Spotlight on Games
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1001 Nights of Military Gaming
- U -
- Unconditional Surrender
John Southard-designed American Civil War
game about the battle outside Fort Donelson, Tennessee,
on February 16, 1862. This was the battle which really launched Grant's
career. Rules include zones of control (in the two front hexes only),
line of sight rules and army morale. Union setup is face down including
six dummy counters so there is considerable variability. More is
introduced with variable reinforcements. Victory seems to depend on
how the eastern salient goes.
[summary]
- Up Front
Card game about World War II small unit ground combat.
Cards are somewhat colorless and the
gameplay doesn't really adhere very much to the theme as numerous inconsistencies
can be pointed out, but may be appealing as a simple game for those interested
in the topic.
- U.S. Patent No. 1
Game about a competition to be the first to patent a time machine
features the kind of silly concept which has become synonymous with
Cheapass Games. But what we never imagined we'd say about this company
is now true: the artwork, here of Victorian-era-inspired time machines and
gadgets, is wonderful. I don't know if these were mined from old books or
created just for the game, but in some sense it does not matter as either
way they reflect a marvelous aesthetic sensibility. As for gameplay,
designer James Ernest's ideas seem to have been
improved by co-author Falko Goettsch as play is a cut above the standard
fare for this publisher. There are plenty of strategic and tactical options
as well as a lot of ability for players to affect one another, even including
weapon attacks. Admittedly these are unchecked and with the wrong group, some
unfortunate might find himself hacked to pieces, so players should be
carefully chosen. Although the endgame is an accurate reflection of
the theme, it can become frustratingly unending as players simply lurk about
the patent office knocking one another office. When someone wins, it may seem
more a lucky break than culmination of a long-planned strategy.
On to W
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