This has been on my "I should get this soon" list, but you have sealed the deal and it moved to my "Next time I feel like indulging in yet another board game" list. great review, as always.
Amazing that you can play the entire WW2 in 1-2 hours now. I was playing Rise and Decline of the Third Reich in the 70s and it was an all weekend affair!
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Yes, and we thought 3R was too random. I don't know how many times we saw a massive 2 to 1 odds attack (like on Paris in 1940) wipe out the entire attacking units when the attacker rolled a result which allowed the defender to counter-attack at 1 to 1 odds and then the defender rolled a result which wiped out the attacker.
Really nice summary and review. I had actually been toying with unsubscribing after your Top 100 lists - cringey, as my kids might say. This format perfectly suits you and is what I come to this channel for. I get a nice moderate detail level feel for the mechanics and what you liked/disliked about it.
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer First of all, I appreciate what you do, and how anyone who puts themselves out there as a presenter makes themselves a target. Frankly, if I did board game reviews, the tone and style might be pretty similar to yours. Anyway, a few things. Due to the condensed format - a couple minutes per game vs 12-15 - I feel that the top 10 reviews are a whole lot of "This game was fun. So much fun. This game is really fun. We had a lot of fun playing it." I appreciate your bringing your buddy in, but that's a weird dynamic. First of all, he's not as versed in games as you. So you're trying to include him... but you're vaguely embarrassed of him? Or if that's not it, the alpha/non-alpha dynamic is odd. His less versed takes are...less versed. It's a weird dynamic. That's a lot of it. I guess I'll also say that while I really can connect with what you like in this game review, for instance, and figure it would probably be the same for me (good), your Top 100 list is just littered with head shakers for me. I wonder how I can connect with what you're saying on a detail level and not on a global evaluation level.
Great review, thanks for posting it! Question ... I've considered mounting the counters to blocks, so the strength of your forces are hidden information. Do you think that would be a plus or a minus? On one hand it allows a bit of bluffing, but on the other hand you can't calculate the odds/results of your attacks nearly as easily. Thoughts?
I don't think the fog of war would really jive with this game. I think the calculation is part of it - and you already have bluffing with selecting air power cards and event cards.
It whould make teh game very random/scary for an attacker. Teh defender can chose to retreat, if they fight they can play two cards you don't know (but tries to calculate for) in each battle if they have them and want to use them. It could be really funny with hidden strenght but I think it will lead to only killerstacks where I try to max out to make sure I can win in most attacks? But the game and setup is short, try it (could be fun)!
It wasn't intended to be funny, just being honest. I wanted to express how much this game lived up to the ideal that I had created for Hitler's Reich. I think of lot of people out there like me felt the same way about that game, and I wanted to point out that this is a viable alternative.
Is there any way to make it so you dont have to destroy cards? I.e. discard them? As I said in a previous comment Im not at all a fan of card destruction.
It's about time I picked up a copy myself. Cody I couldn't agree with you more regarding your comparison with Hitler's Reich! Both my friend and I built that game up as well thinking it would be a great game-how wrong we were. We both quickly traded away our copy's. This game looks like a real winner. Where does it stack up in your 100?
It feels lile this game system would be perfect for smaller affairs aswell. Im thinking ”Struggle for Stalingrad” with similiar map point to point map. Areas being different districts of the city. Tracks for Air supperiority, track for Sniper activity. Unlimited russian forces. Limited german reinforcement. Hmm that I would like!
GMT are now offering a printed copy of the new rewritten Hitler's Reich rulebook for free if you email and ask to be put on the mailing list. Maybe it is time to give it another try Cody?
The way the Allies get stronger and the Axis gets weaker over the course of the decks really makes the game play out like WWII. As I mentioned, there is a similar system for Lincoln, and I'm sure the system could be further adapted to other historical eras.
My only complaints would have to be the map artwork and card destruction. Im not a fan of all that grey and muted color. Its bland to look at. As for destroying cards, it feels like you can only play the game so many times before the cards are gone.
Couple items worth adding. The map has a severe coloring problem where german and England areas are very hard to tell apart. I fixed mine with marker highlights. See boardgamegeek.com. Second, the chits come off the sheet perfectly cut and with rounded corners. Can't express how convenient this is; no need for clippers.
This has been on my "I should get this soon" list, but you have sealed the deal and it moved to my "Next time I feel like indulging in yet another board game" list. great review, as always.
Thank you, sir. It's a great game.
Amazing that you can play the entire WW2 in 1-2 hours now. I was playing Rise and Decline of the Third Reich in the 70s and it was an all weekend affair!
Ha! It's amazing to see how far gaming has come.
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Yes, and we thought 3R was too random. I don't know how many times we saw a massive 2 to 1 odds attack (like on Paris in 1940) wipe out the entire attacking units when the attacker rolled a result which allowed the defender to counter-attack at 1 to 1 odds and then the defender rolled a result which wiped out the attacker.
Played 3R every weekend with my brother back in the day. Now with SfE we can play back to back games in an afternoon.
the starting joke was especially good
Thanks!
Really nice summary and review. I had actually been toying with unsubscribing after your Top 100 lists - cringey, as my kids might say. This format perfectly suits you and is what I come to this channel for. I get a nice moderate detail level feel for the mechanics and what you liked/disliked about it.
