TDG: Pub Battles: Marengo

[@tianjian97]

Good review once again. Thanks, Cody!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thank you, sir!

[@manuelkong10]

this (and all their games) are INSANELY OVERPRICED thank you that is all

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thank you.

[@douglaspearson1647]

Alternate history... I like it. I looked at all the Pub Battle games and they look interesting but I thought they were a little expensive.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Yeah. You have to figure out if it's worth it for you, which is why I think you should try it first.

[@mikestrand3023]

Excellent review. I really enjoy the Pub Battles system. The rules do take a little getting used to. Not because they are incomplete, but because they are very sparing. I think it suffers from a lack of Designers Notes. Once you get the motivation and intention behind the rules, they are fine. The biggest problem for most experienced gamers (I've been playing wargames since the early 70's) is in bringing a lot of baggage from other systems to the table. One critical point is the pseudo-simultaneous nature of the game. if your opponent moves first and contacts you, then you can simply move away in your activation. So, if you wish to attack a unit, you really want to move second. You didn't get all the rules correct in your description, but you got the general gist. The combat system is fairly simple, but like most simpler systems, the strategy is more subtle and powerful. One of the most powerful abilities is for the french cav and guards to move and attack. Other units must wait until after everyone has moved and the combat phase begins. Again, all in all, you did a great job with the review. You did hit one of the things that I love most about the game, and that is the look and feel of the components. The cost is reflected in the quality components and the fact that production is only in the hundreds of games. If the components were paper and the volume was in the several thousands, you would see a much more affordable price point. This game plays so quick that it sees a lot more table time than a game that takes a whole afternoon or longer. $20 is too much for a game I don't play. $100 or more is acceptable for a game that is beautiful and sees a lot of action.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thank you for your comments.

[@explosionsandstuff7787]

I have to admit, with a name like Pub Battles, I went into this review thinking the game was going to be about bar fights.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Easy mistake.

[@mttlong]

I see the start of what could be an epic beard.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Indeed. I already don't know where Cody ends and the beard begins.

[@peterterry7918]

It is a good length and does not suggest at all any sense of compensation. Of course, you are not to far from the international beard competition so that is a great long term goal!

[@manuelkong10]

Looks like its the kind of game you could make up your own rules to supplement those that come with the game

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I suppose that’s true of most games

[@Kotro]

Oh man, this video is giving me an itch to play Bonaparte at Marengo. Have you tried any Rachel Simmons' games, Cody?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

No I haven't. Who publishes them?

[@Kotro]

The Discriminating Gamer Bonaparte at Marengo and Napoleon's Triumph were published by Simmons Games, but both are out of print and quite expensive. The Guns of Gettysburg was published by Mercury Games and might be easier to find at a decent price. All are excellent wargames unlike anything else out there.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks. I will look into those.

[@tonycollins6946]

I want to send you a Irish Cap as a thank you for your fantastic videos.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thank you.

[@captainnolan5062]

Did you have the paper map or the canvas map?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Canvas.

[@peterterry7918]

Good thing you are out of Utah since it would be hard to find a pub to battle in since...oh... it isn't about dueling in a pub? And I suppose the Marengo is not a ballroom dance...well, never mind.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Your confusion is understandable. I thought Marengo was a fruit.

[@peterterry7918]

Sonny Bono-parte? Thanks for Cher-ing!

[@douglaspearson1647]

Very good I like it.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Fantastic!

[@peterterry7918]

I just wanted you to know that....I got you babe.

[@jimsmith7445]

Good review!~ Have had these games on my radar since the Chief reviewed Little Big Horn. No problems with the components, or the footprint... maybe the price tag! I was a little shocked at how much... what do you think?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I'm leery about commenting on price point, because what a specific game is worth to somebody is something they'd have to decide for themselves.

[@marshallbarrington4986]

Hey, we've got some cheaper options now. You can get some Pub Battles for as little as $20-45. More are on the way!

[@rexross1461]

#losethebeard 😉😆🤣

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

The beard is not pleased with your hashtag.