Aside from minor things
1: turn order (I really like this)
2: Weaker US and Russia
3: Stronger Italy
4: Better situation in Pacific overall that allows more variety
5: Minor things that promote giving players many options to choose from
For instance, Germany can try for France turn 1 but it will cost a lot of air power.
UK can hit Norway or Belgium like they really did (of course we know they lost but it might work here)
Russia has a better navy and a strategic bomber, but fewer infantry and fast units.
China and Japan have a big war on their hands and Japan’s superiority is much more pronounced at sea.
Italy has a great chance at taking Egypt and keeping their fleet alive.
France can do interesting things. I already have a strategy I like to use for them that I called “De Gaulle’s Dream.”
Here is how you do it:
Turn one (suppossing Germany did not take all risk and knock out Paris) buy 2 infantry, 1 AA gun, 1 destroyer (3 inf 1 des for Europe only).
Retreat Paris troops to Normandy. Yes, give up the capital, Germany has it in the bag.
Send fighters to UK.
Use transports to dump all you can on Algeria from France (2 infantry, 1 artillery) and get UK to build mega fleet with you in SZ 92.
Turn 2, your capital will have fallen, but now move that navy back to SZ 110 and take troops to UK.
Enchante! Now you have successfully brought seven French units from France to continue fighting! And Algeria force can push on Libya. De Gaulle’s Dream came true. Supposing all goes well, France will have all the following F2 in UK, Africa, and at sea: 10 infantry, 2 artillery, 1 AA gun, 2 tanks, 2 fighters, 1 mech., 1 sub, 2 destroyers, 1 cruiser, 1 battleship.
Of course, alterations can and will have to be made, but the idea is instead of forcing a big fight for Paris, withdraw all you can so France can fight another day.
Vive le france!
So, in short, we improved balance to the point I think is fair and gave people more options. Next week I will have the guys look at the Pacific setup just one last time and then I will release it and Global.