Norman Smith - 10:37pm Oct 31, 2001 PST (#8686 of 8694)

I've deleted my original OOTW post and am reposting now as this got lost
in the recent 'outburst'. It's not that I think that what I have to say
is more important - but rather the post is about a brand new wargame
company that deserves some recognition and support - so here goes again!

Well, I have been taking games out of the wrapper for some 25 years and
I don't think that I have ever been as initially impressed with a new
purchase as I have been with A HOUSE DIVIDED by Phalanx Games.

The perception of quality begins even before the wrapper is off, with a
rather nice painting of a battle scene on the front cover of a box that
feels particularly sturdy.

Inside, the rules (basic) are on 8 pages of semi glossy paper that is
coloured beige with the American map 'ghosted' into the bacjkground. The
text is very clear, quite large and in 2 columns, so the length of the
rules would not amount to 8 pages in most formats currently used by
other companies. Examples and counter descriptions are given in full
colour.

The advanced rules are set out in the same fashion but are printed onto
blue paper and amount to a 4 sided folder.

The scenario & optional rule booklet is 8 pages long and done in the
same colours and graphics of the box front, it looks very nice and has
very pleasing large print, the optional rules cover crack infantry,
naval evacuations, union rail movement bonus, Fort Monroe, Confederate
Replacement training - (I have never owned the original game so don't
know if there is anything new in these optional rules).

I am just bowled over by the counters, there are 3 sheets, as Frank
(above) has said they are about an inch square and formed from 2mm card.
They are FULLY die cut with rounded corners, so you just pop them out -
no ties holding them - just the thickness of the card. The depictions
are of s ingle inf / cav figure but done as a proper painting with a
painted background. As for counter values, there is a single, very large
number on each counter and thats it - very easy on the eyes - especially
older eyes !

The board (it's a point to point game)is a fully mounted / hinged affair
like the sort used for 'We the people'//Battle Cry' etc. Compared to the
Graphic delight of the box cover and counters, the board is quite tame,
perhaps a deliberate decision to set a good background for the counters
and show off the poit-point links. The game also includes 3 stand up
leader counters (Grant/Lee/Sherman) and a has final nice touch of the 6
dice being appropriately colour coded, 3 BLUE and 3 GREY. The
combination of Eurogame and traditional wargame is excellent and most
welcome, I want more games like this in my collection

Phalanx have delivered a first class product, as I understand it, AHD is
a classic game, already well tried and tested so no problems there.
(nice to see Frank Chadwicks name on the front of the box)

re the earlier discussion of availability and cost, I bought my copy
from Andy ashton at Second Chance Games (UK) for £35, his email is
secondchancegames@btinternet.com