tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post1101268658701580902..comments2024-03-28T16:32:41.081+00:00Comments on Battlefields and Warriors: Moscow 1941, S&T 317 by Decision GamesNormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-37922985103527154692019-08-09T04:45:53.870+00:002019-08-09T04:45:53.870+00:00Thank you, I really must get this gem back onto th...Thank you, I really must get this gem back onto the table soon.Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-57582460200153043852019-08-08T20:59:07.730+00:002019-08-08T20:59:07.730+00:00Chadwick's Battle for Moscow is about my favor...Chadwick's Battle for Moscow is about my favorite board game right now because it is simple and fast. I've been playing board games since 1963 but have lost patience with games that go one and on. Moscow 1941 sounds good, but 4 hours is beyond my window these days. I prefer my miniatures games end before then. Your reports are excellent.vtsaogameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13104194914166417310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-63068911401323362872019-07-31T16:09:22.144+00:002019-07-31T16:09:22.144+00:00I have never played or owned that game despite han...I have never played or owned that game despite handling it often at the game store in the early eighties. I think when L2 did a reprint of the Russian Campaign, they included multi counter alternatives, so that the gamer could choose how they wanted their counter to look ( i.e. NATO) and this included a different sets for the SS, so that those offended by black counters could choose instead to have them in the Wehrmacht colours.Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-37551267023826898362019-07-29T15:07:18.319+00:002019-07-29T15:07:18.319+00:00Thanks Iain, yes, the scale of ambition, resources...Thanks Iain, yes, the scale of ambition, resources, risk and loss were all monumental and the game does give a sense of that, all very sobering really.Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-32027878445422710132019-07-29T14:11:20.185+00:002019-07-29T14:11:20.185+00:00As always an interesting review. I like the variou...As always an interesting review. I like the various mechanisms that makes like difficult for the German player even though he has a combat advantage he needs to be concerned about his long supply lines,I think that rings true to me, the eastern front was epic compared to Europe and the number of casualties numbing.<br />Best Iaincaveadsum1471https://www.blogger.com/profile/02174163740406928172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-74040492611754341012019-07-29T08:15:53.295+00:002019-07-29T08:15:53.295+00:00Thanks Matt, Frank Chadwick’s Battle for Moscow is...Thanks Matt, Frank Chadwick’s Battle for Moscow is probably the best starting point for a non-boardgamer to break into boardgaming and in fact that game was specifically designed for that purpose and the original was free (by GDW at that time) when first produced.<br /><br />It is something I will give some thought to and perhaps build up a post around a game that would serve as a good intro and be something to keep on hand for future play when the fancy takes. <br /><br />having just one or two such titles will be just enough for many gamers to be able to scratch an itch or turn to when bigger set-ups are not convenient for whatever reason..Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-45028722452396069782019-07-29T07:08:17.510+00:002019-07-29T07:08:17.510+00:00Thanks Norm I think I need to try out one of these...Thanks Norm I think I need to try out one of these games, the challenge is finding one where rules simplicity are authenticity are balanced. Will give it some thought, I will check out your Leningrad post laterMatt Crumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06841790422716738842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-71583091113329804142019-07-29T06:42:03.886+00:002019-07-29T06:42:03.886+00:00Thanks Steve, I was surprised at the 4 hour play t...Thanks Steve, I was surprised at the 4 hour play time, perhaps 3 hours would be a better sweet spot for this type of game.Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-66594939144069908312019-07-29T06:31:07.988+00:002019-07-29T06:31:07.988+00:00As always a great review Norm and a game that show...As always a great review Norm and a game that shows up the problems both sides faced on such a large front. Too long a playing time for me sadly, with 2 hours ideal, 3 at a push for a mid-week game. Steve J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12143308117853983963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-52065305305898307932019-07-29T05:21:14.272+00:002019-07-29T05:21:14.272+00:00Thanks stew, I love the hidden movement mechanic, ...Thanks stew, I love the hidden movement mechanic, though it seems perhaps most suitable for the 1941 Russian front campaign, rather than for wider application - having said that, in my own 1066 Stamford Bridge design, the Vikings were caught on the hop with a goodly number of the hop, with a goodly number of the soldiers in the hot weather having left their armour at their base. I simulated that by having two strengths of unit and the having the front rank set up face down and 'untried' - so it can have its place outside its usual occurrence of Barbarossa.