Thanks you for this video. This remind me the many Time I played it. It is among my favorite command magazine game. Wonderful magazine cover. I remember I had even made a tee shirt with it's magazine cover.
Great video. I have had the game for almost 20 years but never played it. There are 3 things I need to do now, 1) get the game out 2) watch the movie again (for motivation) 3) find someone to play it with.
Glad to see a positive review of a magazine game! I've played this one and really, really enjoyed it. The Roman needs to chase Spartacus around, smashing the rebellion and Spartacus needs to run because, if he gets caught, he's done. There's a legion (as I recall, it's been a while) led by Manlius who can be brought in as a reinforcement at a cost to the Roman player. As the Spartacist, you DO NOT want to take on Manlius. Manlius is the Roman Can-o'-Whoop-Ass... Really fun. I remember one game where Manlius had Spartacus in his sights. It was the end of the road for the rebellion ... but then Spartacus escaped into some restricted terrain where the Romans couldn't follow. Another last-turn victory for Spartacus!
Gilbert great video. Your comment about balance is spot on. I don’t play these games to win or lose, I play to re-create the historical simulation and understand the situation and enjoy myself. PS Barry Strauss is a good friend of mine!
"As long as it's historical and fun to play, I am fine with that." Indeed, I will second that, Gilbert. Many games may have one or the other, but a good game pulls off both.
Hi Gilbert! I am a longtime fan and I finally had the guts to post a comment to your videos. I chose this one because it was the most recent. I would've posted before but I'm shy. You have a lot of talent and your insight has helped me become a decent war gamer. I was a game designer and game writer before I went pro (self published) as a fiction writer (alongside my normal job) and you impacted that at various points in my career. You're a very wise game player and designer and I wanted to thank you for sharing it with the world. I have a fascination with war games, and have ever since my uncle introduced them to me when I was very young. I really loved your work and I would love to purchase a copy of "The Kaisar's Fleet" as I found it fun (I might fiddle with the rules with my wargame group) . I live in Japan so I'm hoping to find shipping options. In any case, thank you for doing what you did. You inspired me and I really appreciate it. Keep dong what you do! Thank you for posting these videos.
Hello, well your post was certainly not 'boring' and thank you very much for the praise. I'm glad you like the videos, I have fun making them. As for "Kaier's", the game is finished and Compass has yet to assign an artist to the project. I'm changing the name of the game to: "The Kaiser's High Seas Fleet: The Great War at Sea".
This was one of my first wargames. Nice components (map&counters). The rules give us the flavor of the period but when I turn to it a few years ago I thought the game was out of balance in favor of Spartacus (He manages to run away and evade almost always preventing the Roman to hammer him).
As always can be expected from you, a quite interesting insight into the game. Nice looking map for a mag game and interesting topic. How good of game it might be looks open for debate but would give it a try. There's an excellent series on Kings& Generals channel about the Servile Wars of which Spartacus' revolt was only one part. The island of Sicily was essentially out of control for quite few years. An interesting episode n Roman history that I was largely unaware. Thanks for this one Gilbert.
A few things to point out here. First, I believe you have the incorrect units starting in Neapolis. They are supposed to be the 1st and 2nd “Tumultuary Legions” (see page 2 of rules with capital “T” abbreviation). The two Neapolis units even have the abbreviated font on the top of their counters, “Neap”, to help identify them. The fact that both units have a combat factor 3 would have made a BIG difference in your decision on whether to sortie out of the city to engage Spartacus. The 1st and 2nd (crack) Roman legions you started in Neapolis aren’t available until Turn 13 under Pompey as reinforcements, and those units start at a combat value of 8, which when reduced to combat value 6, can never replace its unit combat strength back up to 8. Second, as soon as Spartacus was killed, that would have ended the game in a Roman victory per 4.3 Roman “Sudden Death”. Yes, committing leaders in the front line of battle is a risky proposition. They should only be stacked with units that can handle step reduction, and even then they still have to make a random leader casualty check per 13.22 at the end of a melee round. Even worse, the side that routs off the field must have his leaders make a casualty check even if they were non-committed in any of the battles…deadly indeed. Spartacus should run, run, run (see 13.4 first bullet point. Organizing uprisings is his thing. Keep up the excellent videos. I love your work and the fact that you tackle so many games no one will make video reviews of :)
I bought this game last year. It's a fascinating topic, but after a couple of turns, it all felt a bit "flat". I don't know... I guess I'm too used to games with lots of chrome, like Richard Berg games, or to lots of surprise, like in a CDG. Anyhow I put it back in the ziplock without finishing the game.
