Traces of War First Look & Unboxing | Vuca Simulations Sims | Wargame Historical Game | World War 2

[@mkruger3557]

Very nice unboxing review!! Extremely well presented!!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thank you, I’m glad you liked it. :)

[@ArnoVdVelde]

. I love what vuca is doing on a level and their graphic design is excellent. I am just waiting for a game that really grabs me to support them.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Totally agree, and I like the creativity and international flair of their offerings too. I'm in particular happy to see them bring some great games from Japanese designers to English versions with high-production value.

[@SoloBattles]

I think it is really cool to see the different ways they use the chit draw! Makes me imagine that they have put a lot of thought into different ways of creating an immersion experience.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I think it's neat that supply checks and reinforcements happen via the chits as well. It could make for some interesting decisions, because units could theoretically move 2x or 3x without having to worry about supply, or get hit with a supply check at just the wrong time. Lots of fun little adjustments to thinking with that.

[@Demy1970]

Nice Zilla, thanks for showing the solitaire suitability.

[@ZillaBlitz]

My pleasure, Harold! I know a lot of people (myself including) always ask that about a game. Especially one like this where the full 8-turn game could take 2 sessions.

[@flycasual2976]

THAT COVER! Other wargame companies might benefit from matching this standard of graphic design and aesthetic!

[@ZillaBlitz]

They are really pushing the envelope with design, for sure!

[@coyi51]

Still not purchased a Vuca game yet and another one that looks a good play to add to the ever growing wish list, at some point I am going to have to make a decision. Aces of Valor arrived today, hoping to play over this weekend. A really good time for war gamers with so many quality games becoming available.

[@ZillaBlitz]

When I started back with wargaming, the shipping situation mean that there really weren't many games arriving, but now that appears to be under better control and it's like a deluge of great games. I am working on a cloning option so that I can play them all and still work full-time. :) And I hope you enjoy Aces of Valor! Please let me know what you think of it after you get some time with it. :)

[@HissyCat]

Another great unboxing, well done sir.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks!

[@66morningview]

Thanks for going over this - its a neat series (so far from MMP), I hope VUCA might publish some more of the games. I think what you do in terms of giving us some insight into how the game might work, including some of the most interesting details, is soo much better than most peoples standard unboxing videos. By the way, is this a standard size VUCA (or GMT) game box. It looks smaller than normal? .......either that or you have massive hands!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yes, I'm very excited in general to see Vuca bringing high quality Japanese designs to the world in English, and picking up some of the efforts that MMP was doing previously. It's great stuff. And thanks! It's a bit of a fine line to walk before playing the game, but I hope to provide more than just a visual look at components with these, more of a first look rather than an unboxing. :) And yes, this is a one-inch-ish box, because the maps aren't so thick.

[@ericneff9908]

Thank you for saying that a 9 solitaire suitability implies a bot of some kind. I agree. I don't mean to pick on Vuca, but I'm perceiving an industry-wide increase in the tendency to overstate solitaire suitability when you have to play both sides. Probably to take advantage to increasing popularity of soltaire play (he said, cynically). I wish there was a standard, but of course, that won't happen.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yep, I agree. It's a minor thing, for sure, but as you mention, a 9 out of 10 implies to me that there is a good bit of automation or design built into the gameplay systems to making playing solitaire more than playing both sides. And having said that, I suspect this game will be fun to play solitaire, with its chit pull system to create variance in play. :)

[@ericneff9908]

@@ZillaBlitz Yes, and for that reason, as well as Vuca's reputation for quality, I plan to buy it.

[@ZillaBlitz]

@@ericneff9908 I like its accessibility too. Easy to learn with some creativity for freshness, I think this will be an easy game to get to the table.

[@aluckyman9308]

Thanks again for a great review. I love your channel.....Regarding the game, I think that their solitaire rating of 9 really does a disservice to customers, especially when they in include a "solitaire track sheet". Even for those in the hobby, it is misleading. Loss of a mounted map without savings to the customer, is disappointing. But, I guess thats inflation again.

