No Retreat The Russian Front Review

[@marcowargamer]

the learning curve may be a tad steep for non-wargamer,s but it's definitely doable. Playtime varies greatly based on the scenario - from 2 hours to 6 or 7 I'd say.

[@marcowargamer]

@Krasny999: the counterblows can be seen as representing that, maybe, even though after all they are left to the Russian player. But if one thinks that the German player is controlling the German military forces and the Russian player everything that goes against those [Russian forces, as well as Hitler's unwise orders] than it may work.

[@meenki347]

@Krasny999 Unfortunately, representing Hitler's personality is all too easy but would make the game restrictive and tiresome, just as the original German generals felt. Actually, to a major extent, Hitler and Stalin's personalities are irrelevant in a wargame. Why? We play wargames to simulate the idea, "what would have occurred if I were the dictator of Germany? etc. Want to find out what Hitler would have done? Read a book.

[@marcowargamer]

@atmospherepro: any game that does not use cards should work (table usually are very numerical and visual, and don't require much or any English - and can be easily translated). On top of my head I would recommend A Victory Denied, Julius Caesar [has cards but only six of them have VERY short and easy-to-translate texts; the others only numbers]; Battle for Moscow; Corps Command Totensonnetag; Sekigahara.

[@JoachimErdtman]

Holy Excelsior that's a lot of Marvel graphic novels! No Retreat looks absolutely fantastic, and like it's a great wargame, one I'd be proud to own and play. Thanks for the great review Marco.

[@blmacdonald81]

At 11:50 the 2nd Panzer unit cannot attack both counterblow hexes. Which one does he attack and/or who chooses which one to attack

[@marcowargamer]

@atmospherepro: there is a lot of text to handle in the cards, which are absolutely crucial to the game, so i am afraid that that would create a language barrier.

[@marcowargamer]

@YoksterMan: and you should see the DC stuff! It's on the top shelf, so it did not fit in the frame. I'll try and show all of my superhero comics in the background of the video for Sentinels of the Multiverse (appropriately to the theme, I think)

[@JoachimErdtman]

@marcowargamer Perhaps a graphic novels top 10 list might be in order, or some reviews of your favorites?

[@Diabolik771]

Nice review, wish this guy lived by me. Same interest in wargames as me. I'll have to pick this one up.

[@marcowargamer]

@ShawnDriscollCG: you're right about Barnes & Nobles, and it's a shame. I always supported them, but they shrunk and shrunk their superhero shelves to leave space for manga poop, until they did not have anything left that I did not already have, and I switched to Amazon Prime. Sad, 'cause I like to support brick & mortar whenever possible.

[@blmacdonald81]

At 11:50 the 2nd Panzer Army is adjacent to two counterblow hexes and one target hex. How does one handle that situation? I would assume you would have to attack a counterblow hex but which one? Who decides?

[@JimmysJunkAcct]

Great review. I will probably get this game. Could you recommend any naval-themed games with something like this mechanic or at least this level of strategy? What about Napoleonic? Thanks.

[@Krasny999]

@Marco: I was thinking maybe something like the mandated offensive system in PoG. PS Love your reviews, it's great that someone reviews wargames, as opposed to silly Fantasy Flight games.

[@marcowargamer]

@YoksterMan: too many, too many good ones... I could never narrow it down to just 10...

[@usmcfutball]

Those are about thee MOST beautiful unit counters I have ever seen. Ever!

[@metal134]

Is there anything that this version adds that the VPG version lacks and vice-versa?

[@Krasny999]

@Marco: One of the hardest elements to represent in a East Front wargame is the personality of Hitler, and to a lesser extent Stalin. For example Hitler's insisted on splitting his forces to obtain multiple objectives, against the advice of his generals. Is this commander in chief irrationality represented in the game?

[@ObKling]

@marcowargamer Thanks for the reply. Any recommendations for entry-level war games where text (excluding the manual) isn't crucial?

[@marcowargamer]

lots of stuff if you compare this to the base game. For example, the GMT map is the sum of the original VPS map + an expansion! I think you can get all the same stuff by purchasing VPG game and VPG expansions, but probably the price would be higher...

[@dj21362]

marcowargamer i

[@TheRoook]

Marco, how does this combat system worke. [3-6] 18th Army unit token. 3 = strength and 6 = move?

[@jimsmith7445]

I can see your points... a few new kinks and options... I can get along with that... BUT is it REALLY all that different from AH Stalingrad? An updated map, a few new twists and turns... and so it goes. I understand why every game designer needs to take his or her hack at it, but maybe... it's time to lay every Stalingrad/Russian Campaign game out and see which one is really worth buying... fair enough? Myself, I can take AH's Stalingrad, enhance it with some card play (Hell of Stalingrad), and some different dice mechanisms and probably make it all work out better. Honestly, let's take Memoir 44 boards, miniatures, and terrain components, apply a composite game mechanic (a bit of this, a bit of that... one from Column A, one from Column B, etc) that pleases everyone, and create ONE GAME we can ALL agree to play. How say you?

[@jimsmith7445]

+Xiclotrode It all comes down to whether you "house rule" the design elements of a game to fit playability... or be led around by the nose ring by the designer... your choice. The sheer number of "Stalingrad" games out there too often resemble every vintner in Sonoma and Napa Counties (california) producing a Chardonnay. Some are good, some are better... but let's face it how many kinds of Chardonnay do you really need on the shelf? I try NOT to have too many games, centered around one fight (D-Day, Bulge, Stalingrad, etc) when one game can be "House Ruled " to make sense. Unless game play is all that radically different from one rendition to another... why bother? The gist of this is that I can take my Memoir 44 pieces, use some cards... and simulate my AH Stalingrad game on a more 3D experience. Yes... it takes some "out of the box" thinking, but you can bring a beefier gaming experience to the table. More work? Yes.. reinventing a tired old game concept or making sure a game doesn't just begin to collect dust... worth what you must do. Have a nice day...

[@grumblesa10]

No. Can't be done-that's why there are different takes on the same conflict. Your plan is reminiscent to this old guy of the SPI games of the '70s. They reduced all of organized warfare into 4 pages of rules and the same CRT.

[@marcowargamer]

@Diabolik771: we also have a similar taste in comics and movies since you like Diabolik!

[@ObKling]

I enjoyed this review. Very comprehensive. One question: Could someone not fluent in English play this game, or is it quite text-heavy?

[@marcowargamer]

yes

[@modst84]

This game is a masterpiece. Listen to Marco.

[@Colaris99]

...you also like Marvel!! :)

[@JoachimErdtman]

@marcowargamer Well Tom Vasel has his Top 100 Board Games videos, how about a Top 100 Graphics Novels by you then? ;)

[@tjstube3]

he says the game is simple yet the combat table (trying to calculate those odds) is NOT easy..