"In effect you transfer much of the Japanese starting warpower (in form of planes mostly) from the Pacific Theater to the European Theater. These can be used to strategic bomb moscow earlier than anticipated, turning off (or down) the production of units Moscow counted on producing to defend with. When the UK player realizes this, they may begin production to get units into Moscow through the Middle East, so be prepared to see China re-opened by the UK in the mid to late game.
Russia has a hard enough time dealing with Germany and Italy, that if Japan is chipping away at income from the Pacific side and eventually gets involved in the siege of Moscow, the Russians are generally going to fall. It also enables the Italians to consider making a play to take Egypt before the Allies can reclaim it to secure an Axis win in Europe. Later on, the abundance of aircraft from Japan can swing through in a 1-2 punch with the Germans to sink any fleets the Allies wanted to use to land in Europe.
All Japan has to do is defend Tokyo in this type of strategy. To me, it is a bit “gamey;’ But I’ve employed it before and won convincingly.”
Boy do you have it right. We used to think 3 powers against UK or US was gamey, but 3 powers against USSR is just broken, which is why absent altering Russia (and the bid never seems to go to Russia based on the fact they cannot attack! imo) it would be hard to fix the G40 scenario.
But, make Russia stronger and it will either be too tough for Germany and Italy alone or too weak for all 3 axis.