Ambush! (1983)
Ambush!
“Ambush!” is a man-to-man wargame developed by Avalon Hill and released under their Victory Games label in 1983. The game was designed by Eric Lee Smith and John Butterfield, and it was innovative at the time for exclusively being designed for single-player play. The game has been out of print since its initial release, but it has seen various translations to computer platforms and has maintained its popularity among board game enthusiasts.
Why is Ambush! Popular?
“Ambush!” is significant because it was the first solitaire wargame to gain widespread popularity. Prior to its release, wargames typically required at least two players, as one player had to control the opponent. “Ambush!” solved this problem by having the game scenario itself control the opponent, using tables, charts, and a “paragraph book” that the player referred to see how the opponent was reacting. The game’s success led to a follow-up game called “Open Fire!”, which was less successful and had a less elegant design. Additionally, a two-player version called “Shell Shock” was released in 1990.
Game Components of Ambush!
The Game Components of Ambush! for “Ambush!” include:
– A map board
– A set of counters
– A “paragraph book”
– Tables and charts
Game Setup of Ambush!
To set up the game, players place the map board on a flat surface and arrange the counters according to the game scenario. The player then refers to the paragraph book to determine the opponent’s actions and reactions.
Gameplay Mechanics of Ambush!
“Ambush!” is a turn-based game where players take turns moving their units and engaging in combat. The game uses a programmed paragraph system, where the player refers to the paragraph book to determine the opponent’s actions and reactions.
Game Objective of Ambush!
The Game Objective of Ambush! is to achieve victory by completing specific objectives, such as capturing enemy territory or eliminating enemy units.
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