Great instructional video Mike, I'm going to watch Ricky Royal's playthrough while my glued counters dry and get stuck in! The game looks great and I can't wait to explore your other work
Mike, love your work. I bought this rules set and, for anyone thinking not to, I recommend you do buy them; they aren't expensive and the book is packed with great detail that just can't be shown in this video. With your ECW rules, please excuse me, but I ended up using my Memoire 44 hardboards, as well as the individual figures that come with the Warlord Games epic scale cavalry boxes for my games (the latter, of course, being released 10 months after you did this video). Absolutely love the AI system you've offered us Mike, especially some of the period specific restrictions. The rules are also easy to modify for play-testing different activation systems vis a vis AI v a human player, without the game then feeling like a version of 'NATO, Nukes & Nazi's', rather than a replay of an ECW era battle (full disclosure, I do modify deployment to reflect where cavalry, pike and shot did deploy in ECW battles). Keep producing your games, please Mike. Anyone thinking of buying into this specific rule book, you won't regret the decision.
Very nice game, as all in the series... but I see lots of small tactical nuances here and I love them! The interactions between the different kinds of troops are obviously the key, as well as clever positioning and a good coordination in maneuvers. This may soon become my favorite title of yours!
Hi Mike, thanks for the replay. Ordered and just received my first battle book, looking forward to some play. BTW, nice job promoting the game via various UA-cam channels, and thanks also for the quick delivery.
Another winner Mike. My copy of the book has arrived via Amazon, so I now need to search out wherever the heck I left my 2mm ECW figures. I’m already thinking about house rules for the Thirty Years War 👏👍
I've been playing Battles of Normandy while vacationing this week. Tons of fun on it own but with lots of room to house rule. Looking forward to getting this one.
The new book is 21.66 $ in CDN money - A good price for me. I have all your books. I like a game with dices. And "portable" I'm still playing "Beaches for the Brave"... !
Mike, this is brilliant! I only have Race to Bastogne so far which I already enjoy very much. I will definitely buy this one as well. Hopefully, if my wife let’s me 😉, I’ll eventually get ALL your books. Awesome job!
Sorry if I missed it in the rules, but is there a difference between the tree hexes at the corners of the map compared to the others? I noticed that the upper left, upper right 2, and lower right hexes are always tree hexes in almosy every scenario, and they have a slightly different colored background compared to those in the middle of the map. They also lack the usual hex demarcations found in the centers of the maps. Are they actually tree hexes or are they out of bound of the map and the trees are only decorations? Thanks!
Your games are amazing and this is just a pitty request. Please do an ancient period one as well;). I have all your games and this series is absolutly anamazing!
I’ve just sent it in to Amazon so it’ll be available any day now. I just wanted to get the video up as quickly as possible for people to use when they get the game. Thanks 🙏
Re: double-sided counters. I first encountered this game via Ricky Royal's Box of Delights play through and he had made double-sided counters. (Great game. Purchased it. Played two battles. Loved it. Keen to play more...) But ... watching your use of single-sided counters just felt 'wrong' somehow. I know that in game play terms there is no difference, but in your video every time a unit was demoralised, it felt to me like they were saying "we're going to wander off for a while and have a cup of tea somewhere, but don't worry, we're sending in a substitute lot who will be pretty useless and not do much..." and then later the substitute unit might say "right, our job is done here, lads. The original lot have decided to rejoin the battle so we'll clear off and hand back over to them." My knowledge of historical battles is not great, but I suspect this is not the kind of thing that happened in reality. To save time on making counters I tried coloured meeples which worked well. Standing up when active. Laid down when demoralised. After a while I also decided to rotate every unit sideways at the start of the AI turn and then back to front facing as each unit was activated.
Haha. Yes, I know what you mean. It is quicker to use double sided counters if you can make them. The beauty of these games is that everyone can play them in any way that suits them best. I often just use counters, but I like to showcase, in my videos, the counters that come with the game. Cheers.
I am loving this. But. Pikes and Muskets as distinct units? I thought they operated together as Regiments. Also artillery moving about during a battle. I thought only light guns did this as part of a Regiment. But still as a simple innovative solo game it looks great. Monopoly and Cluedo worked and they can never be described as realistic! Thanks for sharing your creativity.
Thanks. See discussion below for this point. My games are first and foremost meant to be a fun representation, not a simulation. In fact, pikemen did sometimes operate separately, and the (very restricted) movement of artillery is just a way to replace the effect of them 'swiveling'. Most of this is explained in the video. But as I say, not a simulation. Cheers.
@@mikelambosolitairebookgames I am, as i type, totally engrossed in your 'Instructional Playthrough' video. Also thinking how I can combine all this with my Peter Dennis 'Paperboys' to create 3a d version using my 6mm paper armies made from the models in his book.
I'm not quite sure what you mean by "front part" or "simplest". In design or in terms of beating it? By "front part" do you mean the first few maps? If I'm right, then probably The Fields of Normandy. Let me know if I've got the wrong interpretation. Cheers.
