Which Block War Game should i get?

United States
Redondo Beach
California

Recommend

I want to see if i'll enjoy this type of gameplay. I haven't tried any block wargames before. I play a lot of EuroGames and as far as war game, strategy game with some war in it, or war themed games go, i've played Axis & Allies, Conquest of the Empire, Risk, Twilight Imperium, T&E, Shogun, & Memoir 44 (this one enjoyed a lot) and will be purchasing War of the Rings soon. The problem with some of the above-mentioned games is they take too long to play.

I also like turn-based strategy war games in consoles or computers. I've read a lot of good reviews about Hammer of the Scots and that's what got me interested. But which one would be a good intro for me? Or is any one more enjoyable than the next?

Thanks in advance for all your help and other suggestions I may not know about.

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Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:18 am

1. Board Game: Hammer of the Scots [Average Rating:7.66 Overall Rank:83]

Arnold Agraviador

United States
Redondo Beach
California

What got me interested and deciding between this and the one below at the moment.

9 comments [Hide]

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:18 am

Thee Insidius Doktor Glaze & His Sidekick Donut Boy with the Amazing Monkeytime Dancers Ooh!

(dr glaze et al)

United States
Shorewood
Wisconsin

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:25 am
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Show 4 more comments...

Steve Bernhardt

(wargamer66)

United States
saratoga springs
Utah

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 1:59 am
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Garrett Potvin

(Drewcooter)

United States
Brooklyn Park
MN

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 1:49 pm
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Jim Carvin

(jcarvin)

United States
Hamburg
Pennsylvania

Definitely choose HotS over Wizard Kings!!

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 7:13 pm
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David K

United States

It seems I spend most of my time on BGG praising this game (heck, most of Columbia's games). That being said: it's my current favorite game (though it may be supplanted by Crusader Rex).

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 9:43 pm
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2. Board Game: Wizard Kings [Average Rating:6.78 Overall Rank:808]

Arnold Agraviador

United States
Redondo Beach
California

Hmmm... the fantasy theme is appealing to me too plus the modular board set-up. Seems like playability is high because of it.

6 comments [Hide]

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:18 am

Thee Insidius Doktor Glaze & His Sidekick Donut Boy with the Amazing Monkeytime Dancers Ooh!

(dr glaze et al)

United States
Shorewood
Wisconsin

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:26 am
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Dan Poole

United States
Goldsboro
North Carolina

Ph'nglui Mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn!!

We're charging our battery. And now we're full of energy. We are the robots. We're functioning automatik. And we are dancing mechanik. We are the robots

I have never played this one, though I have read the rules thoroughly. Underneath the really cool theme, the game play seems like it would be rather bland and lacks depth. I have heard this complaint amongst those who have played it. Ashame really cause it does look cool.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:31 am
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Robin

(Helenoftroy)

United States
Wilmore
Kentucky

I've noticed that people either love this game or hate it. If you are looking for a hard core wargame with historical simulation, this is not the game to get.

Now I am among those who love this game. I think it gives alot of freedom and variety of game play but it is necessary to get a very other maps and armies. There are sceniors that can be used for this game on this site because it does not come with them. You don't necessarily need the sceniors but many like them. This is definately not your average wargame. There are wizards in each army with different spells. It stays with its theme. This game made me fall in love with Columbia block wargames.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:49 am
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Arnold Agraviador

United States
Redondo Beach
California

Hmmmm.... since there may be a 50-50 chance i'd like this, I think i'll play it safe and remove it from my top choice at the moment until I get more into block wargaming. Not completely off my list but maybe at the bottom...

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 2:50 am
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John Richert

(Warhammer)

United States
Cordova
Tennessee

This is something I don't get. HotS is basically a souped up version of the combat system here, yet this game gets panned while HotS is lauded? While HotS is a solid game, there is not the same replayability as what you have here.

I guess a bad scenario really can make or break a game. HotS came with two solid scenarios, whereas WK came with a very poor scenario. shake

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 4:48 am
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William Hostman

(aramis)

United States
Eagle River
Alaska

Gaming in Greater Anchorage area, Alaska since 1978. Looking for Indy-willing RPG players in Eagle River (or willing to drive to Eagle River). Geekmail me if interested.

