Axis Empires Ultimate Edition Unboxing

Check out what's in the box in this gigantic new edition of Axis Empires from Decision. Totaler Krieg and Dai Senso in a single box, plus extras!

[@varovaro1967]

wow that looks convoluted and complex…

[@allynvannoy4743]

#blitzed. Good stuff to know. "Axis Empires" - not just a game, but a commitment.

[@MeanderingMikesManCave]

#blitzed Great video! I'm glad your game finally arrived in the mail! Keep up the great work ... Excelsior!

[@PushingCardboard]

Back at you, Mike!

[@jbthor03]

#blitzed. Looking forward to getting going with this myself in the next few months

[@MichaelYoung-i9x]

#Blitzed Wow what a monster game and thorough showing, thanks!

[@pevanko]

#blitzed Looks like an interesting monster game to play out.

[@Rodinov_Claw]

#blitzed Glad to be here to support you and your channel.

[@timlewellen6325]

#blitzed, Now that's a monster, enjoy.

[@JoeandCami]

#blitzed Great content! What a massive game!

[@aleksanderfreberg6831]

#blitzed keep up the good work 👌👏

[@Goodtobetheking2024]

#blitzed Nicely done.

[@Stumptonian1]

#blitzed Now that's a "Divorce-Maker" Game! Thanks for the look.

[@PushingCardboard]

Oh yeah, it's gonna leave a mark on your credit card.

[@bryanburk6635]

#blitzed What a huge game! I appreciate that you offered some close ups of the counters and maps.

[@PushingCardboard]

The camera is decent, so might as well get right in and have a closeup look. I'm glad you found it useful.

[@Hedgehobbit]

I played a ton of Totaler Krieg back in the day, both live and through Cyberboard. I loved the map, the card play, and the way the smaller counters combine. However, there were some really weird aspects to the combat resolution mechanics, particularly retreating, explointing, and out of supply, that just didn't make sense. It made that part of the game feel more gamey than the more simulationist aspects of the rest of the game. I hope this is something they've addressed.

[@PushingCardboard]

I haven't kept up on the reaction to it, so I don't know how players who played the previous version are taking to it. Or how much they've changed it in this new version.

[@larrypearson9325]

#blitzed .. KEEP PUSHING CARDBOARD!!! and I'm subscribed tanks for the unboxing ✨️

[@PushingCardboard]

Thanks for the sub! Happy to be your pusher!

[@soysaucehobbies2703]

#blitzed Great vid! Thanks for all the unboxing. Helps me see what to expect.

[@gadflygames]

#blitzed

[@EricGustafson-n4c]

#blitzed. Thorough unboxing of an immense product. Was distantly thinking of picking it up, but, realized thru the unboxing that I would never get this played (maybe good as an investment) but I’ld rather play the games. I usually just listen to the Pushing Cardboard podcast, but just subscribed to the KZbin channel. Very good work.

[@PushingCardboard]

Good choice! And I'm glad to hear you're a podcast subscriber. That's my main venue for sure. Slowly building up the video end, but the audio side is full on.

[@DaraTeaches]

#blitzed Wow, this looks so much heavier than what we usually play, but great job on showing off something that I wouldn't normally even check out (and thanks Mike for the channel recommendation!)

[@PushingCardboard]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@IronHamR]

#blitzed Nice unboxing overview. Really impressed with the map graphics and components. This monster looks good (and complex) but interesting.

[@PushingCardboard]

It is a super looking package for sure. For a company that sometimes gets dinged for not paying attention to details, this really looks like they've hit it out of the park.

[@ErynnWilson]

#blitzed Great video and unboxing. This is definitely a must have game for me. I will be watching your channel in the future. Very informative. Thanx. LLAP🖖

[@PushingCardboard]

Thanks for the visit

[@texigander5]

#blitzed Looking forward to watching your videos. If Zilla Blitz recommends you, that’s good enough for me.

[@PushingCardboard]

Welcome aboard!

[@Indigorun]

#blitzed Happy for the recommendation to Pushing Cardboard! I look forward to searching the channel.

