Napoleon (board game)
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Napoleon is a strategic-level board wargame published originally by Gamma Two Games in 1974 that simulates the Battle of Waterloo. A number of versions of the game have breen produced, notably by Avalon Hill and Columbia Games.
Description
Napoleon was one of the first block wargames, where units are represented by wooden or plastic blocks rather than the more traditional miniature soldiers or die-cut cardboard counters.[1] The blocks are marked on one side by the unit designation; at the start of the game, these face away from the opposing player so that their exact designation is unknown, simulating the "fog of war."[1]
With three armies in play (French, British & allies, and Prussian) the game can be player by either two or three players.[1] The main board shows the area of the battle. After set-up of the blocks, the game is turn-based, with each turn lasting 1/3 of a day. The French have the first turn, simulating the morning of June 15, 1815. The English and Prussians have the second turn, representing mid-day; and the French have the third turn, representing the evening.
When units come into contact, the combat is moved to a smaller board for resolution.[2]
Components
In addition to the game boards and rulebooks, the game has unit blocks, the number of which has varied from edition to edition:
- 1st & 2nd editions: 48 blocks
- 3rd edition: 84 blocks plus separate blocks for Blücher, Napoleon and Wellington
- 4th edition: 56 blocks[3]
Publication history
Napoleon was originally designed by Tom Dalgliesh of Gamma Two Games (later known as Columbia Games). A second edition of the game was produced by Avalon Hill in 1977. After Avalon Hill's demise, Gamma Two Games — now Columbia Games — took back the license and produced a third edition in 1994. Columbia then published a fourth edition in 2013.[3]
Reviews
- The Canadian Wargaming Journal, Issue 37 (Fall 1993)
- The Wargamer Vol. 2, Issue 19 (July 2003 - review of Gamma Two Games' 1st edition)
- The Wargamer Vol. 2, Issue 29 (Winter 2009 - review of Columbia Games' 3rd edition)
References
- ^ a b c Carlisle, Rodney P. (2009). Encyclopedia of Play in Today's Society, Volume 1. SAGE. p. 413.
- ^ Owczarski, Jim (2016-04-23). "The Battle of Waterloo: A Comparative Exercise". Grogheads. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
- ^ a b "Napoléon: The Waterloo Campaign, 1815". Board Game Geek. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
External links
- Napoleon at BoardGameGeek
- Napoleon on Kickstarter Napoleon on Kickstarter
- Napoleon official website
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