A Bridge Too Far: Operation Market Garden is a board game that focuses on the famous World War II operation that took place in September
The game is based on the historical events of Operation Market Garden, where Allied forces attempted to capture several key bridges in the Netherlands in order to secure a quick advance into Germany.Game Components of A Bridge Too Far: Operation Market Garden
Over 40 well-sculpted plastic playing pieces, which can be modified with painted metal micro-scale armor and troops.Game board featuring key areas such as bridges, supply lines, and different terrain types.Rulebook outlining gameplay mechanics and scenarios.Dice for resolving combat and initiative.Counters for tracking units and objectives.
How To Setup A Bridge Too Far: Operation Market Garden
The game setup involves choosing between two scenario set-ups: the historical scenario, which follows the actual events of Operation Market Garden, or a custom scenario allowing players to devise their own plan. Players place their units on the board according to the chosen scenario, with the Allied player positioning their airborne forces in designated drop zones and the Axis player setting up their defenses.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Initiative Rolls: Before each battle, initiative is rolled to determine the order of play.Battle Resolution: Combat is resolved through simple dice rolls with modifiers based on terrain and unit types.Unit Commitment: Players choose to commit some, all, or none of their forces to each battle.Supply Lines: Keeping supply lines intact is crucial for the Allied strategy, as cut-off forces suffer significant weaknesses.Air Support: The Allied player can air-drop additional forces and supplies, while the Axis player can attempt to fend off this air support.Objective Capture: The game focuses on capturing and holding key bridges and objectives, with victory points awarded for achievements and enemy units eliminated.
Player Experience
Playing **A Bridge Too Far: Operation Market Garden** can be a tense and strategic experience. The game moves quickly, lasting about 90 minutes, despite involving multiple steps in each turn. Players must balance aggressive strategies with the need to maintain supply lines and protect vulnerable airborne troops. The historical accuracy and varied terrain add depth to the gameplay, making each playthrough unique and challenging.
Pros
Strategic Depth: Offers a lot of strategic play potential despite its relative simplicity.Replay Value: High replay value due to the ability to try different strategies and scenarios.Historical Accuracy: Faithfully models the historical elements of Operation Market Garden, including bridge demolitions, traffic congestion, and airborne operations.Ease of Play: Moves along quickly, making it accessible to a wide range of players.
Cons
Complexity for Beginners: While simple, it may still be challenging for new wargamers to grasp all the mechanics at once.Luck Factor: Combat resolved by dice rolls can introduce a significant luck factor, which may frustrate some players.Balance Issues: Some players have noted potential balance issues, particularly with the Line of Communication rule for airborne units.
Personal Thoughts on A Bridge Too Far: Operation Market Garden
**A Bridge Too Far: Operation Market Garden** is ideal for wargaming enthusiasts who appreciate historical accuracy and strategic gameplay. It is particularly suited for those who have moved beyond simpler games like Risk and are looking for a more nuanced and challenging experience. The game’s ability to allow players to remake history by trying different strategies adds a layer of replayability that will appeal to both beginners and experienced wargamers.
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