Mark Simonitch is a fine graphic artist. If this map is truly his work, it's at the bottom of his list of achievements. It's bland and featureless. You have a historic landmark like Vesuvius represented by a circle and a blob. It might be functional, but attractive? No way. I've seen a lot of playtest maps that were better quality.
Somehow the map never bothered me. It has nice large areas where the 'counter clutter' wasn't a problem and somehow felt like I was moving hypothetical pieces on a 'historical' map.
Disagree. I've always enjoyed playing on it. You have to keep in mind the context of the times. You are welcome to your opinion, but I think you are full of it. The map is fine. @@kennethnied5242
This is really a great, very playable game on the topic. You made a rather big mistake in Set-Up though... there are NOT 2 Legions in Neapolis. There are just the 2 Neapolitans units - the 1st and 2nd Tumultuary Legions, which between them are not the equal of a full Legion (let alone the elite 1st and 2nd Legions!). If I had 2 Legions in Neapolis, I would for sure sally out and attack Spartacus. With just the Neapolitans, the Romans I think are indeed best off sitting in the city. However, Longinus can gather 2 legions and get to Rome by road movement on Turn 1, or can attack Spartacus with 1 Legion on Turn 1 (although this leaves the other Legion stranded in the north with no Leader, and unlikely to get one until late game). While the mistake would be crucial on a full playthrough, I don't think it's of too much consequence for purposes of your video. Your observations about how the game plays out and what each side is trying to do are on point. And the combat example you went through still shows new or potential players how combat is conducted. Gilbert, you should try Across the Potomac, another Command Game. It has a similar combat system and similar footprint/counter-density to this game and I know you like ACW.
Thanks you for this video. This remind me the many Time I played it. It is among my favorite command magazine game. Wonderful magazine cover. I remember I had even made a tee shirt with it's magazine cover.
Great video. I have had the game for almost 20 years but never played it. There are 3 things I need to do now, 1) get the game out 2) watch the movie again (for motivation) 3) find someone to play it with.
Glad to see a positive review of a magazine game! I've played this one and really, really enjoyed it. The Roman needs to chase Spartacus around, smashing the rebellion and Spartacus needs to run because, if he gets caught, he's done. There's a legion (as I recall, it's been a while) led by Manlius who can be brought in as a reinforcement at a cost to the Roman player. As the Spartacist, you DO NOT want to take on Manlius. Manlius is the Roman Can-o'-Whoop-Ass... Really fun. I remember one game where Manlius had Spartacus in his sights. It was the end of the road for the rebellion ... but then Spartacus escaped into some restricted terrain where the Romans couldn't follow. Another last-turn victory for Spartacus!
I don't think I have played a game where Manlius got in, but I will heed you advice.
Gilbert great video. Your comment about balance is spot on. I don’t play these games to win or lose, I play to re-create the historical simulation and understand the situation and enjoy myself. PS Barry Strauss is a good friend of mine!
I quite enjoyed Barry's book.
"As long as it's historical and fun to play, I am fine with that." Indeed, I will second that, Gilbert. Many games may have one or the other, but a good game pulls off both.
Hi Gilbert!
I am a longtime fan and I finally had the guts to post a comment to your videos. I chose this one because it was the most recent. I would've posted before but I'm shy. You have a lot of talent and your insight has helped me become a decent war gamer. I was a game designer and game writer before I went pro (self published) as a fiction writer (alongside my normal job) and you impacted that at various points in my career. You're a very wise game player and designer and I wanted to thank you for sharing it with the world. I have a fascination with war games, and have ever since my uncle introduced them to me when I was very young. I really loved your work and I would love to purchase a copy of "The Kaisar's Fleet" as I found it fun (I might fiddle with the rules with my wargame group) . I live in Japan so I'm hoping to find shipping options. In any case, thank you for doing what you did. You inspired me and I really appreciate it. Keep dong what you do! Thank you for posting these videos.
Hello, well your post was certainly not 'boring' and thank you very much for the praise. I'm glad you like the videos, I have fun making them. As for "Kaier's", the game is finished and Compass has yet to assign an artist to the project. I'm changing the name of the game to: "The Kaiser's High Seas Fleet: The Great War at Sea".
No, I'm Spartacus!
