From Roberto Chiavini

Soldier Kings (Avalanche Press)

It seems a very good period for multipyer games and this Rob Markham's
design for Avalanche Press is a very good addition to this growing
market. It is the first wargame ever to portray the Seven Years War in
all its splendor, with European, American and Asian theaters all
together in the same game. 

First of all, when you open the box, take a look at the maps and at the
counters, you start to note how this game should look pleasant and
captivating when things are assembled for the World at War scenario. A
very good sensation. 

When you read the rules, if you are a hardcore wargamer, your initial
feelings may be a little declining, as the game is really simple, a sort
of Axis and Allies in a different period, but with several interesting
options on its side. There are several dozens event cards to add
variations to the normal flow of the play, plus specific rules for
diplomacy and changing alliances for the minor countries. 

There are even yearly scenarios for the war in Europe, more indicated
for two players or even for solitaire play, but the game shines only as
a multiplayer game. 

Map is divided in land and sea areas. Each of the land areas have values
for manpower, resources (i.e. money income) and fortifications. Armis
and fleets have an attack and a defense value. Movement is from zone to
zone, costing ½ movement point if made in friendly areas, or 1 point if
made in neutral or enemy areas. Each land unit may move 1 point if
without a leader, 2 points with a leader (3 points if the leader is
Frederick). The leader's rating indicates how many armies he may
command. 

Combat happens when two enemy stacks of armies are in the same area,
owning player choosing with which armies to have combat (if any). Combat
is made by rolling a number of dice equal to the total attack rating of
the armies involved, plus any leaders combat value, plus the
fortification value of the area for the defender only. Each six rolled
equals one hit. The total of the hits accumulated in a single round, is
compared to the opponent armies defense values to see if any step loss
is inflicted. Combat may endure more than one round (depending on the
resource spent in the attack). Similar rules are used for siege that
happens when there are no enemy armies in the area subjected to see, but
only the fortifications. 

Movement and combat at sea is similar, but there are also rules for
interception, blockades and amphibious assault. 

Victory is based on enemy areas conquered. 

To sum up the initial impression, the game is not bad and as a
multiplayer exercise could be even very, very fun. However, I don't
think that serious wargamers may really be interested in this one to
recreate the yearly scenarios for the war in Europe: old SPI/AH's
Frederick the Great is much superior in that, and it's probably funnier
even for solitaire players. But for the rest of you out there this is a
very good addition indeed to the Axis and Allies kind of games.


****************************************************************************

From Robert R. Leonhard

Soldier Kings (Avalanche Press)

Great new game by Avalanche.  Simple mechanics, beautiful components, fairly 
clean rules, lots of variation in game play due to events and many options 
that players can pursue.
 
I played a campaign game (through completion of first year) solitaire, playing 
the British/Prussians on one side, and the French/Austians on the other.  Way 
fun, but I discovered that you MUST MUST MUST conserve your resources (money 
and manpower) throughout the year--especially the first year--so that you can 
maintain your units during the winter phase.  Instead, I spent hog-wild in the 
Spring, limped through the rest of the year, and then watched my armies and 
navies disappear from lack of maintenance! The king would not be pleased.
 
Conservative play is especially crucial the first year, because the Prussians 
and Austrians cannot dip into the British and French coffers until the Diplomacy 
Phase of the first Winter.  After the first year of play, I had to reset.
 
That said, actual game play was very fun.  Lots of difficult decisions to make, 
risks to avoid or take, etc.  After playing cat-and-mouse for three seasons, 
Admiral Hawke eventually found and smashed the French fleet in the Caribbean 
in a Mahanian decisive battle.  Unfortunately, my mishandling of the maintenance 
stuff dampened the Brits' buoyant spirits.  But it was a hoot while it lasted.
 
In all, a great game.