So the last version of this game i played was revised. I was blown away when i went online last week to look up some revised strategy only to find out that 3 new versions since revised had come out. I only got this game like 5 years ago. I never thought a board game would get updated that often.
I always used to play with the “Larry Harris tournament 2.0” rules, instead of the rules in the box, mostly for the changes to strategic bombing which made winning with axis almost impossible. I had 2 boxes worth of stuff because i was constantly running out of things with only 1 box of stuff.
First thing i notice about 42.2 is the box, its textured on the outside; “That’s classy” i thought. I also liked how the cardboard country circles and country cards were textured too. I really like all the new molded units. The map is HUGE! It doesn’t fit on my dinning room table anymore. I do like the increased room though.
My complaints about the game:
Only 6 dice? Revised came with 6 white, 3 red, 3 black and that still felt like it wasn’t enough to play the game. The other thing that irked me about these new dice is they didn’t match my revised dice. So i left the dice in the bag and didn’t use them. I have 2 sets of revised dice for a total of 12 white, 6 red and 6 black, that should be enough.
Cardboard IC’s? Wow, talk about skimping. I am SOOOO glad i still have 24 plastic IC’s from revised.
No paper money? Again, glad i have my paper money from revised.
No marshaling cards? This was one of the most amazing things about revised to me. I can’t believe they got rid of it.
I really don’t like the national production being on the map. I much preferred the map to remain clean with national production being on a separate card. Also the two halves of the map don’t exactly line up properly.
Haven’t gotten a chance to play it yet, but it looks like i might need more plastic units for certain countries. Like perhaps more tanks for japan. I still have all my revised plastic pieces, so i can supplement as needed.
All in all it seems like a good “upgrade”, but if i didn’t have stuff from an older version of the game, i would likely be really upset. I’d much rather spend $100 instead of $60 and get a complete game instead of one that feels like it’s been cut down to the bare minimums. Make two versions of the game, the normal $60 version, and a “deluxe” one for more that gives things like molded plastic IC’s, paper money, more dice, marshaling cards, and maybe a cleaner looking map with separate production card.
