A good review. I agree that this adds little to the base game, but Memoir 44 aficionados will want it nevertheless (if for nothing aside from the new plastic it adds). I would rate it a little less for style due to the fact they rehash the same formula for this addon, tried and true though it may be. Overall, I like the expansion and am happy that I purchased it.
Perhaps this belongs in a more general thread, but can someone comment on how Memoir '44 compares with more conventional tactical board games, like Panzergrenadier or the old Panzeblitz? Is this aimed at the same sort of audience or a different one?
Perhaps this belongs in a more general thread, but can someone comment on how Memoir '44 compares with more conventional tactical board games, like Panzergrenadier or the old Panzeblitz? Is this aimed at the same sort of audience or a different one?
It's far lighter, abstracter. It's card driven. Rather than relying upon chit and hex style play, it looks more at the Fog of War approach. Not every unit can move every turn and you're dealing more with contingencies and possiblities and limited resources.
It's a very different experience than Panzerblitz. Faster, smoother play, less detailed and realistic. Less simulation of a particular battle and more abstract yet thematic about having to make difficult decisions.
The audience tends lighter too. I play this with my wife (though I know more serious wargamers who are perfectly happy with it, as long as they know wha they're getting into).
I want to get this for no other reason than I want the British figures :-) It's given me an impetus to consider getting teh desert board as well (because I can make use of the winter flip-side for my Russian figure set). Looking forward to trying the new terrain pieces.
I've read the rules (they are available online on the Days Of Wonder site), and whilst I like the idea of the special weapons assets I just wonder how they'll pan out in scenario design. I guess they make sense when the scenario units represent small formations (such as in the Pegasus Bridge scenario), but can't see how they make sense in games where an infantry unit represent, say, a battalion. Unless they represent larger AT guns at this scale or something. We'll see.
I like the irony of the Italian Command Rule; after an historical explanation of how Italian fighting ability and courage has been grossly underestimated over the years, they give them a rule that makes them retreat better :-)
The British/Commonwealth Command Rule looks fun; it might be interesting to retroactively apply it to other scenarios featuring soldiers from the Empire.
Anyway, once I find a copy in Oz I will probably pick one up.
The new campaign books look interesting as well. The review picture on the DoW website includes a glimpse of the stat card for using mortars as Special Weapons Assets (infantry may either move or fire, but ignore line of sight and terrain protection - nasty)
I thought the review was good, with one minor exception. I can't at all agree with the comment "All of these figures are up to the usual good standards of Memoir '44."
The infantry figures are awful. They don't look at all like British troops. The issue is the helmets. The helmets look more like, oh, maybe modern British helmets? Maybe WW2 French? I don't know. Certainly not the iconic rimmed British helmet.
It's a minor quibble, but I was disappointed enough in them when I opened the pack that my immediate thought was, "I might as well use the green American figures from the main set", which then led to the thought "Why did they bother?"
Linear Mode
