Tally-Ho! First Look, Gameplay, and Impressions | Historic Wings | Wargame Book Game | World War 2

[@briandelion49]

The innovation in this game proves that great things come in small packages! And your explanation of this game is so concise and enthusiastic that I can barely resist the urge to buy it immediately! Good show- Tally-Ho!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Definitely impressive both how much is crammed into this, in terms of history and quality/depth of gameplay. And thank you, I'm glad you found the video informative. :)

[@housecaldwell]

This is worth buying just to see how that politcal outcome works. Think of how many other games would benefit from something like that -- really gives your campaign context. Thanks for highlighting this - I would have never heard of it.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yes, the political calculation is interesting, with a nice insight into history and the character of British cabinet and their parties. I'll be looking at his other two book games in a while as well. I suspect they will be equally excellent.

[@WouterSchoutteten]

Look at all that content! Really raises the bar AND challenges the format of the book wargame. I feel this is more of 'a game + a book', while other book wargames are usually 'a game in a book format'... Thanks for another awesome, crystal clear and well documented review Zilla Blitz

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks, Wouter, I'm glad you liked it, and I do think you're absolutely correct that this is a game and a book as opposed to a game in a book. There is a ton of stuff here. :)

[@Pluto2363]

Just got the boxed version. Super high grade. Can't wait to learn and play!!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Oh, enjoy the boxed version! I think that's a great step in the right direction for them. :)

[@swaminic]

Great review. I will be picking this up.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I'd love to hear how you like it! There is a boxed supplement available for the game as well now, through Blue Panther.

[@swaminic]

@@ZillaBlitz The book is on its way and I have printed out the components. I printed the maps at A3 size and printed the counters a little larger as well. It is going to be a little more work to get the counters glued and cut and once the book is here I am ready to go!

[@jfuente]

Excellent review! I picked up both Mag-23 and Tally-Ho! I've played Mag-23 and was immediately impressed. Great content and great competition for other aviation combat boxes games.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks, that's good to hear about Mag-23, too! An awesome start to Historic Wings collection. :)

[@jfuente]

@@ZillaBlitz yeah... Call me crazy but after watching his playthrough of Mag-23 it interested me more than Skies above Britain. The playthroughs I've seen of that seems fiddly... Currently watching stuka ace from LnL and again, fiddly. Only fiddly thing is the log sheets, not the mechanics.

[@ryancmenzer81]

Great review! And after playing the first mission three different times, I agree with all your thoughts. I would love a boxed game of this. I too would like a simpler tracking system. I also feel there are a number of little rule exceptions to keep track of. First time I played, I messed up some rules and probably forgot to record some things. Next two times were much better. The key is to follow the order of operations to the letter. I love the richness of historical context and that the gameplay dynamics more accurately reflect how air combat actually happened (quick strikes vs prolonged 1v1 dogfights, etc). A gorgeous boxed version of this would really create an immersive experience. Maybe with small mini figures and map tiles like Catan (RIP Klaus).

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks! And yep, I've noticed that there's been a leveling up in my gameplay execution after the 3rd/4th time playing the game. As you mention, there are a fair amount of rule exceptions to track, and I kept missing them in my first couple of attempts, but now that I've got the core play down, I'm remembering the exceptions better. And we can hope for a deluxe boxed version some day! :)

[@PoultergeistMedia]

So I bought Mag-23 and was blown away with the gameplay and historical content. The game is so much fun and really depicts how bad the conditions of their airfield were. It really influences how many pilots you send out knowing you could lose 50% due to crashes. Another interesting facet of the game is the usage of fuel or more important the conservation of it. Each week on the island evolves into worsening conditions due to disease or weather. The game is so rich in detail. I look forward to playing Tally-Ho and what really interested me was the political aspect, which I feel is a cool attribute for the time. Great review as always.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks for the information on Mag-23! I've heard very good things about it as well, and it's great to hear that the gameplay is unique to each game. Good omens! :) And thanks!

