Description
Empire and Alliances offers a thrilling strategic simulation of the First World War. From 1914 to 1918, players take command of the Central Powers and Allied forces in Europe. The detailed map spans from the French Atlantic ports to Moscow and Rostov in the east, including St. Petersburg in the north and Italy, Greece, and parts of the Ottoman Empire in the south. There are also off - board areas for the Caucasus and the Middle East. The basic unit is the corps with some navisions, and armies are set up in their historical mobilization sectors. There are different scenarios: a 1914 all - fronts scenario where Germans face Russian advances while focusing on the French; a nine - turn 1918 scenario introducing tanks, stosstruppen, and air units, where Germans must win quickly before American reinforcements arrive; and a four - year Campaign Game. If there's no quick victory in 1914, it becomes a war of attrition. With a complexity rating of 5 out of 10, high solitaire suitability (9 out of 10), a time scale of 1 turn = 1 month, a map scale of about 30 miles per hex, and a unit scale of corps with some navisions, it can accommodate 2 to 4 players plus solitaire. A 1 - year scenario takes an evening to play, while the Campaign Game takes a weekend.
To play Empire and Alliances, first choose a scenario - the 1914 all - fronts scenario, the 1918 nine - turn scenario, or the four - year Campaign Game. Then, set up the armies in their historical mobilization sectors on the map. Each turn represents a month. As you play, command your forces (corps with some navisions) to achieve your strategic goals. In the 1918 scenario, make good use of new units like tanks, stosstruppen, and air units. Remember, the Germans need to act fast in the 1918 scenario before American reinforcements tip the balance. If there's no quick victory in 1914, be prepared for a long - term war of attrition. When storing the game, keep it in a dry place to prevent damage to the map and pieces. Have fun playing and enjoy the strategic challenges of the First World War!
