Headquarters: World War II - Ardennes

I've logged enough hours in hex-and-counter wargames to know when a lighter system is cheating its players and when it's just trimming the fat. Headquarters: World War II - Ardennes sits firmly in the second camp. This is the second DLC for Starni Games' turn-based tactical series, and it drops you into the frozen Ardennes of 1944 with two story-driven campaigns - first commanding the German offensive push, then flipping to orchestrate the Allied counterattack. Sixteen scenarios total, covering iconic engagements like the Siege of Bastogne and the St. Vith Assault, each one playable in roughly an evening session. The core combat system is the same easy-to-learn, hard-to-master loop from the base game, and that's meant as a compliment. Units carry front, side, back, and top armor values, so proper flanking and positioning genuinely matter rather than acting as a visual novelty. High-ground mechanics adjust both line of sight and combat effectiveness, destructible buildings shift mid-battle cover options, and the winter terrain introduces snowstorms, mud, and ice that pressure your movement decisions in ways the Normandy base campaign simply did not. Ardennes adds 12 new unit models to the roster, including advanced US and UK tanks built specifically to go toe-to-toe with Germany's heavier armor - something the community had been pushing for. Six new hero characters also arrive, slotting into the existing progression system without disrupting the balance the base game established. For newcomers who bounced off more demanding wargames: this is a genuine entry point. Scenarios are self-contained, mid-mission saves exist, and the interface gives you clear probability feedback before you commit to an action. The learning curve is real but never punishing in the way that, say, a Supply Lines-heavy grand strategy can be. That said, veterans used to broader operational layers or dynamic campaigns will feel the ceiling. Headquarters is a scripted scenario series, not a sandbox, and once you find the correct approach to a map the replayability thins out - save-scumming a tricky encounter is the most common community workaround, which says something about the AI's consistency at harder settings. On that note, Slitherine announced post-launch plans including AI improvements and Steam Workshop support, both of which the community flagged as gaps at release. Some players were vocal about the AI work being deprioritized in favor of DLC output, a fair criticism given that enemy behavior under pressure can feel predictable on repeat playthroughs. Multiplayer modes - including online PvP, co-op, and local hotseat - extend the value noticeably, and hotseat in particular is where the scenario design shines brightest. The bottom line on Ardennes as a DLC purchase: if the base game's tactical loop clicked for you, this expansion delivers a well-constructed new theatre with meaningful new units and the added wrinkle of winter terrain penalties. If you are still on the fence about the base game, the combined package - Normandy plus Ardennes - is a confident recommendation for anyone who wants a wargame that respects their time without dumbing down the decisions.

Diego · Scout Team

Strategy & simulation

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