From: "Michael A. Daniels" <Drmotk@IX.NETCOM.COM>
Subject:      Re: Europe Aflame (+ P.S. on Wargame Ad in Prof. Mag.)

Ananda Gupta wrote:
> "... Has anyone played this game?  If so, how is it?  I saw a couple of guys
 playing at the last con (I believe it's the one by TSR with the cute
 little stand-up units and area movement).  Is it playable in a single
 sitting?.."

"You talk'n to me?" (Movie Trivia Quote)

As one of the (Non-Consim Politically Correct) individuals playing in the referenced
game, I feel brave enough to try another leap of faith into the chasm of
Consim Reviews...

I liked the game (even though I prefer more complex games like WIE or ETO). However,
two (2) of the other players did not like this game. One of my opponents did not like
this game because it was very difficult for the Western Allies to make a sucessful
landing in Europe. The other player did not like the game because it was too simple.
I was Russia. This was actually my second game. The first game I played in I took over
from the existing Russian Player (he did not play in the second game) who managed to
build himself an unwinable position. Needles to say, I was unable to salvage the
situation. In the second game, I started with Russia and tried to develop a viable
strategy. I lost the second game (my strategy was not good enough to defeat the
Germans). The general consensus of the four (4) people who played in the two (2) games
was that the game is unbalanced in favor of the Axis.

Europe Aflame is a strategic level WWII game. The game resembles the Columbia Block
games in that the strength of your units is hidden from the other side. The game uses
plastic holders and cardboard counters that are placed in the plastic holders (so that
you can see the unit strength, while your opponent can only see the back of the
counter). Air units are "normal" counters that lay on the map.

Units are generic strength points. Unit types are Infantry, Naval, Armor, Artillery, and
"air counters". In combat both sides roll a dice. If the die roll is equal or less than
the unit strength, the enemy unit is reduced by one (1) strength point (you have more
that enough counters to make change). The map is area movement. Two (2) units per area.
However, there are special units that represent "armies. You can place four (4) units in
an "army" holding box for each "army" deployed on the map. Army units dominate the game.

We were able to complete the game in a single day. Actually, the Allies conceded in 1944
(but we could have completed the game that day if we had played it out to the "bitter
end"). Again, all of the other players did not like this game complaining that the game
is unbalanced in favor of the Axis and that the game is a "beer and pretzels" game.

If you want a more detailed review, I will borrow the game on Sunday (I am playing a
game of ETO with one of the "Europe Aflame Players" (who has a copy of the game).

V/r
Dr. Morbius of the Krell

P.S. A while back, there was a thread about Wargames being sold in fewer marketing
     "channels."

     PROCEEDINGS is a professional journal published by the U.S. Naval Institute. This
     journal (magazine) is composed of articles (mostly by Naval Officers and Civilian
     Military Officials/"Academics") dealing with the "sea services."

     The May, 1997 issue (the Annual Review) included a full page (color) ad for AGE OF
     SAIL a computer wargame published by TALONSOFT.