Global 1940 is the best Axis & Allies game

[gamerman01]

If I took the time, I could come up with a pretty good sized list of reasons that I do NOT prefer G40

#1 It takes way too much effort and time to play.  (To play WELL, I might add)

#2 None of the unit ranges were changed from the original game even though the map size is VASTLY different.
Bombers still 6, fighters still 4, boats still 2, infantry still 1
Bases and mech infantry partly help compensate for this, but still.  Room for improvement.

#3 Back to back moves by USA/China/UK and near back to back by Italy/Germany
Impossible to stop can openers

#4 Ahistorical starting setup
I thought this was G40.  So why are there so many units that are clearly there at startup to represent forces that did not exist until 1941 or even 1942?

#5 Game released horribly incomplete
MASSIVE rule changes and placement changes made along the way.  For example, unlimited scrambling from an airbase but only from islands.  Japan is an island, UK is not.

#6 Imbalance between Pacific and Europe
Not as bad after tweaks were made, but powers in the Pacific still have disproportionate number of units compared to Europe.

Out of time -
Anyone, please feel free to add to my last of “cons” - I would love to read them.

Oh, biggest con of all:

I do not look forward to making A&A moves (playing A&A online) like I did with AA50.  It often feels more like work than play now.  Partly due to my play style, no doubt, but still.  That’s not good.
Oh, and this despite the fact that I almost always win.  If it’s not that fun even when you’re winning, that tells me something.  :-P

[gamerman01]

Aw, come on, no responses yet?
How disappointing

Surely even Allweneedislove has a thing or two he actually doesn’t like about the best Axis & Allies game as compared to others.

Anyway, yes, I am actually losing interest in G40 now.  A little too big.  It’s too busy.  Sweet spot is somewhere between AA50 and G40, I think.

#7 Takes too long between an individual’s powers turns.
In previous versions of A&A, it doesn’t take as long to come around to your turn again, when you can follow up on what you set up the turn before.  (i.e. Russia2 to Russia3, USA4 to USA5)  I think this game often loses the flow, with too many powers involved.

Bigger isn’t always better.

[Tall Paul]

Gamerman01,

––To be honest,…I thought a response would be redundant. All of us are human, well MOST of us anyway :-D . So there might be just as many “opinions” as there are people to hold them. ALL are equally good and/or right FOR THEM. Thank goodness we are blessed with enough VARIETY in the different games of A&A that are available!
----I, personally, LOVE the grandness of global-40 and can’t wait to play HBG’s global-39 which I just ordered. For me, the ULTIMATE will be HBG’s 1936/39/40 Global game coming out next year.
I spoke with Doug and he confirmed that the long time span covered in this game had the Evolution of Units included and should be the “Ultimate Next Step” in A&A gaming.
––It goes without saying that it would be a longer game, so if that isn’t your interest, OK. There are still many other versions of A&A to love. As for me,…I can’t wait to have a GRAND GAME with 5+ people for a long game! WOW!
----Ultimately,…to each his own (preference).

“Tall Paul”

[gamerman01]

:-)
Thanks for the thoughtful response, Paul

[MistuhJay]

@Gamerman01:

Anyway, yes, I am actually losing interest in G40 now.  A little too big.  It’s too busy.  Sweet spot is somewhere between AA50 and G40.

Bigger isn’t always better.

Hear, hear. I have yet to enjoy a f2f game of G40. China and ANZAC are the bane of my existence as I wait for my turn to come around again. Playing 10 hours to get through 6 rounds is disappointing.

Now a game whose complexity falls between AA50 and G40? THERE’s something I could get behind.

[BluGerman]

As Tall Paul said “to each his own” And for me the closer I can get to actually having something strategically equivalent to being the Commander of a nations might, the more fun I have. And I find that the larger the scale of board game the more I feel like Rommel, Zhukov, Montgomery, Patton, MacArthur, Yamamoto, etc, therefore the more fun I have. Yeah rounds take longer to get back to you, but that is a matter of patience. Not to mention you have much more to do when your round comes around and therefore more time to think. Gamerman if your not having fun then switch up your play style and/or play a more uncomfortable power then your used to, make challenges for yourself. If your still not feeling anything then I think you have worn this game out for yourself and should be playing AA50 instead of G40 as you have said so many good things about it. Who knows, maybe one day G40 will give you some appeal again

[gamerman01]

Thanks  :-)

[Karl7]

Having played G40 A LOT, I have a different take than Gamerman on the problem with it.

I think the main drawback is that with larger map and air/naval bases the moves are automatically limited and easily anticipated, reducing any fog of war element and requiring a vigilant player to spend a lot of brain power figuring out what his enemy can do and counter it.

In this respect G40 is more like chess than traditional A&A.

The solution?  Ironically I think the solution would be placing a lot more units on the board and more tech that’s more easily accessible.  This would mix up the possible moves enough so there would be no point in trying to run all the permutations.  This would also probably extend playing time, but that wouldn’t bother me.