Yes, this really is what I looked like when I uploaded that avatar. Not that it's quite current anymore.

A note for newer readers: 1st ed sold armies as consistent units; you bought a box of X, and it was just that... Firkins, Amazons, etc.

2nd edition randomizes somehow.

That was enough to lose me.

Posted Mon Jan 5, 2009 1:20 pm
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3. Board Game: Crusader Rex [Average Rating:7.25 Overall Rank:436]

Arnold Agraviador

United States
Redondo Beach
California

Another one I hear good things about.

6 comments [Hide]

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:18 am

Dan Poole

United States
Goldsboro
North Carolina

Ph'nglui Mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn!!

We're charging our battery. And now we're full of energy. We are the robots. We're functioning automatik. And we are dancing mechanik. We are the robots

I have heard a lot of people like this one. They say it is similar to HotS. I haven't picked it up simply because the theme doesn't really interst me.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:32 am
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Steve Bernhardt

(wargamer66)

United States
saratoga springs
Utah

Read about it, the Third Crusade was the most interesting militarily, as both sides had relative parity on the battlefield. That, plus and assymetric position make this a winner.

I give it one more thumbs up over HotS, mostly because it has simpler rules. I would definately go for either this or HotS.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 2:02 am
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Brad Miller

(Windopaene)

United States
Seattle
Washington

This was my second block game, which I picked up within a week of getting/playing the first. I think that this has more of a "lines of battle" feel than HOTS, which sounds like the "end-year reset" kind of muddies things up.

The rules are relatively simple, though if you check out the threads, there are some things, (especially in dealing with siege battles, Harrying, Sallying and the like), which are tricky, and not helped by the v1.0 rules and the v1.1 rules being completely opposite.

I've played once, (came close as the Franks but couldn't quite get it done), and had a really good time. The simplicity of the rules belies some very tricky stuff, as you do have to get everyone to winter quarters...

I've rated this as a 7 so far, and after I've played it a few more times, I'm pretty confident it will go up.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 4:46 am
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(ChaosOrdeal)

I just played this for the first time recently. Overall not a terrible game, but something ust jumped out at me. The game is won and lost over control of certain cities, and because of fairly dynamic movement, essentially all the big battles become much the same. The north end of the board is not much different from the middle or the south. Again, not bad, just would like a scenario with a little more differentiation and character in different places.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 9:03 am
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Garrett Potvin

(Drewcooter)

United States
Brooklyn Park
MN

I have played both and found this to be more complicated than HOTS.

Both are great games, but go with HOTS.

My disclaimer. I have played HOTS several times and have only played Crusader Rex once.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 1:47 pm
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David K

United States

Haven't played a full face-to-face game yet, but my "test" games and rule reading have got me very excited to try it out. I have a feeling this'll be as good as HotS.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 9:45 pm
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4. Board Game: Victory: The Blocks of War [Average Rating:6.33 Overall Rank:1939]

Arnold Agraviador

United States
Redondo Beach
California

Enjoy Memoir '44's WWII theme - Sold my Battlecry to get it. So is the WWII on this just a theme wrapped around the gameplay? I mean like having Star Wars chess pieces instead of regular chess.

3 comments [Hide]

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:18 am

Dale Larson

(dale larson)

United States
Hartland
Wisconsin

I found this game to be too dry. Games seem to drag on. Much more tension in the old War of 1812.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 2:22 am
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Crazy Bob

(elcomadreja2)

Philippines
Cebu

This is the only one I tried so far, and I hated it.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 3:06 am
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Arnold Agraviador

United States
Redondo Beach
California

Looks like this is off my list then, thanks for the comments.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 5:52 pm
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5. Board Game: War of 1812 [Average Rating:7.05 Overall Rank:872]

Arnold Agraviador

United States
Redondo Beach
California

And some others I found out about recently...

