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The Solomons Campaign (Second Edition) (2008) Board Game

The Solomons Campaign (Second Edition) is a board game that simulates the intense naval battles that took place in the Solomon Islands during World War II. The game focuses on the strategic and tactical decisions made by both the Allied and Japanese forces as they fought for control of this crucial area in the Pacific theater.

Game Components of The Solomons Campaign

  • Map: Divides Guadalcanal and the surrounding ocean into 19 giant hexes.
  • Counters: Land forces represented by abstract point values, naval units representing specific ships or task forces, and air counters representing generic aircraft.
  • Rules: 20 pages detailing simultaneous planned and revealed movement of air, naval, and land forces.
  • Scenarios: One 16-turn scenario, each turn representing one week of the battle, with a non-historic “what if?” option involving heavy battleships like Yamato and Musashi.

    How To Setup The Solomons Campaign

    To set up the game, players must carefully organize the counters and map to reflect the initial deployment of forces. This involves placing land, naval, and air units in their starting positions according to the scenario being played. The game requires meticulous attention to the rules and setup to ensure a accurate and engaging game experience.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Simultaneous Movement: Players plan and reveal movements of air, naval, and land forces simultaneously.
  • Combined Arms Operations: Players must coordinate land, sea, and air forces to achieve strategic objectives.
  • Supply Management: Managing supply on the island is crucial for maintaining effective operations.
  • Game Objective: The objective is to control the strategically vital airbase known as Henderson Field on Guadalcanal Island.
  • Turn Structure: Each turn represents one week of the battle, with the game spanning 16 turns.

    Player Experience

    The Solomons Campaign is known for its complexity and strategic depth, making it a challenging but rewarding experience for experienced wargamers. The game demands careful planning and execution, as well as the ability to outguess the opponent’s moves. The simultaneous movement system adds a layer of realism and complexity, simulating the chaotic and dynamic nature of real-world military operations.

    Pros

  • Strategic Depth: Offers a strong strategic emphasis with a focus on combined arms operations.
  • Realistic Simulation: Successfully combines land, sea, and air operations on a similar level of simulation.
  • Historical Accuracy: Faithfully recreates the historical context of the Guadalcanal campaign.

    Cons

  • Complexity: Described as “quite complex” with a steep learning curve.
  • Limited Scenarios: Only one 16-turn scenario is provided, although it includes a “what if?” option.
  • Historical Reception: Received a poor ranking in popularity polls among wargamers in the past.

    Personal Thoughts on The Solomons Campaign

    The Solomons Campaign is ideally suited for experienced wargamers who appreciate complex, historically accurate simulations. It is not a game for casual players due to its intricate rules and complex gameplay mechanics. For those who enjoy deep strategic planning and the challenge of managing multiple types of forces, this game offers a rich and immersive experience. However, it may not be the best choice for new players looking for a more straightforward introduction to wargaming.

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