TDG: Escape From Colditz

[@BrettG64]

Enjoyed your review. After having purchased this game recently, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Being a WWII history buff, I find the Colditz story quite interesting. As far as gameplay, you are not the only reviewer I have heard that disliked the "chance" aspect of it, i.e. getting almost to the end and having your escape foiled. For some, this may be a drawback for a board game. However, taken in context, it was a very real aspect of what happened more times than not to the actual escapers. I think it enhances rather than detracts from the game. If you and your fellow "escapers" only played this once, or even a couple of times, I would give it another go. It is actually our favorite game at the G household, and we are looking forward to playing another round this evening.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks for the point of view. As an historian myself who taught college history for years, I really appreciate this game's theme. However, when looking at game, it must be judged by the game, and not by how closely (or not) it follows its theme. It's just a little too luck heavy for me.

[@GrandPrixDecals]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Sorry Brett is right, it’s not about just being a game. There are plenty of those. It’s a game designed to feel like you were in Colditz. It was not easy to escape from. Wasn’t it designed by someone who spent time in Colditz during WWII?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

@@GrandPrixDecals Disagree. It is a game - and the game's the thing. I was talking with Jason Matthews a few years ago, who designed Twilight Struggle, and he said something that really stuck with me. I asked him about historical theme vs. gameplay, and he said the game has to come first - even if it means fudging the history a little bit. If I want to know how difficult it is to escape from Colditz, I'll read a book or a first hand account. When I play a game, I want to play a game. The history is the spice and sugar on top.

[@barry_t]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer you made a quote...that you were not sure the game is "the game you needed it to be...", and in that quote you contradict (a small amount) how a game that is so luck dependent should be avoided or not considered a good game...Here the struggle is the theme, and these game designers wanted to include it...other designers, like JM you quote would clearly design a different game. However, I have to agree you are the sole arbiter of "games you like" and what games you enjoy, etc... Yet, this is a game that does it's theme well. If war didn't depend on luck, or on needing to severely overcome luck, over and over, then wars wouldn't be as horrible...(even if you're on the winning side). I enjoy most of your reviews, this one included, and I know my comments are nit-picky...

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

@ Thanks for the feedback.

[@glynnhm0lsg308]

I had the uk Parker games version, the first edition that had swastikas everywhere , they stopped that in later versions

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I'll bet. You couldn't do that today.

[@glynnhm0lsg308]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer yes why they stopped it, I grew up playing it and loved it, don't think they sell it in the uk these days , a good condition original version costs a fair few pounds on eBay these days, would love to have 1 more game of that lol

[@jacobsteele7138]

This game is very emotional for me. My grandfather died at a German concentration camp. It was winter of 1944 and had been snowing quite hard. It became slippery and he fell from his guard tower.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Ha!

[@rolandbruno686]

It feels like they missed an opportunity to update the design a bit. Too bad, I doubt I'll rush to get my copy to the table now!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Indeed.

[@thomassanderson7927]

I to have my original copy you need to bounce the goones to get the germans to play their cards before you go for the home runs. its very themematic its not easy to escape

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Indeed.

[@nellgwenn]

But the million dollar question for me is...Do you get to actually build the plane?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

For me, it's a $1.75 question.

[@nellgwenn]

Well then if I give you $1.75 will you tell me the answer?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I don't believe you can. It's been a while since I played it. I don't recall.

[@nellgwenn]

Too bad, something like that would make me want to buy the game. I think if you could build the plane you would remember. Thanks for responding.

[@derrickyeo4451]

The Colditz cock

[@theturdreich9546]

just like the real thing then cause there was defo a lot of chance if you escaped

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Phil Barber Somehow I doubt a guard played a card to stop a POW from walking out the front gate. ;)

[@theturdreich9546]

No he stopped them or shot them

[@Lordjunon]

The Lack of Sgt Schultz in the Review saddens me. That being said: I taught and played this to two others and we got done in 90 minutes, maybe less players?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Lordjunon I'm sure player count will effect time.

[@KnightOwl23]

The coloured pawns in the original where designated countries. Britain, USA, France, Holland etc. This was my gateway game back in 1974. I still have my original copy and I had never seen any game like this before. I haven't seen the rules tweaks, god knows they were needed. The original rules were flaky at best. Just got to say though my rose coloured glasses may see me pull out my original copy, just to that 7 year old on the last day of term at school. Thanks for your review Cody :)

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thank you!

[@DanOldSkoolConditioningMan]

Great review of my favourite board game, that in its Day was the most highly selling board game topped in sales only by monopoly. Sad to hear that you didn't love the game as much as I do. Though I think the reason I love this game so much is, as it was a Christmas present when I was about 10. Back in 1982 and I have alot of Christmas memories playing this as a family with my dad and grandad. And driving my dad wild when every time he was escaping outside the wire and I as the Greman security officer, would put on my helmet on then play my shoot to kill card, whilst pointing a toy mp40 at him and say 'For you Tommy zee war is over' and then shoot him lol. As for what you say about a lot ot luck is needed, yes I agree but I feel that this realy reflects the reality of most real escape attempts. So for me personally I think it adds a little realism to the game. But that's just my opinion. Great to see you have a first edition, I have both a first and second edition. The second edition the board comes in four peices and the colours of pows represent, British, Dutch, Polish and French prisoners. Looking forward to seeing more of your videos.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

@@DanOldSkoolConditioningMan Thanks!