[@ZillaBlitz]

The solitaire thing is a minor thing, for sure, but I do feel a 9 out of 10 should be doing a bit more than having a good system for playing both sides, yes. :) ~ Regarding the maps, I think this game is priced a good bit lower than their larger games with mounted maps. I'm sure this would be more expensive if both large maps were mounted. :) EDIT: Oops, forgot this, but thanks for the kind words! :)

[@douglaspearson4853]

1st up I Love the Red Sox hat. I am curious how the chit pull will work with WW2. One of my favorite American Civil War games is Across 5 Aprils and they use the chit pull system. I think it works real well with that game. The Gettysburg Scenario I dis simulate communication problems between Lee and Stuart. So playing the Union I appreciated it. Good thing they did not have radios back then.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yes, I'm curious as well to see how the chit pull system works with the game. I know some of the MMP East Front games have chit pull mechanics for them as well, so it's something that's not totally uncommon. This system feels quite a bit different, though, with the Supreme Command mechanic and supply/reinforcement built into the chit pulls too. And yeah, I'm not super optimistic about the Red Sox this year, but I like the new pitch clock changes. Makes watching so much more fun.

[@allynvannoy4743]

Good stuff. Enough to convince me to but a copy.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Cool! I hope you enjoy it, Allyn!

[@allynvannoy4743]

@@ZillaBlitz Based on watching your channel I've also purchased Storm over the Reich, The Hunted, 1944 D-Day to the Rhine, Downfall of the Third Reich. Keep up the good work.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Oh, I'm glad to hear you're finding it helpful! That's a nice collection of games! :)

[@pterrok5495]

Yeah, it's weird, way back 50+ years ago, I bought only Avalon Hill games since they had solid map boards. My one war gaming friend preferred SPI games as they were less expensive--due to having the paper maps. Was always weird playing those since the counters would slide near the creases in the map and such--fun times! (Plexiglass hadn't been invented yet! lol I jest, we never thought of getting something to put over the map.) COST can be an issue, so yeah, good to know what you are getting. About the solitaire chit pull, initial thought was now the German KNOWS what the Soviet put in the cup--does that affect solitaire in a bad way? And agree, having that OKW and political haggling does sound like a neat twist! Don't have to defend IF you can get them to sign-off allowing you to abandon it to really strengthen some other place! Look forward to any sort of play-through!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yes, I think there is room in my "wishlist" for games that have high-end production emphasis on every component, and other games that are more affordable with some compromises made, like a paper map. I don't have any issue dropping some plexiglass on a paper map. With the chit pull, I have to play it I think to get a final sense of it, but there is limited flexibility of emphasis. I do think there are ways to put two chits from the same HQ into the mix, so that would tip the Soviet hand to a degree, but a good bit of that is probably apparent from the map. I think the greatest variability will come from the order of pulls. The Soviets could get three in a row, for example, when the Germans desperately need to negotiate with Supreme Command. I think the chaos of the chit pulls will add more to the solitaire experience than knowing where the Soviets might emphasize will detract, if that makes sense? But I need to play first to say too much. :) I'm thinking now about how to get some gameplay to the channel efficiently. Recording a full scenario would be beyond my capacity at the moment (3 hours of gameplay would like be 10+ videos), but I'm thinking about an AAR style video. Or perhaps a straight review that shows some of the mechanics.

[@pterrok5495]

@@ZillaBlitz For me, I'd in general just like to see one full turn--each side--to really see how things work. Then it would be up to you if you were having fun and wanted to continue playing and AAR it, or show important turns in real depth, or say this one WAS just a 'one and done' (one being one turn) and move on to the next one. Depends which audience you are trying to target, I guess: letting players who want to BUY a game see enough of it, OR players who just want to be entertained by a game replay. Even though I'm not likely to buy a real board game nowadays, that sort of thing still grabs me. BUT, your longer replays ARE very entertaining to watch and I'd pick up the overall game sense without any explicit one turn per side vid.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Good points, yes. I think what I'd like to do even with an AAR format is explain and show enough bits of gameplay so that a viewer has a sense for the action that hasn't been shown in full. It's a bit of a balancing act and art form that I think will improve the more I do it.

[@Phalanx11]

Should have used glass...

[@nordicmaelstrom4714]

Is each counter equal to a Division or Corps? Seems like a mixture of both. The components look really nice for this game. The maps honestly don't do it for me but then again I have been playing Napoleon's Last Gamble from Operational Studies Group Library of Napoleonic Battles and the maps are the best maps I have seen in a hex and counter game! I will be setting up for Wavre and Waterloo over the weekend and get back to fighting the 100 days Campaign. I expect to finally get Musket and Pike onto the table after I finish with Napoleon's Last Gamble.