[@PushingCardboard]

Welcome, I hope you find something you like. There's plenty more at pushingcardboard.com

[@masmorden]

#blitzed Man, this looks amazing. What a comprehensive game. Nice job on the unboxing, particularly zooming in close on the details. I subscribed with the hope you can do a follow up on how the game plays. I'm off to watch your Twilight of the Third Reich video now.

[@PushingCardboard]

It's going to be a while before I can do a video on this in detail, it's such a beast. Check out pushingcardboard.com for other podcast and web content.

[@Corpus19]

#Blitzed Thanx Grant. That's the kinda game i WISH i could play, but then reality sets in.😊. Nice video.

[@PushingCardboard]

You and me both! I'm really going to have to push myself to get this learned and played. Even just the TK side.

[@12600Grey]

#blitzed 🤣Haha, your comment "If you're paying by the pound.". I have a question solely out of curiosity. What is the sound in the background? Sounds like water running, aquarium maybe? Thanks again, because unboxing video's for games are really important for the future. It was an unboxing video that helped my understand what components I was missing from a game that had misprints on component numbers and mixed expansions and BGG vs online chats were all different. I was able to pause and count the counter sheets. So thank you from my future self if I ever am fortunate enough to get this game second hand. Cheers!

[@PushingCardboard]

You nailed it, it's an aquarium. My son has a saltwater aquarium with some coral, fish, and invertebrates.

[@danieltietz8042]

#blitzed Glad Zilla sent me over! Enjoyed the unboxing. Also enjoyed your comments on Ardennes II. Keep up the good work. Look forward to viewing more of your stuff.

[@PushingCardboard]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@vinceA3748]

#blitzed Excellent unboxing. This is a massive game. Product quality looks terrifc. That's one of the better looking maps I have seen.

[@PushingCardboard]

It really does look well-produced. Time will tell if the game lives up to the contents, i.e.errata, etc.

[@thomashawley7176]

#blitzed Great videos. Zilla said I should check out your KZbin channel, but I have been subscribed to your channel for some time now. Keep the great videos coming.

[@PushingCardboard]

Glad to hear from another person who'd already found both me and Zilla. Good taste, I say.

[@laufetc]

#blitzed Recommendation needed: If already own the previous editions... how much improved is this? I see a lot of "expansion" and "options", but has the base game(s) really changed in any way? thanks!

[@PushingCardboard]

I'm hoping someone else will chime in on this one as this is the first version I've owned. It was so expensive, I almost decided to buy a secondhand copy of the previous version of TK instead, as I'd always heard great things about the game.

[@wolfdog]

#blitzed I'm interested to find out how this game plays. I had the OG Totaler Krieg and never got it to the table. BTW, thanks for the Rinella interview a bit ago. It may have caused a few 'impulse' buys...

[@PushingCardboard]

Ha! Yeah, I'm a big fan of Rinella's stuff, especially his bigger games like Stalingrad: Verdun on the Volga and Monty's Gamble. I hope he does more of them.

[@jy3802]

#blitzed Very thorough unboxing. Nice job. Problem is, I always get tempted to buy these games which gets me in trouble with my wife...lol Thanks!

[@PushingCardboard]

You and me both!

[@thomassamson1432]

#blitzed Great unboxing, thanks. Glad I was directed here as otherwise I might not have found you but now subscribed as always glad to find content from fellow Canadians. Bang on about shipping as it seems anything coming him from our neighbours is almost always brutal. Keep up the good work and I will be watching here in ON some of your previous videos

[@PushingCardboard]

Great to have another fellow Canuck on board!

[@josemiguelrodriguez1500]

#blitzed. Another Zilla follower coming to your channel. Great to discover new good quality videos and opinions, thanks for your contribution.

[@PushingCardboard]

Thanks and welcome

[@johnmcguinness9732]

#blitzed Excellent unboxing! Can't wait to watch more of your videos.

[@PushingCardboard]

Great! Good luck!

[@kristijan1985]

#blitzed Just discovered this channel, looks really great! Thanks, Zilla, and you Grant!

