Aces of Valor | Wargame Unboxing | Legion Wargames | Wargame Board Game | Solitaire World War 1

[@colinmacmillan2944]

Hats off to Legion Games - 5 days from USA to New Zealand. Game waiting for me when I got home.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Wow, that's FAST! Must have been a Tier 3 plane, for sure, with an experienced pilot. I hope you enjoy the game! I've got the rules read and have started clipping the counters, hope to play a bit tomorrow. :)

[@derekdavis2746]

Great unboxing Zilla! I've been curious about this game for a while now and your excellent and informative unboxing has persuaded me to buy it! Many thanks!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks, Derek! I hope you enjoy it, and I'm hoping to post a gameplay video shortly. :)

[@syramento]

I enjoy your videos for their upbeat enthusiasm.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks! They are great fun to make. :)

[@timothysmith6549]

Thanks Zilla for the great unboxing. I've had this on the radar as I love air combat wargames but have been holding off as I have Western Front Ace on pre-order. One thing which I am interested is how the play experience stacks up against one of my favourites - Wings Over France from Lambourne Games. It's an oldie but one of the most atmospheric games I have played and the dogfight system is truly a things of genius. Have to see a play through of this but if it looks like it stacks up well against WoF this will be on the to buy list. Great video as always Zilla!

[@colinmacmillan2944]

Totally agree about Wings Over France from Lambourne Games - this game is great and definitely needs to be picked up by a major company. Well, we can hope, can't we ..? :-)

[@ZillaBlitz]

Wings over France is one I've not heard of before, sounds like they got a lot right with that one. I'm glad to see newer games covering WW1 air combat, though. :)

[@colinmacmillan2944]

@@ZillaBlitz It'd s great game, just let down by it's production. Counters are fine, but rulebook and Initiative map needs a games company to give it the love it deserves.

[@timothysmith6549]

@@colinmacmillan2944 I upgraded all the components myself, including the initiative track and map, and redid the counters using the terrific ones that were available on the sadly long departed Wings Over France Yahoo Group. Brilliant wargame, easily in my top 5. And I agree Colin if only someone like GMT or the like could redo it. I was in touch with the designer about 15 years ago and was trying to get him to finish and produce the sequel to WOF, "Black September". At the time he said he was seriously thinking of picking it up again with a view to getting it ready for publishing - apparently it was pretty much finished. Shame it hasn't shown up as it should have been amazing and probably more marketable than WOF as it was 1918 with Camels, SE5as, Brisfits, etc, etc and it was designed so the player could play as commanding a British, American, and IIRC, Australian or French squadrons as well. Probably one of those games which had the possibility of real greatness but never reached fruition. At least we have WOF which like I said above is easily one of the most atmospheric games I've played.

[@scottpalmer829]

Thanks for the fine video, Zilla. I had the pnp version but hope to get the Legion version for my birthday in July. I'm also glad that Erik von Rossing has had a couple titles picked up by some bigger wargame publishers. I hope more will follow. Erik is a fine designer and great gentleman of our hobby.

[@ZillaBlitz]

You're welcome, Scott, I'm glad you liked it and I hope you enjoy the game and your birthday in July! :) This will be the first game designed by Erik that I've played, so I'm looking forward to it. :)

[@fpgowner]

And.. Eddie Rickenbacker also raced in the Indy 500 four times, his best finish was 10th. They don't make 'em like him anymore.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Wow, nice trivia fact, thanks, Mark! I never knew that. That's serious talent and skill.

[@colinmacmillan2944]

As a kid (MANY years ago), I must have checked out the book on Eddie Rickenbacker at least many times from my school library. I would say his book 'Fighting the Flying Circus' hooked me way back then on WWI.

[@colinmacmillan2944]

Well, the old British TV series 'Wings' also fired my interest.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I remember reading a great WW1 flying book about 20 years ago, and that really brought it home for me. Well, that and Richthofen's War, from Avalon Hill.

[@lifeisagift.cherisheverymoment]

Well hello, Zilla von Blitz, nice to meet you. One of my favorite World War I movies is titled Flyboys. Then there are documentaries of zeppelins and early bi-winged aircraft. Interesting era. Sadly, the War to End All Wars didn't live up to that moniker.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yes, I remember Flyboys! I hadn't heard of it on release, then watched it a few years after it came out. Might be time to revisit it. And yes, it would seem we still have things to learn about the folly of war.

[@lifeisagift.cherisheverymoment]

I read wisdom from 4,000 years ago, 2,000 years ago. And then I observe modern society behaving as if ancient wisdom has nothing to offer. Some times I wonder if human nature is the greatest enemy. And each generation seems intent on committing the mistakes of past generations. Eventually humankind just may end itself out of ignorance when all the while all the wisdom needed is right there to be learned from. Tragically, too few seem to care enough to listen to and learn from the past.

[@loucorreia6142]

Good review. Happy that one of Erik’s games was picked up. He has other gems worthy of an upgrade.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I’ve not played his other games yet but I’m looking forward to giving this one a shot. It looks well thought out.