<br /><br />Yes, the losses were horrendous and typically is the sort of the thing that should grab the wargamers attention. In the magazine article that comes with the game, it says that by the start of this phase 215 Soviet divisions had been destroyed and replaced with 236 Divisions and 199 Brigades. The loss is mind boggling.<br /><br />I have just been watching a crime drama based on the UK home front in the war and the effects of 'total war',from a whole nation being in uniform, to a whole nation grieving for lost ones, to a whole nation being hungry and to a whole nation becoming different people due to loss and becoming desensitised or numbed by death and by returning soldiers trying to fit back into ordinary life, is a thought provoking side to a war that wargamers tend to just crunch down into a few attack values and movement rates.<br /><br />It strikes me that it is right to ponder these elements and to respect the subject.Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-4450791424611243642019-07-29T04:59:56.300+00:002019-07-29T04:59:56.300+00:00Thanks for the thumbs up Peter, I sometimes fear t...Thanks for the thumbs up Peter, I sometimes fear they get a bit wordy. I am enjoying your paper army posts.Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-46741010798909896222019-07-29T04:57:49.564+00:002019-07-29T04:57:49.564+00:00Thanks Lou, I am following the BGG thread with int...Thanks Lou, I am following the BGG thread with interest, but with mixed feelings. I like accuracy and research and if that is too far out (as you suggest) it does spoil the enjoyment of the game for me, but had I not seen your critique I would never had known about such potential issues and I have enjoyed the game for its own sake and want to play it again. On the flip side, I'm not sure that one designer criticising another is a good look and the tone of the thread seemed to quickly degenerate. I wanted to comment there, but felt it best just to stay out of it.<br /><br />Yes, the value of the roads in the game was part of my learning curve and it does elevate the simulation. I found it an interesting part of my journey to see all that open space on the right and assume it to be ideal tank country, only to discover that for supply reasons the Germans could not actually develop that attack without also having the road net.Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-14512386067731880052019-07-29T04:17:31.775+00:002019-07-29T04:17:31.775+00:00Great write up the system, your go over the mechan...Great write up the system, your go over the mechanics and illustrated game play showcase the game. I like the hidden strength mechanic. <br />I almost did a spit take when I read the soviets lost 41 divisions. Man the war in the East was on such a large scale. <br />Stewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00340930167419307092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-37139388783888012662019-07-28T23:31:48.781+00:002019-07-28T23:31:48.781+00:00I have enjoyed games with vehicle silhouettes comb...I have enjoyed games with vehicle silhouettes combined with NATO-type infantry symbols. When facing is important, I still do not care for the vehicle silhouettes but it all is a matter of preferences. Have you played Peoples' Wargames' Black Sea Black Death? That is a one-mapper with NATO-style infantry symbols for infantry and silhouettes for vehicles. If so, I would certainly enjoy seeing your review of that one. Fascinating situation. Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-20084241446739114432019-07-28T23:27:26.323+00:002019-07-28T23:27:26.323+00:00Well, curiosity got the better of me and went off ...Well, curiosity got the better of me and went off to BoardGameGeek to read your critique. The result was not what I expected. Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-55975512552889726452019-07-28T21:35:38.828+00:002019-07-28T21:35:38.828+00:00Another excellent boardgame write up. The effort y...Another excellent boardgame write up. The effort you put into these posts really makes them an enjoyable read.Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02918057670249529750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-46505464508114425142019-07-28T21:28:41.946+00:002019-07-28T21:28:41.946+00:00On both Talk.ConSimWorld.com and BoardGameGeek I h...On both Talk.ConSimWorld.com and BoardGameGeek I have posted my critique of the panzer divisions' starting strengths.<br /><br />Also, key units like Panfilov's 312th Rifle Division are missing, so in both places I have posted a graphic of suggested revision and additional units - both front and back and for the Russians corrected, facing the west. Enjoy. :-)<br /><br />There is also some question about stacking. In Ty Bomba's WaW #65 with hexes 7.5 miles across, he (correctly at that scale) has stacking as 3 divisions plus a subdivision unit - since divisions could concentrate on a very narrow front to attack. In this Moscow 1941 with hexes 22 miles across, the stacking is (still) only 4 units.<br /><br />Good to see the importance of the roads emphasized for supply. They were all the Germans had for that.<br /><br />Lou CoatneyUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12401587842532943098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-48355168037207983992019-07-28T21:23:33.607+00:002019-07-28T21:23:33.607+00:00This comment has been removed by the author.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12401587842532943098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-17791421853938650422019-07-28T17:34:52.726+00:002019-07-28T17:34:52.726+00:00Hi, thanks for the interesting insight to the bala...Hi, thanks for the interesting insight to the balance of play. I think it is a good players game and will be trying again, but with more force applied to the centre. There is as you say good replayability here.Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-40203236810630474602019-07-28T16:28:52.628+00:002019-07-28T16:28:52.628+00:00I was an alpha tester for Moscow 1941 and there we...I was an alpha tester for Moscow 1941 and there were maybe a dozen rules that we clarified during playtesting. The Soviets won 3 of the 4 games I played but 2 of the losses could have gone either way. Another playtester had two crushing wins as the Germans.<br /><br />I've played another game against a newcomer to the hobby and he liked it a lot but would have preferred a 2-3 hours playing time.<br /><br />From my perspective, the complexity and playability feels right for a magazine. Easy to get into, fun to play, and will take no more than a long afternoon to play (or maybe two evenings). The Germans can try different strategies and thus I think one will have more than enough play for the money.Hugmenothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07634767362565932566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-28800487725333674822019-07-28T15:10:28.283+00:002019-07-28T15:10:28.283+00:00Thanks Jonathan, yes at this stage of the war, we ...Thanks Jonathan, yes at this stage of the war, we are probably representing divisions of around 18,000 men. Oddly enough I am generally happy to see Nato infantry symbols mixed in the same game with icons for vehicles.Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-72356725125041637992019-07-28T14:51:24.843+00:002019-07-28T14:51:24.843+00:00Excellent game review, Norm. You provide a tangib...Excellent game review, Norm. You provide a tangible example of what is it like to play the game.<br /><br />I agree with Ellis regarding the artwork and icons on the counters. I made the same critique in your earlier Leningrad game. At this level, icons simply do not work for me especially the solitary infantry symbol.Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-2701315779148053362019-07-28T14:07:52.760+00:002019-07-28T14:07:52.760+00:00Hi Ellis, the artwork matches the Leningrad game a...Hi Ellis, the artwork matches the Leningrad game and I found myself 'zoning out' of the single figure look quite quickly. What I did notice though is the four Soviet counters that go onto the game track as bonus reinforcements are meant to be differentiated from the main Soviet force by colour, but they look really close to my eye - it makes no difference to the game, as their designations are mentioned in the rules anyway.Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-18229466062691102852019-07-28T13:55:10.983+00:002019-07-28T13:55:10.983+00:00Thanks for posting, Norm. I have this and it's...Thanks for posting, Norm. I have this and it's on the list to be played. (Probably with different counters, it would have been played already. I really don't like them because I prefer NATO symbology at this level.) I guessed it would be playable easily solitaire and glad to see that confirmed by your post.Ellis Simpsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11824084848258716512noreply@blogger.com