but he's von Brauchitsch's (your co) nephew and you have to figure out what to do with him.”
“Little story on the side that I had when I lost my internet for about a week: this game was the best thing I had on my PC that kept me through without going crazy. That's when I realized thank God I bought this game.”
- stability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its exceptional stability, with users reporting no bugs or glitches even after extensive playtime. Overall, it is considered incredibly bug-free.
“Great game, incredibly bug-free too.”
“The game runs smoothly without any crashes or glitches.”
“I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; it never lags or freezes.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization in the game heavily relies on strategic planning and timing, as players must carefully choose when and how to engage in battles. Poor tactical decisions can lead to severe penalties for units, emphasizing the importance of effective interaction and execution in gameplay.
“How you develop those interactions is key to your battlefield performance.”
“Tactics are hugely important in this game; you really do want to make sure you attack at the right time with the right units, else poor planning will be punished harshly. You may end up with units being disciplined and receiving permanent negative bonuses rather than awards for great performance.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highlighted as a standout feature, providing an engaging soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, even when other gameplay elements like artillery and air attacks may fall short.
“The soundtrack is absolutely phenomenal and elevates the entire gaming experience.”
“The music perfectly complements the gameplay, creating an immersive atmosphere.”
“I find myself humming the tunes long after I've finished playing; they're that catchy!”
“The soundtrack is the only redeeming quality in a game where artillery and air attacks feel useless.”
“The music is great, but it feels like it overshadows the actual gameplay.”
“While the game has a decent soundtrack, it doesn't compensate for the lack of engaging gameplay.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate a desire for wargames to offer more depth beyond repetitive grinding mechanics, suggesting that players seek a more engaging and strategic experience rather than merely moving pieces against one another.
“Do you believe wargames should consist of more than just grinding chits against each other?”
“The endless grinding feels more like a chore than an enjoyable part of the game.”
“I find the grinding mechanics to be tedious and unengaging, making it hard to stay motivated.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game effectively immerses players in the atmosphere of high command from a German perspective, portraying a campaign that starts strong but deteriorates due to logistical issues, adverse weather, political conflicts, and the inherent challenges of the Nazi regime.
“Convincingly immerses the player in the atmosphere of high command, capturing the nature of a campaign that begins as unstoppable, frays at the edges, and gradually descends into chaos due to logistical disasters, weather issues, political infighting, and the Nazis' total disregard for humanity.”
“The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to truly engage players in the world.”
“Despite the potential for a rich setting, the atmosphere is marred by repetitive environments and a lack of meaningful interaction.”
“The game fails to create a compelling atmosphere, leaving players feeling disconnected and uninvested in the storyline.”