[@ZillaBlitz]

It's divisional for the Germans and corps for the Soviets. I believe I've seen that done in other East Front games too. Napoleon's Last Gamble sounds fun, good luck with your campaign!

[@nordicmaelstrom4714]

@@ZillaBlitz That is what I thought the scale was. Napoleon's Last Gamble is fun as are all the games in the Library of Napoleonic Battles series. The rules are really easy to learn and make for a nice game.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I was just checking them out now, they look good, yes. :)

[@nordicmaelstrom4714]

@@ZillaBlitz Good but pricey. I think they're the best Napoleonic Wars games on the market.

[@kennethatherton568]

Interesting map. Are there functional & aesthetic markings? I could easily see river markings, but are woods/hills labeled? I saw what looked like a lot of hilly terrain but couldn’t tell if that was just aesthetics.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Great question, I wondered the same thing at first too. Most of the bumpy stuff appears to be the clear/default terrain, although visually it can look a bit different. There are rough terrain and swamp terrain that are clearly distinguished graphically.

[@brute505]

I want to get into these boardgames but I dont have much room in my college dorm :(, is there any boardgames that have a computer version that you recommend?

[@ZillaBlitz]

I'm starting to bring in more PC wargames to the channel, and there are a number I'd recommend so far. Not in any order, but ... - Anything by SGS. SGS Pacific D-Day would be a good start. - Lock 'N Load Tactical - Attack at Dawn (really different, very fun) - Second Front - Panzercorps 2 - Unity of Command 2 I should really make a video on this topic alone.

[@brute505]

@@ZillaBlitz Thank you so much and I agree you should!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Sure thing. I should mention that except for Lock 'N Load, the above games are "boardgamey" PC games, but not direct ports. Lock 'N Load is a direct recreation of the board game.

[@ThymeKeeper]

You had me at Vuca. If they do it, I am interested. I don't actually own any of their games, but they all look awesome. I just have a long queue, you know :)?

[@ZillaBlitz]

I can definitely relate to the long queue! *looks at shelving* 😜

[@williamstewart4620]

Great Unboxing. I also like the way you use the enlarged insets to show the details of the counters and the map. Where do you purchase your Vuca Simulations games?

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks, William, I'm glad you liked it! I've added two purchase links into the video description, one direct from the publisher and one via Amazon. Thanks for the reminder, I should have included those. :)

[@Solkills]

I've started to sell my soul to Vuca Simulation since your first video on their products 😅

[@ZillaBlitz]

Ha! My apologies to your soul, but I hope it's a happy soul? 🙂 They really are making some cutting-edge games, pushing the envelope particularly with design. Such a fun time for wargaming.

[@ciscoterres717]

I'm thinking more and more I prefer silhouettes over nato symbols. Maybe its because my eyes are getting fuzzier, and I can tell a tank symbol apart from a guy with a gun symbol from a further distance, than with nato-style icons.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I think for me it's just that I like the images of tanks. :) It's funny, though, for infantry I kind of prefer the NATO symbols. No idea why.

[@thomaspambos7143]

Hi Zilla, thought I will let you know Destiny of the World got new update pearl harbour scenario, love your new series on lock and load tactical digital would love to see you do more, I really enjoy your content keep it up cheers 🍻

[@ZillaBlitz]

Oh, that's good to know on Destiny of the World, thanks! I'll have to check that out again. And thanks, more Lock 'N Load Tactical coming to the channel, yes. ~ And thanks, Pambos, I'm glad you're enjoying the content. :)

[@SoloBattles]

I don't like bots. I would much rather play two-fisted solo. When I ask if a game is a good solo experience, I want to know how clunky it is. I don't care for the term complex. Complexity isn't a problem if a game is elegantly thought out. Complexity is an issue if it just means they threw a lot of charts and fussy rules at their design challenges. I think it is a great solo game because they took care to think, "What sort of player aid might a soloist need to enjoy this game?" Their addition of the German tableside piece is amazing.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I tend to like both ways (AI bots and two-fisted), but a lot depends on the game.

[@SoloBattles]

@@ZillaBlitz Agreed. It is easy to make blanket statements.

[@Phalanx11]

WOW a divisional lvl East Front game?...must be 6 gadgillion counters... ...I played Fire in the East solitaire once...I think it was 10 Complexity and 1 solitaire....

