My great uncle was in colditz, he was an officer leading some seaforth Highlanders into France, but the french double crossed him. Straight to colditz! Afterwards my mum always said that he hated the french but loved the gerries. Probably because he got treated well at colditz.
The Osprey reprint of this from 2016, fixed a few issues you mentioned while maintaining the spirit of the original game. I would recommend the latest iteration. I understand the frustrations you had with the original version
Is yours the Parker Bros version? I know an edition existed after the Gibson’s edition with some certain symbolism on the box that got removed from later printings. This game has an interesting history I’ll give it that.
BoardGames4K yeah I have the Parker Bros version, which your saying is the edition after yours? I remember playing the Germans, getting the ‘Shoot to Kill’ card and deliberately making an opening to encourage someone to try and run then killing them. Pretty messed up for a 10 year old boy to organise now that I look back at it. Thanks for the Video, only recently found your channel but genuinely love the content.
I actually think the flexibility of ‘how to win’ is an advantage of the game. To shorten playing time you can ignore the escape kit requirement; for a short action packed game (to interest new players) try giving each player 3 opportunity/security cards and a number of unseen escape equipment cards (try 4). Suddenly, the escape is on from the start. Yes, high dice scores do help but have a numbers of POWs in escape positions then act when conditions are favourable. If you don’t like some of the rules, make up house rules to suit or get a few ideas from the recent Osprey version (free rules download available). Basically try to create as much havoc as possible to stretch the Nazi guard resources. Have fun!
Nice to see this game get some publicity. I was given it as a present about 1973/74 and it got a lot of table time with both family and friends. One of the first co-op games I ever played. I've still got it but have to agree despite it's strong theme it hasn't lasted the distance very well. I wouldn't get rid of it as it still holds many happy memories. Around the time it came out there was a TV programme on called Colditz. It was very popular and ran for a couple of series. It highlighted a different character or theme each week. Starred David McCallum, Robert Wagner, Bernard Hepton and Anthony Valentine amongst others.
My posh friends and I played this in the seventies. The very fact that it's pure luck to escape as you don't know what the other players hold is surely how escaping was in that, or any prisoner of war camp. "The guards always walk past at 1700 hours"; Throw that Hollywood logic away - have a random time walkpast and you imcrease the chances of keeping your prisoners.
Never played this famous game and was interested to see what it’s all about. Turns out it’s thematically rich but might leave me wandering around scratching my nuts. Who knew?
I got this game as a ten year old after asking for it as a Christmas present. It was without doubt the most complicated un-fun game I ever played. So many pieces that were guards or something....sooo many cards......so many rules. So much not fun. Worst board game ever. And that's even taking into account how much I hate Risk. Cluedo comes a close third most hated.
There's a card game out there called Get out of Colditz as you probably know. The Kickstarter campaign ended but it should be coming around to retail. Looks pretty good.
We saw that one but didn’t back it as we don’t do KS anymore. Passed up on Frosthaven and Ankh because I’m so stubborn and didn’t want to break the promise to myself. That’s some Zen shit...🙏🏻
Hopefully YT won't censor your vid in these crazy times where miscreants want to erase world history.... My mate had the Parker Bros. one with the swastika on the box. The most memorable escape by me was managing to nick the staff car. That was the best, most stylish way to escape IMHO. The sheer effrontery of it! :) I may yet pick up the Osprey version for the minor differences and the production value.. Incidentally there was another Colditz boardgame I played when I was a kid. A friend had the Escape from Colditz Castle game by Invicta. It had a board with windows cut into it at various locations. Underneath was a rotating wheel which showed Police or SS or blank in the windows. Similar in that you had to collect pieces of an escape kit. boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/5742/escape-colditz-castle
Casino games are games of luck as well(Craps) but that doesn’t stop people from enjoying them monetary aspect aside..If E.F.C was sheer strategy then it would be beatable every time..The chance element was always the allure..
