Ambush! (1983) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Ambush! is a solo tactical board game set during World War II, designed by John H. Butterfield, Ted Koller, and James Talbot. It was first released in 1983 by Victory Games. The game has gained a dedicated following over the years due to its immersive gameplay and historical accuracy.

Game Components of Ambush!

Game Board: Represents the terrain of WWII France.

Paragraph Book: A key component that dictates enemy actions and reactions.

Charts and Tables: Used to resolve combat and other game mechanics.

Counters: Representing the player’s squad and enemy units.

Dice: For resolving combat and other random events.

Expansion Modules: Including “Move Out” (1984), “Purple Heart” (1985), and “Silver Star” (1987).

How To Setup Ambush!

Setting up *Ambush!* involves placing the game board, setting up the player’s squad of eight men, and referencing the paragraph book to initiate the scenario. The game does not require any enemy unit markers on the board until they become visible, typically through attacks on the player. The rules, though complex, are essential for a proper setup, and players often highlight and underline key sections for easier reference.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Solo Play: Designed exclusively for single-player gameplay.

Hex-and-Counter System: Players move and engage in combat using hexagonal grid spaces and counters.

Paragraph Book System: The game scenario controls the opponent’s actions through a paragraph book.

Variable Events: Encounters and enemy actions are determined by charts, tables, and the paragraph book.

Tactical Puzzles: Players must make tactical decisions to navigate through missions.

Objective: Complete missions while minimizing casualties and achieving specific objectives.

Player Experience

*Ambush!* offers a deeply immersive and challenging experience, particularly for solo wargamers. The game’s ability to hide enemy units until they engage the player adds a high level of realism and surprise. Missions can range from straightforward to highly complex and open-ended, especially in later expansions like “Purple Heart” and “Silver Star.” While the game can be time-consuming and sometimes frustrating due to its complex rules, it rewards players with engaging stories and tactical challenges.

Pros

Innovative Solo Gameplay: Revolutionized solo wargaming by introducing a system where the game itself controls the opponent.

High Replayability: Later expansions offer highly varied and open-ended missions.

Immersive Storytelling: The paragraph book system creates realistic and unpredictable enemy behaviors.

Tactical Depth: Offers complex tactical puzzles and strategic decision-making.

Cons

Complex Rules: The setup and rules can be daunting and non-user-friendly by today’s standards.

Limited Custom Scenario Creation: Creating new scenarios from scratch is challenging due to the complexity of the charts, tables, and paragraph book.

Time-Consuming: Missions can extend over several hours, especially if encounters become prolonged.

Personal Thoughts on Ambush!

*Ambush!* is a masterpiece for solo wargamers and those who appreciate intricate, immersive gameplay. It is ideal for players who enjoy tactical challenges, variable events, and a high level of realism in their wargames. While it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its complexity, it remains a cherished classic in the wargaming community and is often cited as one of the best solo wargames ever created. If remade with modern simplifications and a modular mission tree, it could attract a new generation of gamers.

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