French Foreign Legion (2000) Board Game

The French Foreign Legion has a long and storied history, dating back to its founding in in 2000. Initially created as a way for foreign nationals to serve in the French military, the Legion has since become known for its brave soldiers and tough training regimen. The Legion has seen action in numerous conflicts around the world, and its soldiers are often portrayed as heroic figures in popular culture.

Game Components of French Foreign Legion

Map Board: A 12″ x 24″ fold-out map featuring a desert fort with a square grid overlay.

Counters: Include 33 Legionnaires (three squads and leaders) and 52 enemy units (six squads with leaders from various desert tribes).

Rule Book: 14 pages long, including basic rules, optional rules, and scenarios.

Game Card: A two-sided quick reference card, with two copies provided.

Character Unit Sheet: For tracking KIA and WIA[2/.

How To Setup French Foreign Legion

Setting up the game involves unfolding the map board, which depicts a four-level desert fort with detailed interior layouts for buildings and towers. Players must organize the counters for the Legionnaires and the enemy units. The game includes a rule book that outlines the setup process, and the quick reference cards help in streamlining the setup and gameplay.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Turn-Based: Players take turns in movement, melee, and fire phases.

Random Selection: Players randomly select which Legion squad or Arab tribe moves and engages in combat first.

Movement and Combat: Each player uses all their men associated with a selected squad or tribe for movement and melee, and then for the fire phase.

Optional Rules: Include dynamics like dynamite, tunnels, cannon and machine-gun use, wounds, morale, night fighting, and mounted Arabs.

Objective: The Legionnaires must defend the desert fort against the attacking Bedouins, managing resources and tactics to hold the fort and prevent breaches.

Player Experience

The game offers a fast-paced and unpredictable experience, mimicking the intense battles depicted in movies and serials. Players must strategically manage their units, utilize defensive mechanisms like gates, doors, and windows, and handle the morale and discipline of their troops. The game is designed for 2 to 3 players and takes approximately 2 hours to play.

Pros

Detailed Mechanics: Despite its relatively low complexity, the game includes detailed rules for various aspects like combat, morale, and siege operations.

Immersive Theme: The game captures the essence of historical battles involving the French Foreign Legion, making it engaging for history and military enthusiasts.

Replayability: Multiple scenarios and optional rules enhance the game’s replay value.

Cons

Historical Inaccuracies: The game combines various desert tribes into a single enemy force, which might not be historically accurate.

Graphics and Components: The graphics and components are simple and reflective of 1980s game design standards, which might not appeal to modern gamers.

Personal Thoughts on French Foreign Legion

This game is ideal for those who appreciate historical military themes and are looking for a game with a mix of strategy and tactical combat. It is particularly suited for fans of the French Foreign Legion and those interested in colonial-era military conflicts. The game’s complexity is on the lower end of average wargaming complexity, making it accessible to new players while still offering enough depth for experienced gamers. However, the outdated graphics and some historical inaccuracies might detract from the experience for some players.

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