TDG: Victory in Europe

Hey, do you guys realize that there was a World War II? I know, I just looked it up. Apparently it had something to do with Germany. At any rate, here's a game from Columbia Games that attempts to make a tabletop contest out of this obscure chapter of neglected history.

[@Coyotehello]

OMG I just watched your vid about ten games you really liked June 2022, and wanted to view your review of Victory in Europe... 7 years gap, Nice hat!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Danke!

[@jeremyharris7811]

This game you can play over and over because the cards you get can make each play over very different. It's very playable and fun

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Indeed!

[@cadjebushey5875]

Also, another thing i wanted to add. For me personally, i cant have a complete global strategic ww2 game without japan. Axis and allies is the go-to game for me, or anyone else that wants a truly global ww2 game. but like i said, while i dont like how japan isnt represented, it still looks very cool.

[@k9cobra728]

Japan never really did anything besides drag china and the USA into ww2, commit insane warcrimes, and get nuked at the end

[@MH44444]

Thanks for doing the review I'm glad this game is getting some press it deserves it.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Michael Hyland Thank you, Michael. I too think it deserves more press.

[@RaduGaston1]

I like Julius Caesar and Hammer Of The Scots. I'll check this one out. The components certainly look better than other Columbia games I've played.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

RaduGaston1 I thought component quality was generally good.

[@frankl9583]

Great Review. I've been looking for one on this game. 2 side questions - Have you played Colombia Games Crusader Rex? And how does this compare to A&A 1940?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Frank LeRoy Thanks! I have not played Crusader Rex, though I've heard good things about it. I have not played A&A 1940. Of the A&A titles I have played, it reminds me most of A&A Europe- obviously because of strategic scope. I have a warm place in my heart for A&A, and therefore- gun to my head- I like it better, but I must confess that I think that Victory in Europe is the better system overall. A&A, of course, remains the more accessible title.

[@frankl9583]

It looks that way. My biggest issue with A&A is the setup. That alone can take a single game night lol, and that is a reason I have not been able to get 1940 (Europe or pacific) to the table that much. Love the original Europe with the convoys, and oil production mechanics. This ViE game looks smoother in many regards.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Frank LeRoy I think it is smoother is some regards. As I say it can be a bit fiddly at times.

[@PMMagro]

Have you tried A & A global 1942? It is shorter ((staring in 1942) and no neautral players early on. It is stil a long game but several turns are already done by 1942...

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I don't think I've done that one.

[@EddieVanShatner]

Great review, I enjoy Columbia block games quite a bit. An entire review in an English accent! What does The Discriminating Gamer translate to in English, anyway?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Matt K The translation is "Poor educator needs money for games". Thanks.

[@BrianMarcus-nz7cs]

No it fukkin doesn't

[@benronaldson3064]

As a Brit, great job with the accent :)

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Ben Ronaldson Thank you, sir.

[@Skidd333]

Ben Ronaldson Wow. That's quite a complement to you, Discriminating Gamer! As I was listening you you, I thought, "His accent sounds good to my American ears, I wonder what a Brit would think?" Voila! Ben shows up!

[@BrianMarcus-nz7cs]

E still sounds like a cnt

[@deanliggett2354]

Looked at this game at GenCon and debated on purchasing. I love Columbia block games like 1812, Liberty etc., but those are smaller games. I just couldn't pull the trigger, even though they were selling at $75 instead of $90. I also own Europe Engulfed and Asia Engulfed which you can play together. I guess I will limit myself with one global strategic WW2 game......this is a big step for me :(

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

***** That makes sense. Still, as epic scope WWII games go- this one is fantastic.

[@sooners71]

Cody, Columbia now has this game on sale. Has it held up ob Very time, and knowing now what you did at the time of this video is it buy?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

It’s a great game. I gave it away in a purge several years ago. But if you like grand strategic block wargames, it’s one of the best I’ve played.

[@cadjebushey6524]

A couple Questions about the Soviet 1939 winter war card in Victory in Europe: if played 2-player/solo, does the allied player choose the Soviet and allied cards seperately or together? (1939 only has you draw 2 cards (each?), so either 2 allied cards and 1 Soviet or 1 allied and 1 Soviet card) Can the Soviets still move units even though their neutral and without playing their one 1939 card? Their 1939 card is only effective if their attacking Finland, and the only adjacent Soviet unit is a Leningrad fortress. Iwanna atrack Finland before the year ends.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Not a rules guy, sorry. Have you tried BGG?

[@cadjebushey6524]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer no. Thanks anyway

[@cadjebushey5875]

This looks very very cool, but im more interested in crusader rex to go alongside my recently bought liberty the american revolution. One thing i personally dont like is how its only in the european and north african theaters. it seems almost every ww2 game, whether it be board or video game, japan and the pacific is absent.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

It is a cool game. I disagree, however, about your comments on the Pacific theater. There are tons of games that focus on the war against Japan. There may be more that focus on Europe, but it is certainly not "almost every". I've heard good things about Crusader Rex, but I have not played it. Let me know how you like it!

[@cadjebushey5875]

I looked it up on Amazon. 60$, but only 2 copies left. my older brother said its some sort of marketing strategy or something. he didnt exactly explain it, but im assuming theres more copies available, but they are only saying theres only two left to get me more urged to buy it. I figured liberty would be a great cousin to go next to my copy of age of Napoleon, which i got as a graduation gift last year. The assassins creed video game franchise has the 3rd one take place during the revolutionary war, and if i can get my hands on CR, it would be a great combo for ASassins creed 1, which both take place during the 3rd crusade.

[@BrianMarcus-nz7cs]

Smashing Review ✍️

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Jolly good!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Check out our website at www.thediscriminatinggamer.com Like us on Facebook at: facebook.com/thediscriminatinggamer

[@varovaro1967]

"Fiddly"... It scares me... Anyone else has an opinion? Thank you... I hate studying rules and looking for things that aren't there... Thank you...

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I don't know anybody who likes looking for rules that aren't there.

[@varovaro1967]

The Discriminating Gamer haha, i imagine... but am scared to spend 86 $ to be puzzled by the rules....

[@MikeStoddart]

I keep looking at this game and thinking, should I get it.....

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

It's a fun game. I really liked Triumph and Tragedy from GMT Games as well. Very similar in many ways.

[@SEdwards2881]

I already own triumph and tragedy. This seems very similar. Is it worth owning both do you think?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Probably not. I really like Victory in Europe, but I think T&T is probably the superior game.

[@SEdwards2881]

Thanks for the reply

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

You're welcome!

[@Kinneyfamman88]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer which game is a superior 2 player game? I understand triumph and tragedy is a great 3 player game but can it be played as well in a two player game or should I go with victory in Europe for the two player aspect?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

@@Kinneyfamman88 For two player prolly ViE.

[@Thesussysuscat]

This looks alot like triumph and tragedy but not as good

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

There are a lot of similarities.

[@tommessig2060]

you're hilarious

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

You're not wrong!

[@Jezza_One]

TBH this looks awful.