From: dodd@csl.sri.com (Chris Dodd)
Subject: Re: Metagaming's Hitler's War

Well, I actually quite like Hitler's War, so I'll post a mini-review.

The game was originally published by Metagaming and was leter purchased
by AH when MG went under.  The AH version is substantially similar, the
only changes I can recall being a more complicated research system and
less powerful U-boats (Its been awhile since I've seen the MG
version).

The game is fairly simple -- each of the 3 sides (Germany, Russia, and
`Allies') has 12 units to which they assign strength points (infantry,
mechanized, para, amphib, and tac-air).  One your turn, your units and
SPs may move around any distance within friendly territory.  In the
combat phase, they can attack adjacent hexes and attempt to advance.
As long as a unit succeeds in advancing it can continue, but each hex
get slightly harder.  With only 12 units, you frequently can't hold a
solid line; fortunately even unoccupied enemy hexes must be occupied in
the combat phase.  In general, a strong (lots of mech) army can advance
4-6 hexes in a single turn without opposition.  At the end of the turn,
you get Resource Points based on the factories you control, which can
be used to build more SPs, repair captured factories, or research,
which, if successful, reduces the cost of the type of SPs you are
researching.

As with most WW2 in Europe games, the game is designed around this
basic ground combat system, with naval forces sort of tacked on as an
adjunct.  There are also strategic warfare forces (bombers, u-boats,
rockets, and a-bombs) with which you can attack enemy production
directly.  Each turn is 4 months long, so the entire war is only about
18 turns.  The game can be played to completion in 4-6 hours, (much
quicker if the Germans win early on).  The board is quite small
(16"x22", including a bunch of tables).  Its only 4 or 5 hexes from
Warsaw to Moscow!

It is actually a reasonable simulation of the war (unlike A&A).  Of
course, it is also much more complex, though still simpler than 3R
or WiF.

Chris Dodd
dodd@csl.sri.com