I positively HATE this game! Apart from Mastermind, this ranks as the worst game I've ever had the misery to play. Yes, the theme is right up my street, I'm a really big WWII geek, so it definitely gets a plus point for that. And you're right about the enclosed historical background behind the game. Very interesting and well put together, another plus point for that. But for me, it's downhill from here on in. The number of times I've had to pull this rubbish out of my games cupboard because other people want to play it, sit through the monotony of wandering around that f'n court yard, going into rooms trying to find stuff, and then get stopped at the last minute because the German player happens to have the one card that will stop my escape attempt, I shudder to think. As you say in your video, it's annoying players aren't allowed to freely share information on what cards they're holding. This might be realistic from a historical point of view, apparently the various nationalities didn't always exchange what they were planning in real life, but it just drags the game down to an even lower level of boredom and frustration every time it's played. I won't even address the "fun" of playing the German side, but lots and lots of strong coffee is highly recommended for the poor sod stuck with that role. The only reason I still have this crap in my collection, is the box has the original artwork with the "S" sign we no longer are allowed to see, but really if it was in the newer box, I'd have chucked it out years ago. You did an excellent video, it's almost a miracle it's as good as it is, considering the subject matter being discussed is such a load of b0llocks.
Still a good game Punk,,, house rules it (doesn't cost anything to move in the appell area ), chills it out a bit use the modern rules, 4 opportunity and security cards and UK B fine,,, ps where kan I get the glider opportunity card ,??? I've seen it on vassel,, ,print and play ,,, !!!! Any mod dz tested and welcome punk
I would have loved this as a kid. I was hugely into WWII movies and it definitely has the feel of "Where Eagles Dare" in the theme.
“Broadsword calling Dannyboy”...mental mate 🤣
My great uncle was in colditz, he was an officer leading some seaforth Highlanders into France, but the french double crossed him. Straight to colditz! Afterwards my mum always said that he hated the french but loved the gerries. Probably because he got treated well at colditz.
Loved the gerries, maybe not, but out the two, the gerries were preferred.
The Osprey reprint of this from 2016, fixed a few issues you mentioned while maintaining the spirit of the original game. I would recommend the latest iteration. I understand the frustrations you had with the original version
It didn’t I’m afraid
Oldest game in my collection. I’ve got a different boxed 1970’s copy of it. Haven’t played it for years but many fond childhood memories.
Is yours the Parker Bros version? I know an edition existed after the Gibson’s edition with some certain symbolism on the box that got removed from later printings. This game has an interesting history I’ll give it that.
BoardGames4K yeah I have the Parker Bros version, which your saying is the edition after yours? I remember playing the Germans, getting the ‘Shoot to Kill’ card and deliberately making an opening to encourage someone to try and run then killing them. Pretty messed up for a 10 year old boy to organise now that I look back at it. Thanks for the Video, only recently found your channel but genuinely love the content.
Yea it’s the version after the 73 one I believe.
That’s pretty warped mate...and I thought I was crazy 😜
I actually think the flexibility of ‘how to win’ is an advantage of the game. To shorten playing time you can ignore the escape kit requirement; for a short action packed game (to interest new players) try giving each player 3 opportunity/security cards and a number of unseen escape equipment cards (try 4). Suddenly, the escape is on from the start. Yes, high dice scores do help but have a numbers of POWs in escape positions then act when conditions are favourable.
If you don’t like some of the rules, make up house rules to suit or get a few ideas from the recent Osprey version (free rules download available).
Basically try to create as much havoc as possible to stretch the Nazi guard resources. Have fun!
Nice to see this game get some publicity. I was given it as a present about 1973/74 and it got a lot of table time with both family and friends. One of the first co-op games I ever played. I've still got it but have to agree despite it's strong theme it hasn't lasted the distance very well. I wouldn't get rid of it as it still holds many happy memories. Around the time it came out there was a TV programme on called Colditz. It was very popular and ran for a couple of series. It highlighted a different character or theme each week. Starred David McCallum, Robert Wagner, Bernard Hepton and Anthony Valentine amongst others.
Yes I remember the show from late 70 reruns. Showing my age.
My posh friends and I played this in the seventies. The very fact that it's pure luck to escape as you don't know what the other players hold is surely how escaping was in that, or any prisoner of war camp. "The guards always walk past at 1700 hours"; Throw that Hollywood logic away - have a random time walkpast and you imcrease the chances of keeping your prisoners.
I love this review! You having a laugh - No win condition! NA NA we aint having that!
👍🏻
My childhood fav game was "The Lost Valley of the Dinosaurs" - so many memories. Which they would do an re print or updated version of it.
Waddingtons! I was playing AD&D in 1985 so I missed out on that gem 😥
Great game still still have my original
I like it as a kid, I'd love a digital version.
Never played this famous game and was interested to see what it’s all about.
Turns out it’s thematically rich but might leave me wandering around scratching my nuts.
