Axis and Allies -- Anniversary Edition Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ก.ย. 2024
- A full-on review of Avalon Hill's Axis and Allies, Anniversary Edition is presented. Most of the review is generic, discussing aspects of the game that are common across most versions of A&A. The biggest changes introduced by the Anniversary Edition are presented, and is a general review of the game.
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Great video about my favorite edition of Axis & Allies.
I waited several years just because I missed the opportunity to grab a copy when it was first released. When the price fell to 200 bucks (or Euros, as I live in Germany) I finally got one. I play with a lot of extra rules and units - all painted and nicely stored in the original boxes for which I added more compartments to avoid searching for a specific unit. Historical Board Gaming has lots of items to give each nation its unique look and feel. Never understood why Italy got German pieces and later on in Global 1940 the French got Russian pieces.
For me, the Anniversary Edition is the Goldilocks edition of all A&A games out there: It adds much complexity if compared to MBs Classic Edition and has more territories as well as Italy and China as separate powers without all the political implications that hamper Global 1940, where some players are waiting on the bleachers until they enter the game. And you can still play it within a day.
The main bugs that need to be fixed though are the weakness of the USSR and China on the one hand, on the other you need some invasion rules in order to prevent premature Allied landings in Europe. Because if you bolster Russia too much, Germany is screwed.
Here are my favorite three house rules for the Anniversary Edition that are easy to implement:
1. China
Every Chinese territory gets three extra infantry units the first time it is attacked by Japan. Place any kind of marker or a grey chip to indicate. This slows down any Japanese advance in China to a realistic level.
2. Soviet-Japanese non-aggression treaty
The Soviets and Japanese had a non-aggression treaty. Thus they may not attack each other until either Berlin falls (for the Soviets) or Japan reaches an income level of more than 37.
3. All Victory Cities start with an industrial complex and none can be built.
Victory Cities are either capitals (Washington), important industrial sites (Stalingrad) or logistical hubs (Hawaii). That is why they decide the outcome of the war. Thus units can only be placed here. No more ICs on the money islands or other weird places. In addition, I would suggest to limit production on each territory by simple multiplication: IPC value of the territory x 4 = maximum value of all items that may be produced at the IC. Hawaii (1 IPC x 4 = 4) can only produce one artillery per turn, while Washington and San Francisco remain the industrial centers of the US where most of the new units is placed.
And here is one extra little twist I added to the game:
In order to reflect Operation Barbarossa and the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Soviets get additional tanks and planes on the territories along the border to Germany and the US two battleships and a cruiser in Hawaii. On turn 1 all Soviet and US units defend and attack only with »1«, AA guns don't fire at all. Needless to say that both Germany and Japan come storming out of the gates in this edition as they did in reality.
Hi Chris! I think you get the award for the longest comment in my 3+ years of doing this. I completely agree with your assessment of the game. It takes 3-4 turns for Japan to grind down China, and then Russia gets squished like a grape. I really like your rule mods, although I don’t remember where all the victory cities are. I assume India is one of them, but I don’t remember offhand. The UK-Japanese fight in Burma is one of my favorite parts of the game, but you need a British factory in India to make it work.
Thanks again for your thoughtful and most excellent comment! - Paul
I like your workshopping ideas. Once my table gets more comfortable with this edition, I may try adding some or all of these!
Personally, I feel this is the best version of the game all in one box. It still does have its flaws, as you pointed out, of course. ;-)
I think so too. The China rules add a lot. - Paul
That lend lease rule for the Soviets is actually a really good idea which I hadn't thought of before.
Thanks Lee. I am thinking that the Soviets need at least 5 points per turn of aid, but having it come from other allied countries may add a new strategic layer to the game. - Paul
I am going to Pre-order the new Renegade edition.
Hi Stanley. I understand that Renegade is going to reprint 4 A&A titles in 2024, including the Anniversary Edition. I’d recommend to anyone who likes the game to grab an Anniversary Edition copy; it is awesome sauce.
Probably a weird idea, but what about adding a “Russian winter” element for balancing? Each originally Soviet territory rolls one “attack” against Axis armies occupying them per round, until Moscow is taken.
