Napoleon (game)
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
- 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[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Carlisle, Rodney P. (2009). Encyclopedia of Play in Today's Society, Volume 1. SAGE. p. 413. Search this book on
- ↑ Owczarski, Jim (2016-04-23). "The Battle of Waterloo: A Comparative Exercise". Grogheads. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Napoléon: The Waterloo Campaign, 1815". Board Game Geek. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
External links[edit]
- Napoleon at BoardGameGeek
- Napoleon on Kickstarter Napoleon on Kickstarter
- Napoleon official website
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