From: Francois Charton <frcharton@compuserve.com>
Subject: SPI Compendium Go-Gz (1999)

Matt Little wrote:
>
>- GONDOR
>  Linda Mosca & Rich Berg

This was my very first SPI game (an introductory present for my first S&T
subscription, in 79), so I might not be very objective.

Gondor portrays the battle for Minas Tirith, as in the last book of
Tolkien's war of the ring. It plays on one half size map, representing the
city (actually its walls and gates) and the plain around it. It has some
300 counters, 4 pages of standard rules, which also applies to its twin
game: Sauron, and 4 pages of exclusive rules (mostly about the siege, and
the scenario). I remember it plays in a couple of hours (a short evening
session), and works all right solitaire.

The game system is basic I go/You go, move then fight, easy to learn and
master, special rules for climbing walls, pouring oil on climbers,
catapults, throwing heads into the town (using catapults)... basic siege
business...

The situation is fun: the game start with a very small westerness garrison,
inside the walls (don't even think of a sortie, wait for the rescue to
come...) assaulted by a huge army of orcs, goblins, trolls (the green and
ugly species, not the one we have on consim-l), and elephants. They have to
storm the city very quick, for the riders of Rohan will soon appear, and
defeat whoever is left on the plains (they are very strong). As a result,
both players get to be bth attacker and defender at some stage of the game,
which makes up for a nice little game.

My only concerns are with replayability, few strategic options are open to
each side, so games tend to follow a systematic pattern, and balance, it is
tough to win for the Mordor player. Worth a few games if you can find it.

Francois