Aprire la scatola di 1776 – AH significa fare un tuffo nel passato; pubblicato nel 1975, è comunque ancora oggi una simulazione piacevole e realistica.

4 mappette montate, in puro vecchio stile Avalon Hill, raffigurano tutta la costa americana con le 13 Colonie che si ribellarono. Grafica che oggi appare spartana, ma chiara e precisa. Le pedine dimostrano tutta la loro età e qui c’è poco da aggiungere. Un’unica tabella per combattimenti base e avanzato, una seconda con i terreni, una per registrare i turni di gioco ed infine due stampate fronte/retro con gli scenari. Il regolamento è diviso in Basic, Advanced e Campaign Simulation Game! Oltre a questo è presente anche un mazzo di carte tattiche che possono essere utilizzate per modificare i valori delle battaglie; se pensiamo all’anno di pubblicazione direi molto innovativo!

1776 is a two-player, turn-based war game played on a hex grid map of the thirteen colonies and Canada. It is primarily concerned with the military aspects of the American Revolutionary War. There is a basic game, various scenarios with advanced rules and a campaign game.

1776, like all Avalon Hill games, is more than just the standard roll the dice and move game. It is a realistic simulation of the strategic situation faced by British and American alike in that fiery decade when the United States won its independence. 

Actually, 1776 is six games in one: a Basic Game that gets you quickly and easily into the routine of simulation gaming; an Advanced Game with scenarios that provides additional complexity and realism; and a Campaign Simulation Game that encompasses the entire war and balances successes in one region against failures in another – truly the ultimate in a simulation gaming experience! 
And if you don’t have the time for a complete Campaign Game, there are four scenarios to choose from; each of which poses a challenge for everyone; from the most erudite of military historians to the fellow who just managed to pass American History:

Scenario 1: The Invasion of Canada – 1775 to 1776 – Can YOU do better than the bumbling General Schuyler and Benedict Arnold in the vain American atttempt to make Canada a 14th colony?

Scenario 2: The Saratoga Campaign – 1777 – Can YOU as General Horatio Gates surround and destroy the forces of the British General Burgoyne in this reinactment of the turning point of the Revolution?

Scenario 3: Greene’s Southern Campaignv – 1780 to 1781 – Can YOU as General Nathaniel Greene lead Cornwallis’ tested regulars on a merry chase with your force of rag-tag militia and Guerilla bands without being crushed in a major engagement?

Scenario 4: The Yorktown Campaign – 1781 – Can you duplicate Washington’s encirclement and crushing defeat of Cornwallis in the battle that won the Revolution?

Il primo titolo della serie “CardDriven“, opera di Mark Herman direi che è un dovere per ogni appassionato! Anche se aggiornato, con il titolo “Wasghington war”,  e’ ancora piacevolissimo da giocare.

This game was the first in what has become a very popular trend for wargaming. The typically hex-based maps were simplified into an abstract system of connected spaces, which are used for army movement and to keep track of who controls the provinces politically. The armies themselves are greatly simplified, but the general in charge of the army gains much importance through his ratings for combat effectiveness and overall strategic effectiveness. Typically, dice are used to resolve conflicts between troops, however a deck of battle cards are used instead, which captures the feel of conflict much better and gives approximately the same results seemingly without the bitterness that accompanies skewed die rolls. And lastly, the overall ebb and flow of the game is determined through the play of strategy cards, which ostensibly mark certain historical events during the Revolutioary War, but each card has multiple purposes depending on which side is attempting to use it.

Questo numero, pubblicato nel 1985, della mitica rivista S&T contiene il gioco 13: the coloniest in revolt dell’altrettanto celebre Richard Berg. La mappa è quasi simile a 1776, così come le pedine ed in entrambe i casi leggermente più belle. 

 This game is an operational simulation of the American Revolutionary War from late 1775 (the siege of Boston and the two Canadian expeditions) through the end of 1781. The British player must try to stop the revolt by trying to control half a continent.

Included are a 16 page rulebook, 22″X34″ map, 200 counters, and various player charts and tables.

The British player wins in one of two ways. If the year is 1775 or 1776, the British player requires control of a limited number of objectives (Canada, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Charleston, and one area of operations). If the game continues to 1781, the British player must control New England, the Middle Colonies, the South, and either Canada or the Western Territories. If the British do not attain these objectives, the American player wins.

From the website:

Rebels & Redcoats is a system simply but accurately and recreates the battlefield conditions with a move-fight-rally play sequence to simulate the grand tactics of the American Revolution.

Nineteen battles from the American War of Independence are included in three volumes. The easy game system recreates battlefield conditions with a move-fight-rally play sequence to simulate the grand tactics of these battles. Additional rules include command control, morale, artillery, light infantry, and dragoons. Each battle is represented by its own units and map along with exclusive rules to recreate the unique battlefield situation. Units are generally regiments, and rated for combat strength, morale, and march capabilities. Famous leaders are also included-Washington, Howe, Greene, and Knyphausen. Battles range from Bunker Hill, through Brooklyn and Trenton, to Saratoga and Monmouth, and on to the South at Cowpens, Guilford, and King’s Mountain.

Liberty or death è stato oggetto di recensione sulle nostre pagine: https://exasgs.sanmarinogame.com/copia/mensile/511-aprile-2016

Volume V in GMT’s COIN Series takes us back to the struggle of the American Patriots against their parent British government. A unique multi-faction treatment of the American Revolution, Liberty or Death: The American Insurrection will take 1 to 4 players between lines of clashing red and blue infantry, Indian raids, European politics, British control of the seas, French intervention, and the propaganda war.

