I bought this game last week after waiting several weeks for my game shop to get new copies home. On the plus side, I love the game mechanics...no irritating endless numbers of charts, everything being straighforward. Totally unlike the majority of the vast number of other napoleonic games i have. I would rate the complexity to somewhere between 2 or 3 out of a rating of 10. On the minus side is the game board. It sucks. At such a price, a hard cardboard map should be included. The size could easily be reduced and still leave enough space for counters, since battles always leave only one victor. Another gripe i have is the fixed order of player turn. You can plan ahead because you know who will most likely be your opponent in a coming turn. My suggestion is to have 8 cards representing the different powers, shuffled at the beginning of a new turn and laid out on a separate board numbering 1-8, thus showing which power goes first. The art on the counters could be a lot better. To sum it up: I absolute loves the gameplay. First rate. Would like a revised edition with a sturdy card boad as well as above mentioned play of order cards.
Good overview. Thought it might land with you just as you say. It is fun, it may need some more historical reference for some (if that is what you said...lol) As you outlined it is in a way, Axis & Allies meets Napoleon...but with some interesting twists. We played probably 7 to 10 games but just two of us. It took us about 3 games to get things cruising along. The game has depth that may not be apparent in the first few games. The leaders can be make or break and open the door to some interesting plays if one is not paying attention (i.e. + naval movement combined with a storm for additional extra movement). Is the main leader worth losing for a turn or two though..lots of choices? We didn't really have an issue with the leader rule, either parole or prison or other nuanced rules. The spies...once we played correctly added some twists but don't dictate the game, nor should they. They are more of an occasional curve ball. Fleets...can't live with em, can't live without them. The fleets have to be kept in check or the bombard can be devastating...but they are so $$$$. Of course the enemy always gets a fleet back at the most inconvenient time! We "house ruled" that in order to bombard, a fleet has to carry a unit (skin in the game). Then, there is more risk of losing a ship at least on unit with it. Like Axis & Allies, there is also room to "house rule". You have not played Axis & Allies with Siredblood's 8-turn victory point adaptation but we could see this benefiting from a more historical based VP system, or an alternative "to win" option. Capturing and holding key territories. What was Napoleon really after...make those the VPs. Swing some alliances with $ investment or some other mechanic. There could be some expansions that are more historically based. It has good bones, is fun to look at and play...maybe a tweak or two. We also though perhaps the Ottomans should control the Bosphorus. Once we learned more about the cards, we knew, never keep a large army in Egypt, etc. The Syria sandstorm card often seem to stop advances into N. Africa right at crucial moments. Funny how those cards work. For us...it isn't World in Flames and it isn't exactly Axis & Allies (in part due to the cards) but we had/have fun playing it. The factions are just different enough to make playing different factions fun. Would like to try with 4 or 6 players. With 4, 6, 8...it might start to get a War Room vibe? At least in trying to coordinate movement, etc. across the factions? Might have to paint up some miniatures too...the map/board is dying to have some cool ships and army men.
Wow Cody, looks like you got the whole gang our for that game! Would have love to be a fly on the way of that one. Looks Awesome! Enjoyed the review, fair points, all noted. Fortunately as per page 3 of rule book, I'm well on the way with all the historical alliances development ( seven Coalitions and campaigns ) 🙂 Deep dive coming out in Compass Paper Wars 99. Thanks L'Emperour Cody! 🤴
I've been waiting (forever) for GMT to reprint The Napoleonic Wars. I might have to take a deeper look at this one form Compass Games. They seem to be in the same vein.
My gaming club has played the GMT version and I can personally attest that it's great! Get a copy when you do get a chance. The tough part is finding players with the wits (and discipline) to try it that aren't intimidated by the Historical theme. Rare in the USA nowadays unfortunately. Great review for this game!
Round table or square table? I do like the look of round table. Did you find practical on round or would you preferred to play on square or rectangle table for this game?
Won a ton of Napoleonic 10mm scale miniatures as a painting project, what ruleset would you suggest to use them? I have been looking around and it seems Command and colors Napoleon is the most common.
You do realise the cards are a big part of that factor. Simply, how do you think a game like this would work with switching sides, the cards are designed to cover that aspect?
But the cards don’t really work to fit the historical characteristics of those minor power nations. I’m looking forward to what the expansion brings to the table.
