From: scotts@UNSPAMtogether.net (Scott K. Stafford) Subject: Re: Ardennes Offensive: Overview please In article <33D821E2.635B@internetMCI.com>, louie.landale@internetMCI.com says... > Please give a quick overview, and description of the units. TAO is a turn-based, operational scale depiction of the Battle of the Bulge. You can command German or Allied sides, while playing either the entire operation or scenarios which break the whole into component parts. You can move/attack at any point during the turn. The manual and the game system are excellent, and do not hide the mechanics of the game. Individual combat actions are depicted on a screen which displays the combat odds and the results chart. It even rolls a die to resolve combat. The graphics are also excellent, calling to mind a classic boardgame. Placing the divisional flashes on the counters is a great touch, and OOB screens give a great overview of the command structure. The AI is much better than average, and responds very well to a player's actions. The AI is even quite competent on offense, and keeps the objectives in mind even as it applies nasty shocks to players who make tactical mistakes. If there's anything to be said against the game, it would be: 1. It breaks no new ground. Except for the very competent AI, we've seen this stuff before. Now, that might not be much of a drawback; if players are looking for a good BoB game, this is probably it. 2. There's no facilities for a "what-if" type setup. Like so many wargames, the player cannot experiment with alternate initial setups. You're stuck in an "I took over from Bradley/von Rundstedt 5 minutes before the battle started" world. > > For example, which units are in the 28th Division, and > what corps units are available? This will give me a good > idea of the scale. Units represent regiments (armored or infantry) or battalions (engineers, tank destroyers, artillery, etc.) The divisions which took part in the battle are generally broken down into three combat "counters" labeled as regiments. Corps assets are present as detached battalions. The 106th "Golden Lion" infantry division, for example, is represented by individual counters for the 424th, 423rd, and 422nd infantry regiments. The player has the option of having the game display either the divisional flash on the counter, or the specific infantry regiment symbol and number. > Is this game a fancy Battle of the Bulge by Avalon Hill? Pretty close. In other words, if you thought that game was great, you'll love this one--since it's better. If you hated AHBoB, then give TAO a miss. -- Scott K. Stafford *************************************** Rinji news o moshiagemasu! Gojira ga Ginza hoomen e mukatte imasu! Daishkyu hinan shite kudasai!