[@Demy1970]

Good review Zilla on this game, seems like a few of these coming out

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks, Harold! Yes, a Guadalcanal one is also out and there are more on the way. :)

[@virginiajim]

Historic Wings has done a bunch of really fantastic KZbin videos on aviation related history. It’s wonderful to hear that they’re expanding their approach to games. I’ve heard that they have a great solo book game on the aviation battle around Guadalcanal and a couple more games in the pipeline. I’d love to see more reviews of these products.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I'm happy to say that the next two Historic Wings books are in the review queue. It'll be a while, but I will get to them at some point. :)

[@khanjan5004]

Brilliant review and it really gives a sense of what is in the game -- a lot of game in a small package. Thank you!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks for the kind words, Khan! I'm happy you found it helpful. :)

[@undreadSP]

Zilla, you are a lot of fun to watch! I hope you will do some more missions! Thanks

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks much! I've got a bunch of games to catch up on first, but I hope to come back to longer gameplay series in a few months. Until then, I hope to show as much gameplay as possible. :)

[@farpointgamingdirect]

Always great to find more solo games!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Ain't that the truth! :)

[@mcfudpucker7904]

I too bought Tally-ho and Mag-23. Eagerly awaiting the Amazon delivery. Solitaire games with a narrative are most enjoyable.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Nice! I hope you enjoy them. I'm curious about the Mag-23. I think the designer keeps refining his form, too, which is great to see. :)

[@SoloBattles]

Great review! The only problem I have with PnP games is I never know if the game is going to be worth the effort to put serious time into making a quality copy. So I'm playing on a minimum effort quick version to see if it is something I'm going to play a lot, and that usually is enough to detract from me ever wanting to put the extra effort. Separate from that, I am impressed with the time and effort that has gone into this! I like the effort that has been put into the campaign aspect. The issue I have with most historical campaign games is that once you have changed an event's outcome, what follows should be ever more divergent from the historical. This is tempered in the Tally Ho! mechanic with the tables at the end, modifying the political outcome.

[@ZillaBlitz]

The depth of this game really impressed me, so I'd have no trouble investing some time making a good set of counters. Although to be fair my current set I tossed together quickly from the demo version to get an idea of how the game plays. :) In the end, while the narrative of the Battle of Britain will vary on your combat results, the historical divergence boils down to surrender or fight on, which feels appropriate given the context of the game. Fun times. :)

[@Kili121416]

Can you please do a review of his other game Mag-23 Guadalcanal. Unsure as to which one I will buy, at least initially.

[@ZillaBlitz]

While I'd love to, I don't have that one yet, and have a pretty hefty collection of review games I'm playing through at the moment. Maybe at some point I'll be able to. Sorry! :)

[@jfuente]

Thomas has a great playthrough of it on KZbin. It is different but also similarly detailed as far as historical context to the campaign. It focuses more on the development of your squadrons and pilot advancement. I bought both.

[@Kili121416]

@@jfuente Thanks, will hunt it out.

[@Stumptonian1]

I downloaded the Free Version a few months ago but haven't done anything with it yet. Like you, I would prefer a boxed game. The maps look great but will definitely test one's printer ink with all the dark colours. After watching your playthrough I might give it a go in the next few months.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Oh, I should have mentioned the free demo thing! I'll put a link to it in the description. Thanks for reminding me. Yes, I did see a suggestion for "printer-friendly maps" somewhere. That would be nice, agreed.

[@duncanrae466]

I am in my second playthrough of Undaunted: Stalingrad and the choose-your-own-adventure-ey style of narration paragraphs reminds me of Stalingrad.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Interesting to hear of the similarity, and you must be liking Stalingrad quite a bit if you're on your second playthrough already? :)

[@duncanrae466]

@@ZillaBlitz I am enjoying it quite a bit. My first opponent (a young engineer for Dow) played as the germans and won a good share of scenarios. I lost as the russians. Before I finished that game a retired game store owner who is also a retired Army Major (who had tried to purchase the copy I had ordered) called the flgs while I was boardgaming one sunday and essentially called me out. The Major is playing as the russians. We are four games in and I am doing much better this time. I also have another engineer (qa guy) who has dibs so I will have gotten my moneys worth by the time he and I are done.

[@ZillaBlitz]

That sounds like some great gaming! How long does a whole campaign take? I thought it was quite a long endeavor?

[@duncanrae466]

It is a string of 12 to 15 scenarios that take from about 30 minutes to an hour. Which scenario played is determined by a "boardstate" that is decided by who wins the previous match. Each scenario is 30 mins to an hour (depending on your/thier analysis paralysis). There is also the narrative story that is choose your own adventure style entries that are read between scenarios and also determined by who won the previous scenario. You have a pool of cards like a deck builder. Each card os essentially a soldier in your command and between scenarios some will "die" and be replaced by less effective "replacements" and two soldiers will become "veterens" and gain improved abilities or all new skills like area suppresion, grenade attacks or flame attacks to name just a couple.

