Thanks, Gilbert. I ordered a copy of this game thanks to your very insightful video. I really appreciate that you cover games on topics outside of the mainstream (D-Day, Bulge, Barbarossa, Waterloo, etc.) and that you also cover magazine games. I'm a sucker for magazine games mostly because of the diversity of topics explored in these games. As a result of this, I tend to tolerate some degree of imperfection in these games due to the way they are produced. But the idea of a game with a magazine always draws me in to them. It appears that you have many magazine games, too. Nice video and nice custom counters!
Thanks for the comments Michael. From time to time I will mention books and perhaps I should do that a little more too. It helps to indicate where I'm coming from knowledge wise with these games. No question that the combat system in 'Far Seas' is very 'over all' but the final results are about right. Afterall virtually all the cruisers met their end. There really should be a good movie about the "Emden". I think the Germans did one waaaaay back but I have not be successful in obtaining a copy.
Might I suggest 'Castles of Steel' by the incomparable Robert Massie for background reading. Mr. Massie dedicates more than one chapter to the enthralling sea gambit undertaken by the German cruiser squadron based in China at the onset of war in 1914. The Brits took some early losses but in historical reality detached a pair of battle cruisers to ultimately overpower von Spee and his flotilla. Very nice review. On a personal note I would stick with the original counters merely for the ease of color-coded identification. Thank you again for all of your reviews.
I had a buddy in the USAF who was a big time gamer in the dorm.. he had at least 500 SPI and Avalon Hill games in his closet... probably the same guy.. this was back in the 70's
hi, I think you may have the combat slightly wrong, in that when two ships search individually (as you did) then only one of them (roll to determine which) finds the enemy and can engage them. Psyche would have inflicted 2 Damage Points on the first round, sinking the Kongisberg. May be a trivial point :-)
I use a good quality box cutting knife with breakable/disposable blades to cut them out. A lot of work if you are using thick stock cardboard hit the final effort is worth it.
Another great review Gilbert! Chris' counters are so much better than the original set. The die cutting on my set is very poor and off center. These would make a very nice replacement set. Also, I had to sit back and say "wow, that was nice", when you included some recommended reading for the game. I wish other reviewers would do that too. That was great, and I hope you do it again! Just awesome. For my recommended reading I would add "The Kaiser's Pirates", by John Walter. I don't have the game at hand, so if I am wrong please correct me. It seems to me that ship class has nothing directly to do with naval combat. I know that in general terms the larger the ship the larger the guns, but it seems that armor has no direct influence in the game. It appears that larger ships get more damage points, which makes me think it is just based on size/flotation. I suppose the designer would say that is where the armor is factored in. It just feels too simplistic to me, even if the outcome would be close to the same. But maybe the extra step or modifier for armor does not change the overall outcome of combat and the game as a whole, and so ship's armor was not considered a necessary factor.
Thank you Hugh. No, unfortunately I have not seen a game on WWII combat on a comparable scale. Of course, that is the kind of thing that spurs 'us amateurs' to take on the project. Do I see a budding game project in the making??
Gilbert, see my published research (press-start.gla.ac.uk/index.php/press-start/article/view/19) which began by using Silent Hunter 3 in my English classroom. Perhaps my students could make one. I have just submitted a PhD proposal to look at pupil language use when writing about Science. Board games can be used as well as digital ones. Can we stay in touch so I can reap your knowledge?
Not a problem Hugh. I am familiar with Silent Huner 1, 2, 3 and 4 then I kind of bailed out when they didn't work on newer versions of windows. Are you familiar with the old SPI game "Wolfpack"???
Gilbert, I'll check it out. I have just installed SH III on my young son's laptop. I have also purchased Paths of Glory and Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit #1 for us to both learn.
Gilbert Collins. Bud, The Far Seas. If I purchase the magazine will it include the extended manual that you show in video? as well as counters and map?
Thanks, Gilbert. I ordered a copy of this game thanks to your very insightful video. I really appreciate that you cover games on topics outside of the mainstream (D-Day, Bulge, Barbarossa, Waterloo, etc.) and that you also cover magazine games. I'm a sucker for magazine games mostly because of the diversity of topics explored in these games. As a result of this, I tend to tolerate some degree of imperfection in these games due to the way they are produced. But the idea of a game with a magazine always draws me in to them. It appears that you have many magazine games, too. Nice video and nice custom counters!
