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Saturday 8 January 2011

Axis and Allies

Although I had heard of the AXIS AND ALLIES board game, I had never played it or owned a copy ... until now.

I happened to be in a branch of WHSmith, and as I walked past one of the displays I saw a copy of the AXIS AND ALLIES: SPRING 1942 board game and picked it up. I then realised that the box was very slightly damaged (it looked as if it had been dropped, and the corner had a small dent in it) and that its price had been reduced as a result. It took only a couple of seconds thought before I decided to buy it.

Having got the board game home, I opened it and was pleased with what I found inside. The playing pieces are quite passable – especially most of the ship models – and they alone would have made the purchase of this game worthwhile. In fact, I can see myself writing some naval wargames rules just so that I can use the ship models. The map board also has potential uses, and all-in-all I think that I got myself a bargain.

14 comments:

  1. Well done Bob. I remember playing A&A some years ago - it's not a bad game. There are also Pacifoc and D-Day versions. The components are very usefl for other things. In a box of stuff I recently picked up is what may be a full set of components for A&A (minus the box) - perhaps we could compare inventories so I can check if mine is indeed complete?

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  2. Tim Gow,

    I had heard good things about the game, and seeing it on sale made it a bargain that I could just not turn down.

    I will try to put a list of the bits together and email it to you so that you can see if you have a full set of components.

    All the best,

    Bob

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  3. Geordie an Exiled FoG,

    No, just lucky sometimes.

    My wife is the real 'sales' expert!

    All the best,

    Bob

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  4. I bought a copy of the D-Day version a couple of years ago in similar circumstances (TK Max I think!). The game looks fascinating but I've still never played it!

    Ian

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  5. Hi Bob,

    Lots of uses for those playing pieces methinks - perhaps your travel wargame using the chess board?

    I would love see the contents list as well if that is OK?

    There are also Guadalcanal and Bulge versions as well.

    All the best,

    DC

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  6. Stryker,

    I bought a copy of the 'Bulge' game in TK Maxx a couple of years ago ... and had forgotten that I had until you mentioned your purchase!

    I intend to see what I have done with it later today!

    All the best,

    Bob

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  7. David Crook,

    A similar thought had crossed my mind, although the naval playing pieces may be a bit too large for my travelling wargame concept.

    I will try to make a list of the playing pieces available via my blog as soon as I can.

    All the best,

    Bob

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  8. Bob,
    Your latest piece reminds me that years ago at Chestnut Lodge we tried playing A&A in kriegsspiel style, using two boards and an umpire. Good fun, and interesting, but somewhat ahistorical - a mighty Japanese tank army landed on the west coast of Canada and stormed across the prairies!
    Arthur

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  9. Arthur1815,

    An interesting concept!

    An ahistorical result is not necessarily a bad one, especially if the choices made by each side are rational and fit within the parameters of the game's design ... although I must admit this sounds more than a little fantastic!

    All the best,

    Bob

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  10. Bob,
    An entirely rational choice - in game terms - based upon two ideas:
    1. the game rules allow it, and
    2. no one will expect the Imperial Japanese Tank Blitzkrieg! [and they didn't!]
    Banzai!
    More seriously, playing a conventional family boardgame via a 'closed' umpire-controlled system certainly makes for a dramatic change and a real challenge.
    Arthur

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  11. Bob - I just checked, it was the Bulge game that I bought as well (not the D-Day one). Must get it out and have another look!

    Cheers
    Ian

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  12. Arthur1815,

    Well they always tell you to expect the unexpected!

    The idea of playing a normal board game at arms length via an umpire sounds interesting. Perhaps it is an experiment we should try at COW someday?

    All the best,

    Bob

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  13. Stryker,

    I managed to find my copy of the 'Bulge' game about twenty minutes ago, but other than a quick check inside, I have not had a serious look at it as yet (I have some lesson preparation to do first).

    All the best,

    Bob

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