Enemy Action: Ardennes is the first game in the Enemy Action Series which is a series of card-driven war games on pivotal military operations and campaigns in the twentieth century. The game portrays the German offensive against the western Allies in December 1944 — the Battle of the Bulge. Each player controls the German or Allied side. When playing solo, the game system controls the other side. So Enemy Action: Ardennes is effectively three games in one box: the two-player game, solitaire playing the Allies, and solitaire playing the Germans.
-Grant
The Players' Aid 
Thank you for the great unboxing review – you are at the same point I am with the game, I unboxed it and reviewed components when I bought it a couple of years ago, but have not had the time to dive into fully learning the rules and diving into the game. Looking forward to seeing a full review once you guys get a chance to play a scenario.
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Alexander,
Let me start off by saying… I’m NOT an Ardennes fanboy. From my very first play of “Battle of the Bulge” (AH… coffin box) to ALL the games that followed it, the subject just didn’t grab me much.
That being said, I found your unboxing to stimulate me. I was most moved by the solo rules, especially for the Germans. This looks like a very good simulation of the battle. It, being a Compass Game, the production quality was very good. The maps were very detailed as well. It looks like a lot of thought went into the production of the game, which speaks volumes.
I’ll be looking for this game, should it come at an opportune moment.
Thanks again for the great unboxing…
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After Undaunted and other gamey euro wargames, it was about time you guys would be playing a real historical wargame based on an operational scale.
My number one of all time in many different ways: solo Bot, innovativeness, unexpected hidden moves, correct military structures.
And the fact Butterfield could pull this off in a simulation of a battle that is done to death by everyone and his dog and STILL obtain a refreshing and unique look is nothing short of amazing.
This wargame is truely a LEGENDARY design and it is a gem to behold and admire.
Butterfield designed multiple timeless (solo) games – Ambush, the DDay at series, RAF and co designed the now famous AI Bot solo card system of Conflict of Heroes (which STILL is NOT reviewed by you guys – after 5(!) years…although the new AI Bot card system of COINS is inspired by it! according to a recent GMT article…
So I am pleased you finally opened this box of Pandora that was also published 5 years ago….
Welcome to the real wargame world. It was about time…
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A good point! For years, what I’ve been thirsting for is a side-by-side comparison between the two obvious “heavyweights” OST and CoH!!!! They’re BOTH tactical, both supremely well produced, and both the best work of fabulous minds. I’m NOT interested in a “wine snob” comparison, which would translate to one being necessarily BETTER than the other, but more of a “opinion”, in terms their relative merits and strengths. In the end, ALL I want to hear is this… IF you ended up on a desert island… and could only have ONE of these games (all expansions as well), WHICH ONE would you pick? *** For my own reference, I own just about everything for PanzerBlitz, Panzer Leader, and Squad leader. YES, those games came out long before “the new thinking” came into vogue, but I would NEVER count out those mechanics, or the fine production quality of that game… they were genius! The other system I love is “Combat Infantry”, complete with the blocks . Even without the North Africa expansion, it’s a game to be taken seriously. Yes… I can also talk about “Ambush”, and “Warfighter”, on the tactical game circuit, but it’s a bit different.
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Hi. I have just ordered this game and I am waiting for it. I am just anxious after I learned that the maps are in paper. What do you do to protect your maps?
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Buy plexiglass. You can also buy those poster frames from a place like Walmart and use those plastic sheets to cover the map.
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Thanks for the tips. I will check that.
I am a new wargamer so I am just discovering your site and new games.
Another question for you. Do you know of any good wargaming forum or discussion board? I don’t like social media. I prefer traditional forums.
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Board Game Geek has listings for Wargames with an area where you can ask questions. Consimworld is also a forum where you can discuss.
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