I chose Hexasim Napoleonic games over the Clash of Arms La Bataille series principally because I prefer the Hexasim map and counter art and the level of detail in the La Bataille games seems unwieldy (as it does in my Wellington's Victory SPI game). That said, I was disappointed to discover Hexasim's over bland treatment of cavalry and the glaring absence of infantry column, line, and square formations. It is a beautiful looking game, and I admire the attempt to force units to obey previously assigned orders, but the lack of tactical nuance is a shortcoming. If I refight a Napoleonic battle, I expect an emphasis on combined arms period tactics that I didn't find enough of in this game.
I ordered both Ligny and Quatre Bras direct from Hexasim and the shipping cost to Canada wasn't a deal breaker. As you noted, very high quality components. I almost put Quatre Bras on my table, but another game usurped it's place for now. Hoping for sometime in 2023 for one or both.
I recently tried my first real Napoleonic game (Jena, by COA). I wouldn't call it a kick exactly and if it is it's more of a Prussian kick :). I am finding learning about the different Napoleonic systems to be interesting though.
I have never played or owned a Napoleonics game. These are produced by many different publishers, but I get the feeling from my perusal of reviews that this field of Napoleonics rules is like a black hole. From La Bataille to OSG and then the larger publishers who don't necessarily adhere to a single system of play. How about a comparison of different Napoleonics systems for us uninitiated?
@@ardwulfslair Operational or tactical. Strategic is pretty straightforward. But I see systems like La Bataille (from more than one publisher?) and the OSG system and Hexasim (are there others?) and I would like to better understand real differences and where a good starting point would be for someone who wants to get into it at an operational or tactical level. For example I sort of get the big American Civil War series games: GBACW, GCACW, LOB, Herm Luttman’s rules (I forget the name). So understanding these Napoleonic rules sets in terms of scale, level, IgoUgo or Concurrent (my word), and maybe key features or differences. Things like that. I hear people talk about La Bataille like its some sort of beast, but aren’t there LB Light rules? Or is that a different series. Anyway didn’t mean to be long winded. But some organized discussion around Napoleonics rules would be helpful. Thanks so much for responding,
Looks interesting, I'll take a closer look at the system.
Hexasim series will be my entry into Napoleonic hex and counter gaming. Hard to beat the components and mechanics for the price point.
I chose Hexasim Napoleonic games over the Clash of Arms La Bataille series principally because I prefer the Hexasim map and counter art and the level of detail in the La Bataille games seems unwieldy (as it does in my Wellington's Victory SPI game). That said, I was disappointed to discover Hexasim's over bland treatment of cavalry and the glaring absence of infantry column, line, and square formations. It is a beautiful looking game, and I admire the attempt to force units to obey previously assigned orders, but the lack of tactical nuance is a shortcoming. If I refight a Napoleonic battle, I expect an emphasis on combined arms period tactics that I didn't find enough of in this game.
Love the maps and the Nappy shirt from Ardwulf's Lair
😘
I ordered both Ligny and Quatre Bras direct from Hexasim and the shipping cost to Canada wasn't a deal breaker. As you noted, very high quality components. I almost put Quatre Bras on my table, but another game usurped it's place for now. Hoping for sometime in 2023 for one or both.
Waterloo 2 has just been re-released by them, along with Tenkatoitsu
I do have games in A1 map format ... but I'm not sure I have any with metric sized counters.
Maybe Tornio-44 ... have to check.
Great unboxing as always and lovely game.
I recently tried my first real Napoleonic game (Jena, by COA). I wouldn't call it a kick exactly and if it is it's more of a Prussian kick :). I am finding learning about the different Napoleonic systems to be interesting though.
I have never played or owned a Napoleonics game. These are produced by many different publishers, but I get the feeling from my perusal of reviews that this field of Napoleonics rules is like a black hole. From La Bataille to OSG and then the larger publishers who don't necessarily adhere to a single system of play. How about a comparison of different Napoleonics systems for us uninitiated?
At what level?
@@ardwulfslair Operational or tactical. Strategic is pretty straightforward. But I see systems like La Bataille (from more than one publisher?) and the OSG system and Hexasim (are there others?) and I would like to better understand real differences and where a good starting point would be for someone who wants to get into it at an operational or tactical level. For example I sort of get the big American Civil War series games: GBACW, GCACW, LOB, Herm Luttman’s rules (I forget the name). So understanding these Napoleonic rules sets in terms of scale, level, IgoUgo or Concurrent (my word), and maybe key features or differences. Things like that. I hear people talk about La Bataille like its some sort of beast, but aren’t there LB Light rules? Or is that a different series.
Anyway didn’t mean to be long winded. But some organized discussion around Napoleonics rules would be helpful.
Thanks so much for responding,