Viva Espana!
Boxed Wargame by Battleline.
Review by Alan Sharif

Viva Espana is a simulation of the Spanish Civil War between 1936-39. At
the time of writing this is rather a rare beast as this is a subject
game designers have generally stayed away from. The only company who do
tackle this subject are Ludopress, publishers of Alea. This should
hardly come as a surprise as they are Spanish anyway! I imagine
designers may have stayed away from simulating the entire war because of
the complex situation that existed. On the one side we have Spanish
Nationalists, Moroccan Colonials, Spanish Foreign Legion, Italian
Fascists and German Nazi `volunteers'. They are opposed by Spanish
Republicans, Basques Separatists and the volunteer International
brigades comprised of Communists, Socialists, Liberals & foreign
adventurers. Add to all this the fact that formations of the same type
and size on paper bore no relation to each other in reality, and you can
see why designers opt for easier topics to work with. Battleline have
taken two steps to simplify the situation in game terms. Firstly, combat
strength points are used rather than specific units each with their own
combat strength. For example, if one strength points equals 200 men and
the Nationalists historically had two units in a city, one comprising,
of 600 men, and one with 400, what you get in game terms is a single
unit worth five combat factors. These units can be broken down in anyway
the owner see's fit, say for example five units of one strength point
each, and combine to form stronger units at will. However, you cannot
mix and match. Italians can only breakdown into, or rebuild with, fellow
Italians and so on . Secondly, the game starts several months into the
war, by which time front lines had started to form.

Graphically, the map and unit counters are inoffensive and user
friendly, if nothing spectacular. The rules book is well written and
complete, no doubt helped by the fact that this is a simple game, even
when the advanced rules are used.

A game turn commences with the receiving reinforcements and
replacements. Replacements are taken from previously eliminated units
and their number is influenced by the number of friendly cities held. In
other words, the more cities you lose, the less replacements you get,
the less replacements you get, the more cities you lose. Its a vicious
circle which left unchecked leads to defeat. This leads to an aggressive
game.

The movement phase is fairly standard except that a units movement
points are actually determined by the season the game turn represents.
Allowances are smaller during Winter & Fall turns.

Combat is resolved by the traditional odds modified by terrain and cross
referenced with a die roll on the combat results table. The results in
this case are out of the ark, (or more accurately one of the Avalon Hill
classics), with plenty of defender retreats and exchange results. One
twist serves to give the game a slight tactical feel. Anti-tank and
anti-aircraft units have no combat strength of their own. However, in
defence, they cancel the combat strength of any attacking armour or air
support units respectively. They cannot be used in this manner in
assault.

Supply is handled differently for both players. The Nationalist player
generally does not have a problem with supply and simply traces a
traditional supply line to a friendly source. Historically, this was
thanks to the support of Messers Mussolini and Hitler. Despite Soviet
aid, the Republicans have a supply creation phase. Once again the number
of friendly cities held effects play, this time in the number of supply
units received. A supply unit is expanded for each single assault or
defensive combat. A supply unit must be within eight movement points to
be used else Republican combat factors are halved, a serious penalty.

Viva Espana is playable solo and suitable for beginners. The historical
scenario favours the Nationalist side. As a result the more experienced
player should take that side or a second scenario exists where the
Republicans gets more foreign and is more balanced as a result. As a
game Viva Espana is excellent. However, I have strong reservations about
recommending it. The very aspects that Battleline have removed from the
game, the wars early stages and individual units, rob this simulation
of much of its character. What you are left with is a mere sketch of
events, the bare bones are there but there's no meat on them.
Consequently, I fear those with an interest in this conflict will find
the game wanting. Whilst t am against complexity in wargames, if it can
be avoided, 1 this occasion I feel a more detailed treatment was
required.