[@cyngaethlestan8859]

I'm glad this old soldier has been reprinted but really... With that many games on your shelves you've never played this before? I was surprised you said it's a long game at only 2-3 hours and was amused to hear you say Apple rather than appell (roll call) at least the first time when I thought it accidental. As to your comment about chance, well escaping wasn't a 'game' where you could set your plan into action and, if implemented correctly, it will work. Chance played a part and both helped and hindered the P. O. W. s Since you say you are interested I recommend three books: 1. The Colditz story 2. The latter day at Coldidz both by major Reid who was the British escape officer and also designed this game (he has written a third but I've never come across it) 3. Coldidz the German viewpoint. This book written by Reinhold Eggers (served first as duty officer then security officer) and is well worth a read. He points out that 'Coldidz was designed to keep people out not in.' (he thought the castle just about the worst place to try to keep prisoners let alone multiple escape artists.)

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks for the recommendations. I understand the realities of escape attempts, but this is a game. And while the game attempts to capture its theme, one must first and foremost judge it on how well it plays, not how well it captures its theme - especially if it is at the expense of game play. My opinion, at least. Thanks again.

[@nickcrosby9875]

Cody, many thanks for this- and many other reviews. I actually played the original as a young boy and was interested to see your review and note the changes (if any.) I liked the game but was always struck by how hard it was to escape- particularly if only a few players. Some house rules to speed it up including dishing out escape kits, so we just had to accumulate equipment. BTW tried to leave a comment on your site but could not find a way to register ;) Thanks again, gr8 review Nick

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thank you for the feedback. I will speak to my IT guy about it. Glad you enjoyed the review(s).

[@KristoVaher]

You do understand that you rolling amazingly is to the guard player just as bad as them being able to obstruct you with a card they've kept? This is not a game about a single escape, it's about an orchestrated large scale escape that spreads guards resources thin. I don't think it is a great game, but it's a really good one and having this 'unknown' to certain plans is incredibly thematic as well.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I believe I made that point, yes.

[@glynnhm0lsg308]

They had nationality s in the old uk version Brits poles Dutch French and think americans

[@kevinbabb7004]

This game looks interesting. Maybe if Restoration games had a go at it they could have made it such that luck wasn't such a factor, resulting in a more enjoyable experience.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Indeed.

[@paulelden7089]

The chance element in this game adds to the authenticity imo..I used to play the original in the 70,s as a kid and my brother always made me play the Germans😂…If it was completely strategy I believe it would become tiresome very quickly..

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

@@paulelden7089 I don’t mind chance in a game - I love dice rolls and card draws - but it seemed like there really wasn’t much you could do here to mitigate your luck.

[@gogol1st]

on point

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Danke.

[@XRay44]

I've seen a lot of "gamers" turn their nose up at this game because it's a... *gasp*... "roll-and-move" game! Ah, well! Their loss! A very fun game experience.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I didn't have a problem with the roll-and-move aspect of the game nearly as much as I had a problem with the heavy randomness.

[@IceNiner199]

Yes! More Osprey Game reviews, please.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Indeed!

[@blackmoreproductions3259]

I played this a lot back in the 70's. It is very much a product of that era. Agricola / Twilight Struggle is is not. It is a very thematic version of snakes and ladders. It captured my attention back in the day but I doubt I would play it now. Goods review.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thank you.

[@grahamlloyd7157]

So the Germans prevented you from escaping twice even after all your effort and prep. That's down to chance according to your review which is disappointing to see . You need to coordinate your escapes with others. The German player did what they needed to do. Escaping from Colditz is not easy! This game is excellent and singular escapes usually fail as they should. Improve your luck and go for coordinated multiple escapes. This game is intense but a whole lot of fun and I thoroughly recommend it.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks for your insight, but I respectfully disagree. Using the dice system the way it is, you can't get around the strong chance in this game. It's not a question how will the luck mitigate your strategy, rather its a question of the luck determining your options. A series of bad rolls on your part and its over. Sorry, this one's just not for me.

[@grahamlloyd7157]

The Discriminating Gamer Hey no worries. I like to share opinions without getting offended or abusive. We play this game quite often as I have the original version I had as a kid, and where you dont start the game with an escape kit! We know that only by setting up the escapes we try to 'make our own luck'. Shame it's not for you . Cheers for the feedback and keep up the reviews.

[@sebastienzander5593]

Was there not a statement issued saying that people just wanted the game to be available and they didn't feel the need to update the game for those people? I hadn't played this game it was before my time; it sounded like the theme was better than the game, I could see in those sad faces and your comments I would only be wanting to play this had they updated it.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Unknown.

[@sebastienzander5593]

This new edition of Escape From Colditz includes two sets of rules - the classic set, from the game’s original release, and an updated set, developed in collaboration with Brian Degas. These changes clarify and streamline certain elements in light of more than 40 years of intensive play and better reflect the designers’ original intent.. Turns out there were new rules; did you play the original rules then?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

No, we were playing the new rules.

[@sebastienzander5593]

The Discriminating Gamer Oh, and still all that. I can only imagine how the original played out then...