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Holdfast: Eastfront and Holdfast: Atlantic Review
- Matt Thrower
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- Shiny Balls
- Number Of Fence
Whatever happened to block games? Fifteen years ago, Hammer of the Scots was crushing all other starter wargames with woad-stained wood. Then, after a few more releases, it all went quiet. It's all the more mysterious because they're still around, and they're still awesome. Julius Caesar is a fascinating exercise in ancient armies. And it's not alone: carrying the banner into the future is the Holdfast series from Worthington Games.
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- Matt Thrower
- Topic Author
- Offline
- Shiny Balls
- Number Of Fence
DukeofChutney wrote: I've got columbia's Eastfront, which i love the mechanics of, but it is a longish session for even a 6 month scenario (about 3-5 hours). My worry with Holdfast Russia is that i'd find it a bit too simple. Block Combat mechanics of themselves don't really grab me, i do like the hidden info obviously but most of the best block games bring something else to the party, even if it is just smart map design (Hammers main feat). How long does Holdfast Russia play?
Varies by scenario. Most of them take 2-3 hours. You can argue that it's too simple, but for all that simplicity it presents both players with challenging decisions each turn which are an acceptable facsimile for history. As either side it's all about protecting your supply lines, balancing offence and refits, how fast you can afford to advance and timing offensive and defensive moves with the weather.
If it can achieve that every turn - which I feel it does - simplicity is a boon, not a problem.
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fortressat.com/forum/35-mos-eisley-canti...ng?start=3900#252164
With a decade and a half of playing them, I think I've settled on my three favorite being Hammer of the Scots, War of 1812, and Julius Caesar. Hammer's a stone classic. 1812, I dig the simultaneous orders, beautifully hand-drawn map (maybe my favorite of all wargames), and simple rules. Julius Casear is a refinement on the Hammer system, and I will agree, has less flavor than Richard III or Crusader Rex, but it's just damn easy to play. I'd like to enjoy RIII more than I do, its a gorgeous game, but I don't play it enough so all the subtle unit differences and exceptions escape me each game.
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