Great review. I just saw this in a local game store and wanted an overview. You did a perfect job of showing the game and discussing the gameplay. I'm going to buy it based on this video. It's an endless debate with wargamers about accuracy versus gameplay, but I'm with you. A game that gives you a taste of some of the decision making and is playable is worth my time. I love the theme and the solo mechanics you showed. I'm also jealous of your game shelves. Mine are similar, but smaller. I also organize by historical period. Keep up the good work.
Hi Marco, great review. I am also a great fan of the Leader series. I really appreciate your analogy to Godfather III. I have never heard that type of analogy before, but it is very true. the first 2 movies were not only great movies, but swept the academy awards and are now considered masterpieces in Cinema. Godfather III was an OK, or even enjoyable movie, but certainly pales in comparison to it's predecessors. It seems that some of the problems you noted with the game could have been corrected with some basic rules tweaks, such as, having infantry advance to cover and go to ground instead of attacking a tank at range. Instead of units getting bonuses for advancing there could be a time limit on completing the tactical mission along with a requirement to take an objective in the enemy area. This would lead to the more realistic combat dynamic of having to leave cover in order to take the objective, rather than leaving cover in order to get a combat bonus. Maybe we will see these corrections in a second edition? Thanks again.
Nice review Marco; much appreciated. I like HL:CAO a lot; currently got a squadron of Harriers set up ready to go! For solitaire land tactical, I'll probably make the move to Fields of Fire; have you considered doing a review of it?
Overall it sounds like the majority of the Leader series type games and for some of the areas that you mentioned that were not up to par as compared to some of the other titles, I can see making some house rules to fill in those situations. Take for instance the example you discussed about the lack of a modifier used to be applied when one of your units are in cover and one of the enemy units advance into that hex you are in.That would be an ideal situation for a house rule to be implemented to add or subtract a modifier to the die roll or the stat on that units card best suited for that specific circumstance. You could still apply the bonus to the enemy unit for advancing but you also could give the defending unit a bonus for the cover in that hex and maybe even an additional point bonus for entrenchment if they are there for two turns before the enemy enters that hex. The entrenchment bonus would only be applied if your unit advanced into that hex within 2 turns thus forcing units to advance & not remain stationary waiting for the enemy to come to them. Any unit sitting in that hex for more than 2 turns without advancing would not have that bonus applied and in fact could be penalized with a minus modifier as if the enemy had zeroed in on their position. These are of course just examples and would need refinement with multiple play throughs of the game, but house rules are nothing new to war gamers in general. All in all it is a game I will want to play & add to my collection not only of other DVG titles, but to the solitary war games I already own. After all, it is a war game set in WWII and it features tanks including Tigers, no less! As always Marco, thank you for your gameplay reviews & opinions. They are most anticipated, appreciated & valued!
Bog Wraith oh, house rules are awright, it is just that with the previous Leader games I didn't feel the need to start tweaking things around after 10 minutes. They felt like more polished products. Again: Godfather part III: recast Sophia Coppola, and you're good, but in the previous 2 movies one didn't feel that anyone had been miscast :)
marcowargamer Agreed, but as you said it's still a good game & I think a bit of tinkering of the rules would/could elevate it to the status of the other games mentioned. Also, we should keep in mind that Dan might tweak the rules to this just released version. However you are correct in pointing out that the other titles did not need this tweaking, especially after the first 10 minutes, so veterans of this series will notice this right away as you did.
I know this is years later but Marco you need to go back and play Sherman Leader again. Many of your gripes about Tiger leader have been addressed in Sherman leader and Tiger leader has been brought up to date with the new ruleset with a free upgrade kit that comes with Sherman Leader. Just about everything you have said about things you did not like about the system have been changed and I feel the game is now actually one of the best in the series.
Marco, I watched your review for this game having found out about it only recently due to hearing lots of complaints about the game. I noticed your comment about infantry killing tanks and decided to propose the idea that the infantry could be shooting at your tanks with AT Rifles or Bazookas and at range zero AT grenades?
Marco.... this is a great review!!! I've seen a couple of reviews on this game... and I got more confused... it really moved this game into the rear... great stuff! In another issue... have you bought Wave #2 for Warfighter? Would like to know IF you can fight the Russians... and the Brits? Would love to see another review on Wave #2 on Warfighter...
I'm close to dumping this one honestly. Too abstract, frustratingly disorganized rules, and some pretty terrible counter graphics....I will probably just sell it and move on to something more in line with my expectations like "Patton's Best".
Yea, I can tell he did not like this at all, this must have been a free copy.. Not the same enthusiasm for other DVG games, in fact Marco you did not even review FC Nimitz which was very disappointing,you even did a unboxing for it that was a disaster, hmmm...DVG slipping the last 2 games.
Jason C I have not played Nimitz yet simply because I played other stuff, so I don't know if I'll like it or not. I did like TL, but as I say in the video, I expected to more than like it since it has one of my favorite themes and it is one of my favorite systems.
Great review. I just saw this in a local game store and wanted an overview. You did a perfect job of showing the game and discussing the gameplay. I'm going to buy it based on this video. It's an endless debate with wargamers about accuracy versus gameplay, but I'm with you. A game that gives you a taste of some of the decision making and is playable is worth my time. I love the theme and the solo mechanics you showed. I'm also jealous of your game shelves. Mine are similar, but smaller. I also organize by historical period. Keep up the good work.
Marco, another fantastic game review! I can't say enough how I enjoy your reviews!
