Publisher: Academy Games
Designer: Uwe Eickert
Artist: Steve Paschal
Year: 2012 (2008 for the first edition)
Genre: Tactical wargame covering the German’s Operation Barbarossa during WWII
Players: Two players
Ages: 10+
Playing Time: One to two hours for most scenarios
MSRP: $80.00 (which includes Wrecks and Destruction expansion)
I have to say one of the games which has been on my radar for a long time was the first entry into the Conflict of Heroes series, Awakening the Bear. Now that an updated second edition of the award winning title was released late last year and I’ve finally had an opportunity to take the game through its paces I’d like to share my thoughts about what is surely one of the best buys both die hard wargamers, and even casual gamers looking to pick up a solid introductory wargame, need to have on their radar. And, yes, I know I really should have titled this piece “The Germans are Coming!” since the setting is that of the German invasion of Russia during Operation Barbarossa but I just couldn’t help myself with a reference to a classic 1960s’ Carl Reiner/Jonathan Winters madcap comedy…
Although Academy doesn’t have a huge library of games available, what I’ve had an opportunity to get my hands on or even see up close and personal screams quality. Awakening the Bear (AtB) is no exception as the first edition was comprised of what appeared to be components whereas the new edition has upped the ante even further. From the comprehensive and easily understandable rules and scenarios (Fire Fights) book to the larger sized counters to the crisp and well mounted map boards you’re getting every penny’s worth when it comes to this title.
I understand part of the promotional bullet points to the Conflict of Heroes series is the ability to learn the basics and get to playing in five minutes or so. While I can’t say that’s truly the case – especially for two novice players being introduced to the system – it certainly won’t take very long to get to the action with the first two scenarios. Truth be told, if an experienced player was teaching a newbie the game then it shouldn’t take more than ten minutes to get all the points across to start getting into the nitty gritty.
The rulebook is nineteen pages in length with about fourteen and a half of them devoted to how to play the game. This is certainly not a heavy slog by any stretch especially for those of us who were weaned on hundred plus page Avalon Hill rulebooks back in the day. The Fire Fight book clocks in at twenty pages and includes sixteen scenarios. Both books are lavishly illustrated and the rules include a multitude of play examples to make the learning experience than much easier. Or, in other words, top notch all around!
My understanding of the design philosophy for Conflict of Heroes was to provide a solid tactical wargame which wouldn’t get bogged down in the minutia of simulating every conceivable weapons system or battlefield situation while still providing enough meat to give a good feel for the bigger picture of combat command in the campaign or era being gamed. This most definitely is not a beer & pretzels type of wargame but it’s also not one in which you’ll have to take to the web to find an opponent who agrees with you on your concept of the exact capabilities of the “Stalinorgel” in order to keep peace at the gaming table. Personally, I think Uwe and the rest of the gang involved with the design and testing of Awakening the Bear did a fantastic job of providing the big picture to create a truly exceptional game.
By this point you’re probably getting the idea I really like AtB… Oh, yeah… I really do!
Your goal in each scenario is to A) hold onto specific areas of the board to score victory points at the end, B) knocking the snot out of the opposing forces because eliminating them scores you VPs and C) completing the objectives for that Fire Fight if there are any. Once you’re played through to completion the player with the most VPs is the winner. In the case of a tie? You both LOSE! So there!
Understanding many folks reading this may be intimately familiar with AtB (it has been out since 2008) and there are no doubt much more detailed and eloquent reviews of the system online, I’ll just take a higher level approach to the nuts and bolts of the game. Plus, I’m sure many people who already own AtB and are more concerned with being on the fence as far as purchasing the 2nd edition when they already have the first on their game shelf. I’ll get to this second point in just a bit.
Some of the aspects of gameplay which stand out to me involve the playability of the design as well as the revamping of some of the tried and true concepts of the traditional wargame. There are hexes and counters? Check. Attack and defense ratings? Check. Terrain modifiers? Check. Chances for opportunity actions? Check. Tons of rules and modifiers to remember or page through to find? Um… well… no that’s not here. yet what most wargamers will expect to find in a title which garners interest will be found in AtB.
You really do get the impression this is a great game don’t you?
