Was looking forward to turn 2 as learn so much about rules from U tube videos and as you say no one else has yet to do one beyond an unboxing. I am just getting into the game as have only had one day. I see the objective being what it was historically- find, attack and attempt to destroy the IJN carriers. Key challenge to this battle is the effort for the carrier task forces to find one another. Defeat the carriers and the Port Moresby Invasion force retreats; thus the "panic" rules. Yes Tulagi invasion can't be stopped but the unknown content of forces there adds to decisions needed by USN. The Tulagi invasion directly resulted in the USN invasion of Guadalcanal and Tulagi three months later. So while invasion can't be stopped, perhaps it's value as a seaplane base can be reduced. Loss or aircrew, loss of Shoho and damage to Skokaku was sufficient for IJN to retreat and a USN strategic victory despite sinking one USN carrier. So the USN objective for me is clear- find, attack and destroy the IJN carriers with results sufficient to call off the Port Moresby invasion. I am also interested in the optional scenario of a "what if" by inclusion of additional carriers. FYI I have Midway Solitaire but have not yet played.
Hey Dave - thanks a bunch for taking the time to provide an honest assessment that called out specific elements (in question) that resulted in a less than favorable rating for Coral Sea. Per my prior comments, I too wondered if this would simply be a Midway 2.0, but it didn’t even measure up to that so will not be on my “add to collection” list. Regarding your comments about revisiting some prior games you’ve showcased, I’d certainly cast my votes for DVG Leader games (additional scenarios for Stuka, B-17 and U-Boat), Western Front Ace (return of Bruno Stachel), RAF or hey, how about taking another crack at SASL, which I believe MMP is working on an update. In any case, keep up the great work and congrats on hitting the 2k subscriber mark. Keep that up and you may need a bigger cave. Cheers!
I enjoy watching your game playthroughs. This game I have to agree with you. Something was off. I've bought games after seeing your playthroughs. Some games I wrote off and you sparked my interest in them. Title bout 2 was one I had zero interest in until I watched your video and then went out and got it. What a great game! Limits is on my list. I read that it was weak, BGG gave it a low score but I was dialed in by your playthroughs. Some games I enjoyed and put on the shelf, like Silent War, and then pulled it out. It was fun to see you go through the same frustrations and thrills. Keep em coming Dave!
Great video as always! I would like to see you do A Glorious Chance again. That’s a game where I couldn’t wrap my head around some of the rules in battle.
Enjoying this game after first run thru. Thru the intel function found the IJN Carrier force which then enabled me to launch a full strike from both USN carriers before the IJN found the USN carriers, both in 1 hex. Launch strike of all aircraft save a 3 squadron counter of fighters for CAP. The size of the force overwhelmed the 3 squadron IJN cap, shrugged off AA and easily sank the Shokaku which all bombers and torpedo planes attacked. I elected not to split my attack to maximize odds of sinking Shokaku. Shoho was the other carrier in this force. She launched a strike with her limited power, losing all aircraft in the attack.. Meanwhile surface force TF44 ran into the IJN Covering force at night which included Zuikaku. A surface engagement crippled 3 of the 5 ships of the Covering force. Panic result of 10 was achieved, resulting in the retirement of the IJN forces back to Rabaul. Am looking forward to Optional scenario where IJN forces include Kaga while US TF 16 with Enterprise and Hornet is able to arrive in time for the battle, as assumes the Doolittle raid was fought several days earlier. IMHO, you cannot draw conclusions about this game after only one turn in which little happens as task forces are too far apart; indeed the major IJN TF's don't appear in the game until the 2nd day (3rd turn) and then only at map edge or Rabaul. This first game showed the critical importance in carrier warfare of getting in the first strike.
Thank you for your honest review! I have watched days worth of your videos and your opinion is valued. For an upcoming series, I would like to watch silent victory with the Japanese expansion if you have it thanks again for all you do for the wargaming community.
I think he means Silent War, from Compass Games! I’d love to see this as well. Silent Victory is GMT. But love that game and would watch another play of that too.
It is great you are able to say that you don't enjoy some game. 👍 Many guys on youtube are not able to do it. Carrier expansion for Spruance Leader could be interesting i think, please.
Man, I love your honesty about these games, I didn't buy this one for that fact, Not a big fan of Book Games converted into board games. However I've heard great things about the Thomas Van Hare book games which I've got one on order "Mag 23". Might be something in the future you can do a video on my man!
I was looking at this game, and it’s a hefty price tag (I think anyway) for what we get. I for sure won’t pay full price for this if I decide to get it at all?! Your thoughts and opinions are highly valuable, thanks for the honest feedback on these games!
Dave, as far as I know, this game has nothing to do with the book game of the same name. Different designer, different publisher. I believe this one is based on the game that came with World at War magazine #10 in 2010. That doesn't change your views, of course. I'll second the recommendation for one of Thomas Van Hare's air war book games. MAG-23 or the upcoming Achtung Jabo! would be great. If you invest a bit extra and get the printed components from Blue Panther, even better!
Was looking forward to turn 2 as learn so much about rules from U tube videos and as you say no one else has yet to do one beyond an unboxing. I am just getting into the game as have only had one day. I see the objective being what it was historically- find, attack and attempt to destroy the IJN carriers. Key challenge to this battle is the effort for the carrier task forces to find one another. Defeat the carriers and the Port Moresby Invasion force retreats; thus the "panic" rules. Yes Tulagi invasion can't be stopped but the unknown content of forces there adds to decisions needed by USN.
