Europe 40 or Pacific 40?

[CWO Marc]

Another angle from which to approach the question is that, to some extent, it’s similar to a question that’s been asked a few times on this forum by folks who’ve never played, which is: “which of the current A&A games should I buy first?”  There are many possible answers, which all have good arguments in their favour depending on what priorities and preferences need to be considered, but one of the options I happen to like is to ignore WWI 1914 initially (or completely) because it’s a nonstandard outlier and, instead, to gradually work your way up through the following sequence: 1941 (the simplest global game), Spring 1942 (the intermediate global game), Pacific 1940 (the smaller of the two theatre games), Europe 1940 (the larger of the two theatre games), and finally Global 1940 (the most complex global game). So if training is one of your primary considerations, the best answer to your E1940/P1940 question might perhaps actually be 1942.  It would allow your kids to learn to use some unit types that aren’t in 1941, rather than jumping straight to the even larger range of unit types in 1940 (regardless of which 1940 game you buy), and it would also allow them to get used to the non-infantry sculpt shapes that are used in 1942 and the two 1940 games, but which differ from the ones in 1941.

[taamvan]

No one has unlimited resources or time, but the moment you put your newly purchased 1940’ board down on your biggest dining room table you will marvel at its awsomenaminity and wonder why it would look so much better and grander with its fraternal twin right next to it…covered in tiny army men…

and you’ll likely order the other board on amazon while you marvel at the first

[ABWorsham4]

@taamvan:

No one has unlimited resources or time, but the moment you put your newly purchased 1940’ board down on your biggest dining room table you will marvel at its awsomenaminity and wonder why it would look so much better and grander with its fraternal twin right next to it…covered in tiny army men…

and you’ll likely order the other board on amazon while you marvel at the first

Played a few weeks ago, and  loved it. I have no doubt that will happen.

[Charles de Gaulle]

(Please note I am biased; I only own Europe but I play more than once a week with a friend’s Pacific for Global)

In short, Europe is a bigger, more action,  more land-based game compared to Pacific. It takes longer to play(for me). It allows for more players (4) compared to Pacific’s 3. I heard someone say that Pacific allows five players…Really? China is nothing. Players get bored playing China ANZAC and France. Anyway in my games Pacific seems slanted toward the Axis quite a bit. Europe is slanted toward the Allies a little bit. Global game is slanted toward the Axis a little bit. Pacific is simpler. Many new comers will graft to Naval warefare quicker. There is also only one new Naval unit compared to three new land units (in 1941).
Although it appears you have already purchased, I reccommend Pacific first to most players. If you do not plan on buying both eventually get Europe.

[ABWorsham4]

@Charles:

(Please note I am biased; I only own Europe but I play more than once a week with a friend’s Pacific for Global)

In short, Europe is a bigger, more action,  more land-based game compared to Pacific. It takes longer to play(for me). It allows for more players (4) compared to Pacific’s 3. I heard someone say that Pacific allows five players…Really? China is nothing. Players get bored playing China ANZAC and France. Anyway in my games Pacific seems slanted toward the Axis quite a bit. Europe is slanted toward the Allies a little bit. Global game is slanted toward the Axis a little bit. Pacific is simpler. Many new comers will graft to Naval warefare quicker. There is also only one new Naval unit compared to three new land units (in 1941).
Although it appears you have already purchased, I reccommend Pacific first to most players. If you do not plan on buying both eventually get Europe.

I have not purchased yet. Went to buy locally, to support neighborhood small businesses, but they only had 1941, which I bought and my sons are enjoying.

[Charles de Gaulle]

1940 in local stores is rare.

[ABWorsham4]

I’m finding that out.

[IdaRed]

If it’s within your budget, I would just buy both games together.  Sounds like you will eventually end up with both so better to have matching 40.2 E and P.

In your poll I voted Europe but that is because I find that theater more interesting.  I suggest you go with whichever theater your kids find more interesting historically.  Pacific is actually the more compact and straightforward game, so I would recommend that one for you if your kids don’t have a preference (and you are getting just one).

[General Veers]

Pacific puts naval pieces to better use than Europe; the gameplay is more diverse in that sense.

[Zhukov44]

You need both to play Global.

Europe is a fairly even 1-1 game (with a probable slight edge to Allies, but easily overcome if Axis has better skills).

Pacific may be a bit more dynamic as a map, but it’s heavily slanted towards Axis which means Allies need a large bid or special rules to be competitive.

[Don Bosch]

@ABWorsham:

I bought 41 a few weeks ago, I soon will purchase one of these games. I’ll have both in time. But I’m training two sons in the game. Your thoughts?

Once you play 1940 E an/or P, you’ll never want to play 1941 or 1942 (at least for me). 1942 is however a good option, but the rules in 1940 a diffrent and there are more unit types. Im my gaming group, 1 player used to play the classic edition (from the 80’s)  and the first few games he was confused with the new typical 1940 rules such as airbases, naval bases, bombing raids etc. If you teach your sons 1941, then 1942 and afterwards 1940 they will get confused too because of the variaty of rules.

OT: I say Europe. More diverse battles (land, air and naval) and more diverse nations.

[Charles de Gaulle]

1941 is fun. Anniversary is slpplendid. 1940 is magnificent. 1942 well I never played.

[freh]

I voted Pacific, only because you said which should you buy FIRST, which I assume means you
will eventually buy both  :-D  I started on Pacific and love the naval aspect to it.

But if I were you, I would get both if you can find them. I have both and even though I mostly play TripleA, I’m glad I have a hard copy of each.

[eames57]

I went with Pacific not because I think it’s better to buy firts per se but simply because I prefer that game.  The only game I’d played previous was 1942, and I always lamented that the Pacific theater was more of a placeholder and no action among the isles was needed.  1940 answered that well.  I find the gameplay in Pacific to allow for a lot more creativity and options.

[teslas]

Europe is much more forgiving for new players, and supports 5 people simultaneously. You also have a 2v2 or 3v2 dynamic in the Atlantic, so everyone has a teammate, whereas in the Pacific it’s Everyone vs. 1. Less fun for me at least, especially as a beginner.

I voted Europe like a week ago, but I figured I’d actually post since so many people are suggesting Pacific.

[Charles de Gaulle]

The poll shows that Europe is preferred.

[teslas]

@Charles:

The poll shows that Europe is preferred.

My cat’s breath smells like cat food.

[FlyingTigers]

In my opinion Europe is better for a first choice. In my opinion there are simply more strategies and options for either side than Pacific. It can be a completely different game every time. It’s also good if there are more than one players that want to play axis.

Note: I’ve only ever played Europe on its own about 3 times, and I’ve never played Pacific on its own I usually play global.

[Kreuzfeld]

I voted pacific I think it is a more fun game.

However, Europe is the game that is most similar to all the other axis-games ever made. In most axisgames the conventional visdom is Kill germany first. That means making a transporbridge to get the american troops to mainland europe. Then it is usually a race between killing germany and japan killing russia.

In europe 1940, you basically play KGF scenario.

[Charles de Gaulle]

@teslas:

@Charles:

The poll shows that Europe is preferred.

My cat’s breath smells like cat food.

lol

@Kreuzfeld:

I voted pacific I think it is a more fun game.

However, Europe is the game that is most similar to all the other axis-games ever made. In most axisgames the conventional visdom is Kill germany first. That means making a transporbridge to get the american troops to mainland europe. Then it is usually a race between killing germany and japan killing russia.

In europe 1940, you basically play KGF scenario.

Not kill Italy first?