Review | Unconditional Surrender | GMT Games | The Players' Aid

This is a monster game, without a monster amount of pieces. There's much more detail about the mechanics in the following video: • Review: Unconditional ...
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[@ginzen100]

I found a copy of this new in shrink at a garage sale for $5 a month ago. I'm still buzzing about it!

[@ThePlayersAid]

Wow, great find!

[@Hybban]

Bought this game in 2014. Played the small scenario "Poland Invasion". Got frightened... Every once in a while, I open the box, read the rules, setup the game, play a few rounds and then have to put it back in the box. I really need a game room.

[@hairbrainedgames3127]

So I'm not the only one that does this. That is encouraging. I even took the rulebook on vacation a couple weeks ago and prepped to dive back in, but... just can't get over the hump. Someday...

[@Hybban]

@@hairbrainedgames3127 I may try it solo on BGA one day.

[@fluffywaffles]

What would you say the "hump" is?

[@percyblok6014]

​@@hairbrainedgames3127 Dude, it's just a paper game in a box, not a rattlesnake.

[@ilqrd.6608]

Desperately waiting for the new printing. Even if I only play it once it will have been worth owning it

[@Kyllingmannen]

The rules and mechanics are absolutely brilliant! It's easy to transpose the rules and mechanics to other settings, and I've used these beyond the second world war to play homemade scenarios in RPGs - in a fantasy world (where dragons flew sorties), and in a western setting. It's an endless sandbox of fun.

[@codyawz]

That is awesome. I’ve been eyeing USE for the be all end all ww2 Europe game but to use it in fantasy, the preferred genre, impressive. Mind sharing any rules docs or processes you have?

[@percyblok6014]

Latest printing currently in "Art and Final Development" stage (8/12/24).

[@billsimoni]

⁠ until all factions are active, the 3rd player doesn’t have much to do when playing the full campaign.

[@pm71241]

I appreciate what the designer tried to do in this game: Making a simpler grand strategic game by only having 1 combat system and low counter density. Also, making combat a part of movement is a good idea and the sortie system for air is nice. However... in the end, I don't think USE achieves the goal. Yes, there's only 1 CRT, but it's used in several different ways, so it's still not one combat system. ... and the game still takes, what?... 50 hours to play. Combined with that the first part of the game is utterly boring for the Allied side, I just soured on this ... a lot. I know World-in-Flames take 200h to play and has a rulebook twice as long. But I'd much rather have fun for 200h, than not for 50h. Recently I've been looking into "Blitz! A world in conflict" and I actually think this game manages to achieve what USE promised. A short, low-counter density, grand strategic WWII game with only a single combat system. And it takes

[@davidnichol9669]

Excellent video - and timely too, as I'm just about to pick up a 2nd hand copy. Have you tried the Unconditional Surrender implementation on boardgamearena? It's pretty bloomin' good and right up there with the Rally The Troops stuff. I just plunged right in without too much knowledge of the rules and managed to play through a couple of small scenarios no bother. I'm almost ready to seek out a live, human opponent - even though I know I'll get my ass handed to me!!

[@ThePlayersAid]

I have used it! It’s EXCELLENT. I just don’t have the regular time commitment needed to pursue that, however. If I didn’t have this channel to support I’d probably do it a lot more.

[@joemyers85]

Great video, as always. I'm hoping that this extra publicity will help to speed up the 4th reprint!

[@jallenhill]

I think you captured exactly what Sal Vasta did that makes me find this game so appealing. [Bias note: I helped him playtest it.] The interesting strategic decisions, the smooth (but not trivial) air and naval systems, and the land combat and maneuvering. I’m still playing it. A couple notes on Unconditional Surrender: Western Campaigns (USWC): the map scale is the same. One of the goals was to allow people who have limited physical space but want to set up a physical copy to be able to play the scenarios. We also took the opportunity to refine the scenarios, which you’ll see already reflected in the USE living rules & playbook. USWC will have a couple new scenarios as well, all using units already present in USE.

[@jallenhill]

You mentioned the BGA implementation. Lunalol did incredible work to bring that to life. It has brought in so many new players.

