Review: Skies Above The Reich from GMT Games - The Players' Aid

Website: www.theplayersaid.com
Patreon: www.patreon.com/theplayersaid

[@princeofmoskova]

Thank you for your review. Once again you're making me buy another game!

[@hannahmonteiro9229]

The only element of this game I really hate is the way it handles escorts - they're *way* too strong and fending them off is almost impossible. In 90% of cases, they have both height and number advantage, pushing you into the worst row on the table. You're lucky to get a Breakoff result and even then, you have to meet the *blasted* combat value and if you don't, your fighter is shot down anyway and the escorts attack the next fighter stack. Escorts are handled really poorly in this game,

[@caomhan84]

Beautifully produced and looks like a good system (I haven't tried a Jerry White game yet so I don't know personally), but thankfully not up my alley so I can save some money this time. GMT has some others in the pipeline that will sting my wallet. Wonderful review as always though (I love how thorough you guys are). It's great to see these companies doing well so they can afford to produce games with top-notch components, too.

[@NoEnemiesHere]

Can you PLEASE take a break so I can go on vacation, please. What's it gonna take, eh? That being said, this looks like my type of game. Thanks for putting it up. Great job.

[@mrgreggles998]

That's a really nice intro to the game. Much appreciated!

[@Chris_Longstreet]

I appreciate the thorough review. GMT and others are putting out so much quality stuff, I have to pick and choose carefully. I will say I’m in for this one - it really seems fluid and well put together.

[@gorkygorky]

You made me buy it!!! I love your style and clarity of explaining. Thanks a lot.

[@pedropereira758]

yeah. they’re awesome. I was just ordering it when I saw Storm above the Reich (standalone sequel) on P500. what do I do now? :)

[@FallenDominionStudiosLLC]

Looks AMAZING! Thank you. Going to pick this one up.

[@XV250]

I got my copy of this game several days ago. I think it's great! Really nice simulation of this aerial combat.

[@clayjairo4339]

instablaster...

[@Kili121416]

Awaiting “Storm Above the Reich” Very excited as is close to shipping.

[@pacokrikotania4470]

Very nice video.Thank you for this review

[@brunomarion7151]

Im not a fan of solo game without tactic decisions, the kind of game in wich you roll a die and see what happens. This game looks very interesting and I think I will have to try it. Do you guys have other suggestions of games designed for solitaire play with a lot of tactic decisions to make?

[@ThePlayersAid]

RAF from Decision Games, Fields of Fire, D-Day at Omaha Beach. Those are excellent classics to start with.

[@varovaro1967]

Thank you. Great video.

[@dcal12]

Great video, I will be buying this game.

[@alexlyf888]

Really love your review, great presentation and insight, but please please try to set up your camera off the table next time ;)

[@ThePlayersAid]

Lol, yeah, The table it extended atm (I have Gallipoli at the other end - spoiler alert) so it's much wobblier than normal which I wasn't expecting, sorry!

[@carlosnieto8241]

And try to level the camera! ;-)

[@bgm-1961]

Am not sure that I'd be as exuberant over being "on the other side from the B-17", but it looks like the interesting gameplay will overcome any such inherent misgivings. Another informative video by you. Good job! Also, it's good to see that even Brits describe something large as, "big huge"! :) Finally, I can recommend a gaming table mat so to help prevent the boards from sliding around. :)

[@simonhaines3441]

Great Video.

[@blackmoreproductions3259]

Looks amazing. The counters and map are excellent. I had Enemy Coast Ahead but sold it on as I found the choices were quite limited. Is this the same for SAtR? So outside of the dice/cards what can a player choose to do? Nice review.

[@ThePlayersAid]

You can choose who and where your fighters attack (within altitude limitations) and you get to buy your squadron and extra assets prior to starting the mission. I felt like there was more decision making than Target For Today, but there does come a point where as much planning, jockeying for position and those advantage chits mean nothing if you roll terribly and draw bad cards.

[@blackmoreproductions3259]

Thanks for the quick reply. I don't mind random, and I'm not looking for a game of chess like mechanics. I guess the sweet spot for me is more choice in game than picking assets, albeit with a plan in mind. I might buy this when someone sells it on :) Great Channel BTW.

[@pedropereira758]

how would you compare it to RAF: The Battle of Britain 1940 ?

[@ThePlayersAid]

Entirely different, but also very enjoyable. These are two solo air war games that I would happily keep in my collection because there's zero overlap in themes and mechanics, basically. RAF is almost a tower defense game, but skies above the Reich is a tactical game about making waves and passes of fighters combine well.

[@pedropereira758]

The Players Aid thanks. if you had to choose? :)

[@ThePlayersAid]

@@pedropereira758 Hmmmm.. RAF, probably. BoB > Memphis Belle.

[@pedropereira758]

The Players Aid Thanks. John Butterfield confirmed me on bgg msg that Decision Games (publisher of RAF) plans to release a 3rd printing of RAF this summer. It will have a two-sided mounted map board and full color rules for 2-player, Lion and Eagle. I’m really looking forward for your (and Grant’s) overall top 10’s. Blog still at 2016 :) so many games and systems @The Players Aid covered since then.. nice to see what held its position :)

[@ThePlayersAid]

@@pedropereira758 Those updates are still in the works, haha!

[@ranstu6623]

Too much talk on strategy. I don't know what you are talking about as I have not played the game.

[@Jackdaw5]

🤡