Nuts! (2005) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Nuts! is a board game released in 2005 that focuses on World War II combat scenarios. Designed by Kim Allman, Doug Hamm, and Eric Hotz, the game provides players with a strategic and immersive experience set during this historical period. With a runtime of 120 minutes and suitable for players aged 10 and above, Nuts! offers an engaging gameplay experience for 1 to 8 players.

Game Components of Nuts!

Rulebook: A nearly 100-page book covering basic rules.

Campaign Books: Expansive books, each about 80 pages, except for the Pacific book which is almost 200 pages, covering various theaters like the eastern and western fronts, North Africa, and the Pacific.

Miniatures: Individual soldiers with attributes and characteristics.

Terrain and Maps: A 3’x3’ table setup with terrain cards.

Dice: Uses a D6 system for action determination.

Special Cards: Includes cards for various events and missions.

How To Setup Nuts!

Setting up *Nuts!* involves creating a force of a few squads, typically under the command of a junior officer or NCOs. Players must assign attributes and characteristics to each soldier, which affect their performance in the game. The game is played on a 3’x3’ table with terrain cards and miniatures. The setup also includes deploying forces according to the specific scenario or campaign being played.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Activation System: Uses the THW Reaction System, which is not an I-Go-You-Go system, and is based on factors like line of sight and force posture.

Action Determination: Simple D6 system where 1-3 means success and 4-6 means failure.

Opportunity Fire: Allows for opportunity fire, a mechanic often lacking in skirmish games.

Solo and Campaign Play: Supports solo play and extended campaigns with the same set of soldiers.

Combat Mechanics: Includes top-down, bottom-up, and normal assaults, with advantages and disadvantages for each type.

Mission Support: Features support missions like reconnaissance by drones, close air support, and aerial bombardment.

Objective: The objective is to complete missions and scenarios while managing the survival and cohesion of your troops.

Player Experience

*Nuts!* offers a deep and immersive experience, blending elements of miniatures games and role-playing games. Players must manage their troops’ attributes and characteristics, which adds a layer of realism and replayability. The game is known for its complexity, so it requires a significant amount of time to learn the rules and mechanics. However, once familiar, games typically last about two hours.

Pros

Deep Gameplay Mechanics: Offers a rich and detailed gaming experience.

Solo and Campaign Play: Supports solo play and extended campaigns, which is rare in miniatures games.

Role-Playing Elements: Attributes and characteristics for individual soldiers add a role-playing flavor.

Flexible: Allows players to tailor the game to their preferred experience.

Multiplayer Capability: Can be played with multiple players, making it versatile for group gaming sessions.

Cons

Complex Rules: The game is very chart-heavy and requires a lot of rules reading and memorization.

Learning Curve: Has a steep learning curve due to the intricate mechanics.

Time-Consuming: Initial playtests can take longer than usual as players learn the rules.

Personal Thoughts on Nuts!

*Nuts!* is ideal for seasoned gamers who are looking for a deep and immersive wargaming experience. It appeals to both miniatures and role-playing game enthusiasts due to its detailed mechanics and character customization. However, it may not be the best fit for new gamers due to its complexity and the time required to learn the rules. For those willing to invest the time, *Nuts!* offers a unique and engaging gaming experience that can be tailored to fit individual preferences.

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