The World at War (1990)

The World at War 1939-1945 was the first unofficial Axis & Allies expansion, published by Xeno Games.

Many of the rule changes found in the later Axis & Allies Revised & Anniversary editions (such as the 2-hit battleships, "1/2 battleship" destroyers, artillery guns) were original innovations in The World at War, first published in 1990 with 238 playing pieces and a new 24"x36" map that added more territories. As an expansion, much of the 1984 edition of Axis & Allies was needed to play this expansion.

The World at War 1939-1945 2nd Edition, published in 1993, balanced some of the gameplay and added some new ideas but retained the same glossy 24"x36" color map and pieces.

The 3rd Edition, published in 1996, continued to improve gameplay balance and added Atomic Bombs to the technology development. After developing A-bomb technology, players spend 6 IPCs to buy one, which must be delivered via a Heavy Bomber (also a required technology). Damage to a land or sea zone by an A-bomb eliminates 20 IPCs worth of enemy units and renders the territory desolate (-5 IPC value, with +1 restoration each turn for two turns), causing devastation to the economy as well as military of an opposing player.

Now in its 4th edition, The World at War includes a hardback map (replacing the poster-paper map of earlier editions), with some minor rule revisions over the 3rd ed, and this is a mature game in it's own right with differences significant enough for any A&A fan to appreciate, beyond all of the "official" editions published in recent years.

There are new unit types, such as Destoyers, Paratroopers, SS Panzers and SS Panzergrenadiers, Russian Guards, Partisans. US Marines, Rangers and Armored Infantry, U-Boat Pens (complete with the plastic figurines and/or special rules).

The rules introduce a variety of simulation fidelity enhancements, such as Banzai and Kamikaze attacks for the Japanese player, a Fall of France rule, Peacetime Production rules for the US and USSR, etc.

Expands:

• Axis & Allies

Expanded by:

• World At War Expansion
• World at War Update 2005 Pack

Contents:
Each of the seven colours should include these units which are added to an existing set of A&A Classic set:

8 Infantry
3 Tanks
3 Subs
3 Transports
2 Battleships
1 Aircraft Carrier
3 Fighters
2 Bombers
2 Anti-aircraft Guns
1 Factory
1 Sub Pen
6 Destroyers

World at War is an unofficial variant of Milton Bradley's popular game "Axis and Allies". It offers players the chance to play the game from the war's beginning, when France and Poland are not yet conquered.

World at War comes with new units such as destroyers and additional pieces for each country. Besides destroyers there are also cruisers, paratroopers and special troops for the major powers, such as SS Panzers, Russian Guards, U.S. Marines.

World at War allows any player to place newly purchased infantry in any territory they control regardless of whether there is an industrial complex there.

In World at War, Russia starts off with more income than Japan and Germany. Although, the Axis can conquer territories and make up this gap, the gap is pretty big. The 3 Allies have a huge economic disparity with the Axis. Probably realizing this, both the USSR and US start at Peacetime Production and basically may not use their military until under attack, which severely restricts their possibilities until the Axis Powers do attack. This is a higly realistic representation in game terms of the strategic and tactical choices the Axis had at the beginning of WW II.

Also, the Axis has some special abilities in this game. For example, Germany and Japan can each make a sneak attack. It's not quite the same as having 2 turns in a row but its similar.

In conclusion, WaW is a perfect variant for Axis & Allies - whatever edition you use.