Who knew?
Did you catch the 1 frame Easter egg?
BoardGames4K I thought I saw something! I just went back and watched it - very nice 👍 😂.
Which is probably what a lot of POWs did anyway!
Totally agree, loved this game as a kid but it is impossible to recapture the magic and there are so many better games available today.
So true. I dust this off once every 5 years or so. Mainly for nostalgia but also for my kids.
Spot the squirrel!
I got this game as a ten year old after asking for it as a Christmas present. It was without doubt the most complicated un-fun game I ever played. So many pieces that were guards or something....sooo many cards......so many rules. So much not fun. Worst board game ever. And that's even taking into account how much I hate Risk. Cluedo comes a close third most hated.
There's a card game out there called Get out of Colditz as you probably know. The Kickstarter campaign ended but it should be coming around to retail. Looks pretty good.
We saw that one but didn’t back it as we don’t do KS anymore. Passed up on Frosthaven and Ankh because I’m so stubborn and didn’t want to break the promise to myself. That’s some Zen shit...🙏🏻
Interesting theme, never heard about this game before
Was recently reprinted by Osprey games to celebrate 75 years of the escape.
Here we go....
I thought that was Mr. Bean for a second when I saw John Travolta. 😄👍
Lol
Ever played the other one "escape from colditz castle"? By invicta. It was designed by an 18 yr old and it shows.
Thankfully no…
@@BoardGameBollocks Well someone has mistakenly bought it for me as a present because I mentioned this colditz game . Gutted.
Hopefully YT won't censor your vid in these crazy times where miscreants want to erase world history.... My mate had the Parker Bros. one with the swastika on the box. The most memorable escape by me was managing to nick the staff car. That was the best, most stylish way to escape IMHO. The sheer effrontery of it! :) I may yet pick up the Osprey version for the minor differences and the production value.. Incidentally there was another Colditz boardgame I played when I was a kid. A friend had the Escape from Colditz Castle game by Invicta. It had a board with windows cut into it at various locations. Underneath was a rotating wheel which showed Police or SS or blank in the windows. Similar in that you had to collect pieces of an escape kit.
boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/5742/escape-colditz-castle
Not heard of that one. Interesting stuff. Thanks 👍🏻
Casino games are games of luck as well(Craps) but that doesn’t stop people from enjoying them monetary aspect aside..If E.F.C was sheer strategy then it would be beatable every time..The chance element was always the allure..
Playing craps without the gambling is pointless
Still have my original, great game, n 😊memories
Yaaaas. Staff car
I positively HATE this game! Apart from Mastermind, this ranks as the worst game I've ever had the misery to play.
Yes, the theme is right up my street, I'm a really big WWII geek, so it definitely gets a plus point for that. And you're right about the enclosed historical background behind the game. Very interesting and well put together, another plus point for that.
But for me, it's downhill from here on in. The number of times I've had to pull this rubbish out of my games cupboard because other people want to play it, sit through the monotony of wandering around that f'n court yard, going into rooms trying to find stuff, and then get stopped at the last minute because the German player happens to have the one card that will stop my escape attempt, I shudder to think.
As you say in your video, it's annoying players aren't allowed to freely share information on what cards they're holding. This might be realistic from a historical point of view, apparently the various nationalities didn't always exchange what they were planning in real life, but it just drags the game down to an even lower level of boredom and frustration every time it's played.
I won't even address the "fun" of playing the German side, but lots and lots of strong coffee is highly recommended for the poor sod stuck with that role.
The only reason I still have this crap in my collection, is the box has the original artwork with the "S" sign we no longer are allowed to see, but really if it was in the newer box, I'd have chucked it out years ago.
You did an excellent video, it's almost a miracle it's as good as it is, considering the subject matter being discussed is such a load of b0llocks.
Still a good game Punk,,, house rules it (doesn't cost anything to move in the appell area ), chills it out a bit use the modern rules, 4 opportunity and security cards and UK B fine,,, ps where kan I get the glider opportunity card ,??? I've seen it on vassel,, ,print and play ,,, !!!! Any mod dz tested and welcome punk
My box looks different, has a swastika on it
That’s the older version
Oi! Now is John Travolta in this here now game? 😄👍
Check you Facebook Messenger, just sent you a message
Wow, you got old quick. LOL 😎
Pardon moi?
Does this guy want to be a gangster or what?
I am a gangster, mate...🤣