thanks for the great review I own this but have yet to play it. While I agree the Avalon Hill, SPI era was a great period for wargames and introduced myself and many others to the hobby, I think now is real golden era.
Love the style of the map and choice of font. The large counters are a + really, easier to manipulate, appreciate the art, and read the values. But clutter and color confusion definitely makes it harder to analyze a position.
This game would have been better as a block war game with cards and hidden information (Columbia Style). As it is I did found it fun but not that interesting- it's just a light war game that I suspect would not be that much fun after repeated plays. It certainly feels much more of a game than a simulation of Japanese history. The closing of the borders and border limits really reminds me of the Columbia block wargames but those tend to have more interesting decisions. Richard III has many of the same elements but it is superior in all regards.
Personally I prefer this one despite doing my Master Thesis on the Black Prince. I find the writing, symbology super thematic so it didn't bother me. I do agree mapwise though. It should've been bigger. The other one is on my 'wishlist' though. As both games bring their own 'flavor' to the table. :) Good review as ever though. I would say though: Pick Japan if you like the theme and less randomness. Pick the Hundred Years War if you prefer a more 'epic' feel and more 'randomness'. Pick both if you're into solitaire gaming. If you like one, you'll at least like the other one well enough to make it worth putting on your radar.
thanks for the great review I own this but have yet to play it. While I agree the Avalon Hill, SPI era was a great period for wargames and introduced myself and many others to the hobby, I think now is real golden era.
Love the style of the map and choice of font. The large counters are a + really, easier to manipulate, appreciate the art, and read the values. But clutter and color confusion definitely makes it harder to analyze a position.
This game would have been better as a block war game with cards and hidden information (Columbia Style). As it is I did found it fun but not that interesting- it's just a light war game that I suspect would not be that much fun after repeated plays. It certainly feels much more of a game than a simulation of Japanese history. The closing of the borders and border limits really reminds me of the Columbia block wargames but those tend to have more interesting decisions. Richard III has many of the same elements but it is superior in all regards.
Personally I prefer this one despite doing my Master Thesis on the Black Prince.
I find the writing, symbology super thematic so it didn't bother me.
I do agree mapwise though. It should've been bigger.
The other one is on my 'wishlist' though. As both games bring their own 'flavor' to the table. :) Good review as ever though.
I would say though:
Pick Japan if you like the theme and less randomness.
Pick the Hundred Years War if you prefer a more 'epic' feel and more 'randomness'.
Pick both if you're into solitaire gaming. If you like one, you'll at least like the other one well enough to make it worth putting on your radar.
Anyone have a link to a 'super size' map file?
IMO, Its kind of bland looking compared to Ikusa.