[@ZillaBlitz]

This is great information, thanks very much! I have to get that to the table. :)

[@jpro8908]

Nice! Just got the boxed set from Bluepanther the other week since I also am not a print and pray player lol. Great counters I might add and maps are really nice. Well worth the extra. All these flight games are on my radar.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Very nice! That's great news about the boxed set. It's definitely a game worthy of a full publication and boxed version, nice to hear!

[@generalmayhem9031]

Love watching your videos Zilla! I noticed some of the bookshelf games behind you still have shrinkwrap on them. Are those pending review?

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks, General Mayhem! Yes, I'd been away from wargaming for quite a while, and last year built up a small collection of games. I have a rule that I don't break the shrinkwrap until I play them or record a video on them. I'm making good progress, but ... yeah, still a good bit in the shrinkwrap. :)

[@generalmayhem9031]

@@ZillaBlitz Awesome! Keep up the good work and look forward to more videos and reviews. Loved the solitare game review you did a bit ago. Really helped me make up my mind on a few of those. Thanks!

[@ZillaBlitz]

My pleasure! And I'm glad the videos are proving helpful. :)

[@thecustardprophet8434]

Is the print and play a common game format? Not really experienced this.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yes, there is an entire universe of print and play games of all sorts and quality. :) Many available for free. Just download, print, and play.

[@tonycutty598]

We wants it, my Precious....

[@ZillaBlitz]

It's remarkably deep, even if it were a boxed game. As a book game, it far exceeded my expectations.

[@daniel812681]

great review! Tally Ho and Mag23 look fantastic what would be the best solitaire aviation game? is there a top 10 video? what do you think about Target for today, the Skies/storm above the reich games or doolittle raid / RAF BoB???

[@ZillaBlitz]

I have a general top 10 solitaire wargames video from last August that I'll be updating again this summer: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqbKfYxpYteqgNk That might help. :) I've not played the other games you mention yet, but ... someday! :)

[@daniel812681]

@@ZillaBlitz Subscribed, great channel

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks daniel! I hope you enjoy the content, more coming. :)

[@leonjoffe6380]

Looks like a great game. What does the word "Vics" stand for?

[@ZillaBlitz]

Lots of depth and fun here. :) A vic is a basic formation of aircraft, I think usually 3 planes, but sometimes more.

[@thomasvanhare2658]

A Vic was an RAF term that referred to a “V”-shaped formation of aircraft. It was the standard RAF formation during the Battle of Britain.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks, Thomas!

[@leonjoffe6380]

If this were a 2 player game, it may be more commercially viable to make it a full box game. Couldnt it be a 2 player game?

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yes, might be a good idea? There is so much here as a solo experience for the Commonwealth side, though.

[@pterrok5495]

Yeah, I'm not against PnP, BUT I have a limit as my printer isn't great, and this exceeds it. ;-( About the player aid--woulda thought you'd have just printed up your own design! BUT, then I know exactly what would happen--you'd brush your arm over it and all the pointers would be moved and then you'd REALLY be screwed! ;-) Or for me, a breeze--and paper slips would go flying, since I don't think I'd have the patience to cardboard mount 'em. lol (Unless you went whole-hog and did one of the foam or rubber mats where you can slot a cube in that won't easily get moved out.) All that said, yeah, the game seems neat! Like that no comms idea so you try and leave your squadrons pointing in a good direction "just-in-case".

[@ZillaBlitz]

I'd love to see this make it to a boxed format eventually. :) I think a mission player aid would work fine, as you would only need it for the missions, which aren't that long. The campaign information could go on the written campaign sheet (which works great for this and would be better than a player aid that has to be left set up). :) And yes, the No Comms thing is cool, and the manual mentions the "point in the right direction" as a strategy tip, you nailed it!

[@richyoz2630]

I have the latest one in the series - MAG-23 - set on Guadalcanal, it has no maps just some player aids and counters and you don't really need the counters (although they add flavour) - I cannot recommend these books from Thomas highly enough - a lot of game for not a lot of money - re-playable and a lot of decision making for a solo game.

[@ZillaBlitz]

@@richyoz2630 Oh, that's interesting, thanks! It's good to hear that his second game has a lot of variety from the first game. That's promising, thanks for sharing! :)

[@michaelstearnes1526]

@@ZillaBlitz If "Tally-Ho" Garner's enough sales, perhaps GMT or Compass or some other company will produce a boxed version. Wishful thinking on my part but we can only hope.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I suspect it's just a matter of time that one of these makes it to a boxed format. :)

[@usaghy1O]

it s just like Mike LAMBO books

[@ZillaBlitz]

I've heard good things about them too. :)