Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Eric Walters on March 17, 2013 at 5:40pm

I know, I know, it takes eons and scores of turns to see any progress in this uber-monster game.  But what other game out there even comes close to the scope, scale, and epic nature of this title?  There just isn't one!  Of course, Decision Games knew a good thing when they saw it and just republished the game lock, stock, and barrel!  Great game to get familiar with the dynastic struggles of Europe in a highly interactive and interesting way....

Permalink Reply by Enrico CS Viglino on March 17, 2013 at 8:06pm

This doesn't have to be that long. I've brought it to many many game meetups

with people who would never consider a big wargame, and they've had a lot of fun

with it. It's got such a fluid system that each round is fairly fast.  Overall,

you can get scenarios done with newer players in an 8 hour session - much

shorter with people who already are familiar with the game.

Permalink Reply by Eric Walters on March 17, 2013 at 5:45pm

Another amazing Strategy and Tactics issue game that has deservedly acheived that status of "wargame classic!"  Admittedly, I play the Avalon Hill version of this game, which names the leader counters, gives you scenarios covering each year of the Seven Years War in Europe, and also offered a variant on the War of Austrian Succession/The Silesian Wars within the pages of The General magazine.  No matter. All this is merely chrome built on a solid chassis and power train that SPI furnished!  

Permalink Reply by Eric Walters on March 17, 2013 at 5:48pm

When this game came out in Strategy and Tactics, me and my friends could not stop playing it.  My copy of the issue games is falling apart at the seams--the map is disintegrating, the counters rounded and faded.  I had to get the Avalon Hill version of the game to keep playing it.  Some might wonder if it could be fairly be called a true wargame but I assure you that it is.  While there is exploration and economics, it's still highly competitive with a lot of warfare/combat to be had!

Permalink Reply by Eric Walters on March 17, 2013 at 8:11pm

If not the best of the BLUE AND GRAY folio games, it certainly deserves a top spot there.  Decision Games redesigned and released it but--once again--some will say it doesn't quite stand up to the original in terms of competitive potential and ease of play.  Let's face it, BLUE AND GRAY series games are basically NAPOLEON AT WATERLOO transplanted into the Civil War, but at least this was a very successful effort.  Nothing else out there that covers this battle as well in such a compact format.

Permalink Reply by Bill Florig on March 21, 2013 at 1:35am

Do you guys recommend buying the old SPI title Battle for Germany or waiting for DG to get it through the pledge and production process?
same thoughts go for War in Europe?
Thx

Bill

Permalink Reply by Bill Florig on March 21, 2013 at 1:50am

Sorry for my last post. New mechanics here. I was referring to buying the old SPI titles Battle for Germany and War in Europe. Should I buy the old SPI versions or wait for DG to get enough pledges and produce them? Are DG reworks of old SPI games really better. Let me know before I buy Wacht am Rhein!

Best,

Bill

Permalink Reply by Eric Walters on March 21, 2013 at 5:54am

Bill, DG already redid BATTLE FOR GERMANY and it adds a few counters to the game, but basically it's the same as the original.  If you've got the old one, you don't need to get the new one.  If you missed the old one (and can't get one for cheap), consider getting the DG version.

Regarding the DG version of WAR IN EUROPE, it's greatly, greatly improved over the original.  Allies can FINALLY do their own production (vice having a reinforcement schedule affected by the U-boat war) and there are a few other improvements (like adding U.S. Marines!). Plays a lot like the older game, which has its pluses and minuses.  DG's pledge is for yet a newer edition with more fixes.  The issue with WAR IN EUROPE is that it's basically the old SPI "Divisional Series" system with a strategic frame grafted around it.  Unlike other re-releases, DG didn't mess with the basic design.  You might wait for the newer edition and see how that compares; you may want the current one and it will go cheaper when the new edition comes out.

WACHT AM RHEIN II--very, very cumbersome beast that looks nothing like the original SPI version (I'll admit I'm not a fan of that version either).  Very fiddly.  Gorgeously produced, however.  Rules will give you a headache!  

Permalink Reply by Bill Florig on March 21, 2013 at 11:07pm

Eric,

Thanks for the update! I didn't realize that DG had already put these titles out as I saw them on the pledge page. So those are the remakes of the remakes?

Permalink Reply by Eric Walters on March 22, 2013 at 5:31am

Sure looks that way!  You can never stop tinkering!  

Permalink Reply by Bill Florig on March 22, 2013 at 2:40pm

When I saw the price of a DG remake of War In Europe on BGG I quickly decided I'd just pledge for the new copy that includes unit IDs!  What are your thoughts on DG's pledge attempt to make Battle for Germany a mini-monster?  It looks good as is and I am going to buy one on payday but a monster with historical unit IDs sounds compelling.

 

My best,

 

Bill

Permalink Reply by Eric Walters on March 22, 2013 at 3:14pm

When you get the new version of WAR IN EUROPE, I think you'll do just fine with the 1944 scenario; think it would substitute for the new BATTLE FOR GERMANY game....

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