watching a lot of board game reviews here lately. This is easily one of the best I've seen. Your explanations of rules combined with great film editing are super easy to follow. Thank you.
Given the nature and status quo in the rest of Europe i'm firmly in the pro Napoleon camp. His reforms and the shattering of established ideas were as far as i'm concerned well worth the wars. ...wars everyone else also waged. Except they did it incompetently. So to me Nappy is a flawed hero more than a tragic villain. But then depending on nationality ones interpretation of Nappy changes strongly. To many english he's pretty much a proto Hitler, to the Italians and Poles he's a hero.
I think you have to look at his motivations. He MAY have done the right things for the wrong reasons. Lacking legitimacy, he needed war to compensate for his lack of royal blood. Essentially, he was predicating his right to rule upon ever greater bloodshed. I don't believe for a second that he put the good of France, let alone all of Europe, before his ambition. That said, no one can deny certain advantages that Napoleon's conquests brought to the continent.
The Discriminating Gamer I disagree greatly with that anglocentric interpretation. I don't know whether you read several biographies about Nappy but given the impact the classics, revolutionary thinkers and the zeitgeist of the period he grew up in it is clear he was a child of his age. He started as a Corsican nationalist and ended up loving France. Of course his main drive were personal ambitions. But no great change has ever been created based on the lack thereoff. Napoleon purposely weakened the pillar of faith, reformed law, introduced revolutionary egalitarian ideas by the standards of the time. And yes a genius like that did it partially out of egotism. But i'll take that narcissism anyday given the results compared to the horrible narcisism of the established monarchies that caused relentless misery before and after in endless wars based on perceived slights with little effect. Besides Napoleon in several phases did consolidate and strive fervently for peace. From a position of strength yes but it was the only way to make sure his own head and revolutionary french (or rather it's semi Imperial - semi Republican tate) could endure. COnsistently England, Prussia, Austria and Russia endeavored to destroy it... it was a threat. The proof lies with what happened post Nappy... end of the Republic and restoration of the monarchy. Thankfully it was too late. The ideas of the Revolution and the modern nation state had taken root to strong to permanently remove.
Agree to disagree. While war is certainly often the quickest and most dramatic route to change, I believe the ideas of the Enlightenment would have penetrated Europe eventually at any rate. I can't casually dismiss Napoleon's egoism and the misery it brought to millions. Still, some interesting food for thought Ronald. Thanks.
The Discriminating Gamer you're a bigger optimist than me. I don't think enlightment spreads that easily. The modern world is proof of that.... regretfully. Centuries onward and equality, human rights, belief in scientific progress and the importance of education touches the lifes of surprisingly few... :(
I recieved this as a graduation gift last year, and i remember one game where Napoleon was able to hold off 3 sieges on Paris! 2 of them using major campaign cards!
I like this angle to reviews, wargames with a little history and literature on the side, I really like it. I actually might get this, because, aside from complexity, what has turned me off wargames in the past is the fact that they just look (in the graphical sense) boring, but this looks nice and interesting.
Based on your review, the game appears innovative and interesting. I am not well informed on the intricacies of war games, as I have never played any. I am deeply fascinated with Napoleon, however. His complete memoirs were gratifying in their revealing of his perspective, morality and sense of self. In many instances it presented Napoleon as he was: human. Flawed and conflicted and, during certain times, distant and unstable. Anyway, your commentary was intelligent and your views expressed clearly. I do intend to play the game one day. Excellent book recommendations, as well. Good work.
Erika Neumann Thank you. I would also highly recommend Commands & Colors: Napoleonics. Here's our review: ruclips.net/video/exT3LHqYBGE/видео.html And our play through: ruclips.net/video/NRefqaqCERE/видео.html
If you want to learn more about Napoleon and the period, and dispel the myths and misinformation I would recommend listening to the NapoleonBonaparte101 podcast.
Napoleon was not a good guy "kinda mean" you said at 4.32, but if you really are historian, you would try to put yourself in the shoes of the historical figures you're studying : try to rule a country who cut the head of its last true rulers a few years earlier, and was even at war against almost all Europe, and try not to be "mean" ! You've read too much british scholars on his life I guess, its like reading about Hannibal from Latin authors...History made by the winners...Bonaparte was a man in advance on his time, not just warfare wise, he gave to France its last chance to shine once more as it used to do since medieval times... France never had a better ruler, and would be much happier today with him, undoubtly... But I guess that's another discussion.
Thanks for the review! I hope to film a playthrough of this later in the year, but maybe not until 2024.
Awesome!
Would love to watch
watching a lot of board game reviews here lately. This is easily one of the best I've seen. Your explanations of rules combined with great film editing are super easy to follow. Thank you.
Thank you. I'm glad it helped. If you haven't already, please subscribe.
Just recently got turned on to your reviews from seeing BGB every week, and I really enjoy your reviews, keep up the good work!
Thanks, Robert.
This game looks great. It reminds me of the board games Washington's War and A House Divided. What do you think?
There are some similarities with AHD, less so with WW, methinks.
I doubt if this will solo , all Napoleon wanted to know about a commander was how lucky he is , good reviews m8,😅
Thanks. Yeah, don't think it's a solo game. I actually gave away my copy years ago. Wish I still had it.
Given the nature and status quo in the rest of Europe i'm firmly in the pro Napoleon camp. His reforms and the shattering of established ideas were as far as i'm concerned well worth the wars. ...wars everyone else also waged. Except they did it incompetently. So to me Nappy is a flawed hero more than a tragic villain. But then depending on nationality ones interpretation of Nappy changes strongly. To many english he's pretty much a proto Hitler, to the Italians and Poles he's a hero.