Simulates the attrition the Germans actually experienced in WW2, and makes focusing on Russia with the other Allies at your back seem less appetizing.
Hello Mr Neat! Interesting idea. That would happen a the 1st turn of the game as it is supposed to start in 1942. Maybe a “General Winter attack round in certain areas prior to the Soviet move. Could take some starch out of the German attack. - Paul
Russia does need bolstered, perhaps some aspect of Russian partisan activity can hinder the Germans fighting for a territory and/or after they take it. The economic support idea sounds good as does lend-lease that could beef them up sooner.
I’ve hear of playing with bids, but Russia getting that number every turn as well? That’s new to me. Typically I just play on a 5-9 bid, giving Russia multiple options for extra troops without increasing their income.
I agree the game heavily favours the axis in the 41' scenario. However, the Soviets are much stronger in 42 (more tanks, a fighter and a bomber). With that airpower the Soviets can attack exposed tanks without having to risk their own tanks and artillery, effectively delaying the Germans. The Chineese are also much stronger in 42 compared to 41, having double the amount of infantry if I recall correctly.
Overall the 42 scenario is fairly balanced, perhaps the allies could use a small bid (one inf in Egypt and India, for example).
For fun, I’m thinking of trying:
1) Allow the US and UK to transfer up to 10% of their production to the Soviets as lend-lease.
2) Japan and USSR do not begin the game at war.
a) Japan may not declare war until China is defeated.
b) USSR may not declare war until after Germany is defeated.
What do you think? - Paul
@@theoakenknight1748 Assuming you mean the 41 scenario, I dont think it will be enough to balance the game.
Especially point 2 b would help Japan, as it can go all in on China/India and not worry about an exposed Manchuria.
I think giving Britain 1 inf in Egypt (to prevent Egypt falling turn 1), 1 inf or artillery in India (to contest the Japanese) and 1 Chineese inf in Wuhan could be enough. Perhaps even add 1 Soviet unit in Moscow (artillery or tank), to give Russia something to fight back with on turn 1.
Hi any chance to find this edition of the game?
Hi Lillian. I saw a copy for sale at Noble Knight, but it was at a premium price. Ebay may be a better option, but you may need to be patient for one to show up. Take care. Paul
@@theoakenknight1748 many thanks Paul. Yep I’ll have check. Take care
@@SuperLillo25just got a near mint version of this from Noble Knights for a great price. They have 1 new at $400. A near mint at $250 and a fair at $195. Get the near mint. They do a great job judging the rating. I was more then impressed
The UK and USA should be strategic bombing Germany during turn 1 and 2 to slow them down. People don’t utilize strategic bombing enough against axis powers. Furthermore, fighters should be brought to Russia from the UK. I would also argue that the US should begin in Africa early, put pressure on Italy and cause them to halt in help Italy, if Italy falls while Germany is deep in Russia, they’re in a bad spot. Just some strategies I have used to beat the axis.
Hello Aaron. My issue was that Germany was defeating Russia so quickly that the allied strategies did not have time to develop. With Russia gone, Germany can focus all its effort on the western Allies, and Japan will run amok in the Pacific. By turn 4 it was all over pretty consistently. - Paul
@@theoakenknight1748 yeah it’s a race against the clock with that. It seems that unfortunately the German player was swift and coordinated enough to end it before major ally support could arrive.
@@theoakenknight1748I find the Anniversary Edition not as bad for Moscow. Russia has a chance to blunt the German attack and then with a few artillery can really hurt German forces in a counter attack. Thats enough to stall the Germans.
More like four decades.
Hello Mr Metro! I think fast wins, 6-9 turns, generally go Axis. But Allied wins take twice as long, and yes, can take all day to do. - Paul
This edition is going to cost A LOT on EBay…$500-$1000.
Hi Tim. You are right about the price. Last I checked Noble Knight has a copy for $400, which is still pricey, but a little better. If I were thinking to buy, I’d put myself on their wishlist and wait to see what comes up. Patience is most definitely a virtue with this one. - Paul