5 comments [Hide]

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:18 am

Phil M

(ctgamer)

United States
Unspecified
Connecticut

I'm seriously considering this one too.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 2:49 am
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Garry Haggerty

(G Haggerty)

United States

Be sure to use the optional (and very simple) written-orders/simultaneous-moves rule. It ratchets up the tension considerably.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 1:45 pm
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Jon Karlsson

(Jon Karlsson)

Sweden
Linköping
Östergötland

Actually, get HotS or CR instead. This game is a much earlier desing than those two and lacks almost all of the chrome that makes them shine. While combat in HotS or (more so) CR is tense and tactical (units are different both in strength, initiative and abilities, so it is not just a matter of bringing in the most strength points) combat in 1812 is mainly just a dicefest. The map and the options available to you in HotS or CR are so much more numerous and varied than in 1812 (where you pretty much have to commit yourself to one or two fronts at the start).

I'm not saying this game is bad. (It is not.) I'm just saying it is not as good as those other two.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 3:54 pm
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John Haba

(gamezendo.com)

Hong-Kong
Discovery Bay
Lantau Island

I'll disagree with the poster who implies this game is "much worse" than Hammer of the Scots and Crusader Rex. While those two are great games, War of 1812 is also a great block game in a different way. War of 1812 is the most playable (and a very replayable) block game of all these listed. It always plays in less than 2 hours (can be as quick as 1 hr) including set up(almost all the others require at least 3 hrs.), and it has enough strategic scope to be interesting and replayable, without too many complicated or unforgiving rules that might put off casual gamers or first-time wargamers. It is by far the easiest to just set up and play with reasonable skill.

Hammer of the Scots has a great, somewhat unique noble-switching-sides mechanism, and Crusader Rex has interesting siege rules, both with assymetric sides. However, there is a steep learning curve in both games (especially for the Franks in Crusader Rex) which will probably require several plays for you and your opponent(s) to figure out good strategies.

If I have 3-4 hours and an experienced or committed opponent , then HOTS or Crusader Rex are good choices. However, if I have less time, or I'm playing my brother (Axis and Allies was the most complex game he's played before), or I'm introducing block games to someone, I'll pull out War of 1812 every time. I enjoy playing it just as much as I enjoy HOTS or Crusader Rex. My brother enjoyed it too, while he didn't enjoy Liberty very much.

You can play War of 1812 as "I go/ You go" (as in Gamma 2 version rules), or with random initiative die rolls (as in the Columbia rules), or as a simultaneous move game (using written-down turn orders). All give variety and different levels of strategy to make this game even more replayable.

You can't go wrong with War of 1812.
Just my two cents.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 4:47 pm
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Andrew Borgelin

(Hatricvs)

United Kingdom
Bath
Somerset

I concur with Gamezendo, War of 1812 is a great block game. I know it lacks the chrome of the later games but, what it may miss in the chrome stakes it more than makes up in the game play. The rules are simple and straight forward which allows for ease of play. There are plenty of options and strategies to employ and it is a game worthy of replay!

In addition I have CR, HOTS and Napoleon. All are good in their different ways. So far I would rate Napoleon as being the best mix of playability over sophistication. It sits between Quebec/War of 1812 on one side and HOTS & CR on the other.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 9:06 pm
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6. Board Game: Napoleon: The Waterloo Campaign, 1815 [Average Rating:7.25 Overall Rank:513]

Arnold Agraviador

United States
Redondo Beach
California

6 comments [Hide]

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:18 am

Robert Wesley

(GROGnads)

Nepal
Aberdeen
Washington

....

<---got his ''Nappy Hat'' on!

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:28 am
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David Bohnenberger

(Dweeb)

United States
Swarthmore
Pennsylvania

I just played this sunday morning. Lots of fun, 90 minutes tops, three pages of rules...get it.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:54 am
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Robin

(Helenoftroy)

United States
Wilmore
Kentucky

This was my first block wargame. It is simple and can be played with 2-3 players. I like the game but prefer Hammer of the Scots.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:55 am
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Brad Miller

(Windopaene)

United States
Seattle
Washington

And this was the first one I got, about two weeks ago. Again, a very simple ruleset. I would say that this is not as "user-friendly" as Crusader Rex, as you have to remember that Calvalry are F2, but F3 on their first attack, and F1 against infantry in square, etc. The rules of play on the strategic map are very simple. The rules for the tactical battles are a bit more difficult, but pretty smooth once you understand them.