Great play through, as previously observed; I hate you Mike for all these amazing games. I remember when a decent solitaire wargame was far, few and expensive. You must be in line for some sort of commendation from the gaming community. Quick clarification; to 'run a unit' in to another unit is a move not an attack?
Haha, thanks! Yes, a Move Order is needed and if the unit Moves adjacent to an enemy it can perform a bonus charge Attack if it wants to. Once adjacent, it will need Attack orders in later Turns to Attack again. It could then not Move because it would be 'engaged in battle'.
Great addition to the ever-growing set of solitaire games! Is there any chance, Mike, that you might be tempted to produce a Napoleonic period game, say based on the Peninsular War? That would really interest me and I suspect many others!
Is there a reason why you seperated pikes and musketeers? I mean pike and shot where part of the same unit and could both fire and melee. Musketeers worked more as skirmishers. There where a few pike only units but that was because of gun shortage. I understand it as a game mechanic but the units does not represent the era at all in my opinion. On the other hand perhapes that was not your intention;).
True. I acknowledge this in the video to be fair. And yes, it was done purely for gameplay purposes. My key aim is always to make a fun game over historical realism.
Sorry, just watched the beginning. And I love your games just because of that reason. Im a pike and shot nerd and thats why I overreact;). Will defently buy this one as well.
I like the roll mitigation mechanism and the way you model the difficulties leaders have in exerting full control over their troops.
Really great game and reflects the ebb and flow of battle very well.
I would mount the demoralized counter on the back of the same counter so all you have to do is flip it. Great instructional video!
It's a great idea if you have the patience to do it 👍
@@mikelambosolitairebookgames I am a world war two and modern Wargamer but you’re presentation has inspired me so I just ordered the book from Amazon.
@@thomaskonczal1465 Thank you - much appreciated.
Love the deployment mechanism; neat design idea. Will definitely be trying this out!
Great instructional video Mike, I'm going to watch Ricky Royal's playthrough while my glued counters dry and get stuck in! The game looks great and I can't wait to explore your other work
Thanks - enjoy the game!
Thanks for posting a play through. Just got the book. Will be playing a few games this weekend.
Thanks. Good luck out there - it can be very tough!!
Mike, love your work. I bought this rules set and, for anyone thinking not to, I recommend you do buy them; they aren't expensive and the book is packed with great detail that just can't be shown in this video. With your ECW rules, please excuse me, but I ended up using my Memoire 44 hardboards, as well as the individual figures that come with the Warlord Games epic scale cavalry boxes for my games (the latter, of course, being released 10 months after you did this video). Absolutely love the AI system you've offered us Mike, especially some of the period specific restrictions. The rules are also easy to modify for play-testing different activation systems vis a vis AI v a human player, without the game then feeling like a version of 'NATO, Nukes & Nazi's', rather than a replay of an ECW era battle (full disclosure, I do modify deployment to reflect where cavalry, pike and shot did deploy in ECW battles). Keep producing your games, please Mike. Anyone thinking of buying into this specific rule book, you won't regret the decision.
Thank you - appreciate your comment and encouragement!
You’re a star ⭐️ Mike, really looking forward to playing this challenging but fun wargame!
Very nice game, as all in the series... but I see lots of small tactical nuances here and I love them! The interactions between the different kinds of troops are obviously the key, as well as clever positioning and a good coordination in maneuvers. This may soon become my favorite title of yours!
Love it! Just purchased.
Thank you!
bought the game, excellent playthrough
Hi Mike, thanks for the replay. Ordered and just received my first battle book, looking forward to some play. BTW, nice job promoting the game via various UA-cam channels, and thanks also for the quick delivery.
Thanks for your support. Hope you enjoy it.
Excellent work Mike.Your games are so good! Have ordered my copy.Many thanks! 👍
Thanks Paul, hope you enjoy it.
Another winner Mike. My copy of the book has arrived via Amazon, so I now need to search out wherever the heck I left my 2mm ECW figures. I’m already thinking about house rules for the Thirty Years War 👏👍
Thanks for your support Geoff. Enjoy, and I hope you find those minis 👍🏻
I've been playing Battles of Normandy while vacationing this week. Tons of fun on it own but with lots of room to house rule. Looking forward to getting this one.
Glad you're enjoying it. Have a great vacation!
Once I've passed scenario 2 of Hostage Rescue Squad.
I've been losing dozens of operatives down there!
Okay this looks interesting, just ordered it
The new book is 21.66 $ in CDN money - A good price for me. I have all your books. I like a game with dices. And "portable" I'm still playing "Beaches for the Brave"... !
Dang it, Mike. Every time i watch one of your videos, i want to buy another game. How am i going to find the time to play them all?
Fortunately they're quick to learn, easy to play, but hard to beat!!!!!!
Mike, this is brilliant! I only have Race to Bastogne so far which I already enjoy very much. I will definitely buy this one as well. Hopefully, if my wife let’s me 😉, I’ll eventually get ALL your books.
Awesome job!
