[Board/Tactical Game]: Britannia, reviewed by Tom Vasel (5/4)

http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/12/12605.phtml

Tom Vasel's Summary:

Throughout my review, you might find a few niggling problems I have with Britannia. Some of those are due to its age, which shows slightly, even underneath the chrome and beautiful components. At the same time, there are those days in which I'm looking for a thematic, involved light war game; and Britannia is one such game. I enjoy the historical aspect, the multiple nations per player is intriguing, and the components truly are outstanding. While not for everyone, people who enjoy \"light\" games should duck and cover - Britannia may satisfy the itch in players looking for a deeper encounter, an epic game that is all about the experience.

Go to the full review for more information.

[Beckett]

I remember seeing this in catalogs years ago, and was always interested. Your review has come pretty close to selling me the game; if the company has a PDF of the rules, that should seal the deal.

I can probably sell my group on this, although the length sounds like it'll keep the game from being chosen too often.

[wyrdlyng]

Originally Posted by Beckett

I remember seeing this in catalogs years ago, and was always interested. Your review has come pretty close to selling me the game; if the company has a PDF of the rules, that should seal the deal.

I can probably sell my group on this, although the length sounds like it'll keep the game from being chosen too often.

FFG usually posts pdf versions of all their boardgames. These, in particular, can be found here: http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/br...a_support.html

[AndyGuest]

Originally Posted by Beckett

I remember seeing this in catalogs years ago, and was always interested. Your review has come pretty close to selling me the game; if the company has a PDF of the rules, that should seal the deal.

I can probably sell my group on this, although the length sounds like it'll keep the game from being chosen too often.

We played it not long back with two experienced players and two total newbies (me beign one of them). We played over two evenings so it probably took us about six hours all told.

It's a very strange game. I didn't have a clue what I was doing and felt like I was being left behind for the first two thirds of the game, I was playing the green team - Welsh, some for of Scots, some folk to the far south east and didn't really get involved in the game till my late game big guns arrived from Scandinavia.

I don't mind losing games, I usually do lose them :-), I mostly play for the company and fun but when I'm completely overwhelmed my enthusiasm usually does falter. It didn't with Britannia, despite almost being a spectator for two-thirds of the game I enjoyed the whole game.

I don't know if replaying the game would be the same. I might enjoy it again, knowing that the game comes in phases and not to be disheartened when you are 'losing badly' early on. Or possibly my enjoyment came from the aspect of watching history and that might not have the same replay value. I am intrigued enough to play again when I get the chance though. The problem is my group tends to be five or six people and Britannia is a four player game that needs two evenings (the way we play anyway).

[The Last Conformist]

I first played this back in the nineties, and was hooked immediately. The only real problem I have is the length it takes to play - it takes an entire evening, if not more, to play.

[Beckett]

I'll probably check it out. Thanks to a work schedule change, my board game group is back down to 4 (which works for this game, but screws up the perfect five we had for Axis and Allies).

[Sirharrok]

Originally Posted by Beckett

I'll probably check it out. Thanks to a work schedule change, my board game group is back down to 4 (which works for this game, but screws up the perfect five we had for Axis and Allies).

Beckett, I see that you're running a Pendragon campaign. In my opinion, another good reason to check out Britannia is that it's ideal for generating off-stage background for Pendragon.

I have the AH edition of Britannia; back in the day when I was running my Boy King campaign I generated the major troop movements of Arthur's initial campaigns by moving counters around on the Britannia board. When the players were present, we fought out the battles using the Pendragon battle campaign. When the players weren't around, I secretly used the very basic combat system in Britannia to get the job done quickly.

It worked very well. My players never realised that the events around them were being resolved using a boardgame, and it saved me a lot of effort.

Cheers
Sir Harrok

[Beckett]

Originally Posted by Sirharrok

Beckett, I see that you're running a Pendragon campaign. In my opinion, another good reason to check out Britannia is that it's ideal for generating off-stage background for Pendragon.

That's one of the things that caught my attention. I'm a bit of an Anglophile, so add on the Roman period and the Saxons and the Angles that I'm seeing in the GPC, I figured a more historical take would be interesting.

[Rob Doupe]

I played the AH version years ago, but haven't had a chance to try the new FGG edition. One problem I have with Britannia is the scripted nation entry. Guys who have played a couple times can optimize their moves knowing what's coming next.

Chariot Lords uses the same system to depict ancient empires, but it features the innovation of random chit pulls for each nation. So you know what turn a particular power will come on the map, but the order - and the order of play of existing nations - is random. That's such an attractive innovation that I wonder why Fantasy Flight didn't incorporate it into the new edition of Britannia.