[@PushingCardboard]

Welcome aboard!

[@Bahrainmark]

- #blitzed We have played AE with SK and Dod II a few times already, so thanks for the unboxing.. Very well done.

[@PushingCardboard]

I should have had you as a co-host to explain the things that tripped me up.

[@dmj284]

#blitzed Thanks for this unboxing, especially for calmly showing all of the contents and for your good humor in all your videos. Enjoy being a subscriber!

[@PushingCardboard]

Thanks for the comment. It's nice to be appreciated for good humour for a change!

[@RobertO-ly5tb]

#blitzed Thank you very another great video! I previously subscribed to your channel, but I missed this video. So I’m glad Zilla reminded me to come pay you a visit. This game is very impressive. I preordered it at the last minute after telling myself I wouldn’t 😊. I can only hope I’ll get to play it someday. Keep up the good work. Cheers.

[@PushingCardboard]

I'm with you. It was so pricey, I definitely can't let it sit on the "to be played" shelf.

[@mikerinehart]

#blitzed So after all the punching, traying, and sleeving do you suppose it will all fit back in the box? PS let me know if you want some custom theme music.

[@PushingCardboard]

The traying is the tricky part for sure. But it is a huge box, and there are some cardboard inserts that can be removed to make more space.

[@CardboardCommander]

#blitzed - The dice of Decision looks great, as it would make the game playable for years to come. Pretty Cool. Love the channel and podcast. Keep up the good work!

[@PushingCardboard]

Back at ya!

[@mikes4865]

#blitzed watched and liked this unboxing when it came out. I have the original version of Totaler Krieg. This is unbelievable. Thank you for doing this massive unboxing!

[@PushingCardboard]

Oh wow! If I'd had the original TK, I'm not sure I would have bit on this. Just one copy is a fairly hefty investment.

[@davidsandberg6179]

#blitzed Wow, those are very attractive maps … alas, my table wouldn’t be big enough either! Thanks much for the thorough look!

[@PushingCardboard]

I have a feeling I'll be just playing on half the game for a long time.

[@picklebuckeye]

Great unboxing video! I really appreciate your thoroughness and your knowledge on games is stellar! Keep up the great work! #blitzed

[@PushingCardboard]

I appreciate that!

[@vanessar8056]

Thank you for you great videos! Really like how well explained all the components are. Cheers! #blitzed

[@PushingCardboard]

Glad you like them!

[@pablomerighi335]

#blitzed Monster game! Nice video and channel. Subscribed! 👍🏻

[@PushingCardboard]

Thanks for thr subscription!

[@lakingsgeek]

#blitzed Already a subscriber of this great channel and the podcast. Hope Zilla Blitz's cross promotional helps out the channel.

[@PushingCardboard]

Much appreciated! Love to know there's a lot of folks who are fans of us and Zilla.

[@brucewachtler9093]

#blitzed Your channel looks interesting- just subscribed! This game is too big for me but I’ll definitely check out your other content.

[@PushingCardboard]

Welcome! I generally play more moderately sized games, but I couldn't resist this one as I'd always wanted a copy in it's previous versions.

[@dekametr]

#blitzed Mike(Zilla Blitz ) thinks highly of you. he highly recommended your channel to us

[@PushingCardboard]

Mike is a great guy. Had a couple meals with him when we were at the same convention and he's just as nice and positive in real life as he is on his channel.

[@jonsmith9518]

#blitzed Great looking game. Looking forward to checking out more of your videos. Great stuff.

[@PushingCardboard]

Much appreciated!

[@Offsuit72]

#blitzed always happy to find another great content creator. Subscribed, thanks and good luck!

[@PushingCardboard]

Thanks for subbing, I hope you find some things of interest. I do a podcast as well, and I've just started experimenting with putting that on youtube as well as on audio.

[@bobmoriarty9774]

#blitzed Nice camera work. Zooming in really shows the details of the counters and maps. Great video. I will be a new subscriber for sure.

[@PushingCardboard]

Thanks, Bob, welcome to the channel!