[@brundebrauc2208]

Indeed. I hope Thud Ridge and Hunters over Korea will get picked up too

[@ZillaBlitz]

I'm not familiar with those... added to the list. :)

[@scottpalmer829]

@@brundebrauc2208 Those would be great choices. Erik has a whole stable of excellent games.

[@thecustardprophet8434]

Wow...love how they have incorporated so much into this, but seem to have kept it somewhat accessible.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yes, I hope to start playing this weekend. I'm curious about the balance between streamlined play and detail.

[@Stumptonian1]

Been interested in this game for nearly 5 years - pre-ordered from Legion in 2020. Just got an email for payment the other day, so looking forward to receiving it soon.

[@ZillaBlitz]

It does feel like this sort of game has been a gap in tabletop wargaming for a while. I know there have been other WW1 flying games, but not this sort of squadron/campaign game, at least in the modern era. Looking forward to playing it. I got through half the rules last night, and they are encouraging. Seem clear and easy to follow.

[@Stumptonian1]

@@ZillaBlitz My original interest was as a scenario generator for Wings of Glory but am looking forward to the campaign mode.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I feel like this will have nice game length too. If missions are about 30 minutes, that's a four-hour short campaign, with possibly another hour or so for in-between stuff and special events.

[@uwebech5825]

Zilla von Blitz...lol. Thanks ZB. This one looks like a must buy. Operational level, solitaire, with an abstracted tactical level and some RPG scratches a lot of itches at this end.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I think they have made a number of choices in design to keep the game moving along, so that campaigns don't take forever, but I think with a game like this that is a good thing. The real test comes when it gets to the table, but so far so good. Rules feel good, I'm about halfway through them. :)

[@whovian223]

Looking forward to finally getting this in the mail. Though when I will get it played, I have no idea.

[@ZillaBlitz]

In case it helps, it's pretty accessible, I read the rules in about 30 minutes, and really didn't run into any speed bumps along the way. I feel like it's going to play smoothly, and hope to get it to the table this weekend.

[@justsomedood67]

Just ordered this over the weekend.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I'd be curious to hear how you like it! I've picked up a wicked cold, keeping my squadron grounded for a bit, but I hope to get airborne soon.

[@jobu88]

Nice, I look forward to your gameplay video. I was just looking at this game on the Legion Games site.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I'm hoping to get some gameplay up on the channel sooner than later, but the "make video" list is a bit long. I'll do my best. :) Looks like a fun game, I'm curious in particular how the combat works.

[@coyi51]

I like Legion games as they tend to cover areas that are rarely covered, this looks like an enjoyable affair, will just have to wait for availability here.

[@ZillaBlitz]

It does look quite fun. I've been hit with a pretty nasty cold, and that's keeping my planes grounded for a bit. Hopefully the weather will clear shortly.

[@johncameron6357]

OK OK ya got me again! I have several Legion Wargames -- now it looks like I’m going to have procure yet another! LOL 😂!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Haha! I hope you enjoy it if you pick it up. I picked up a cold so my squadrons are grounded for a bit, hoping to get airborne in the next couple of days. :)

[@johncameron6357]

@@ZillaBlitz 🙁 sorry bout the cold my man! Should have Aces by the weekend - send ya an AAR next week

[@ZillaBlitz]

Sounds good! Things are on the upswing today, finished the rules last night before sleep. :) Good luck with your first mission! :)

[@johncameron6357]

Quick question - what pray tell, is a die cut counter cutter? Is in home grown or can I just one? How do they work? Sorry - showing my gross ignorance! Been playing die cut counter war games since the late ‘50’s - you would think I had run into this before!

[@johncameron6357]

BTW had my own unboxing this afternoon and am rereading the rules

[@stewartrickert]

Looks amazing I’ll have to give it a try

[@ZillaBlitz]

I'm been waiting for a WW1 game like this for quite a while. :) Really looking forward to playing.

[@stewartrickert]

@@ZillaBlitz I can certainly see why . Looking forward to what comes next

[@pablomerighi335]

Looks very good! Thanks!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks, Pablo! Gameplay video is coming soon. :)

[@timd6]

Great to see this one, I am waiting for my copy but look forward to a play through.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Looks like a good amount of innovation, and I've been itching for a WW1 aerial game for a long while. I will try to get some gameplay up sooner than later, little swamped at the moment though. :)

[@timd6]

With all the great unboxing videos you did, looks like lots to play!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks! Unboxing Week still ... has another half dozen to go. Then it's going to be play play play for a couple of months. :)

[@colinmacmillan2944]

Oh yeah, I remember purchasing this as a print and play - spent two days over Christmas, solidly gluing and cutting counters. The designer was very good and would update files (without question). I think he may have sorted the situation of having earlier aircraft turn up later in the war in this new printing. And it really did cover a lot. The initiative system is much easier than the Lambourne Games 'Wings over France' (also detailed, able to handle a lot of aircraft at once). I think it might be possible - some little work - to create your own pilot for this - a little bit of home crafting I think! I of course backed it Day One the moment that I heard about the P500 - I mean, someone has to prove Kiwis can fly! :-D

[@ZillaBlitz]

I think I saw something where the opponent’s level is somewhat determined by the level of your squadron, as kind of a balancing factor. But it looks like the game is largely dateless in that you can start the campaign with the Tier 3 planes.