[@kennethatherton568]

What a joy to see this! You guys were why I took the plunge in 2017 to order the 2nd printing of USE from GMT, my 1st war game in 25 years & my first direct order from a publisher. I figured if I was only going to get one game I’d get the one that did it all in Europe. Grant, I think you were very skillful & lucky: I played the Barbarossa-only scenario as Soviets against two different friends and we called both games after 10-12 hours in favor of Soviets. Maybe the scenario is more restrictive (no bringing DAK to East front)? If you ever play that one, please post about it on your blog, I’d be interested to hear your results. Also: was this game the site of the infamous Italian navy fiasco? I don’t believe you said. Thanks for the two player review, guys, and good luck on the p500 board.

[@ThePlayersAid]

That scenario is farrrr more rigid than the sandbox campaign, so Grant was less lucky and more like: not bogged down in politics and hypotheticals and was able to go early and go hard before the Soviets were up to strength. Not being weighed down in Greece and the Balkans helped, though for sure.

[@cinimod19374]

Play online 😂!!!!

[@mindbomb9341]

The ONLY thing I hate about this game is that wonky map projection used... or whatever it is. If I buy this, I will have to make my own map to play on.

[@strelnikoff1632]

I know this review is a bit old but you guys nailed it. I agree verbatim with everything you said. I don't see this system working in a Pacific version though for a variety of reasons. So happy I picked this one up recently

[@coyi51]

Liked the review, but still undecided on whether to take the plunge. like the idea of a large map and not many counters, just a case of space to play game. Looking at the Western Campaigns on P500, I will have room to play that one. Thanks for the review.

[@sgjjamie73]

I am far from a expert gamer, but this game is really playable (although long for sure). There are a lot exceptions though (it seemed to me anyway maybe normal for war games) and the Naval supply was a little confusing, but Sal Vasta on BGG is great helping with the rules.

[@ExLibrisbyMikeBooklover]

Thank you for the review! Looks a great game but grand strategy isn't one of my favourite scales at the moment.

[@algorithm4390]

13:25 I think "convoluted" may have been the word you were sortying for...

[@brundebrauc5198]

I want to learn this game, but feel intimidated by the rules...but a definite buy once it's available in Europe again

[@Possumbaby1413]

There are some good playthrough videos on KZbin: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipfSY418q8hoi6c

[@dcal12]

Go for it, I was hesitant too, but well worth it. Plus there is a great learn to play on you tube.

[@jamiemerian9736]

GMT Games is reprinting it, so act fast BC it may be a while until we see another version! I've been waiting a year so far and can't Wait!

[@gordo6908]

picked this up after gimpy gamer mentioned it. a brilliant sandbox

[@IronHamR]

Hey guys you mentioned not knowing the status of the western game version, it has made the P500 cut. So it’s on the way.

[@StevenPaulDesign]

Thank you for cutting in footage of the game/components while you are talking about the game!

[@clarkcommando1983]

🎉wonderful gsmec

[@douglewis1273]

Saw it was also on BGA, anyone tried that. I cut my teeth on AH Rise and Decline of 3R, how does it compare.

[@ThePlayersAid]

Not sure how the two compare, but I’ve played on BGA and the implementation is excellent all things considered.

[@billsimoni]

I do not like this as a 3-player game. Love it at 2.

[@crispy2802]

Can you share more as to why? Am seriously considering getting this when it reprints. And it being 3 player is a plus for my wargame group.

[@billsimoni]

Not sure why my comment wouldn’t as how up here

[@crispy2802]

@@billsimoni wat

[@bac-up6758]

ummm, how come you guys never show the board? or any units opr markers? etc??!!

[@ThePlayersAid]

We referenced the following video in the first three minutes: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aom6hYWDd5iAbNE

[@dcal12]

Great game, my favorite for this scale.

[@tomknight1759]

HI Grant and Alex, this was good as I have the game, but have not opened it. I am on the P500 for the mounted board and new scenarios. Do you have an estimate of how long the shortest scenario would be? Thanks,

[@Possumbaby1413]

This guy did a play though of all the early war scenarios and many of them are pretty quick: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipfSY418q8hoi6c

[@ThePlayersAid]

The shortest scenario is the training Poland scenario, which takes all but 10 mins. But the smallest campaign, will be at least a couple of big sessions.

[@tomknight1759]

@@ThePlayersAid Thanks

[@Conflict_Boardgaming]

FIRST!