Game Unboxing: "Vive L' Empereur", A Solitaire Wargame of Waterloo

[@EricsTableNapoleonicBattles]

I discovered after I had filmed this video that White Dog games is no longer publishing this game. Apparently there was a dispute between them and the designer. Herman Luttman is looking for a new publisher. He is active on the Board Game Geek page for this game and will make an announcement when a new publisher is found. Apparently, I was one of the last people to have purchased the game from White Dog in July before it got pulled from their collection in August!

[@kondor99999]

This is an excellent game. My (admittedly highly intelligent) 10 year old played it solitaire while we were on vacation and gave it high marks. Seems to deliver realistic results and allows you to explore alternative strategies for the famous battle. He wanted to try ignoring Hougoumont and it worked fairly well. I was happy to have ordered it before they stopped making it!

[@terry7907]

I think the problem with doing a simulation of Waterloo-or other battles such as Bulge-is trying to come up with something to distinguish it from all the others.

[@EricsTableNapoleonicBattles]

There are three battles that have received the most game titles; Waterloo, Gettysburg, and the Battle of the Bulge. The first two were very close battles that could have tipped either way. Their outcome had a significant impact on history. I can appreciate the interest in them. From a publishing point of view, most people have heard about those battles and you are more likely to sell a game on that topic.

[@ramyahoo]

It's now available at Blue Panther LLC

[@EricsTableNapoleonicBattles]

Thank you for letting me know. I must have been one of the last persons to get a copy from White Dog.

[@e-4airman124]

thank you

[@EricsTableNapoleonicBattles]

You're welcome!

[@Pericalypsis]

I often wonder what kind of person a wargame like this is made for. Maybe a person who is just getting into wargaming and doesn't really know what's out there. Or is perhaps a little intimidated by ASL, BAR, LaBatt, BCS, OCS etc. If the former, then it just requires a bit of research to see what's out there. If the latter, then there are games that are one level lower in complexity like the Simonitch 'XX series, or GCACW, or Blind Swords. These games will give you far more bang for your buck, much greater replayability, and deeper satisfaction. As long as you're willing to put in a bit of effort to learn the rules. In my opinion, of course. 😁

[@ramyahoo]

Yeah, but you have to two hand those games, right?

[@Pericalypsis]

That's true, but I prefer soloing two-player games over playing solitaire games. Not all two-player games provide a satisfactory solo experience, of course, but the ones I listed do.

[@EricsTableNapoleonicBattles]

There is a market for solitaire historic wargames. It is a challenge dealing with the bot or random results, so that provides enjoyment. I have had a blast every time I have played "In Magnificent Style". However, I prefer playing with another person whenever possible.

[@texigander5]

Waterloo, Waterloo, Waterloo. I love the Napoleonic era but am so tired of Waterloo. In a similar vein to Gettysburg. Sorry for the rant.

[@EricsTableNapoleonicBattles]

I agree. However, Waterloo is one of the few battles the general population might recall when they think about Napoleon. If you are a game publisher, it is going to be easier to sell a product of a famous battle than something more obscure. In that regard, it is similar to Gettysburg or the Battle of the Bulge.

[@AlecFlackie]

The interesting thing about Waterloo remains that it was such a 'close run' and there were so many 'what ifs' such as had the battle started earlier in the morning or Grouchy hadn't spent the day chasing Blucher around the countryside. Okay, Napoleon would have probably inevitably been defeated by one the allied powers at some stage but still. These battles shouldn't be sniffed at, they were all iconic battles for their eras. Waterloo also had a number of set pieces; the defence of Hougoumont, the British and French cavalry charges, the capture of La Haye Sainte, the arrival of the Prussians and the defeat of Imperial Guard. If these 'what ifs' bore you of course that is your prerogative, both Waterloo and Gettysburg changed their continents histories so much that they still retain fascination for many and I don't think it is just because the only Napoleonic battle Joe Soap know is Waterloo. Most wargamers aren't Joe Soap, they will have a decent working knowledge of the period in history they are interested in and may have more than one Waterloo, Gettysburg or Bulge wargame. Nobody is forcing people to only play Waterloo there are plenty of scope to fight other battles out there, look at Napoleonic Command and Colors.