[@ezzler]

Lambourne games version was really brutal. Bloody April, iirc? Playing as the British. I did manage to win one game, once. But most needed in loss. It was a hard thing to fly two or three sorties a day, with worn out men and obsolescent machines. Dawn patrols. Then Balloon busting at 10am. Trench strafe at 5pm,. Like a death sentence.

[@ZillaBlitz]

That does sound pretty dire, yikes. Although I can imagine it's probably not far from the reality for the Germans toward the end of the war, perhaps.

[@manuelkooijman5757]

Nice and clear video, Zilla. It looks very interesting and the counters and cards look gorgeous. How does this compare to the WW1 air game from Gregory Smith?

[@ZillaBlitz]

It's hard to speculate much given that Western Front Ace isn't out, but I think that game will focus more on an individual pilot. I've seen that it's based on Nightfighter Ace, which would also indicate that sort of experience. In Aces of Valor you're commanding a squadron of 8 planes, so the game experience is likely streamlined a bit compared to Western Front Ace given the greater number of planes in action. I think it's fair to say that the games will play very differently, and yet overlap in that they are both about WW1 aerial combat.

[@davidsandberg6179]

Looks kind of interesting … but I’m still hoping to see you do a play through of Storm Above the Reich, which is in the same ballpark as this one, but which is more focused on the details of combat and has unparalleled component quality IMO. (I think I recall you showing SatR on your shelf in the past.)

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yes, that was the first unboxing I ever did and at the time I didn’t think I could make a good play through of the game. I think I could do better now. At some point it would be fun, but at the moment there is a rather large number of games in front of it. Hopefully someday!

[@colinmacmillan2944]

... and Skies Over Britain! Same company. I agree about the quality of components.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I do have Skies over Britain on my Shelf of Opportunity. :)

[@HissyCat]

This looks like a lot of fun.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yep!

[@8ofcups763]

It looks interesting. I am looking forward to seeing how the game plays.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Me too. Especially the combat system. Looks quite original. :)

[@Phalanx11]

Maybe in the 22nd century we can have counters precut already sorted out in a counter tray...The bane of any wargamer is cutting counters, I've spent at least 10 hours cutting 702 counters for Russia Besieged, but I'm a perfectionist.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Haha. I actually enjoy clipping counters, but Pacific War (2,404 counters) is putting that to the test. I'd love a machine I could drop counter sheets in and it would clip and organize them for me.

[@Phalanx11]

Me too.. I was actually enjoying and going back to, cutting counters...I like putting them in a big pile...seems we could get the counters precut in a tray in the box when we buy the game. I would pay $5 more for that...

[@ZillaBlitz]

I'd pay more than $5 for someone to clip the Pacfic War game. It's amazing how long that takes.

[@Kili121416]

I wonder how this compares with Western Front Ace. Covers similar ground.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I think the Compass one will put you in charge of a single pilot, which would be the biggest difference.

[@colinmacmillan2944]

Had this one on pre-order from day one too - the wait will be worth it.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I've been itching for some good WW1 aerial combat games. It feels like it's been a gap, at least in terms of newer games.

[@tomeboy109]

Where do you buy your games

[@ZillaBlitz]

Happy to help! But pretty much ... everywhere. :) Local game stores, direct from the publishers, Amazon, Ebay, Board Game Geek, Miniature Madness, Board Game Geek, Noble Knight, Enterprise Games, trading with friends, etc. In recent months, many games are review copies provided by gaming companies. Hope this helps!

[@tomeboy109]

@@ZillaBlitz thank you

[@epone3488]

Bummed that the Brits dont have the AirCo DH2 as the lv1 one plane. I have very romanticv feelings about the DH2.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Maybe you could make some counters or relabel them? The aircraft performance stats are fairly generic, so the beginner aircraft ratings are the same for each nation.

[@charlespester2398]

Just to clarify Billy Bishop was Canadian..

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks! That's good to know, much appreciated. :)

[@PatrickFoley-vf3lr]

I saw no map at all to play on ???????????????

[@ZillaBlitz]

Might have missed it? The playthrough videos show how things work in more detail: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5rFdZZ6bcuXmJI

[@dwaynew8297]

Too bad it’s a paper map, otherwise looks good. Thanks for the unboxing.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I'm okay with the paper for something like this, as it's more of an organizer. But I can certainly understand the hope for mounted. I have some plexiglass for paper and it works well. (Well, not for shooting video of the games, but otherwise it works well.)

[@Eurodance_Groove]

As usual... Italians are not present... Why?!?

[@colinmacmillan2944]

Check out Western Front Ace - that I believe will cover that theatre too.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yes, I think that one is from the perspective of an individual pilot, too. So same area, but a different take. Might make for a nice pair.