Each faction in Liberty or Death brings new capabilities and challenges:

As the British, you have to deal with an Insurrection across a massive region. With control of the seas (at least until the French arrive), you have extreme flexibility and can move across the coast and cities at will. You will muster Tories to support your efforts. They will march with you to battle, but they need your cover. You can control any space you choose, but you cannot answer every threat on the map. The Indians will work with you but, like the Tories, will need you to coordinate and protect them when the Patriots become aggressive. With the leadership of Gage, Howe, and then Clinton, you will be able to strike a potentially decisive Brilliant Stroke if the stars align. Each leader brings something new to the war effort. If you can strike the decisive blow and Win the Day you will be able to build Support and reduce Opposition in short order. If the option to Battle the French in the Colonies presents itself, it will be hard to pass up!

As the Patriots, you initially aren’t powerful enough to counteract the British Army. You will need to pick your battles and initially spread the Militia to key areas. Over time you can train a force of Continentals to take on the British Regulars. Until then, Rabble-rouse and work with the French to challenge British dominance. Skirmish with the British in small numbers to make their stay expensive. Will the French be there when you need them? Persuade the local population to give you resources to keep the heat up. Watch the Indians on the Frontier because if they develop their forces unanswered you won’t be able to win the game regardless of what happens with the British.

As the Indian player, you have selected the lesser of two evils in aligning with the British. You will work with them to lower Opposition using Raids but you will be developing your footprint by Gathering forces and building villages. The British can help you to protect them from the Patriots and in return you can assist the British in controlling the region. War Chief Joseph Brant and later War Chief Cornplanter give you the ability to mount a decisive attack with your War Parties but will it be worth exposing your villages to Patriot attack?

As the French, you have the ability to be the thorn in the side of the British in North America. With the Hortalez Rodrigue et Cie Company, formed to feed the Patriots resources, you can fund the Insurrection. Your agents can rally assistance in and around Quebec and you can facilitate privateers to steal resources from the British. When you sign the Treaty of Alliance with the Patriots, you can bring French Regulars to America to March and Battle. You can also increase French Naval Intervention, Blockade Cities, move Regulars by sea and Skirmish with the British.

As with earlier COIN Series volumes, players of Liberty or Death: The American Insurrection will face difficult strategic decisions with each card. The innovative game system smoothly integrates political, cultural, and economic affairs with military and other violent and non-violent Commands and capabilities. Rabble-rousing, Indian Raids, Persuasion, Naval Pressure, Letter of Marque, Looting, Trading, Skirmishing, and Foraging and more options are available. Flow charts are at hand to run any faction short a player—solitaire, 2-player, 3-player, or 4-player experiences are equally supported.

Recentisimo titolo della serie Commands & Colors, quasi tutti pubblicati da GMT http://www.gmtgames.com/c-6-commands-colors-ancients.aspx, edito però dalla Compass Games. Non possiedo il titolo, ma credo sia ottimo sia per la serie ormai collaudata, sia per l’editore. 

Commands & Colors Tricorne – The American Revolution is not overly complex. The game is based on the highly successful Commands & Colors game system, where the Command cards drive movement while creating a “fog of war” and the battle dice resolve combat quickly and efficiently. Commands & Colors Tricorne – The American Revolution, however, introduces many new game concepts, which will add historical depth and provide even the most veteran Commands & Colors player many new play experiences and challenges.

Anche in questo caso, già come con 1776, ennesimo tuffo nel passato. WS&IM è un titolo celeberrimo, il primo che permetteva di ricreare a livello tattico i combattimenti fra navi a vela. Ancora molto giocato, anche con miniature (!) è un “evergreen”! Diversi gli scenari sul periodo della guerra di Indipendenza.

Fighting ships in the age of sail! This classic title details military engagements in the golden age of sail with a plethora of historical scenarios. Players take their groups of ships and form their ship lines and then go at it. The game comes with a large generic ocean map overlaid with a hex grid. The ship counters occupy two hexes and include special rules for moving and firing with this design. Players can begin with the smaller scenarios and work up to whole fleets engaged in pitched battle.

Ottimo titolo della ormai serie Fligthing Colors, dedicato alla guerra oggetto di questo articolo.

Serpents of the Seas is the second volume in the Flying Colors series of naval combat games, and represents frigate actions and the rise of the American Navy. Unlike the larger battles between ships of the line depicted in Flying Colors, Serpents of the Seas includes sixteen battles from the American Revolutionary era and the War of 1812 that involve smaller ships — from tiny gunboats with only one or two cannon through “5th Rate” frigates of less than 50 guns. Also depicted are three dozen “Ship Duels” between one or two vessels on a side, like the mighty Constitution (“Old Ironsides”) against her foes Java and Guerriere. To make these duels more challenging, an all new initiative system has been created using activation cards that might grant players a jump on their opponents, but limit their flexibility in the process. The cards can also be used as events that provide additional shipboard flavor. These new systems are fully compatible with the original Flying Colors game, with mechanics that can be selected a la carte.

Più recente, più completo e di conseguenza più complesso rispetto a WS&IM, Rebel Seas è un modulo del gioco Close Action, ed è dedicato interamente alla Guerra di Indipendenza. In pratica una sorta di “ASL fra velieri”, con scenari che possono coinvolgere anche 15-20 giocatori!!! Da provare almeno una volta…………….

The British Navy at bay – part one Rebel Seas is the second volume in Mark Campbell’s Close Action series.

Its 20 scenarios cover naval actions in American waters during the American War of Independence. They range from one-on-one frigate actions to grand fleet engagements with over 20 ships of the line on each side. Each scenario contains the same level of research and commentary found in Close Action. Rebel Seas is the first of three books spanning the years 1774-1792. The other volumes will treat the struggle for India (Monsoon Seas: Suffren’s Campaign for India) and England’s blockades of its Continental foes (European Seas: The Lifeline of Empires).