Great topic!
Don't happen to know where I can pick up a digital copy of the map? (I have the game, but want to keep it in good condition.)
Loving those "circular squares" Gilbert!
Great video yet again- cheers.
Thanks for the comments Michael. From time to time I will mention books and perhaps I should do that a little more too. It helps to indicate where I'm coming from knowledge wise with these games. No question that the combat system in 'Far Seas' is very 'over all' but the final results are about right. Afterall virtually all the cruisers met their end. There really should be a good movie about the "Emden". I think the Germans did one waaaaay back but I have not be successful in obtaining a copy.
Might I suggest 'Castles of Steel' by the incomparable Robert Massie for background reading. Mr. Massie dedicates more than one chapter to the enthralling sea gambit undertaken by the German cruiser squadron based in China at the onset of war in 1914. The Brits took some early losses but in historical reality detached a pair of battle cruisers to ultimately overpower von Spee and his flotilla.
Very nice review. On a personal note I would stick with the original counters merely for the ease of color-coded identification. Thank you again for all of your reviews.
Just picked up "Castles of Steel" - you are correct. Excellent book!
“A lot of ground to cover “. Surely, you meant water.😊
I had a buddy in the USAF who was a big time gamer in the dorm.. he had at least 500 SPI and Avalon Hill games in his closet... probably the same guy.. this was back in the 70's
Fantastic video. Again covering an interesting, rarely seen topic. Great counters also!
hi, I think you may have the combat slightly wrong, in that when two ships search individually (as you did) then only one of them (roll to determine which) finds the enemy and can engage them. Psyche would have inflicted 2 Damage Points on the first round, sinking the Kongisberg. May be a trivial point :-)
A great game, emailed CF for a pdf of those wonderful counters too. Thanks for making this video!
I use a good quality box cutting knife with breakable/disposable blades to cut them out. A lot of work if you are using thick stock cardboard hit the final effort is worth it.
Another great review Gilbert! Chris' counters are so much better than the original set. The die cutting on my set is very poor and off center. These would make a very nice replacement set.
Also, I had to sit back and say "wow, that was nice", when you included some recommended reading for the game. I wish other reviewers would do that too. That was great, and I hope you do it again! Just awesome. For my recommended reading I would add "The Kaiser's Pirates", by John Walter.
I don't have the game at hand, so if I am wrong please correct me. It seems to me that ship class has nothing directly to do with naval combat. I know that in general terms the larger the ship the larger the guns, but it seems that armor has no direct influence in the game. It appears that larger ships get more damage points, which makes me think it is just based on size/flotation. I suppose the designer would say that is where the armor is factored in. It just feels too simplistic to me, even if the outcome would be close to the same. But maybe the extra step or modifier for armor does not change the overall outcome of combat and the game as a whole, and so ship's armor was not considered a necessary factor.
Great review, Gilbert. I haven't seen the game before and ordered a GeekMarket copy.
Excellent. I'm new to this. Could you recommend a WWII naval game similar to this, perhaps one that features submarines?
Thank you Hugh. No, unfortunately I have not seen a game on WWII combat on a comparable scale. Of course, that is the kind of thing that spurs 'us amateurs' to take on the project. Do I see a budding game project in the making??
Gilbert, see my published research (press-start.gla.ac.uk/index.php/press-start/article/view/19) which began by using Silent Hunter 3 in my English classroom. Perhaps my students could make one. I have just submitted a PhD proposal to look at pupil language use when writing about Science. Board games can be used as well as digital ones. Can we stay in touch so I can reap your knowledge?
Not a problem Hugh. I am familiar with Silent Huner 1, 2, 3 and 4 then I kind of bailed out when they didn't work on newer versions of windows. Are you familiar with the old SPI game "Wolfpack"???
Gilbert, I'll check it out. I have just installed SH III on my young son's laptop. I have also purchased Paths of Glory and Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit #1 for us to both learn.
Gilbert Collins. Bud, The Far Seas. If I purchase the magazine will it include the extended manual that you show in video? as well as counters and map?
Played it once as the Germans and got wiped in short order! Lovely counters and a great theme though.
What do you use to cut your counters?
his name was.........Chris Fawcett (Grib)