Overall there are Action Points (AP) which allow you to do different things with your units. This could be to move, or fire, or move and fire, or fire and move, or fire twice, or keep moving, or anything allowed by that unit spending APs. Then you have those CAP which allow you to do more with your units than the standard APs may; you’ll really want to spend some CAP when you attack because that extra one or two points of attack value can make a world of difference. Then you have the cards (once you’ve moved beyond the first two scenarios) which can also be played in conjunction with actions points being spent. This means throwing a whammy at your opponent, because while they thought you threw everything you could against them, you had an ace up your sleeve to completely bullocks up their plans. For even more randomness and chaos I suggest trying a couple of scenarios with the optional random AP rule (normally units have seven APs each turn) and you’ll find the game becomes even more of a nail biter.
While most traditional wargames (and many games in general) stick to an I go/you go mentality with some chances to take an opportunity action here or there, AtB calls for the activation of a unit followed by performing actions with that said unit and then allowing your opponent to activate one of their units. Where there’s some difference here is with the CAP, which allow you to perform an action with a unit which by all accounts has shot its load; until each player has exhausted their supply of CAP you never know what your opponent may throw at you.
This isn’t to say concepts of the CoH system haven’t been seen before because they have; alternating unit activation, damage chits, event and special action cards, and so on are old hat in plenty of wargames. Where AtB is special is in how all of these mechanics are incorporated into a cohesive whole and where most scenarios can be completed in an hour or two. Cracking out Awakening the Bear doesn’t mean the game is going to be set up on your dining room table for the entire weekend but I’ll guess most players aren’t going to simply play one Fire Fight and call it a day.
Even though I believe AtB is a fantastic game, I know it’s not going to be all things to all people. The title will be over the heads of those who think Memoir ’44 is a wargame (it’s a game, it’s a good one, but it’s nowhere near being a wargame) while those who believe Advanced Squad Leader is a touch too abstract for their tastes won’t jump on the bandwagon either. These arguments are completely legitimate and I’m not dishing out a knock against people who live by the Days of Wonder title or that of Multi-Man Publishing. What I can say is Awakening the Bear has enough going for it where those who love a beer & pretzels game won’t be overwhelmed by a huge number of rules whereas others who can easily invest themselves into a complex simulation will appreciate the simplicity of design decisions. Sure, some of the scenarios have touch of a generic taste for true grognards and, although many of the Fire Fights take place in the Winter the game boards show Springtime in Russia for Hitler, this doesn’t detract from the overall quality of the game system.
Which now leads me to those who already have the first edition of Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear.
If just writing the above has whetted the appetites of those who already own AtB 1st edition to run out to snag a copy of the new edition I’ll just leave it at that. If you’re still on the fence I’ll make a recommendation, although I might get smacked upside the head by Uwe for suggesting this; go online and see what retailer has the lowest price. I’m guessing somewhere in the $60 to $65 range can be found so you won’t have to foot the full $80 MSRP. Don’t worry as Academy Games will still get their cut – granted not as big a cut as ordering directly from them but the company already made deals with distributors so that’s not your concern. Although ordering through Academy scores you a copy of the Wrecks and Destruction expansion (MSRP of $10) I can’t say those additional counters do much more than add a little zest to the game maps or add some additional rules which you can easily live without. Once you’re received your copy of the second edition either give your initial copy to a friend or, better yet, head over to your local VA hospital and make a donation. You might not realize this but our men and women in uniform are big gamers and how better to put to use something you’re honestly never going to play again (and you won’t because now you have the second edition) to good use than by helping to take the mind off of the troubles our wounded warriors have to face? It’s a hell of a lot more satisfying than scoring twenty bucks on eBay too!
For those who haven’t gotten on board with Conflict of Heroes, the second edition of Awakening the Bear is the perfect jumping on point and ranks up there with titles which need to be on your gaming shelf. As with all genres of games, there are some titles which truly deserve to be part of your collection (Twilight Struggle, Wits & Wagers, and Carcassonne jump immediately to mind) and the second edition of AtB surely fits right in. Obviously, if you’re the sort of person who finds issue with any sort of conflict simulation and morally reprehensible this isn’t a title for you but, then again, if that’s the case it’s highly unlikely you clicked on this review in the first place. For the rest of us Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear! (Yes… I finally used the exclamation point…) is one of the most solid, challenging, and fun games out there even if you don’t count yourself as a wargamer.
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