I have to say I really miss the days where you could stroll into your favorite magazine shop, or newsstand, and see a plethora of gaming mags to choose from. Hell, if you were at your favorite gaming store you had even more to choose from. We used to be able to pick from so many titles and loads of different genres. We had The Dragon, Dungeon, Shaddis, The Courier, The Space Gamer, The General from Avalon Hill, the old (and good) Strategy & Tactics, and a real blast from the past – The Midwest Wargamers Association Newsletter, or we liked to call MWAN, just to name a very few. Speaking of MWAN, I wonder what happened to the editor/publisher Hal Thinglum. His digest sized publication about historical miniatures was perhaps my favorite magazine back int the day and I would race over to the , long defunct, Emperor’s Headquarters back in Chicago to pick it up. Hell, I think I had about 80 of the 133 published issues and thankfully still have a few that didn’t go to the great recycling bin in the sky due to numerous cross country moves.
Yet, I digress as I usually do…
One of my favorite historical gaming magazines (and there aren’t many to choose from any more) is Against the Odds. Obviously it’s not priced like a regular magazine would be – seeing there is a full sized game within – but I can say it is quality through out! Here’s a bit more from ATO:
Against the Odds magazine investigates military history from a broad perspective. The economic, political, religious and social aspects of warfare are examined in concert with events on the battlefield.
Each issue of ATO features:
Informative and insightful articles showcasing the history behind events, plus regular columns by noted game designers providing insight on the latest trends and events.
A challenging, fun wargame that drops the players into truly desperate situations but gives them multiple options to alter history.
Professionally printed graphics, complete with large playing map and 200 to 360 die cut playing pieces.
Most people think of the 100 Years War as a battle over the geography and dynastic questions of who would rule which parts of France.
The 100 Years War is known for sieges, sacking, lots of misery, a few large battles like Crecy and Agincourt, and famous leaders like the Black Prince and Joan of Arc. But naval battles?
Actually, the first significant action of the Hundred (and 15) Years War took place off the coast of Flanders in 1340. And changed everything. The French had been dominating the Channel, largely through the services of hired Genoese galleys. They sacked several English cities and spread terror and dissatisfaction (with Edward) amongst the population, halting the wool and wine trade, plus spreading the very real fear that the French might invade. The Battle of Sluys was a decisive victory for Edward III that gave the English command of the Channel and insured that the rest of the war would be fought on French soil.
Now, this important but little known battle is yours for the trying, with Right Fierce & Terrible: The Battle of Sluys, the game and core of ATO #34. Place yourself in the decisions faced by Edward III or the French admirals as you decide who will rule the waves and perhaps rule France. But, if your expectations of the period center on arrows, swords, and the deadly close-in fighting of armored knights, RF&T is still the game for you. One might almost ask, “Is it a naval game or a land game? And the answer is “both.” Archery, ramming, grappling, and desperate melee are the tools of battle here, aimed at wearing away the enemy fleet’s morale.
Your morale will enjoy the color, 22 x 34 inch map and full ONE INCH counters, and your mind will enjoy the intrigue of designer Jeremy White’s unusual game system, in which the “battlefield” of harbor and estuary is “built” as the game progresses, meaning that no two experiences will be quite the same. SEVEN scenarios allow you to explore the questions that have puzzled historians for years, and the two-three hour game play and quick-set-up diagrams mean you can try one approach and swap sides to try another, knowing much will be different this time around. Jeremy’s rules are very accessible and include extensive examples of play. Edward III was wounded at Sluys but won one of his most important victories. Can you change history?
Bonus Game Inside! Also included in this issue is a second, bonus game. Schwarm! is by the same designer as RF&T above, Jeremy White (along with co-pilot Mark Aasted). This small solitaire game depicts a common event from WW2, some German fighters trying to pick off a stray B-17.
Right Fierce & Terrible and issue #34 of ATO:
Map – One full color 22″x34″ mapsheet
Counters – Over 100 full color assorted die-cut pieces
Rules length – 10 pages
Charts and tables – 2 pages
Complexity – Medium
Solitaire suitability – Average
Design – Jeremy White
Development – Lembit Tohver
Graphics – Mark Mahaffey
**
Issue 35 will include the game Boudicca: The Warrior Queen.
Regardless of how the name is spelled, she meant “trouble” for the Roman occupation of Britain. After her revolt succeeded in burning three major towns and slaughtering tens of thousands of Roman citizens and allies, the Emperor Nero seriously considered whether this distant land was worth the cost to stay. Governor G.S. Paulinus’ remarkable victory – perhaps at the location later known as “Watling Street” – reaffirmed Roman domination. They would remain in Britain for over 300 more years.
But it might have been different. Can you as the leader of a various cluster of independent Celtic tribes cause enough trouble and loss to make the Romans leave your island? Can you as the commander of scattered Roman troops snuff out the rebellion more effectively than Paulinus? Will London burn or be saved? These are your challenges in ATO issue #35, Boudicca: The Warrior Queen by Richard Berg.
Boudicca: The Warrior Queen represents a full upgrade of the “Druid” game Richard designed for West End over 25 years ago. Along with great counters and map art (including the period road net and location of tribal centers), you’ll find streamlined mechanics, more involved possibilities and “what ifs?”, and a game driven by card play, somewhat like that used for “Hammer of the Scots.”
Boudicca: The Warrior Queen and issue #35 of ATO
Maps – One full color 22″x34″ mapsheet
Counters – 240 full color 1/2″ die-cut pieces
Cards: 36 Operation/Action cards
Rules length – 10 pages
Charts and tables – 1 page
Complexity – Low
Solitaire suitability – Average
Playing time – 3 to 4 hours
Design – Richard Berg
Development – Lembit Tohver
Graphic Design – Mark Mahaffey
ATO is a fantastic magazine for those who enjoy historical gaming that isn’t just the same old same old that is now Strategy and Tactics. I mean, I love him to death but S&T might as well change the name to Joe & Miranda… But ATO always has great articles and interesting game designs so head on over to give it a look.
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