This review first appeared in IPW, the newsletter for all discount games
club members. Contact colin@allusedgames.demon.co.uk for details.

HELL HATH NO FURY

Board Wargame - 3W

A strategic level simulation of the ancient Britons' revolt against
Roman rule in AD60. Tribes or warriors across the country rise against
Roman forces of occupation, who, in turn, march about the country trying
to contain them.

The map and counters could use improvement. The Roman pieces have some
tiny figures in black against a dark red background. Roman victory in
this game could be at the price of excessive eye strain. The map is
split into non-standard tracts of various shapes and sizes, the borders
between them being ambiguous in places.

Units live off the land, with better terrain offering higher stacking
limits. These limits are particularly generous, with some of the tallest
stacks in wargaming resulting. Many tracts are far too small to
accommodate such forces and tbe game often leaves you with a feeling of
claustrophobia as adjacent areas fill up wilh soaring stacks. You try to
move one and over it goes, setting of a chain reaction. Very annoying!

Yet, despite all of this, this is one of the few ancients wargames I
come back to again and again.

The first thing to do is to create an off map holding box based on Roman
and Tribal leaders. The lofty stacks are seldom leaderless and,
consequently, are easy to store at the side of the playing area. They
are also far easier to inspect.

Movement includes rules for road bonus, forced march, overrun (that one
surprised me too) and, for the Romans, sea movement. Cross channel
ferries being what they were in AD66, any benefit gained from a sea move
should be weighed up carefully against the risk. This is espccially true
if attempting to navigate thc treacherous Lands End.

Combat comprises of thc traditional odds comparison with thc die roll
subject to several modifications. These are for such things as terrain,
leaders, combined arms, disipline etc. The majority favour the Roman
player - but he'll need the help! Historically, at the campaign's
climactic battle, the Romans were heavily outnumbered (from 5-1 to 10-1)
and the Britons were confident of victory. However, superior Roman
training, discipline and weapons led to the defeat of what was basically
a large, fierce but disorganised rabble. The die mods make this outcome
possible in the game also..

What makes the game really great is the activation phase. Prior to
movement, newly activated tribes are placed on the map. In the basic
game requirements for activation are fixed. Look amongst the optional
rules, however, and you'll find a brilliant alternative - variable
activation. OK, so it takes a little longer and, yes, it adds an element
of luck, but this phase can now blow the game wide open, with the
initiative passing hetween players from turn to turn as surrounding
areas rise up in revolt or support. This also means there is no surefire
plan to lead either side to victory and provides excellent replay value.

For the really adventurous, another optional rule adds variable victory
conditions too, the computations providing endless fun. The variables
should make this an excellent prospect for solo play, but, curiously, I
feel it needs a live opponent.

Historians and simulationists will no doubt find points to grumble over
and, aesthetically, much could be done to improve it. But for game
buyers after a good time, here it is.

Alan Sharif