This game has a much more "set-piece" feel to it than the others, but with a greater variability in battle outcomes. An overmatched force will only win in CR if they roll well and the opponent rolls poorly. In Napoleon, the enemy loses a battle when any one of their three battle columns is reduced to zero blocks. So a quick calvalry strike to an opponents weak flank can completely turn the tide. Also, while only the blocks in the same town start the fight, blocks from adjacent towns can appear as reinforcements, making careful planning on the strategic board, and proper positioning of all of one's forces prior to entering battle, very important. There is also the tough decision as to whether to reinforce a battle you are losing, (potentially winning, but potentially losing even more troops), or attempt to retreat out as many blocks as you can prior to a column collapsing.

There are too many blocks for the too small board, but there is a reason this has been around so long. It's a classic, and very very good. An excellent intro to block games, though not as simple as Quebec, (which might be too simple).

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 5:01 am
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Garry Haggerty

(G Haggerty)

United States

Quote:

There are too many blocks for the too small board...

In the current edition that is certainly the case. The game's new "divisional" scale has ~ 1.5x as many blocks as the older editions.

Quote:

...but there is a reason this has been around so long.

Maybe it was the more succinct order of battle of the original two versions.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 1:33 pm
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David K

United States

This is a good game but, IMO, not quite HotS caliber. What makes it a winner is the ability to incorporate a 3rd player.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 9:48 pm
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7. Board Game: Liberty: The American Revolution 1775-83 [Average Rating:7.32 Overall Rank:815]

Arnold Agraviador

United States
Redondo Beach
California

2 comments [Hide]

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:18 am

Bill

(latindog)

United States
Sayville
New York

If you like the mechanics of Hammer but prefer the Revolutionary War era, this would be probably be a good choice. I have read the rules (they are very similar to HotS with a few differences) but have not played this game yet, so take my comment with a grain of salt.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 1:33 am
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David K

United States

This is a good game, but it _can_ be frustrating (especially for the British player).

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 9:52 pm
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8. Board Game: Quebec 1759 [Average Rating:6.97 Overall Rank:913]

Arnold Agraviador

United States
Redondo Beach
California

2 comments [Hide]

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:18 am

Michael G

United States
Pembroke Pines
Florida

One of the best beginner block games. Very easy!

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 1:43 am
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Bill Eldard

(Bill Eldard)

United States
Unspecified
Virginia

Like War of 1812, a great starter for the novice block gamer. Simultaneous movement and 'dummy' blocks for deception make it different than War of 1812.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 2:50 pm
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9. Board Game: Rommel in the Desert [Average Rating:7.64 Overall Rank:302]

Dan Poole

United States
Goldsboro
North Carolina

Ph'nglui Mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn!!

We're charging our battery. And now we're full of energy. We are the robots. We're functioning automatik. And we are dancing mechanik. We are the robots

This one is really cool. I like it as much as HotS. This one is a little bit more detailed. If only I get my fiance to play this as much as HotS. Definitely worth considering

5 comments [Hide]

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:35 am

Robin

(Helenoftroy)

United States
Wilmore
Kentucky

I really wanted this game but I have trouble with the rules, mainly because I'm reading them during computer class. I tried laying out the game and playing step by step. The supply rules are interesting, even if they are difficult. I think its a new ascept to wargaming I have not yet encountered. Rommel is also a part of WWII that I've not been very familar with. I'm not a history buff but enjoy learning. I like the game so far even if I was doing a rules run through. The map is beautiful but so are all the rest of the games you listed. I really like Columbia block wargames.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 1:01 am
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Michael G

United States
Pembroke Pines
Florida

This is a great game!!!

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 1:40 am
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Chester Ogborn

(cornjob)

United States
Albuquerque
New Mexico

Excellent game. There is a little investment in learning, not the rules themselves, but the ramifications of the rules (in terms of the supply line play and the map). But this game has great tension and excitement. I like this much more than Hammer of the Scots, which I like.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 3:38 am
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David Brown

(thirts)

United Kingdom
STOCKPORT
Unspecified

This is a v.good game but the rules are not that good.