[@gregoryb8959]

#blitzed Always enyoy your videos. Actually learned about your work initially when i found your podcast listening to a number of installments.

[@PushingCardboard]

I'm always very glad to hear from a podcast listener as that's my main channel, really.

[@larrycwhite]

#blitzed Thanks for the video unboxing. Very massive game!

[@PushingCardboard]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@pschwag1965]

#blitzed Great to see this game unboxed. I see adds for it every issue of Strategy and Tactics mag and their WWII magazine. Now I get to finally see what is in the box. Thanks again.

[@PushingCardboard]

And there's a lot in that box...

[@CaptNavyJake]

#blitzed I thought I had owned and played a monster game before.... Boy was I wrong. Great video!!

[@PushingCardboard]

Thanks. It is indeed a beast if you use it all at once.

[@RetiKingKnight]

#blitzed Anyone who shows Turning Point Stalingrad and Breakout Normandy on his shelf on his channel banner gets a sub from me. Can’t wait to dig into your content Grant.

[@PushingCardboard]

Oh, if you're a fan of area-impulse games, check out my interview with Mike Rinella, the current king of area-impulse designs. And I have covered quite a few of them on my podcast as well at pushingcardboard.com (And I'm playing Storm over Arnhem right now via VASSAL PBEM right now- love those AH titles.)

[@DavidBrown-hy4vm]

#blitzed It sure would be nice if shippers sent a notice of shipping so that we'd not go 2 months before asking if it ever shipped. I agree, white background for rules! Not everyone has young eyes or the best lighting. Contrast is key.

[@PushingCardboard]

Glad to know I'm not alone

[@graymeeple9620]

#blitzed Great unboxing! Very thorough. I really enjoyed your coverage of the contents.

[@PushingCardboard]

Glad to hear it!

[@robertdelaney4332]

#Blitzed WOW! I think I just witnessed a game that may make ASL seem as simple as checkers in comparison. Impressive.

[@PushingCardboard]

I hope not. I'm fairly well versed in ASL, I hope can be in this as well!

[@maubunky1]

#blitzed Subscribed! Thanks for having a camera lens that you can immediately adjust to zoom in close up on playing card texts. And then somehow your camera can immediately refocus on the table down below when you move the card away. On countless other channels I get to the point where I want to tear my eyeballs out trying to get the cheap camera zoom to focus on something the presenter is holding up in front of the camera at close range and the camera is seriously failing to auto adjust. Nice video.

[@PushingCardboard]

Thanks for the subscription, AND the comments. I use a decent camera for this stuff (Canon D90). It rarely lets me down on the auto-zoom (though sometimes it gets lazy...or more likely I have a setting wrong). THe only thing that I have to remember on longer pieces is that it will only record 30 mins at a time. So I have to remember to pause after 30 minutes and restart if I'm doing a longer piece like a review or "how it works" or something like that. I certainly appreciate that you appreciate the decent gear.

[@garyclarkson5246]

#blitzed I enjoyed the video. I really enjoyed the clashing Carriers unboxing too.

[@PushingCardboard]

Glad to hear it! I'm attempting to play that Carriers game right now, if we can get a coule wrinkles worked out with the VASSAL module.

[@davidoduffy6168]

#Blitzed Great video, Grant. Looking forward to scrolling through the depth of your videos.

[@PushingCardboard]

Hope you enjoy! I also have lots of audio and written content at pushingcardboard.com

[@thomaswoloszyn9709]

#blitzed. Great review. Please keep these up. Any thoughts how it might compare to World in flames or GMT a world at war?

[@PushingCardboard]

I can't be specific as I've only really played A World at War's predecessors and have only watched or read about the other two. But what really strikes me as different in Axis Empires is that the card play element is huge. I may be wrong, but that may be how you launch offensives, get replacments, and a bunch of other things are are just in the sequence of play for the other two. I'm not certain of that, but based on what I've read about Totaler Kreig, I think that might be the way it works. I'll know more once I work up the energy to play it.