Good points. I'm all in favour of a streamlined Napoleonic wars game, but one where Austria - which fought four major wars against the French in this period, and only one minor commitment with them - is a default semi-permanent French ally? This seems too much...
For the base game, in order to play 18 years, simple north vs south senario. For the add on's, Seven Coalitions as per alluded in Page 3 of Rule book, Austria is anti-French and year time limited. More to come in this regard 🙂
I'm with Cody on his review. I was really looking forward to this treatment of the Napoleonic Wars at the strategic scale. I do enjoy the individual faction cards and the unique abilities each nation has. I was very disappointed with the paper map-a game this grand in scale with beautiful graphics would have really benefitted from a mounted mapboard, or at least heavy cardstock. Even the faction cards are flimsy-Compass could have gone with cardboard to enhance them. Reading the rules, I just don't get the feeling that there is anything unique in the game mechanics, nothing really new that would justify this over say GMT's The Napoleonic Wars. The rulebook graphics are beautiful and are a pleasure to read, but I'm left with the feeling "Where's the beef?" Finally, how on earth does Compass set a price of $159 for this title??? It is impossible to justify given the components...paper maps, flimsy player aids. I bought the game on pre-order for approx $100....and I feel that is far too much. The game would be more appropriately priced at 50% of the 159 retail. There is a great mismatch between the marketing for this game (kickstarter video) and the final product. The kickstarter video portrays this to be some grand and elegant treatment on the topic. That may be the case with the original custom round table and the amazing miniatures, but that is not this offering from Compass. My apologies to the designer, I'm sure you put a huge amount of effort into this, however I am looking to trade it away in its current state.
Thanks, James, for taking the time for a significant comment. Thanks also for your comments about the beautiful graphics and faction cards which represent, as you say, a huge effort and some significant time. I also know my graphic artist Vlad Stanescu will appreciate this. I am very appreciative that you also backed a relatively unknown Aussie designer like Compass chose to do. Something the industry must give Compass a lot of credit for. They backed a monster game in scale with significant set-up costs, so for that, I will forever be appreciative. I love how Cody opens this video showing the extent of this with seven players, no less! A significant achievement in itself! What a fabulous job he has done! I found myself fascinated. My thanks to all players who took part in Cody's game. There are now some great videos specifically about the components, unboxing for players who want to “play before they pay” so players can indeed decide either way, so Cody’s positive recommendation can be taken advantage of, no doubt. But I do hope the fraction cards, the spies, the importance of fleets, fleets actions mechanics and invasions, empire weighting, some of the game mechanics, and indeed, the unique Commanders historical “imprison of parole” systems (not for everyone lol ), weather, scoring, and ranking systems provide some unique features for player experience in Napoleon’s Imperium. The more you play, the more this is defined. This game was designed as a base format for many Historical Coalitions I have been working on, with the entry Alliance designed to playable for 18 representative years of the Napoleonic period, and never meant to be historical perfect because that cannot be achieved over this time span. So, you might want to hold your trade a little longer, but either way, a trade might be another’s gain, so I respect your thoughts! “Each to his own” as Cody would say. 😊 Thanks James, and Thanks so much Cody. Your thoughts and time do me honour.
Hey Cody, would you like to test/play Avalon Hills classic game from 1983 Up Fron - The Squad Leader Card game on Tabletop simulator anytime? :) // Viktor
What about the incredibly speedy Ottoman “T34” camels, lol😊??!
Ha!
Haha, it took me a minute to remember who Pedro was, deep cut :)
Ha!
for 100 bucks you'd think they map could be mounted... and made of gold!
A mounted map would have been nice, but I don't pretend to understand the economics of publishing.
I bought this game last week after waiting several weeks for my game shop to get new copies home. On the plus side, I love the game mechanics...no irritating endless numbers of charts, everything being straighforward. Totally unlike the majority of the vast number of other napoleonic games i have. I would rate the complexity to somewhere between 2 or 3 out of a rating of 10. On the minus side is the game board. It sucks. At such a price, a hard cardboard map should be included. The size could easily be reduced and still leave enough space for counters, since battles always leave only one victor. Another gripe i have is the fixed order of player turn. You can plan ahead because you know who will most likely be your opponent in a coming turn. My suggestion is to have 8 cards representing the different powers, shuffled at the beginning of a new turn and laid out on a separate board numbering 1-8, thus showing which power goes first. The art on the counters could be a lot better.