I think you have to look at his motivations. He MAY have done the right things for the wrong reasons. Lacking legitimacy, he needed war to compensate for his lack of royal blood. Essentially, he was predicating his right to rule upon ever greater bloodshed. I don't believe for a second that he put the good of France, let alone all of Europe, before his ambition. That said, no one can deny certain advantages that Napoleon's conquests brought to the continent.
The Discriminating Gamer I disagree greatly with that anglocentric interpretation. I don't know whether you read several biographies about Nappy but given the impact the classics, revolutionary thinkers and the zeitgeist of the period he grew up in it is clear he was a child of his age. He started as a Corsican nationalist and ended up loving France. Of course his main drive were personal ambitions. But no great change has ever been created based on the lack thereoff. Napoleon purposely weakened the pillar of faith, reformed law, introduced revolutionary egalitarian ideas by the standards of the time. And yes a genius like that did it partially out of egotism. But i'll take that narcissism anyday given the results compared to the horrible narcisism of the established monarchies that caused relentless misery before and after in endless wars based on perceived slights with little effect. Besides Napoleon in several phases did consolidate and strive fervently for peace. From a position of strength yes but it was the only way to make sure his own head and revolutionary french (or rather it's semi Imperial - semi Republican tate) could endure. COnsistently England, Prussia, Austria and Russia endeavored to destroy it... it was a threat. The proof lies with what happened post Nappy... end of the Republic and restoration of the monarchy. Thankfully it was too late. The ideas of the Revolution and the modern nation state had taken root to strong to permanently remove.
Agree to disagree. While war is certainly often the quickest and most dramatic route to change, I believe the ideas of the Enlightenment would have penetrated Europe eventually at any rate. I can't casually dismiss Napoleon's egoism and the misery it brought to millions. Still, some interesting food for thought Ronald. Thanks.
The Discriminating Gamer you're a bigger optimist than me. I don't think enlightment spreads that easily. The modern world is proof of that.... regretfully. Centuries onward and equality, human rights, belief in scientific progress and the importance of education touches the lifes of surprisingly few... :(
+The Discriminating Gamer but napoleon did help france with the napoleonic code
I recieved this as a graduation gift last year, and i remember one game where Napoleon was able to hold off 3 sieges on Paris! 2 of them using major campaign cards!
It's a game that tells great stories.
Do you have any reviews on Medieval-warfare themed games? 100 years war, the crusades, William the conqueror, A.K.A the duke of Normandie/Normandy?
@@cadjebushey5875 This is my playlist for medieval themed games: ruclips.net/p/PLvz8nO0N0LqlB6Uq-el7ObBiTVScuVrKa
I like this angle to reviews, wargames with a little history and literature on the side, I really like it. I actually might get this, because, aside from complexity, what has turned me off wargames in the past is the fact that they just look (in the graphical sense) boring, but this looks nice and interesting.
Thanks, Javier. It's a great game. I think you'll like it.
Based on your review, the game appears innovative and interesting. I am not well informed on the intricacies of war games, as I have never played any. I am deeply fascinated with Napoleon, however. His complete memoirs were gratifying in their revealing of his perspective, morality and sense of self. In many instances it presented Napoleon as he was: human. Flawed and conflicted and, during certain times, distant and unstable.
Anyway, your commentary was intelligent and your views expressed clearly. I do intend to play the game one day. Excellent book recommendations, as well. Good work.
Erika Neumann Thank you. I would also highly recommend Commands & Colors: Napoleonics. Here's our review: ruclips.net/video/exT3LHqYBGE/видео.html
And our play through: ruclips.net/video/NRefqaqCERE/видео.html
Just passed on this at my local McKay's Used for $15. I grabbed Mesopotamia for $12 though. Interesting game. I may have missed out
This is a good one.
Phalanx Games are fantastic.
And a Gentleman never wears his hat indoors.....
They are fantastic. And you are right. A gentleman never wears his hat indoors.
+Cardinal Biggles What gentleman?
+Peter Magro Exactly!
+Peter Magro indeed.
Just stated the video. Is the other guy looking like he’s bored out of his mind indicative of what’s to come?
Did you spend some time in Paris? Your French is great!
Ha! You're kind. Haven't been there for twenty-five years.
If you want to learn more about Napoleon and the period, and dispel the myths and misinformation I would recommend listening to the NapoleonBonaparte101 podcast.
Like your review. Sharp though is utterly crap!
Bah!
legal like no seu vidio
+gabi babi I don't know what you are saying. But I choose to take it as a compliment.
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer she just gave you a compliment, as I do now.
@@FredAlleanKabaret Thank you, sir.
Napoleon was mean. Cry baby lol
Er... yeah.
Why was he mean? to whom?
Napoleon was not a good guy "kinda mean" you said at 4.32, but if you really are historian, you would try to put yourself in the shoes of the historical figures you're studying : try to rule a country who cut the head of its last true rulers a few years earlier, and was even at war against almost all Europe, and try not to be "mean" ! You've read too much british scholars on his life I guess, its like reading about Hannibal from Latin authors...History made by the winners...Bonaparte was a man in advance on his time, not just warfare wise, he gave to France its last chance to shine once more as it used to do since medieval times... France never had a better ruler, and would be much happier today with him, undoubtly... But I guess that's another discussion.