A Geeklist review of "Grimms War"
Peer Sylvester
Germany
Berlin
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I dont know why but this hidden gem is not in the BGG-Database. So I decided to use the idea of a geeklist-review to show everybody what a
great mind I have game this is! 
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Peer Sylvester
Germany
Berlin
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We start with the "cold data":
Name: Grimms War
Designed by: Jason Matthews, John Durian and Hugh Laurie
Publisher: 9-degrees-Games
Type: Wargame
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Peer Sylvester
Germany
Berlin
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Scenario: Well, there is something you dont see everyday: The games simulates the famous clash between the seven dwarves (headed by General S. White) and the big bad wolf - who has several other famous characters as fellow troups. Depending on the scenario there are several well known- fairy-tale-characters on the move. Starting with the troll (limited to move from bridge to bridge) and going to sleeping beaty, rapunzel and a whole army of evil mothers-in-laws. Only Shrek is missing, but I guess thats through copyright-reasons
The scenarios are quite divers, ranging from cutting through a ever-growing hedge to collecting some white flowers for grandma.
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Peer Sylvester
Germany
Berlin
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Mechanics: The game is a mixture between the popular block-games and the popular card-driven-wargames. Every character (or sometimes group) is represented through a block, which -depending on which side is up - shows the current strength. The catch: Only one person can see which side is up. Normally this is the owner, although sometimes this might change (there is one scenario where you cannot see you own troup strength, and the card "mirror, mirror" allows you to turn around one opponents block and put a side of your choice up).
You move the game by playing cards. You can you the cards to change the strength of you armys (turning the block), moving your army or playing the card as an event card (f.e. "Hefty is tripping over a root" or "The pigeons help you with your house chores") BTW: The cards are colour coded, because not all cards are used in alle scenarios.
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Peer Sylvester
Germany
Berlin
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The combat resoltion might turn the conservative wargamer off, but it does fit the overall not-too-serious-athmosphaere of this game. In case of a combat the defender gets as many pawns as he has Life left. The attacker now tries to literally shoot these pawn with wodden discs. He has as many tries as he has attacking value (Urg, sorry for this ugly misuse of grammar, but I cant think of a better sentence right now). The distance between shooting point and pawns is determined by the terrain. The defender loses life according to the hits. So we have three values influencing the outcome of the battle, but instead of dice we use dexterity. I dont know any wargame that uses a comparable type of combat resolution.
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Peer Sylvester
Germany
Berlin
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Now you know how it plays, but how does it PLAY? Well, its obvious not to be taken serious, but for such a gane it plays quite well. The scale of the scenarios is quite small, so one game usually should be finished in 30-40 minutes. It does offer some tactical decisions, especially in the use of the cards. In some scenarious it comes down on who shoots better, but thats no different than "normal" wargames, where it comes down to who rolls better. Some scenarious also lack a bit of originality, instead of 30 scenarious there should have been 15 good one. But overall they do play well (especially "Walking on broken glass shoes") and I have yet to play a game where I didnt laugh.
There is one mayor drawback however:
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6.
Board Game: Catch 22
[Average Rating:4.93 Unranked]
Peer Sylvester
Germany
Berlin
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The game is not realy on the market yet.
Technicly spoken, it hasent even invented yet. Everything written here was totally made up by me... Sorry!
So, before you order, you still have to convince Jason (or another game designer of your choice) to acctually design this game. But Im sure he would not mind.
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Posted Sun Jun 8, 2008 1:37 pm