To sum it up: I absolute loves the gameplay. First rate. Would like a revised edition with a sturdy card boad as well as above mentioned play of order cards.
I agree. A second, revised edition would be pretty cool.
Good overview. Thought it might land with you just as you say. It is fun, it may need some more historical reference for some (if that is what you said...lol)
As you outlined it is in a way, Axis & Allies meets Napoleon...but with some interesting twists. We played probably 7 to 10 games but just two of us. It took us about 3 games to get things cruising along. The game has depth that may not be apparent in the first few games. The leaders can be make or break and open the door to some interesting plays if one is not paying attention (i.e. + naval movement combined with a storm for additional extra movement). Is the main leader worth losing for a turn or two though..lots of choices? We didn't really have an issue with the leader rule, either parole or prison or other nuanced rules.
The spies...once we played correctly added some twists but don't dictate the game, nor should they. They are more of an occasional curve ball.
Fleets...can't live with em, can't live without them. The fleets have to be kept in check or the bombard can be devastating...but they are so $$$$. Of course the enemy always gets a fleet back at the most inconvenient time! We "house ruled" that in order to bombard, a fleet has to carry a unit (skin in the game). Then, there is more risk of losing a ship at least on unit with it.
Like Axis & Allies, there is also room to "house rule". You have not played Axis & Allies with Siredblood's 8-turn victory point adaptation but we could see this benefiting from a more historical based VP system, or an alternative "to win" option. Capturing and holding key territories. What was Napoleon really after...make those the VPs. Swing some alliances with $ investment or some other mechanic. There could be some expansions that are more historically based. It has good bones, is fun to look at and play...maybe a tweak or two. We also though perhaps the Ottomans should control the Bosphorus.
Once we learned more about the cards, we knew, never keep a large army in Egypt, etc. The Syria sandstorm card often seem to stop advances into N. Africa right at crucial moments. Funny how those cards work.
For us...it isn't World in Flames and it isn't exactly Axis & Allies (in part due to the cards) but we had/have fun playing it. The factions are just different enough to make playing different factions fun. Would like to try with 4 or 6 players. With 4, 6, 8...it might start to get a War Room vibe? At least in trying to coordinate movement, etc. across the factions?
Might have to paint up some miniatures too...the map/board is dying to have some cool ships and army men.
Fantastic. Thanks for you comments.
Wow Cody, looks like you got the whole gang our for that game! Would have love to be a fly on the way of that one. Looks Awesome! Enjoyed the review, fair points, all noted. Fortunately as per page 3 of rule book, I'm well on the way with all the historical alliances development ( seven Coalitions and campaigns ) 🙂 Deep dive coming out in Compass Paper Wars 99. Thanks L'Emperour Cody! 🤴
Thank you, sir. Looking forward to that coalitions additions.
I've been waiting (forever) for GMT to reprint The Napoleonic Wars. I might have to take a deeper look at this one form Compass Games. They seem to be in the same vein.
They're both big, grand Napoleonic Wargames.
My gaming club has played the GMT version and I can personally attest that it's great! Get a copy when you do get a chance. The tough part is finding players with the wits (and discipline) to try it that aren't intimidated by the Historical theme. Rare in the USA nowadays unfortunately. Great review for this game!
@@IceNiner199 Thanks.
Yes GMT's Napoleonic Wars is outstanding. Needs a reprint
Napoleonic wars, incredible game, wonderful experience and loads of excitement. Would miss the birth of my first born if it were to play Nappy Wars 😂
Round table or square table? I do like the look of round table. Did you find practical on round or would you preferred to play on square or rectangle table for this game?
It was a round table. I think more important than the shape is the size. Big game!
I ve always wondered how can you try games before you buy them…. Specially with online shopping
Many game stores have demo copies these days - not every title of course. Also, you can always talk your friend into buying it!
Napoleon's Imperium Vassal is out. :-)
Won a ton of Napoleonic 10mm scale miniatures as a painting project, what ruleset would you suggest to use them? I have been looking around and it seems Command and colors Napoleon is the most common.
That sounds like a capital idea!
You do realise the cards are a big part of that factor. Simply, how do you think a game like this would work with switching sides, the cards are designed to cover that aspect?