[@ZillaBlitz]

It's both divisional (German) and corps (Soviet), and mainly centered in Ukraine, so the scope is pretty manageable. About 300 counters in all, with a fair bit of those markers and some duplicate silhouette/nato armored counters. Ouch, a 10 complexity 1 solitaire game sounds a bit brutal to play solitaire. :)

[@Phalanx11]

It WAS brutal!..but in FitE (Fire in the East) there was a corps chart you could put all your German divisions in to lessen the density..Germans launched Barbarrossa with 205 divisions. FitE is considered the best East Front game of all time by GDW. it had a sister game called Scorched Earth which brought the game to 1945.

[@ZillaBlitz]

@@Phalanx11 I just looked it up, wow. That's quite the adventure!

[@lifeisagift.cherisheverymoment]

Still waiting for real and convincing "traces" of lasting and enduring Peace. ✌️ ☮️ 🕊

[@ZillaBlitz]

It is a bit jarring to realize the connection that this game has geographically to the current conflict in Ukraine. You'd hope we would have moved past the brutality of WW2 East Front by now, but alas.

[@mikem668]

Seems like we have some rewriting of history to Stand With Ukraine. I've zero interest in politically correct wargames. The only excuse for name-changing is when the names changed multiple times and it's easier for non-native speakers to use the more well-known name. In the case of WWII, a time when Ukraine as a state didn't exist, it's Kiev, not Kyiv. It's worth remembering that after WWI, western Ukraine was the home of Ukrainian nationalism and eastern Ukraine, including Kiev which had a communist government, was mostly Russian speaking. During the chaotic Civil War the Lvov and Kiev governments and armies didn't cooperate until it was too late. Finally, those fighting the Nazis at Kursk were Soviets armies, not Ukrainian or Russian armies. Furthermore, as someone whose first wargame was AH's Stalingrad in the 60s, I've spent a lifetime listening to outsiders criticize wargamers. Our defense was historical accuracy. Those pretty black SS units were an attempt to capture the SS uniforms. Just as red for the British and blue for the French during the Napoleonic era were. Just because Ukraine makes demands, there's no reason to give up our standards. *** "The short answer is simple: Ukrainians call THEIR capital “Kyiv” (kee-yiv), the spelling, a transliteration of the Ukrainian Київ. The Russian [and Soviet] version is “Kiev” (kee-yev)." (Guardian) "The transliteration Kyiv was legally mandated by the Ukrainian government in 1995. The transliteration was approved by the Tenth United Nations Conference on Standardization of Geographical Names in 2012, but did not catch on internationally."

[@ZillaBlitz]

Lot to unpack in this one, but yes, I want to do a better job of getting the Ukrainian city names right for Ukrainians. Kharkiv has a similar issue, right?

[@mikem668]

@@ZillaBlitz Sure, Kharkov, too. But I think you missed my point. I have no interest in getting the current Ukrainian-Ukrainian names right. My interest, in an historical context, is to get the names right historically. My neighbors and friends are from Lviv, Lvov, Lemberg... and probably other names I don't know. My mother-in-law was from a city on the Dneper about 100 km se of Kiev. A city near Poltava. Sweden in Ukraine? Hmm? Was she Ukrainian? She never called herself Ukrainian. She was a Russian Jew who left after WWI. I've had friends from Odessa. Ukrainian? Nope. Russian and Jewish. In NYC, the Ukrainians have been trying to guilt-trip museums into re-labeling artists as Ukrainian. They did it to a painter from Odessa. Any gamer should know that the Black Sea has many different nationalities. This guy was Armenian, the Armenians protested and the museum changed the label. The Jewish Museum refused to play the game. For obvious reasons. They label the artist by the historical entity at the time... Kiev, Russian Empire. Old grognards ought to be immune from this nonsense. How many times have wargamers been called Fascists and Nazis. Are there any swastikas on your game boxes, maps, counters? Burn them. Confederate flags? Burn them. We should know better. Virtually every conflict simulation we play involves horrors beyond description. The Japanese killed 14 million Chinese in WWII. Yet we play games fighting to preserve the Empire of the Sun. Or defend slavery. Does that corrupt us morally? No. Mostly it makes us more knowledgeable and sensitive to the history. I say that as someone who studied art history before joining the navy. Even part of your channel name has Nazi overtones. Maybe even Godzilla is offended.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Ah, makes sense to me now, thanks for explaining! :)