"Best" Gettysburg board game?
Steven Scarlett
I'm thinking of buying a game on the Battle of Gettysburg. I would
like everyone's opinion on what's the best game on this topic.
Thanks very much!
Michael Welker
I think the Gettysburg game within Across Five Aprils (by AH) is also very good!
Mike
JS
The Gamer's "Thunder at the Crossroads" is, in my opinion, the best. It is
detailed and a bit complex, but not as bad as the regimental level games.
Besides, I like complex. If you do not like complex, play Parcheesi. The
scale is brigade level (It is from their ACW Brigade Series). The command
and control system is superb! I have played others. "Terrible Swift Sword"
is the original monster game and represents the battle at a regimental
level. It actually does not give realistic results, particularly the first
edition, because of the enormous amount of control you have. Both editions
are out print. I have also played one of AH's Gettysburg games, can't
remember the version, and do not want to. I have also done a few computer
versions such as SSI's and Talonsoft's. Talonsoft's version is good, very
much like TSS. This works well in a computer format, particularly if you
use the partial command/control option, which limits your ability to be
God.
Steven Scarlett <ssca...@wwa.com> wrote in article
<33949f50...@news.wwa.com>...
Charles Ryder
If you are looking for a low complexity game that you can learn to play in
about 15 minutes then I would suggest the Smithsonian version game of
Gettysburg from Avalon Hill.
Like all Smithsonian games this version is an easy, simple game that was
meant to introduce new players into wargames. If you are looking for
something more complex then I would look into "Roads to Gettysburg" from
Avalon Hill. It is a fairly complex games but the game system is very
elegant and easy to understand and play.
Charles
Charles Ryder
Cliff Hansen
In article <EB9FB...@nsc.nsc.com>,
Charles Ryder <cry...@america.nsc.com> wrote:
>If you are looking for a low complexity game that you can learn to play in
>about 15 minutes then I would suggest the Smithsonian version game of
>Gettysburg from Avalon Hill.
Victory Game's Across 5 Aprils is just as simple and is a far
better game. The Smithsonian Gettysburg plays more like tanks
in North Africa than infatry on a Civil War battlefield. Essentially
every unit can march up to 10 miles and conduct an attack, every
2 hours. I thought the game was terrible.
Roads to Gettysburg isn't about the battle of Gettysburg,
its about the campaign that led up to the battle (and
followed it.) Great game, wonderful system, but differnt
subject.
I've heard good things about GMT Three Days of Glory, but I
haven't played it. Its very large and reputedly takes
hours to play.
Perhaps the best simple game on the battle is Spearhead's
They Met at Gettysburg. It uses an impulse system that
keeps both players involved. Random turn length. I think
its great. Looks great too - the map and counters are
among the best on the market, and the box is very
appealing.
Cliff
Paul Clay
Steven Scarlett wrote:
>
> I'm thinking of buying a game on the Battle of Gettysburg. I would
> like everyone's opinion on what's the best game on this topic.
> Thanks very much!
I would like to recommend Gettysburg - High Tide of the Confederacy by
Phoneix Games - if you can find it. It uses impulse movements,
incremental unit loss, provides two basic scenarios for testing, divides
up the battle to start on any of three days, or do the whole battle.
The rule book is only 11 pages long, two pages of charts, and an order
of battle for unit entry. The box includes a tray for the units. The
only drawback I've had is the paper map which might get old. The
copyright on my version is 1982, picked this up at a Con somewhere about
that long ago. Last address in the rules shows Smyrna, GA. Good luck.
Paul
Tim Klepaczyk
> I'm thinking of buying a game on the Battle of Gettysburg. I would
> like everyone's opinion on what's the best game on this topic.
> Thanks very much!
It's worth pointing out that there may be more games about Gettysburg
than any other wargame, so you have a lot of choices!
My exposure is limited, but I have played Command's "Lee's Greatest
Gamble", and I like it. It's a relatively easy and playable brigade-level
simulation. If you want more detail and realism, a friend of mine swears
by "Fateful Lightning" (also by Command). Fateful Lightning is regimental
level, and will satisfy history nuts - the counters are marked with the
historical colors of each regiment. Despite its size, I understand it's
also fairly easy to learn (but a bit longer to play).
MLavoie735
Hmm... Gettysburg games ... gotta be a million of 'em, right? Some very
good suggestions from the group thus far. I must agree that Phoenix's
"Gettysburg: High Tide" is a winner, but its extremely bloody Combat
Results Table is a bit of a turnoff. "Fateful Lightning," one of the few
G'burg games that I don't own, has gotten rave reviews and is thought by
some to be better than the vaunted "Terrible Swift Sword." GMT's "Three
Days of Gettysburg" (or 3DoG to its fans) is the latest incarnation of TSS
and is only for those with lots of free time, abundant free space, and an
obsession for detail.
All in all, I'd have to say that the best G'burg game for the less
committed would be Peter Perla's "They Met at Gettysburg," from Spearhead
game. Fun, fast- moving, and reasonably historical.
Mike Lavoie
Author of "True Magick" for the APA Interregnum.
"For the life of me
I cannot remember
What made us think that we were wise
And we'd never compromise."
--Verve Pipe, "The Freshmen"
MN1st
I like Terrible Swift Sword, but it's just too dang big!
Look to the cookie!
MN1st
I have their Chickamauga game, which is also very good. ALL of their games
were great. I wish I could get another copy of their Isandwala game. Mine
was stolen about 10 years ago. :/
Look to the cookie!
Sacha Gerrish
I would go with The Gamers "Thunder at the Crossroads"".
Sacha
Geosc...@yahoo.com
eddys...@hotmail.com
> You might try never call retreat. Takes about 3 hours, Demi brigades,no step loses and lttle bookkeeping. And instant death victory conditions make every turn a cliff hanger.
That said, I like Never Call Retreat as well, it's one of the better 3W wargames
Greetz,
Eddy Sterckx
Charles Sutherland
I totally agree Thunder is the best of the best, along with historical you can do many what ifs and a random entry table to keep even the historical in a variable setting. It's even better to play via email having multiple players each having a corps command. Best Gettysburg game I own! And at only two maps and brigade level easily played needing less space than TSS or that level gaming!