The only other way to solve this issue would be to introduce a bunch of crazy “limit rules” on movement, such as: You can’t invade southern Italy until you control Sicily, or you can’t invade Japan until you control both Iwo Jima and Okinawa… Or you can never invade Germany by sea…etc.

[gamerman01]

@Karl7:

and requiring a vigilant player to spend a lot of brain power figuring out what his enemy can do and counter it.

This is one of the things I was trying to say

I’m glad you weighed in.  This is a great topic - I hope to see more viewpoints come through here

[Tall Paul]

Guys,

@Gamerman01:

@Karl7:

and requiring a vigilant player to spend a lot of brain power figuring out what his enemy can do and counter it.

This is one of the things I was trying to say

I’m glad you weighed in.  This is a great topic - I hope to see more viewpoints come through here

––While everything both of you said is very true,…other factors also come into play, WHATEVER version of A&A is being played. Gamer EXPERIENCE,…and/or the brain dexterity of players.
----While I think ALL of us would agree that ten hours for six rounds of play is EXCESSIVE,….the answers to this problem would be more experience for the players involved and/or a time limit for turns. I myself don’t like limits, but some form of “discipline” is most definately required in this instance.
----Also, simply changing the strategies from the “same old thing” and developing something new would keep it fresh. Also changing nations that each gamer plays would do the same. My ‘gang’ are always developing “something different” to try and surprise their opponents with and this keeps it Fun.
----A&A is a GREAT GAME, and IMHO G-40 is currently the best variation. At least until
HBG’s Global-1936/39/40 comes out next year.

“Tall Paul”

[BluGerman]

1. Karl I love your pic of Marx with sunglasses xD

2. I love the idea of having these “objective” territories having to pave the way for an overall final objective, adds a nice historic value. However, I think it is going to be a pain in the ass trying to implement this with it to not upset the game balance and or make game not fun anymore. if you do It correctly though i think it could be sweet :)

P.S. considering a German sea invasion would require allied control of Denmark (and Norway?) for entrance into the Baltic, I think that if Germany can’t take back Denmark after a round then Germany is bound to lose anyways :P

[gamerman01]

OK I think one of the differences in our experiences is that some of us always play 1v1 and others are only playing 1 or 2 powers.

It’s a lot more tedious to play all the powers on one side, than focusing on one and having all this time while everyone else is playing, to formulate your SINGLE next move…?

[Tall Paul]

@Gamerman01:

OK I think one of the differences in our experiences is that some of us always play 1v1 and others are only playing 1 or 2 powers.

It’s a lot more tedious to play all the powers on one side, than focusing on one and having all this time while everyone else is playing, to formulate your SINGLE next move…?

––Amen, Brother!
----The first dozen or so games I always had to play 3-4 players and so wasen’t able to “concentrate” on any one nations counters to the Axis players turn. I’m glad we’ve since gotten another player and are working on getting two more. Once we’re able to get these (and hopefully some more) new players
up-to-speed on G-40,…I’m going to spring HBG’s Global 1939 on them. Then next year,
HBG’s Global 1936/39/40 game.
----I can’t wait! I’ve had painted/decalled Air Transports, Paratroopers, Marines, Marine Raiders and other units just sitting around just waiting to being played with.

“Tall Paul”

[ItIsILeClerc]

@BluGerman:

P.S. considering a German sea invasion would require allied control of Denmark (and Norway?) for entrance into the Baltic, I think that if Germany can’t take back Denmark after a round then Germany is bound to lose anyways :P

There doesn’t have to be a next round ;-).
If UK is strong enough to kill Berlin, US can land a token force in Denmark (and Norway if it hasn’t already) then UK leapfrogs into Berlin same round. Nothing Germany can do about that except stack Berlin.

[gamerman01]

Yep… That would be problem #3 on my list

[Derek]

Personally i like G40 because there are so many more options to go about the game.
So many other games boiled down to 2 or so strategies, and could quickly get stale.
I love the can opening strategies

Go take a look at the forum games played on here and you will see just how great the possibilities are.

[wilk7011]

Can someone is simple terms explain what HBG’s Global 1939 and HBG’s Global 1936/39/40 game is?

I tried finding info and not sure I did. Thanks

[Young Grasshopper]

@wilk7011:

Can someone is simple terms explain what HBG’s Global 1939 and HBG’s Global 1936/39/40 game is?

I tried finding info and not sure I did. Thanks

“1939 Global” is an A&A game variant designed by “Historical Board Gaming” and I believe “Field Marshal Games” which are online stores for game accessories. You can find a discussion forum on this variant here…

http://www.axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?board=73.0

[Tall Paul]

Wilk7011,

––And you can purchase the map, in various sizes and textures, and the additional units that you’ll need over and above the OOB Global-1940 version through:
www.historicalboardgaming.com
----Doug is a good guy and will quickly become your “supplier of A&A FUN”!

“Tall Paul”

[wilk7011]

So it is just a redesigned game/board that uses A&A pieces or is it a boxed game that you can buy?