I greatly appreciate your clear expaination
Hi Marco, great review. I am also a great fan of the Leader series. I really appreciate your analogy to Godfather III. I have never heard that type of analogy before, but it is very true. the first 2 movies were not only great movies, but swept the academy awards and are now considered masterpieces in Cinema. Godfather III was an OK, or even enjoyable movie, but certainly pales in comparison to it's predecessors. It seems that some of the problems you noted with the game could have been corrected with some basic rules tweaks, such as, having infantry advance to cover and go to ground instead of attacking a tank at range. Instead of units getting bonuses for advancing there could be a time limit on completing the tactical mission along with a requirement to take an objective in the enemy area. This would lead to the more realistic combat dynamic of having to leave cover in order to take the objective, rather than leaving cover in order to get a combat bonus. Maybe we will see these corrections in a second edition? Thanks again.
Great review Thank you so much 👍
Nice review Marco; much appreciated. I like HL:CAO a lot; currently got a squadron of Harriers set up ready to go! For solitaire land tactical, I'll probably make the move to Fields of Fire; have you considered doing a review of it?
Overall it sounds like the majority of the Leader series type games and for some of the areas that you mentioned that were not up to par as compared to some of the other titles, I can see making some house rules to fill in those situations.
Take for instance the example you discussed about the lack of a modifier used to be applied when one of your units are in cover and one of the enemy units advance into that hex you are in.That would be an ideal situation for a house rule to be implemented to add or subtract a modifier to the die roll or the stat on that units card best suited for that specific circumstance. You could still apply the bonus to the enemy unit for advancing but you also could give the defending unit a bonus for the cover in that hex and maybe even an additional point bonus for entrenchment if they are there for two turns before the enemy enters that hex. The entrenchment bonus would only be applied if your unit advanced into that hex within 2 turns thus forcing units to advance & not remain stationary waiting for the enemy to come to them. Any unit sitting in that hex for more than 2 turns without advancing would not have that bonus applied and in fact could be penalized with a minus modifier as if the enemy had zeroed in on their position. These are of course just examples and would need refinement with multiple play throughs of the game, but house rules are nothing new to war gamers in general.
All in all it is a game I will want to play & add to my collection not only of other DVG titles, but to the solitary war games I already own. After all, it is a war game set in WWII and it features tanks including Tigers, no less!
As always Marco, thank you for your gameplay reviews & opinions. They are most anticipated, appreciated & valued!
Bog Wraith oh, house rules are awright, it is just that with the previous Leader games I didn't feel the need to start tweaking things around after 10 minutes. They felt like more polished products. Again: Godfather part III: recast Sophia Coppola, and you're good, but in the previous 2 movies one didn't feel that anyone had been miscast :)
marcowargamer Agreed, but as you said it's still a good game & I think a bit of tinkering of the rules would/could elevate it to the status of the other games mentioned. Also, we should keep in mind that Dan might tweak the rules to this just released version.
However you are correct in pointing out that the other titles did not need this tweaking, especially after the first 10 minutes, so veterans of this series will notice this right away as you did.
Great overview... one question i missed, when does a week end?
I know this is years later but Marco you need to go back and play Sherman Leader again. Many of your gripes about Tiger leader have been addressed in Sherman leader and Tiger leader has been brought up to date with the new ruleset with a free upgrade kit that comes with Sherman Leader. Just about everything you have said about things you did not like about the system have been changed and I feel the game is now actually one of the best in the series.
Helpful comment for those watching the review years later. Thanks.
Great Review, After i watched it, i bought the whole bunch :)
Marco do you think the Upgrade Kit removes some of your critiques?
Marco, i see you have Enemy Coast Ahead on your shelve , will you ever made a review about it ? Nobody did any reviews about this lovely game .
Adi Prodi I started playing it but it did not grab me
Marco, I watched your review for this game having found out about it only recently due to hearing lots of complaints about the game. I noticed your comment about infantry killing tanks and decided to propose the idea that the infantry could be shooting at your tanks with AT Rifles or Bazookas and at range zero AT grenades?
Having decided to take the Leader series to WWII, I wish DVG would have chosen Stuka Leader instead.
cbblackard there's a Corsair Leader that's for pnp only - it is what I referred to in the vid
Seems to have peaked at TAL. Maybe Huey leader will be the ONE.
Happy gaming Marco.
Are the tiles that poorly cut ? Looks like they fit very badly.
Marco.... this is a great review!!! I've seen a couple of reviews on this game... and I got more confused... it really moved this game into the rear... great stuff! In another issue... have you bought Wave #2 for Warfighter? Would like to know IF you can fight the Russians... and the Brits? Would love to see another review on Wave #2 on Warfighter...
I'm close to dumping this one honestly. Too abstract, frustratingly disorganized rules, and some pretty terrible counter graphics....I will probably just sell it and move on to something more in line with my expectations like "Patton's Best".
Yea, I can tell he did not like this at all, this must have been a free copy..
Not the same enthusiasm for other DVG games, in fact Marco you did not even review FC Nimitz which was very disappointing,you even did a unboxing for it that was a disaster, hmmm...DVG slipping the last 2 games.
Jason C I have not played Nimitz yet simply because I played other stuff, so I don't know if I'll like it or not.
I did like TL, but as I say in the video, I expected to more than like it since it has one of my favorite themes and it is one of my favorite systems.
Jason C Nimitz a disaster? I love both Carrier and Nimitz, what's wrong with me?
Maybe he will do a boxing back up video.