Another great review. Your videos continue to standout amongst the majority of generic “box opening” videos from other wargaming channels that tell viewers little about how the game actually plays. Keep up the good work! Any chance you could ever do an in-depth review on the Next War series?!?!?
Oh man, that’s a bummer to hear. Would love to listen to your in-depth analysis of the series if you ever decide to give it a try. I feel like it would be right up your alley!!!
Counter artwork is a big deal maker or breaker for me. In fact graphics in general, unless I’m already invested heavily into a series (OCS and ASL spring immediately to mind).
First, I think all your videos are authentic. I've never received the impression that your selling another companies game. Thanks so much for this review. I've been drawn to Vuca Simulations, initially, because visually their games look like they are designed and envisioned in our modern era. I agree, from what I've seen in videos, they are beautiful games. The covers are simple and well executed. The maps and counters reflect modern design thinking. The German counters don't all need to be only gray and the Americans, only green. Vuca's games tend to be on the pricier side, for me, but from your video they look to be worth the extra dollars. As you stated, when you are playing a game, off and on over a period of time, the design makes it's easy to know where you are and what needs to happen when you return to the table. That's a good design of a good game. Thanks for your work.
I bought and tried Operation Theseus (Gazala) before pulling the trigger on Nach Paris which is twice as expensive. I concur with everything you have said (keeping in mind that OTG plays different due to being in Africa). I have the "luxury" of living in Europe so shipping isn't expensive when buying directly from them but based on production quality and the rulebook I'd risk getting Nach Paris. The one thing that I didn't like as much was the "solitaire" tutorial battle which was just pushing several counters forward and rolling dice until either the target was destroyed or you were out of actions. Onwards to Paris!
Alo from Greece Nathan and happy new year! Wish you the best! Keep sharing your deep and passionate insights! Here, again, you offered us another excellent review. Having played the campaign let me make some humble comments. 1. The Rulebook is excellent but, as you mentioned many times, the system is innovative and the rules are dense, at least for me as a non-native speaker. For me it is a moderate to high complexity game, let’s say 7+, having played heavy systems like OCS, BCS, GBACW etc. The experience is certainly compensating. 2, The system. Here, I think, you should have been more detailed. As you noticed, the randomly decided AP, their dependence on the activation level and the different costs of different actions create a very interesting operational framework. How these points will be allocated and spent. You don’t have the luxury of a fully activated formation. You, also, need to choose between mobility and well prepared battle. 3. The combat. Here also it would be interesting to stress the relative unpredictability of the final combat strength due to the chit pull system. Here the multipliers play an important in magnifying the attritional loss of even a single point. 4. Reinforcements and victory conditions. A comment on the fact that they aren’t fixed but, for example the Germans have the option to choose where to reinforce, and the Americans to keep secret their objective may add to the pros and replayability of the game. 5. For me it is a con that the game is in fact a single campaign or to put it equivalently, the lack of interesting scenarios restricted in scope and play-time. Finally a question, how would you compare it to BCS or A time for Trumpets or GOSS, if you managed to play it? Thanks wholeheartedly Nathan for your quality contribution to the hobby!
Great and thoughtful review as always. I'm about to start this solo and I was mildly concerned about the mental switching between sides with the reaction roll. So you confirmed that. Fortunately, I have an opponent waiting in the wings. Looking forward to your next project.
!['Cat and Mouse' - Operation Starlite [Example of play from Vietnam 1965-1975]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/dJgJxSK0qzk/mqdefault.jpg)
!['Cat and Mouse' - Operation Starlite [Example of play from Vietnam 1965-1975]](/img/tr.png)
![Silver Bayonet (Operation Long Reach) - Turn 1 Playthrough [GMT's Vietnam 1965-1975]](/img/n.gif)
Another great review. Your videos continue to standout amongst the majority of generic “box opening” videos from other wargaming channels that tell viewers little about how the game actually plays. Keep up the good work! Any chance you could ever do an in-depth review on the Next War series?!?!?
Thanks Chris! I haven't played anything from the series yet, sorry.
Oh man, that’s a bummer to hear. Would love to listen to your in-depth analysis of the series if you ever decide to give it a try. I feel like it would be right up your alley!!!
Counter artwork is a big deal maker or breaker for me. In fact graphics in general, unless I’m already invested heavily into a series (OCS and ASL spring immediately to mind).
First, I think all your videos are authentic. I've never received the impression that your selling another companies game. Thanks so much for this review. I've been drawn to Vuca Simulations, initially, because visually their games look like they are designed and envisioned in our modern era. I agree, from what I've seen in videos, they are beautiful games. The covers are simple and well executed. The maps and counters reflect modern design thinking. The German counters don't all need to be only gray and the Americans, only green. Vuca's games tend to be on the pricier side, for me, but from your video they look to be worth the extra dollars. As you stated, when you are playing a game, off and on over a period of time, the design makes it's easy to know where you are and what needs to happen when you return to the table. That's a good design of a good game. Thanks for your work.
I bought and tried Operation Theseus (Gazala) before pulling the trigger on Nach Paris which is twice as expensive. I concur with everything you have said (keeping in mind that OTG plays different due to being in Africa). I have the "luxury" of living in Europe so shipping isn't expensive when buying directly from them but based on production quality and the rulebook I'd risk getting Nach Paris. The one thing that I didn't like as much was the "solitaire" tutorial battle which was just pushing several counters forward and rolling dice until either the target was destroyed or you were out of actions. Onwards to Paris!
Alo from Greece Nathan and happy new year! Wish you the best! Keep sharing your deep and passionate insights! Here, again, you offered us another excellent review. Having played the campaign let me make some humble comments.
1. The Rulebook is excellent but, as you mentioned many times, the system is innovative and the rules are dense, at least for me as a non-native speaker. For me it is a moderate to high complexity game, let’s say 7+, having played heavy systems like OCS, BCS, GBACW etc. The experience is certainly compensating.
2, The system. Here, I think, you should have been more detailed. As you noticed, the randomly decided AP, their dependence on the activation level and the different costs of different actions create a very interesting operational framework. How these points will be allocated and spent. You don’t have the luxury of a fully activated formation. You, also, need to choose between mobility and well prepared battle.
3. The combat. Here also it would be interesting to stress the relative unpredictability of the final combat strength due to the chit pull system. Here the multipliers play an important in magnifying the attritional loss of even a single point.
4. Reinforcements and victory conditions. A comment on the fact that they aren’t fixed but, for example the Germans have the option to choose where to reinforce, and the Americans to keep secret their objective may add to the pros and replayability of the game.
5. For me it is a con that the game is in fact a single campaign or to put it equivalently, the lack of interesting scenarios restricted in scope and play-time.
Finally a question, how would you compare it to BCS or A time for Trumpets or GOSS, if you managed to play it?
Thanks wholeheartedly Nathan for your quality contribution to the hobby!
Great and thoughtful review as always. I'm about to start this solo and I was mildly concerned about the mental switching between sides with the reaction roll. So you confirmed that. Fortunately, I have an opponent waiting in the wings. Looking forward to your next project.
Grind, action, reaction, frustration, long...sounds like Aachen! For a historical sim it sounds like it is spot on. Gonna have to buy it. On to Paris!