[@millerjoshua8]

#blitzed Always love it when Pushing Cardboard has a review or a how-to of a game I'm interested in learning. One of the best in the biz!

[@PushingCardboard]

Glad you enjoy it! And if I had a book, I'd hire you as my publicist!

[@OK1234567890100]

#blitzed Nice camera work on he unboxing. The game looks very detailed.

[@PushingCardboard]

Appreciate it! Nice to know the good camera makes a difference.

[@jimmedina1108]

#blitzed That's one monster game. I would like to see some game reviews from you. Zilla said you have a lot of impressive knowledge. Thx

[@PushingCardboard]

I do have a few reviews here on the channel, but most of them are on my podcast which is audio only for the most part. I'm experimenting with doing a video version each month as well, so perhaps I can get those things out to both the podcast fans and the youtube fans.

[@FightinFarmer]

#blitzed I really enjoyed the video. That game looks really really complex but looks like a lot of fun. I subbed and plan on checking out more vids! Thanks for the time and effort you put into these.

[@PushingCardboard]

Thanks for the sub! Check out the website as well. I have a lot of audio content as well as this channel.

[@knutsparell3619]

#blitzed Thanks to Mike I'm rewatching the video (which is cool), but also increases the probability that I'm going to buy the game, which I cannot afford! (Unless I get a 90%+ discount... ;-)) I really like your unboxings, but it increases the probability that... well I guess you understand the problem :-)

[@PushingCardboard]

Ha! Well, console yourself that your addicted to games and not gambling on dog racing. There's always an upside.

[@knutsparell3619]

@@PushingCardboard You are quite right. Well put and thankyou!

[@whovian223]

Always an excellent follow on Twitter and didn't realize I wasn't already subscribed! Great stuff here as well. #blitzed

[@PushingCardboard]

Hey, good to see you here as well!

[@ErikIversen]

#blitzed A thorough unboxing and overview of an impressive looking game.

[@PushingCardboard]

thanks for stopping by!

[@davidfranklin2491]

#blitzed I like Decision Games. I have quite a collection but some these big box games are just too far out my price range. It's a great looking game though.

[@PushingCardboard]

It is crazy expensive, there is no doubt about that. I don't often shell out for these big games, either, but this was something I'd wanted for a long time.

[@Camera_Speeds]

#blitzed these maps seem massive! Thank you for taking the time to show us all the details. Definitely not a rushed experience which I really appreciate. Take care!

[@PushingCardboard]

Glad you liked it!

[@UKCommandPost]

#blitzed Been listening to your podcasts since day one, but strangely I was not sub`d to this channel, but that is now fixed! Great video!

[@PushingCardboard]

Awesome, thank you! If you've been with the podcast, you've heard the majority of my stuff, but I'm slowing building up the video side as well.

[@don_dad]

#blitzed. Subscribed! Been watching more and more on wargames. Play a lot of Boardgames now and this seems like the next thing I want to dive into!

[@PushingCardboard]

Welcome to the tribe!

[@KevinFeatherly]

#blitzed Well done. Until I saw the counters, I had it in my head that this was a new Axis and Allies version. Definitely not!

[@PushingCardboard]

Ha!~If someone was looking for Axis and Allies, they'd be in for a shock.

[@sbhb7455]

#blitzed I appreciate you going through each section thoroughly! Makes it feel a lot less overwhelming when I already have that recognition of some of the cards!

[@PushingCardboard]

Thanks for watching

[@herbboutilier9431]

#Blitzed I found your channel just a couple days ago! Subscribed immediately.

[@PushingCardboard]

Great to see you, Herb! We almost got together for a game of Band of Brothers via VASSAL years ago, I think. I could be misremembering. Anyway, welcome aboard. I also host a website and podcast.

[@justRayEvansopinion]

Good luck with this game folk. I'll stick with a game I can play and finish while still young. 🚴

[@PushingCardboard]

Still young? I'm already past that. If you're hinting I may die before I get this finished, you may ahve a point...

[@mikereiling7]

#blitzed Great content; I subscribed. Thanks for adding to the hobby!

