Burning Banners, 2 players

My friend got a copy of Burning Banners and I've wanted to play it for a while, so we started up a VASSAL game of the first scenario. Chris Farrell thinks it's great and that's intriguing enough for me to try it already (go read his newsletter, some of the best gaming writing out there). First scenario, as it tends to be, is just a little two turn toy.

My first impressions are pretty good, it's a cute, fun little thing. It's quite a light wargame in its basic bones by the standards of a wargame that was released by a wargame company---Compass. Burning Banners is also quite punchy and has high wristage with the dice, a big change from the incredibly tense agonizing play of Almoravid I did with the same friend (good tense and agonizing, to be clear). It's actually compelling me to pick it up and get it in my collection at some point; it's certainly GORGEOUS. So far, the rules are in pretty good shape too, though we haven't cracked the advanced rules. Hopefully we can go linearly through a lot of these, it's a good VASSAL game to do sharing files over discord as it's IGO UGO and not many reactions in its base version.

#burningbanners #compassgames #boardgames #wargames #tabletop #tabletopgames #brettspiele

Today marks the 80th Anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Bulge. Over 80,000 Allied casualties, 8600 dead. My grandfather was in this battle, among others, during his time in the ETO. My plans for today will be to play these two wargames: Lanzerath Ridge and WWII CMDR: BotB.
#wargame #wwii #dvg #compassgames #battleofthebulge

Monday night #VCSBG #boardgames & #craftbeer
My 2nd play of the Europe in Turmoil 2 #boardgame
We tried the short 3 turn Appeasement scenario. It's good there are 3 different length scenarios to allow flexibility in play time. We are still in the honeymoon phase getting to know the events and processes. Check it out if you want a game in the style of #TwilightStruggle
Game is published by #CompassGames

Europe in Turmoil 2 #boardgame
A 2-player game on politics, extremism, and militarism in Europe during the 1920-30s.
First play for myself and Mark. My greater experience in playing #twilightstruggle and the previous EIT1 helped me once we got going. It was a learning game with plenty of table talk and strategizing. We had a fun time despite not finishing the game.
#boardgames #hexesforever #CompassGames

First new #boardgame arrival for 2024 is Europe in Turmoil 2 from #CompassGames
It’s a 2-player game on Europe in the 1920-30’s with the left wing versus the right wing as the factions. The CDG system is similar to the previous Europe in Turmoil and 1989 Dawn of Freedom (from #GMTGames ). Hence familiar enough to folks who have played Twilight Struggle.
I enjoyed EIT1 (that covers the 20-ish years in the run-up to the Great War) so I expect more tense gameplay in this dynamic period of history.

#thewar from #compassgames, full campaign 1939 - 45, start of Spring 1941. Brits invaded Cherburg but pushed into the channel. Greece become Germany's satellite via poltics, Yugoslavia at war with Italy. Yesterday I've posted 49th post on bgg with questions about game rules, and got answer from designer, that he will be busy next 5 years developing new games, and he wont be able to answer my questions. And my questions are about unrealistic situations in game. Maybe I was too creative) But this is the worst rulebook I've seen. The rules are good. Its just they presented very poorly.

#TheWar from #compassgames. Barbarossa scenario, 2nd try. We are getting the rules better and better. Enjoying the game and time together with my wife. Next stop - scenario 8, D-Day to V-E Day 1944-45.