May I ask what it is that you found "cringey" in my Top 100?
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer First of all, I appreciate what you do, and how anyone who puts themselves out there as a presenter makes themselves a target. Frankly, if I did board game reviews, the tone and style might be pretty similar to yours. Anyway, a few things. Due to the condensed format - a couple minutes per game vs 12-15 - I feel that the top 10 reviews are a whole lot of "This game was fun. So much fun. This game is really fun. We had a lot of fun playing it." I appreciate your bringing your buddy in, but that's a weird dynamic. First of all, he's not as versed in games as you. So you're trying to include him... but you're vaguely embarrassed of him? Or if that's not it, the alpha/non-alpha dynamic is odd. His less versed takes are...less versed. It's a weird dynamic. That's a lot of it. I guess I'll also say that while I really can connect with what you like in this game review, for instance, and figure it would probably be the same for me (good), your Top 100 list is just littered with head shakers for me. I wonder how I can connect with what you're saying on a detail level and not on a global evaluation level.
@@timoseppa9124 I appreciate your comments. Thanks!
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer FWIW, I really like your Top X videos.
@@dhmcarver Thank you.
Thanks for the review! I don’t know if it’s possible or appropriate, but if you can, where might they sit approximately in your recent top 100?…
Too much work to figure that out. You'll have to wait till next year for the answer I'm afraid.
Glowing review...might have to get it..👍🏼
It's a fun, light, relatively quick yet highly strategic WWII experience.
Looks interesting. Have you heard of Black Swan? It might replace War Room as my favorite WWII game.
I've heard of it but have not played it.
Ok im stealing that joke
Okay, But I want royalties.
Great review, thanks for posting it!
Question ... I've considered mounting the counters to blocks, so the strength of your forces are hidden information. Do you think that would be a plus or a minus? On one hand it allows a bit of bluffing, but on the other hand you can't calculate the odds/results of your attacks nearly as easily. Thoughts?
I don't think the fog of war would really jive with this game. I think the calculation is part of it - and you already have bluffing with selecting air power cards and event cards.
It whould make teh game very random/scary for an attacker. Teh defender can chose to retreat, if they fight they can play two cards you don't know (but tries to calculate for) in each battle if they have them and want to use them. It could be really funny with hidden strenght but I think it will lead to only killerstacks where I try to max out to make sure I can win in most attacks? But the game and setup is short, try it (could be fun)!
Cody, you sound unwell. Too much winter campaigning in Mother Russia. Though the extra dig at GMT Hitler's Reich was funny.
It wasn't intended to be funny, just being honest. I wanted to express how much this game lived up to the ideal that I had created for Hitler's Reich. I think of lot of people out there like me felt the same way about that game, and I wanted to point out that this is a viable alternative.
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Miniature Market agrees with you. Struggle is priced $1 higher than Reich.
Is there any way to make it so you dont have to destroy cards? I.e. discard them? As I said in a previous comment Im not at all a fan of card destruction.
@@cadjebushey6524 That’s kind of the nature of the game. If you were to change that, it would be a different experience altogether.
Does anybody know if supply lines from captured enemy cities can be used ?
I don't believe so.
Thanks for the reply. Really enjoy your channel 👍🇬🇧
@@danwoolven5581 Thank you!
It's about time I picked up a copy myself. Cody I couldn't agree with you more regarding your comparison with Hitler's Reich! Both my friend and I built that game up as well thinking it would be a great game-how wrong we were. We both quickly traded away our copy's. This game looks like a real winner. Where does it stack up in your 100?
Oh goodness. I would really have to think about that question. A lot of work goes into my top 100. Maybe you'll just have to wait a year.
It feels lile this game system would be perfect for smaller affairs aswell. Im thinking ”Struggle for Stalingrad” with similiar map point to point map. Areas being different districts of the city. Tracks for Air supperiority, track for Sniper activity.
Unlimited russian forces. Limited german reinforcement. Hmm that I would like!
Check out Stalingrad: Inferno on the Volga.
I could see that.
@@jessel3621 I will look into it.
GMT are now offering a printed copy of the new rewritten Hitler's Reich rulebook for free if you email and ask to be put on the mailing list. Maybe it is time to give it another try Cody?
Unfortunately, when I moved from Texas I had to purge, and so I gave it to one of my friends down there before I left.
It looks like its 1939-1945 but it could be any other era....
The way the Allies get stronger and the Axis gets weaker over the course of the decks really makes the game play out like WWII. As I mentioned, there is a similar system for Lincoln, and I'm sure the system could be further adapted to other historical eras.
ahhahahahahahhaha you are the BEST!
You are not wrong.
My only complaints would have to be the map artwork and card destruction. Im not a fan of all that grey and muted color. Its bland to look at. As for destroying cards, it feels like you can only play the game so many times before the cards are gone.
A little color wouldn’t hurt.
The corny jokes just make it...
...awesome?
Couple items worth adding. The map has a severe coloring problem where german and England areas are very hard to tell apart. I fixed mine with marker highlights. See boardgamegeek.com.
Second, the chits come off the sheet perfectly cut and with rounded corners. Can't express how convenient this is; no need for clippers.
Good points.