The Tulagi invasion directly resulted in the USN invasion of Guadalcanal and Tulagi three months later.
So while invasion can't be stopped, perhaps it's value as a seaplane base can be reduced.
Loss or aircrew, loss of Shoho and damage to Skokaku was sufficient for IJN to retreat and a USN strategic victory despite sinking one USN carrier.
So the USN objective for me is clear- find, attack and destroy the IJN carriers with results sufficient to call off the Port Moresby invasion.
I am also interested in the optional scenario of a "what if" by inclusion of additional carriers. FYI I have Midway Solitaire but have not yet played.
Hey Dave - thanks a bunch for taking the time to provide an honest assessment that called out specific elements (in question) that resulted in a less than favorable rating for Coral Sea. Per my prior comments, I too wondered if this would simply be a Midway 2.0, but it didn’t even measure up to that so will not be on my “add to collection” list. Regarding your comments about revisiting some prior games you’ve showcased, I’d certainly cast my votes for DVG Leader games (additional scenarios for Stuka, B-17 and U-Boat), Western Front Ace (return of Bruno Stachel), RAF or hey, how about taking another crack at SASL, which I believe MMP is working on an update. In any case, keep up the great work and congrats on hitting the 2k subscriber mark. Keep that up and you may need a bigger cave. Cheers!
I enjoy watching your game playthroughs. This game I have to agree with you. Something was off. I've bought games after seeing your playthroughs. Some games I wrote off and you sparked my interest in them. Title bout 2 was one I had zero interest in until I watched your video and then went out and got it. What a great game! Limits is on my list. I read that it was weak, BGG gave it a low score but I was dialed in by your playthroughs. Some games I enjoyed and put on the shelf, like Silent War, and then pulled it out. It was fun to see you go through the same frustrations and thrills. Keep em coming Dave!
Thanks for the roundup, some good advice
Would love to see some Tiger Leader. See you on the War Room.
Great video as always! I would like to see you do A Glorious Chance again. That’s a game where I couldn’t wrap my head around some of the rules in battle.
Western Front Ace never gets old to play or watch.
You confirmed my fear about Coral Sea. I appreciate your candor.
See you in the War Room :)
Enjoying this game after first run thru. Thru the intel function found the IJN Carrier force which then enabled me to launch a full strike from both USN carriers before the IJN found the USN carriers, both in 1 hex. Launch strike of all aircraft save a 3 squadron counter of fighters for CAP. The size of the force overwhelmed the 3 squadron IJN cap, shrugged off AA and easily sank the Shokaku which all bombers and torpedo planes attacked. I elected not to split my attack to maximize odds of sinking Shokaku. Shoho was the other carrier in this force. She launched a strike with her limited power, losing all aircraft in the attack.. Meanwhile surface force TF44 ran into the IJN Covering force at night which included Zuikaku. A surface engagement crippled 3 of the 5 ships of the Covering force. Panic result of 10 was achieved, resulting in the retirement of the IJN forces back to Rabaul.
Am looking forward to Optional scenario where IJN forces include Kaga while US TF 16 with Enterprise and Hornet is able to arrive in time for the battle, as assumes the Doolittle raid was fought several days earlier.
IMHO, you cannot draw conclusions about this game after only one turn in which little happens as task forces are too far apart; indeed the major IJN TF's don't appear in the game until the 2nd day (3rd turn) and then only at map edge or Rabaul.
This first game showed the critical importance in carrier warfare of getting in the first strike.
I just got this in the mail. I wish i had seen your review before I ordered it.
Would love to see some more Spruance Leader from you.
Great! The war room! i watch every show of them! see you saturday Dave!
Thank you for your honest review! I have watched days worth of your videos and your opinion is valued. For an upcoming series, I would like to watch silent victory with the Japanese expansion if you have it thanks again for all you do for the wargaming community.
I think he means Silent War, from Compass Games! I’d love to see this as well. Silent Victory is GMT. But love that game and would watch another play of that too.
@@Tombonzo you are correct! Silent war 2.0 of you have it.
@@jeromyfisher297Dave did about 7 or vids on this already. Search his videos for them.
Bummer. I had high hopes for this game. Thanks, as always, for your review.
It is great you are able to say that you don't enjoy some game. 👍 Many guys on youtube are not able to do it. Carrier expansion for Spruance Leader could be interesting i think, please.
Man, I love your honesty about these games, I didn't buy this one for that fact, Not a big fan of Book Games converted into board games. However I've heard great things about the Thomas Van Hare book games which I've got one on order "Mag 23". Might be something in the future you can do a video on my man!
I was looking at this game, and it’s a hefty price tag (I think anyway) for what we get. I for sure won’t pay full price for this if I decide to get it at all?! Your thoughts and opinions are highly valuable, thanks for the honest feedback on these games!
Sorry to hear the game didn't go well for you. I guess we all have that every once in a while.
Dave, as far as I know, this game has nothing to do with the book game of the same name. Different designer, different publisher. I believe this one is based on the game that came with World at War magazine #10 in 2010. That doesn't change your views, of course. I'll second the recommendation for one of Thomas Van Hare's air war book games. MAG-23 or the upcoming Achtung Jabo! would be great. If you invest a bit extra and get the printed components from Blue Panther, even better!
Surprise me Dave 😀
Storm + Skies Above the Reich is fun. Just don't use the optional vector chart.