Review | Enemy Action: Kharkov | Compass Games | The Players' Aid
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- čas přidán 5. 08. 2024
- Two player takes on Enemy Action: Kharkov from Compass Games. John Butterfield is a world renown solo game designer, so how does the two player option in this one hold up?
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For me, this is one of the best Player Aid reviews I've watched (and I've watched more than a hundred). In the first half of the review, I was glad to hear some negative commentary. Personally, I feel that the tactics chits make the game far too slow paced. In the second half of the review, I was extremely glad to see Alexander actually demonstrate game play on the map. Far too many Player Aid reviews just show me two talking heads. I want to see the game components and a quick demonstration of some of the interesting game mechanics in every review. Thanks for raising the bar!
Hi Alexander & Grant (and bosses - read wives),
I just wanted to thank you for the work you've done over the years. My gaming has developed largely due to info from your videos. After much research and list whittling
Enemy Action Kharkov and Ardennes might become my favourite ww2 system (for solo play).
Cheers!
You are focusing on the wrong aspect of this game. I think the MOST important thing about this game is that the player(s) NEED to operate within a military operational structure. The cards are integrated within the different formations and I love that. You just do not push counters around, but you have to activate these units within their military structure to operate within a time frame.
Of course there are many solutions to demonstrate structured military operations in a simulation, like the excellent Battalion system by MultiMan Publishing or Fields of Fire by GMT. But this Enemy Action system offers an easier way to manage the military jargon without the need of a military bachelor title like in FoF 😀.
As to the chit pull mechanism, it adds almost a little story telling and recount of every single combat.
CONCLUSION: Why evaluate a SOLO operational wargame which offers 2 opposite sides only by playing 2 player? The AI Bot is SUPERB btw and MUCH more than the usual light solo wargames which mostly just offer the 13th in a dozen State of Siege dull solution or where the AI is just based on a simple die roll…like in so many DVG games…
This Enemy Action series was again a breakthrough in SOLO gaming as was the SOLO EXPANSION of Conflict of Heroes some 8 years ago (with its IF THEN ELSE card structure) and INTERESTING… John Butterfield co DESIGNED that solo expansion too.
And … both times you guys missed these ground breaking AI bot systems… Odd indeed.
Well … you can’t game it all of course, but then nominating the best solo wargame of 2022 based on …. the 13th in a dozen State of Siege game is still missing some revolutionary AI Bot systems … is my guess… 😜
This sounds perhaps a bit too harsh for the epic work you both guys do for this wargame hobby, but i am a solo wargamer first of course and try to follow the solo mechanics during the last 45 years already. Starting with SPI Wolfpack and the legendary Ambush.
These last few years we see breakthrough after breakthrough in SOLO gaming, not only wargaming and that is a VERY important evolution for the hobby. My personal top 5: EA: Ardennes, Panzer (with the solo expansion included in France40 box), CoH solo Eastern Front exp.), Marvel Champions, Ambush and of course many many more.
Hint: Try the small and cheap/newest “Fields of Normandy 2” booklet. 16 dollars and yet again a twist to the simplest solo modes that question why I am relearning Fields of Fire constantly … 😀 with 5% of the rules overhead.
Keep up the excellent work.
Great review guys! It is indeed an amazing solo gaming experience. This game is more about out-maneuvering your opponent rather than outfighting him. One of the most interesting parts is that the roles get reversed from Turn 4-5 till turn 9, so the Soviet has to take that into account. In the solo game at least, getting your units cut-off (OOS or worse Isolated) has devastating effects. Also, it is indeed true that you have to carefully manage your hand of cards. I would definitely suggest to try the solo games, they are so rewarding and tense but it requires a lot of time to work the AI properly. There of course some excellent solo-playthrough videos so you will get some guidance. Ardennes is also excellent (same combat system).
Good to see you guys covering this one.
Thanks for the great review. I have been considering buying both games in this series and your review help me understand the game mechanics. I bought both, of course.
Great game. Solo is brilliant. Yea, the Germans have to defend only at the start. Obviously, you can`t attack with odds 1:1, 2:1. It`s very realistic even on today's battlefield. In my opinion, combat is very realistic.
This game looks amazing. Thanks guys 👍
you had me at "Lots of Tanks" =)
This is fully intended to be a 2 player game, it’s not an afterthought it’s an equal part of the whole package.
When you guys review these games. How about playing a turn so we can see the game mechanics in action?
thank you
Outstanding Game, playing German solo you take your lumps early but if you're patient you can eventually get the Soviets out of support and they overextend which is the key to German solo and changes the fortunes for them quite a bit
No interest in solo games unfortunately, feeling a little bit sad about myself if i play alone (hello darkness my old friend). Just ordered "Border Reivers" Ed Beach 's last title and "We Are Coming, Nineveh" Brian Train's last title. Have you had the chance to be given an early copy and try any of these 2? Also ordered "The British Way" and "Land and Freedom" that you 've already said that are gooood. Gosh you have a bad influence on my credit card balance 😢 (still love you 😘)
He have Nineveh, but not Border Reivers, yet. The British Way is choice!
Are you guys going to review Downfall of the Third Reich/of Empires at some point? You've hinted at the fact you didn't really enjoy it in a previous video, I'd be interested to know why since there hasn't been much critical coverage so far.
May 12th!
“We all have those”.
No idea what you’re talking about. Yeah, that’s it, no idea….
And if I did, this one certainly wouldn’t be among those unplayed games on my shelf. Not that I have one or twenty.
The prices for Enemy Action games are *insane* (not in a good way) especially when considering what you get components wise.
You get 3 games in one with each game having its own manual AND seperate map. Furthermore … try finding an operational military simulation with a ground breaking AI Bot system that is a LOT MORE than a State of Siege game or based on simple die rolls. The game is worth the price of 3 wargames for that alone….
Please please please....turn off ads for your videos if youtube will let you.