Thank you 😊
Sorry if I missed it in the rules, but is there a difference between the tree hexes at the corners of the map compared to the others? I noticed that the upper left, upper right 2, and lower right hexes are always tree hexes in almosy every scenario, and they have a slightly different colored background compared to those in the middle of the map. They also lack the usual hex demarcations found in the centers of the maps.
Are they actually tree hexes or are they out of bound of the map and the trees are only decorations? Thanks!
They are out of bounds - just background decoration. Only fully outlined hexes are playable spaces. Cheers, Mike.
@@mikelambosolitairebookgames Great! Thank you so much.
Your games are amazing and this is just a pitty request. Please do an ancient period one as well;). I have all your games and this series is absolutly anamazing!
Pretty sure I’ll get to it at some point but there are so many possibilities 😊
I don't see this one for sale on Amazon. Where and when can I buy this, please?
I’ve just sent it in to Amazon so it’ll be available any day now. I just wanted to get the video up as quickly as possible for people to use when they get the game. Thanks 🙏
It should be available now. Thanks.
Mike - how do you decide how many turns a specific battle should be given?
It’s just a case of play testing and balance until it feels right. No magic to it.
Re: double-sided counters. I first encountered this game via Ricky Royal's Box of Delights play through and he had made double-sided counters. (Great game. Purchased it. Played two battles. Loved it. Keen to play more...)
But ... watching your use of single-sided counters just felt 'wrong' somehow. I know that in game play terms there is no difference, but in your video every time a unit was demoralised, it felt to me like they were saying "we're going to wander off for a while and have a cup of tea somewhere, but don't worry, we're sending in a substitute lot who will be pretty useless and not do much..." and then later the substitute unit might say "right, our job is done here, lads. The original lot have decided to rejoin the battle so we'll clear off and hand back over to them." My knowledge of historical battles is not great, but I suspect this is not the kind of thing that happened in reality.
To save time on making counters I tried coloured meeples which worked well. Standing up when active. Laid down when demoralised. After a while I also decided to rotate every unit sideways at the start of the AI turn and then back to front facing as each unit was activated.
Haha. Yes, I know what you mean. It is quicker to use double sided counters if you can make them. The beauty of these games is that everyone can play them in any way that suits them best. I often just use counters, but I like to showcase, in my videos, the counters that come with the game. Cheers.
I am loving this. But. Pikes and Muskets as distinct units? I thought they operated together as Regiments. Also artillery moving about during a battle. I thought only light guns did this as part of a Regiment. But still as a simple innovative solo game it looks great. Monopoly and Cluedo worked and they can never be described as realistic! Thanks for sharing your creativity.
Thanks. See discussion below for this point. My games are first and foremost meant to be a fun representation, not a simulation. In fact, pikemen did sometimes operate separately, and the (very restricted) movement of artillery is just a way to replace the effect of them 'swiveling'. Most of this is explained in the video. But as I say, not a simulation. Cheers.
@@mikelambosolitairebookgames I am, as i type, totally engrossed in your 'Instructional Playthrough' video.
Also thinking how I can combine all this with my Peter Dennis 'Paperboys' to create 3a d version using my 6mm paper armies made from the models in his book.
@@mikelambosolitairebookgames Do you think your games can be described as a semi-simulation? I would say at least an approximation of a given battle.
@@scottpalmer829 I think that's a fair comment, yes.
which one of your books has the simplest maps in the front part of the missions in your opinion?
I'm not quite sure what you mean by "front part" or "simplest". In design or in terms of beating it? By "front part" do you mean the first few maps? If I'm right, then probably The Fields of Normandy. Let me know if I've got the wrong interpretation. Cheers.
Great play through, as previously observed; I hate you Mike for all these amazing games. I remember when a decent solitaire wargame was far, few and expensive. You must be in line for some sort of commendation from the gaming community. Quick clarification; to 'run a unit' in to another unit is a move not an attack?
Haha, thanks! Yes, a Move Order is needed and if the unit Moves adjacent to an enemy it can perform a bonus charge Attack if it wants to. Once adjacent, it will need Attack orders in later Turns to Attack again. It could then not Move because it would be 'engaged in battle'.
Great addition to the ever-growing set of solitaire games! Is there any chance, Mike, that you might be tempted to produce a Napoleonic period game, say based on the Peninsular War? That would really interest me and I suspect many others!
It’s on my radar, along with quite a few others. I’m producing them as quickly as I can!!
Sounds great, but don't forget your summer holidays etc. - I'm happy to wait!
Nice AI!
Is there a reason why you seperated pikes and musketeers? I mean pike and shot where part of the same unit and could both fire and melee. Musketeers worked more as skirmishers. There where a few pike only units but that was because of gun shortage. I understand it as a game mechanic but the units does not represent the era at all in my opinion. On the other hand perhapes that was not your intention;).
True. I acknowledge this in the video to be fair. And yes, it was done purely for gameplay purposes. My key aim is always to make a fun game over historical realism.
Sorry, just watched the beginning. And I love your games just because of that reason. Im a pike and shot nerd and thats why I overreact;). Will defently buy this one as well.
@@johanbrattstrom9954 Absolutely no need to apologise. And thanks!