The second issue of my World at War subscription arrived about two weeks ago, and I have been excited to talk about this, but have been delayed due to illness. However, I am recovered enough to write about it and share some excitement about this new game. This will be a pretty short post, just to show the components.
This is the first release in a four-game series called the Campaigns in Europe, all to be released in World at War magazine, which will use the maps from the old SPI War in Europe game, but with new rules (and new units and such). The four games' maps will connect with one another, but will not connect in any particular scenario, needing an expansion kit Decision games will sell in the future. Plus, it looks like there will be no way to play a full European War scenario, with the game focused on individual campaigns rather than the full war itself. Anyway, it is a pretty exciting concept, and one I am interested in seeing happen, whether or not I end up getting the additional package.
As with all magazine games, my focus is on the game itself. The articles are great and well worth the price of the magazine (they sell this without the game, after all), but today, it is the game I am talking about.
So, let's start with the cover:
Very nice cover, with the contrast between the black and white image and the colorful labels creating a very visually appealing combination.
Next, the Table of Contents:
The main article, of course, is on the topic of the game, with the background and history of the topic. The other articles are sure to be fantastic (although I admit I have not read this issue yet). Prior experience has taught me that these magazines are always really good, informative reads.
Now, let's get to the game, looking at the rulebook, first.
The rulebook is really great quality- full color, lots of clarifications, and the ruleset seems a bit more on the complex side than what I would expect out of a magazine game (which is great news). One nice thing about the Decision Games rules nowadays is that they are attached to the magazine's subscription card with a sort of tacky glue, which you can peel off, allowing you to remove the rulebook without damaging it (and the magazine). A great change that I wish other magazine publishers would do as well.
I looked through the rules a little, and they seem pretty standard to me. That is hardly a bad thing, and there is likely some depth that was not immediately obvious to me, something to discover when I actually set the game up and give it serious study.
This issue comes with a number of player aid cards, which feels different than the usual World at War release. These include scenario setup information, and charts for terrain and combat (pictured are the front and back):
Next up, we have the counters, one countersheet worth:
Quite sharp looking! Distinct colors for the different nationalities, and the factors are very clear. Nicely done sheet of counters.
Finally, the map:
As mentioned above, this is apparently a map from the old War in Europe game. Not a game I own or have seen, but the map is really nice looking, clear, and has plenty of interesting places to fight over. Not much to quibble about.
Overall, it is a great looking package, and one I cannot wait to play, whether or not the other games in the series connect to one another in any meaningful way. The components are great, the rules look perfectly fine- it is looking to be a pretty good product.