We weren’t able to finish, but wanted to play anyway. Took about 45 minutes to set up and discuss rules changes. I was ANZAC (I was suckered into the idea of a new power). We had four players for a full game. Order was Japan, USA, China, UK, ANZAC.
Japan, which from my end looked difficult to play, started off by attacking 3 China territories and French Indo China. Thing is, they didn’t want to declare war immediately and awake the Western US Beast (IPC’s for West USA increase by 40, from 10 to 50 as soon as USA goes to war). Japan moved fleet and many planes within striking range of Australia, Phillipines, and Hawaii. Japan later took Alaska which was a good move to keep USA occupied with that, and not with helping Allies, and killing Japan. Japan had millions of planes. Built large navies, seemed like it would be their undoing, as they spent less IPC’s focused on Asia land campaign. Took most of China, declared war on Allies on turn 2 by taking Phillipines, Kwangtung, Borneo, and Celebes. Later in game built a Major IC in Kwangtung, looked scary for China.
America built what navy they could and soon began game of cat and mouse between USA fleet and Japan’s northern pacific fleet (larger than his south pacific fleet). USA also took Dutch New Guinea allowing ANZAC to collect one of their NO’s on their turn. Had to retake Alaska. Had small south pacific fleet that got dominated by horribad rolls against Japans south pacific fleet. (USA: 1 Battleship, 1 Cruis, 2 Dest, 1 sub versus JAP: 1 Battleship, 2 Carrier [each w/1 fig, 1tac], 1 Dest, 1 Sub) Later attacked major north pacific Jap navy in Japan sea zone, got owned in the face by a million planes. Took back Celebes later in game.
China was a thorn in Japs side the entire game. Early they were getting dominated, lost Burma Road on J1, never lost control of it again (6 IPC bonus). China took territories back, then would lose them, then take em back. Eventually crawled back to control almost what they started with. Should have been a number 1 priority for Japan.
Britian took Sumatra, Java, reinforced Burma, and purchased ground troops. Seems good move for Britian to play a land campaign in Asia. Turn 2 had Celebes as well and both bonuses, and were making money in the 30’s. This was powerful for Brits land campaign, able to send many tanks and inf into China when war started. Held Burma Road very well. Ended up retaking Kwangtung with Jap Major IC on it. (Japan probably would have retaken it if we finished since he had many land troops nearby to recap, but he lost 6 figs and 3 tacs when he lost Kwangtung). Britian lost they small fleet to Jap south pacific fleet in an attack that failed almost as bad as USA’s same attack on the same fleet. Lost their Dutch East Indies and Borneo to Japs, retook it about same time as Kwangtung. Took SIam and French Indo China early too.
Anzac makes destroyer, 2 carriers, sub in a few turns, finishes up the Jap south Pacific barely, since USA and UK failed miserably to do so. Lost alot in that fight and had to rebuild figs and subs, saved Carriers. Had New Guineas, Solomon, New Britian the entire game for bonus 5 ipc NO. Took Caroline Islands base later in game for 2nd NO. Retook Java late in game, highest made was 14 IPC on chart, 20 ipc in one turn only, after having 2/2 NO’s.
My thoughts:
Dice are crappy.
Flimsy cardboard charts.
No paper money.
I liked the cardboard counters for IC’s and Naval/Air Bases.
Liked the country containers just like in AA50, but they lacked dividers in the trays.
The map is big and beautiful.
Couldn’t figure out what Mongolia was for, or could do, or could suffer.
Japan has too few Tactial Bomber pieces.
Wish China had their own Artilery.
Didn’t use Mech Infantry that much, and when it came down to it, would rather buy either Artilley or Tanks.
Loved the Naval/Air bases and the movement bonus.
Didn’t utilize convoy’s at all.
Had no SBR’s.
First few turns go really quick.
We wished that the IPC’s from the Chinese territories Japan began the game with could go to whoever took them, not just straight to China. (Britian could have used them.)
USA is a beast. Had some crappy rolls though.
Japan burned bright and hot quickly, then faded away. Mistakes were made though.
Britian is a beast for a few beginning turns if they get bonuses and Dutch East Indies. Looks very fun to play.
China is weak but stubborn.
ANZAC is weak, little navy, lots of figs, no money, and the 1 bonus NO only once the entire game is weak sauce.
I loved the game, and I have another scheduled on Saturday morning! Next up I’m probably playing as is Japan.
