Subject: Wargamer: Napoleon 1813 From: Kevin Sparrow Hi Just picked this up today from EB. So far I am enjoying it. The battles are done in real time, although you have an option to freeze the time and issue orders. I found the real time aspect to be quite refreshing, although in some of the larger Battles like Leipzig the amount of info coming at you from the front can get overwhelming, as you get messages saying that your troops are routing, retreating, taking fire, using artillery, etc. Its like a tabletop game, and the tactical interface reminds me of the Great Battles series, although this game deals with Corps/Divisions. You got a lot of options for your divisions as well, what formation they should take (line, march, column etc) and deployment, (extended, deployed, masses, etc). Its not like SMG, but more like a traditional turn based TS game, but MUCH , MUCH better. The AI so far seems to be competent, with it flanking me on several occasions when I had overextended some of my cavalry. Morale is all important here it seems, more so in the strategic campaign game rather than the tactical game, with towns and allies defecting to the other side if you lose engagements or get overrun. You divisions are rated on Morale, Fatigue and Quality, and you can see the fatigue and moral levels go down in an extended melee, which sometimes leads to an orderly withdrawal, or even a rout. Leaders are prominent here , again being based on a number of stats like Initiative, Staff, Subordination, Charisma and Ability. I haven't really got to grips with the strategic component yet, still busy playing the tactical battles, but it does look very good, with options here to build units at towns, etc, something like a strategy game. This is only meant to be brief as I haven't fully read the manual yet (which is pretty good BTW-96 pages long), or played much of the campaign, but so far so good. Having great fun. The game is one of a kind I think , as I dont think there are that many Grand Strategic Napoleonic games out there. Kevin -- Road to Moscow web site:- http://www.wargamer.com/rtm Contributor-Fighting Steel section:- http://www.wargamer.com/fs/