But the cards don’t really work to fit the historical characteristics of those minor power nations. I’m looking forward to what the expansion brings to the table.
Good points. I'm all in favour of a streamlined Napoleonic wars game, but one where Austria - which fought four major wars against the French in this period, and only one minor commitment with them - is a default semi-permanent French ally? This seems too much...
A fun diplomatic system would have worked here.
For the base game, in order to play 18 years, simple north vs south senario. For the add on's, Seven Coalitions as per alluded in Page 3 of Rule book, Austria is anti-French and year time limited. More to come in this regard 🙂
@@andrewrowland5109 Looking forward to it.
I'm with Cody on his review. I was really looking forward to this treatment of the Napoleonic Wars at the strategic scale. I do enjoy the individual faction cards and the unique abilities each nation has. I was very disappointed with the paper map-a game this grand in scale with beautiful graphics would have really benefitted from a mounted mapboard, or at least heavy cardstock. Even the faction cards are flimsy-Compass could have gone with cardboard to enhance them. Reading the rules, I just don't get the feeling that there is anything unique in the game mechanics, nothing really new that would justify this over say GMT's The Napoleonic Wars. The rulebook graphics are beautiful and are a pleasure to read, but I'm left with the feeling "Where's the beef?" Finally, how on earth does Compass set a price of $159 for this title??? It is impossible to justify given the components...paper maps, flimsy player aids. I bought the game on pre-order for approx $100....and I feel that is far too much. The game would be more appropriately priced at 50% of the 159 retail. There is a great mismatch between the marketing for this game (kickstarter video) and the final product. The kickstarter video portrays this to be some grand and elegant treatment on the topic. That may be the case with the original custom round table and the amazing miniatures, but that is not this offering from Compass. My apologies to the designer, I'm sure you put a huge amount of effort into this, however I am looking to trade it away in its current state.
Thank you for your comments.
Thanks, James, for taking the time for a significant comment. Thanks also for your comments about the beautiful graphics and faction cards which represent, as you say, a huge effort and some significant time. I also know my graphic artist Vlad Stanescu will appreciate this. I am very appreciative that you also backed a relatively unknown Aussie designer like Compass chose to do. Something the industry must give Compass a lot of credit for. They backed a monster game in scale with significant set-up costs, so for that, I will forever be appreciative.
I love how Cody opens this video showing the extent of this with seven players, no less! A significant achievement in itself! What a fabulous job he has done! I found myself fascinated. My thanks to all players who took part in Cody's game.
There are now some great videos specifically about the components, unboxing for players who want to “play before they pay” so players can indeed decide either way, so Cody’s positive recommendation can be taken advantage of, no doubt. But I do hope the fraction cards, the spies, the importance of fleets, fleets actions mechanics and invasions, empire weighting, some of the game mechanics, and indeed, the unique Commanders historical “imprison of parole” systems (not for everyone lol ), weather, scoring, and ranking systems provide some unique features for player experience in Napoleon’s Imperium. The more you play, the more this is defined.
This game was designed as a base format for many Historical Coalitions I have been working on, with the entry Alliance designed to playable for 18 representative years of the Napoleonic period, and never meant to be historical perfect because that cannot be achieved over this time span. So, you might want to hold your trade a little longer, but either way, a trade might be another’s gain, so I respect your thoughts! “Each to his own” as Cody would say. 😊 Thanks James, and Thanks so much Cody. Your thoughts and time do me honour.
@@andrewrowland5109 Thanks Andrew ok will do. I'll give it some time. Visually it is beautiful and I do like the topic very much. Best
Totally agree with you. The gameplay itself is great. The price is not.
Sounds like it needs a basic and advanced rules whith options, apparently this wes 28 years n development 🌊
@@BrianMarcus-nz7cs I know he was at it a long time.
To summarize, the game needed a third-party editor/project developer.
I don't know that I'd got that far.
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer ok, second-party.
Ha!
Hey Cody, would you like to test/play Avalon Hills classic game from 1983 Up Fron - The Squad Leader Card game on Tabletop simulator anytime? :)
//
Viktor
I'm not really one for tabletop simulator. Maybe sometime down the road.
What lovely hair you had back then ;)
You're telling me!
Number 100 like 😁
yawn