Post by Whiterook on Apr 7, 2022 10:31:12 GMT -5
This one caught my attention on Facebook’s solitaire group a short while ago, and I’d forgotten about it, until I saw it again this morning. I decided to check it out and dig a little deeper, and was amazed at what I found.
First up, a little about the game from the designer himself…
"The Fields of Normandy: A Solitaire Wargame" is an accessible, portable, solitaire "hex and counter" style wargame in a book. Instructions and colour game maps are included; the player just needs to bring a pencil, 2 standard six-sided dice and an eraser. Nothing else is needed to play.
The player's task is to order rifle squads, machine gun teams, mortar teams and PIAT teams across the map to achieve the objectives, countering any enemy threat which is found along the way. The game rules reveal, position and attack with enemy units whilst you focus on your objectives.
There are 15 missions across varied maps with random enemies providing plenty of re-playability as the Allied push into Normandy in World War II is re-created.
—description from the designer
The player's task is to order rifle squads, machine gun teams, mortar teams and PIAT teams across the map to achieve the objectives, countering any enemy threat which is found along the way. The game rules reveal, position and attack with enemy units whilst you focus on your objectives.
There are 15 missions across varied maps with random enemies providing plenty of re-playability as the Allied push into Normandy in World War II is re-created.
—description from the designer
So, you have a book that is both rules manual, scenarios, and components all in one; all packages in a accessible volume that is not overwhelming thick and long in the tooth, with font large enough for us older Grogs.
It’s tactical warfare, which is right up my alley. On a complexity scale of 1-10, it’s probably a 5. It’s super suitable for travel and vacation play, as the missions are short and can be played with pencil and paper.
All of that alone was enough to make me want to shell out money, and then I saw the proce… $14.99 USD! Oh, Hellz Yes!
Is that all?
Well, no actually. In my deep dive on BGG, I saw this…
…that’s right, folks… Memoir ‘44 tiles! All of a sudden, I started thinking of these wildly popular games that you build your game board from loose tiles and, “BAMMO, Batman!”, I’m thinking of all the nifty ways to use M44 tiles, and even just once I can create on my own, along with miniatures I own (Axis & Allies Miniatures in 15mm or Battlefield Evolution in 28mm) — and BAMMO, I’ve hit me a system that’s infinitely expandable.
I dare say that since the rules appear to be basic, they are most like, easily adaptable to add in armor and artillery, and maybe even air! It looks like the combatants are British/Commonwealth, judging by references to PIAT’s, but swapping out other nationalities is probably pretty simple.
I plan to do a lot of experimenting with this system, and lots of play, too!
PS: I ended up buying “Battles of Normandy”, which appears to be the author’s second book (not a sequel, but it’s own similar game); and “Ghosts of the Jungle”, which is SAS in Vietnam! I’ll put posts up on those, too.
…I’m gonna be Real interested to hearing your thoughts on that game! Hey, Maybe we can schedule a Discord session between you and I, and take any questions from the audience!? I’ve been keen to keep and grow upon out Discord channel.