[@PushingCardboard]

Thanks for the sub! Check out pushingcardboard.com if you're into wargaming content

[@ludwigvan2932]

#blitzed wow this games a big one. Thanks for the great unboxing. I hadnt heard of this one before. Going to definitely check it out. Its a good looking game.

[@PushingCardboard]

Thanks for watching!

[@andrewcook1249]

#blitzed - I could only dream about getting this played. Maybe at a week-long con after I retire!

[@PushingCardboard]

I imagine this will get played at some of the cons. Multiplayer and players could probably swap out and keep the game going.

[@briancarless2132]

#blitzed Grant I really enjoy your videos and your Twitter presence is a little part of what brought me back to the hobby after many years away.

[@PushingCardboard]

Ha! Glad to hear the twitter thing has an upside. Welcome to the channel.

[@j_atkinson]

#blitzed Love your stuff although unboxing videos are not my favorite :) Great job though!

[@PushingCardboard]

To be honest, unboxings aren't my favourite either, but I can't resist doing them when I get a new game, and they keep the channel active between bigger projects.

[@fillgraff]

I've been #blitzed and I am happy about it. Very interesting videos on your channel. 😊

[@PushingCardboard]

Welcome aboard!

[@wylands_boy]

#blitzed I have been subscribed to your channel for a while. Really enjoy your reviews.

[@PushingCardboard]

Thanks! I'm glad to share viewers with Zilla, he's a terrific guy on top of being a great youtube creator.

[@CliftonFranklund]

#blitzed Nice video. I am glad to have discovered you. New subscriber.

[@PushingCardboard]

Welcome to the tribe!

[@donaldprevost3523]

#blitzed Thanks for the unboxing. Amazing monster game!

[@PushingCardboard]

It's definitely a big one. But less counters than some of those East Front monster hex and counter games. THat's what I tell myself.

[@grodd1016]

#blitzed Great channel, always nice to find someone point out quality content. Keep up the good work.

[@PushingCardboard]

Thanks, will do!

[@marui044able]

#blitzed Thanks for doing what you do! I'm glad to see content creators cooperating for the greater good of the hobby.

[@PushingCardboard]

Zilla is an easy guy to cooperate with, and a great guy period.

[@frederickclemens1189]

#blitzed clear, professional commentary - Thanks!

[@PushingCardboard]

Much appreciated!

[@MustangGT4]

Very glad I got referred here from zilla #blitzed, looking forward to keeping up with your content going forward

[@PushingCardboard]

Thanks for coming!

[@Legolas7555]

#blitzed I like to the variety of publishers showcased on the channel.

[@PushingCardboard]

I appreciate that. I try to spread the love around as I certainly enjoy a wide variety of games. And I cover oldies from time to time as well, so you might see some Avalon Hill or SPI games. Especially on pushingcardboard.com

[@TheNomadfan]

#blitzed great video and wonderful to discover your channel and its wonderful content!

[@PushingCardboard]

Hey, thanks! And thanks for having a look around. If you're into wargaming, I've probably got something you're interested in, either here or on my website.

[@todd636]

#blitzed Glad I was directed here. So much great content that I've been missing.

[@PushingCardboard]

Glad you made it

[@Roy-rm6jj]

#blitzed A true monster game. Glad they are still around. Great unboxing video. Looks great may have to add it to my list.

[@PushingCardboard]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@travisoke4683]

#blitzed I know little of the actual gameplay, but I agree that those cards draw me in! If only my wallet and table were big enough

[@PushingCardboard]

It's pricey, no dount about that

[@nogardtla]

#blitzed. This is a crazy big game. Great channel - subscribed!

[@PushingCardboard]

Thanks for joining!

[@thomaskaplan4898]

#blitzed fantastic channel, glad I was directed here. Keep up the good work

[@PushingCardboard]

Thanks for stopping by. And thanks to my buddy Zilla for the shoutout.

[@samcox2431]

#blitzed This looks really cool - can't wait to play. I am sure the guys are going to be real excited.

[@PushingCardboard]

I think it has multiple player counts depending on how you want to divide up each side.