Both myself and a friend who are both veterans of much more complicated games struggled with the rule book. It took several play throughs before things started coming together

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 3:59 pm
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Ed Brickell

(eb_write@yahoo.com)

United States
Dallas
Texas

Perhaps the best marriage of subject matter and the block design -- this military campaign was the perfect hide-and-seek, hit-and-run example of what block games are best at simulating.

Hoping someone takes the block concept to Vietnam soon.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 9:55 pm
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10. Board Game: Gettysburg: Badges of Courage [Average Rating:7.09 Overall Rank:1838]

Dan Poole

United States
Goldsboro
North Carolina

Ph'nglui Mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn!!

We're charging our battery. And now we're full of energy. We are the robots. We're functioning automatik. And we are dancing mechanik. We are the robots

I like this one less than Rommel and HotS. It is a cool game nonetheless. It's definitely worth checking out if you like the theme.

0 comments

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:37 am

11. Board Game: Hellenes: Campaigns of the Peloponnesian War [Average Rating:7.58 Overall Rank:944]

Dan Poole

United States
Goldsboro
North Carolina

Ph'nglui Mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn!!

We're charging our battery. And now we're full of energy. We are the robots. We're functioning automatik. And we are dancing mechanik. We are the robots

This one is taking forever to be released. It apparantly shares similar mechanics with HotS.

1 comment [Hide]

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:39 am

D L

(Dodya)

Malaysia

Released!

Posted Mon Mar 1, 2010 8:07 pm
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12. Board Game: Bonaparte at Marengo [Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:321]

Dan Poole

United States
Goldsboro
North Carolina

Ph'nglui Mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn!!

We're charging our battery. And now we're full of energy. We are the robots. We're functioning automatik. And we are dancing mechanik. We are the robots

Not a Columbia block game per se, though shares the same fog of war element by using blocks. A very cool, unique game and is quickly becoming one of my favorite war games.

4 comments [Hide]

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:41 am

Arnold Agraviador

United States
Redondo Beach
California

Thanks for the additions Voynix. I forgot to add this to my list - it's one i'm also interested in from good reviews.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:44 am
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Bill Eldard

(Bill Eldard)

United States
Unspecified
Virginia

A very unique block game. No dice, and no CRTs. An outstanding design.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 2:52 pm
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Jim Carvin

(jcarvin)

United States
Hamburg
Pennsylvania

I've been reading a lot of good things about this game, it's moved up to my buy list.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 7:17 pm
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Ed Brickell

(eb_write@yahoo.com)

United States
Dallas
Texas

Truly something different in wargame design, and plays quickly once the novel mechanics are mastered. A current personal fave.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 9:57 pm
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13. Board Game: Commands & Colors: Ancients [Average Rating:7.90 Overall Rank:21]

Dan Poole

United States
Goldsboro
North Carolina

Ph'nglui Mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn!!

We're charging our battery. And now we're full of energy. We are the robots. We're functioning automatik. And we are dancing mechanik. We are the robots

Finally.....this one has caught my eye. This one is from Richard Borg, designer of Memoir 44 and Battle Cry. Looks really cool, though still a ways from being released.

5 comments [Hide]

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:44 am

Bill

(latindog)

United States
Sayville
New York

This is also not a typical block game in that it will not have Fog of War elements. It is apparently closer to Memoir 44 and Battle Cry in gameplay despite the fact that it uses wooden blocks to represent the units.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 1:35 am
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Michael G

United States
Pembroke Pines
Florida

A ways from being released? Nope. I get this one in December - that's not so bad.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 1:41 am
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Arnold Agraviador

United States
Redondo Beach
California

I wonder why they decided to use blocks instead of plastic figures if it's similar to Memoir or Battlecry? It doesn't look like the blocks could be rotated.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 2:59 am
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Sonja Elen Kisa

(Sonja)

Canada
Toronto
Ontario

It's cuz minis were too expensive to make, so they were going to make cardboard stand-ups, but then realized blocks would be cheap and look good.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 9:02 am
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(Mr.) Kim Beattie

(kimbo)

United States
Rocklin
California

Embrace your inner geek!

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

The story goes that plastic figures would have been too expensive given the limited print run likely with a GMT game... Originally, the game was going to consist of cardboard counters and cardboard "stand-ups." The block idea came along late in the development process and was the catylst needed to generate the orders needed for the the game to make the "P1000" cut.