Just ordered this today on Kickstarter. Should be mailing in Sept. this year.
This was one of my first wargames. Nice components (map&counters). The rules give us the flavor of the period but when I turn to it a few years ago I thought the game was out of balance in favor of Spartacus (He manages to run away and evade almost always preventing the Roman to hammer him).
Luckily, this is an easy fix. Change Spartacus’ evasion die roll from 1-4 on a d6 to 1-3, or even 1-2, maybe.
Really enjoyed that...Of course that counter had to be Kirk.
As always can be expected from you, a quite interesting insight into the game. Nice looking map for a mag game and interesting topic. How good of game it might be looks open for debate but would give it a try. There's an excellent series on Kings& Generals channel about the Servile Wars of which Spartacus' revolt was only one part. The island of Sicily was essentially out of control for quite few years. An interesting episode n Roman history that I was largely unaware. Thanks for this one Gilbert.
A few things to point out here. First, I believe you have the incorrect units starting in Neapolis. They are supposed to be the 1st and 2nd “Tumultuary Legions” (see page 2 of rules with capital “T” abbreviation). The two Neapolis units even have the abbreviated font on the top of their counters, “Neap”, to help identify them. The fact that both units have a combat factor 3 would have made a BIG difference in your decision on whether to sortie out of the city to engage Spartacus. The 1st and 2nd (crack) Roman legions you started in Neapolis aren’t available until Turn 13 under Pompey as reinforcements, and those units start at a combat value of 8, which when reduced to combat value 6, can never replace its unit combat strength back up to 8.
Second, as soon as Spartacus was killed, that would have ended the game in a Roman victory per 4.3 Roman “Sudden Death”. Yes, committing leaders in the front line of battle is a risky proposition. They should only be stacked with units that can handle step reduction, and even then they still have to make a random leader casualty check per 13.22 at the end of a melee round. Even worse, the side that routs off the field must have his leaders make a casualty check even if they were non-committed in any of the battles…deadly indeed. Spartacus should run, run, run (see 13.4 first bullet point. Organizing uprisings is his thing.
Keep up the excellent videos. I love your work and the fact that you tackle so many games no one will make video reviews of :)
Awe, to bad, no counter that looks like Jean Simons....lol
They could have sold more copies.
I bought this game last year. It's a fascinating topic, but after a couple of turns, it all felt a bit "flat". I don't know... I guess I'm too used to games with lots of chrome, like Richard Berg games, or to lots of surprise, like in a CDG. Anyhow I put it back in the ziplock without finishing the game.
I find solitaire play with it, as you described. I think this one really needs to be a two player game.
Man, that map is bare bones in the extreme. Looks like it was drawn by a grade schooler.
Maybe it was Spartacus' copy?
The Map is Mark Simonitch work and I found it very functional and attractive.
Mark Simonitch is a fine graphic artist. If this map is truly his work, it's at the bottom of his list of achievements. It's bland and featureless. You have a historic landmark like Vesuvius represented by a circle and a blob. It might be functional, but attractive? No way. I've seen a lot of playtest maps that were better quality.
Somehow the map never bothered me. It has nice large areas where the 'counter clutter' wasn't a problem and somehow felt like I was moving hypothetical pieces on a 'historical' map.
Disagree. I've always enjoyed playing on it. You have to keep in mind the context of the times. You are welcome to your opinion, but I think you are full of it. The map is fine.
@@kennethnied5242
This is really a great, very playable game on the topic.
You made a rather big mistake in Set-Up though... there are NOT 2 Legions in Neapolis. There are just the 2 Neapolitans units - the 1st and 2nd Tumultuary Legions, which between them are not the equal of a full Legion (let alone the elite 1st and 2nd Legions!). If I had 2 Legions in Neapolis, I would for sure sally out and attack Spartacus. With just the Neapolitans, the Romans I think are indeed best off sitting in the city. However, Longinus can gather 2 legions and get to Rome by road movement on Turn 1, or can attack Spartacus with 1 Legion on Turn 1 (although this leaves the other Legion stranded in the north with no Leader, and unlikely to get one until late game).
While the mistake would be crucial on a full playthrough, I don't think it's of too much consequence for purposes of your video. Your observations about how the game plays out and what each side is trying to do are on point. And the combat example you went through still shows new or potential players how combat is conducted.
Gilbert, you should try Across the Potomac, another Command Game. It has a similar combat system and similar footprint/counter-density to this game and I know you like ACW.