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Cold Days in Hell (2000) Board Game

ByMichail

Cold Days in Hell is a strategic wargame that was first released in in 2000. Designed by Udo Grebe Gamedesign, this game is set in the brutal and unforgiving landscape of World War II, where players take on the roles of various military commanders leading their troops into battle.

Game Components of Cold Days in Hell

  • 1400 full-color die-cut cardboard counters
  • 6 full-color paper mapsheets spanning from Eastern Germany to the Urals and from Turkey to Northern Scandinavia
  • 1 ‘Empires of Apocalypse’ series rules book
  • 1 special ‘Eastern Front’ rules and scenario book
  • 5 full-color player aid cards
  • 3 black and white player aid cards
  • 1 full-color charts and table sheet
  • A cardboard storage box
  • New inclusions: Revised ‘Research’ concepts, a new Research Table, Diplomacy ‘intrigue’, Lend-Lease gradual involvement by the U.S.A, and more Partisans.

    How To Setup Cold Days in Hell

    Setting up the game involves laying out the mapsheets to create the vast battlefield of the Eastern Front. Players must organize the counters, rules books, and player aid cards. The game includes multiple scenarios, each with specific setup instructions, such as ‘Winter ’41’, ‘Fall Blau’, ‘Stalingrad’, ‘Summer ’44’, and ‘The Fall of the Reich’. The entire Eastern Front Campaign from 1941 to 1945 can also be set up for a more comprehensive experience.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Mechanics:** Campaign/Battle Card Driven, Dice Rolling, Hex-and-Counter
  • Game Objective:** Players aim to simulate the military campaigns on the Eastern Front during World War II. The objective varies by scenario but generally involves strategic movement, combat, and resource management to achieve historical or hypothetical outcomes.
  • Scenarios:** Include shorter scenarios like Poland-1939, the Balkan Campaign-May 1941, Barbarossa-June 1941, and Kursk-Summer 1943, as well as the entire Eastern Front Campaign from 1941 to 1945.

    Player Experience

    **Cold Days in Hell** offers a deep and immersive wargaming experience, appealing to those who enjoy strategic complexity and historical accuracy. The game supports 1 to 4 players and can take up to 300 minutes to play. The detailed rules and extensive components ensure a realistic and challenging gameplay experience.

    Pros

  • Historical Depth:** Detailed scenarios and components provide a rich historical context.
  • Replayability:** Multiple scenarios and the option to combine with other parts of the ‘Empires of Apocalypse’ series offer high replayability.
  • Strategic Complexity:** Engaging mechanics such as campaign/battle card-driven systems and dice rolling provide a challenging and immersive experience.

    Cons

  • Complex Setup:** The extensive number of components and detailed setup can be overwhelming for new players.
  • Long Playtime:** Games can be very long, which may deter players looking for quicker experiences.
  • Steep Learning Curve:** The game requires a significant investment of time to learn the rules and mechanics.

    Personal Thoughts on Cold Days in Hell

    **Cold Days in Hell** is ideal for experienced wargamers and history enthusiasts who appreciate detailed simulations of historical conflicts. It offers a comprehensive and engaging experience that can be tailored to different playstyles through various scenarios. However, due to its complexity and long playtime, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers or those new to wargaming.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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