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