We have to show the world that not all of us are like him.
Unboxing a copy of the historical co-op boardgame Black Orchestra, by Game Salute.
There have been a few historically-themed boardgames entering the EOG collection recently, which is a nice change from all the fantasy and sci-fi stuff. I’m a bit of a history buff, and I enjoy learning something about history while I play a game. Memoir ’44, for example, has taught me a lot, especially since my usual opponent, Will, seems to have all the facts about every major battle of WWII in his head, and can elaborate in grat detail on the information given with every scenario.
Black Orchestra is also set during WWII (and the lead-up to it), but has a very different focus – the plots to assassinate Hitler and evade the Gestapo. A fascinating subject is combined with some interesting co-op gameplay and lovely graphic design. It was the latter which first drew me in – there are some excellent colour and typography choices here, and the game has a distinctive look and feel that makes me want to get it off the shelf and play it immediately.
But first, I have to rip off the shrink wrap and look inside the box! So let’s do that together, shall we?
Of course the summary in the box is also on the EOG: you can find it on the Black Orchestra game page.
I think you lost it a bit at the end… you did have to do a rule summary… you just did it before you got the game 🙂
You make a good point though…. about historical games…
I used to own ‘Escape From Colditz’ as a child. I still own ‘Campaign’ from long ago, but haven’t played it in decades. Only other historical game in my collection is Wings of War.
The other ‘historical’ games are the likes of Fireteam Zero, Tannhauser and incursion which are all weird war alternate history.
Might be time to add something historical to the shelf. I was thinking of buying Blood Red Skies. Looks good.
Any suggestions for historical game?
But it’s different – it can just go straight on the shelf, and not add another item to my ‘to do’ list! Unfortunately, running the EOG does add a certain level of ‘work’ to something which should be all ‘play’…
I don’t have many to suggest, unfortunately. I’ve got Escape From Colditz, though I’ve never played it. Tide of Iron is very good, if slightly complex and fiddly. Expedition: Northwest Passage has a good Franklin expedition theme. Duel in the Dark is OK, though again, I haven’t played it enough. Conquest of the Empire is an old one I used to enjoy. Wings of War is a classic. Then there are various civ-building games: Clash of Cultures, Civilization, Mare Nostrum. Oh, and Command and Colors: Ancients is great. Others: Britannia (British early history), Hammer of the Scots (a good block wargame).
Hmm, I do have a few after all! They’re just not getting much table time lately.
Friend has Tide of Iron. Good game, lots of dice. Bit like warhammer really. Roll to hit and save I think. Takes a while and can be a bit one sided as some scenarios weighted heavily… but so is war.