While not a traditional "block game", the blocks are a good compromise between cardboard counters and plastic figures.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 7:32 pm
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14. Board Game: EastFront [Average Rating:7.79 Overall Rank:332]

Michael G

United States
Pembroke Pines
Florida

I have played a lot of the other games. Rommel in the Desert is an awesome game, but if you have the time, you should look into this one. You will not regret it.

1 comment [Hide]

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 1:42 am

Bill Eldard

(Bill Eldard)

United States
Unspecified
Virginia

EastFront can be expanded with the VolgaFront map and 'What If' scenarios, and can be linked with sister games WestFront and MedFront via the MasterFront set of rules to create a monster block game.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 2:56 pm
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15. Board Game: Europe Engulfed [Average Rating:7.67 Overall Rank:230]

(ChaosOrdeal)

Be a man.

5 comments [Hide]

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 9:15 am

Blue Jackal

(BlueJackal)

United States
Nowhere
Virginia

12 hours?! I don't think I'll ever be that manly.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 10:22 am
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Ollie Blacklock

(HarryFlashmanKBE)

United Kingdom
Lymington
Hants

And don't forget the planned "The Bulge: Fast Action Battles #1" by the same designer, now on GMTs P500, if you want a shorter game that should be similar in terms of deuced splendidness.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 11:11 am
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Mike Gingold

(Mikeg99)

United States

Arizona

I played this a few weeks ago and I was very disappointed. The game felt very scripted and the moves that had to be made were very apparent.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 4:41 pm
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Björn Hansson

(taragalinas)

Sweden
Jakobsberg

Probably the best game ever invented. Superb strategic simulation of the WWII in Europe!

Posted Wed Sep 21, 2005 10:23 pm
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Arnold Agraviador

United States
Redondo Beach
California

I am interested in this but it takes a whole afteernoon or evening to play.

Posted Thu Sep 22, 2005 12:00 am
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16. Board Game: Block Mania [Average Rating:6.39 Overall Rank:1936]

Matt Thrower

(MattDP)

United Kingdom
Bath
Somerset

This is the only game I know of that actually simulates a block war. Therefore I think it's an excellent choice as a "Block War Game".

Sorry. It's not a bad game mind.

1 comment [Hide]

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 1:49 pm

フィル

(sbszine)

Australia
Newtown
NSW

This looks great -- it even has a Futsy counter!

Posted Thu Sep 22, 2005 12:16 am
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17. Board Game: Hammer of the Scots [Average Rating:7.66 Overall Rank:83]

Arnold Agraviador

United States
Redondo Beach
California

AND THE WINNER IS...
Looks like this is one of the games I will be getting. Yes, ONE of the games. Based on all your comments above, I think i'll end up getting 2 games. This one because of a majority of positive comments and then decide on eitehr Crusader Rex or Napoleon. I'm sure i'll be getting more later on as I know i'll be enjoying these games.

Again, thank you all for your help, comments and suggestions... and my wallet thanks you too

0 comments

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 6:07 pm

6 comments [Hide]

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paidoniai ludendae est

(BagpipeDan)

United States
Howard County
Maryland

I've been in the same pickle you're in. I was stuck between HotS (5/5 theme, 4/5 mech), Liberty (4/5 theme, 3/5 mech), Rommel (4/5 theme, 5/5 mech), and Crusader Rex (5/5 theme, mech unsure 4.5/5?). Those ratings are just prelimnary guesses, based on rules reading and session reports and whatever else I could find.

I think I'm just going to do HotS, though. While Rommel looks like an EXCELLENT game, I also think theme is a VERY important part of a game, and while Crusader Rex looks like a nice mix of theme and gameplay, I am not too keen on PtP movement (nothing against it, just don't want to try two new things at one) and I think I will wait on that one for a bit.

Liberty, one the other hand, had some disagreeable comments, and while it looks like a great game Columbia Games has a lot of EXCELLENT games to choose from. Same goes with Gettysburg, which I perused and read some comments on.

HotS really just looks like a wonderful game.

Posted Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:49 am
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Michael G