Brave Little Belgium (2019) Board Game

Brave Little Belgium is a board game that focuses on the events of World War I, specifically the German invasion of Belgium in in 2019. The game highlights the resistance put up by the Belgian army against the overwhelming might of the German forces. Players take on the roles of either the Belgian defenders or the German aggressors, and must strategize and make tactical decisions to outmaneuver their opponents.

Game Components of Brave Little Belgium

1 22″ x 17″ map

88 5/8″ counters

8-page rulebook

8 six-sided dice

Fort markers

Garde Civique chits

How To Setup Brave Little Belgium

Setting up **Brave Little Belgium** involves placing chits and fort markers on the map. Chits are separated by army and placed at various points, with a handy diagram on the back of the rulebook to guide the process. Fort markers are positioned at fort locations, and Garde Civique chits are randomly placed face-down across cities and towns using a dice roll and a chart on the player mapsheet. The setup is the most challenging part, especially for those unfamiliar with Belgian geography.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Mechanics:
– Chit-pull activations
– Dice rolling for combat
– Movement points (infantry have 2, cavalry have 4)
– Battle resolution using combat factors

Game Objective:
– German player must destroy the forts at Liege and Namur and occupy a city on the other side of the victory line by specific turns (Aug. 19-21 for a win, Aug. 22-24 for a draw, Aug. 25-27 for an Entente victory).
– Entente player must stage a desperate defense to delay the German forces as long as possible.

Player Experience

**Brave Little Belgium** offers a fast-paced and engaging experience, ideal for both new and experienced wargamers. The game introduces popular wargaming mechanisms like chits and chit pulls in a streamlined manner. Players face strategic decisions such as when to fall back and where to take a stand, especially given the tight timelines and the need to manage resources effectively. The game’s duration is approximately 90 minutes, making it a quick yet immersive experience.

Pros

Introductory Friendly: Great for new wargamers to learn common mechanisms.

Fast-Paced: Quick gameplay with a lot of tension and uncertainty.

Strategic Depth: Players must make critical decisions on resource management and defensive strategies.

Historical Context: Recreates a significant early campaign of World War I.

Easy to Understand Rulebook: The 8-page rulebook is concise and clear.

Cons

Setup Complexity: Requires some time and familiarity with Belgian geography.

Limited Replayability: The game’s objectives and setup are somewhat fixed, which might reduce replay value.

Personal Thoughts on Brave Little Belgium

**Brave Little Belgium** is perfect for those interested in wargaming but unsure where to start. It provides a classic David vs. Goliath scenario, where the smaller Belgian forces must hold off the formidable German army. This game is ideal for history buffs and those who enjoy strategic battles with a clear historical context. It’s also a great choice for gamers looking for a quick, engaging wargame experience without the overwhelming complexity of more advanced titles.

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