La Guerra Civil Española (1936) (1981) Board Game

La Guerra Civil Española (1936) is a board game that simulates the Spanish Civil War that took place in in 1981. This conflict was a pivotal moment in Spanish history, where the Nationalists, led by General Franco, fought against the Republicans. The game allows players to take on the roles of these factions and recreate the strategic decisions and battles that occurred during this tumultuous time.

Game Components of La Guerra Civil Española

Central Board: A large map of Spain showing cities and areas significant to the conflict, connected by lines of movement and marked with boxes for piece placement.

Tokens: Over 100 tokens with clear and intuitive designs, using a color code (red for Republicans, green and blue for Nationals) to represent armies, tanks, aviation, and generals.

Cards: Each player has a deck of 44 cards (plus 4 for advanced rules) for executing events and adding modifiers during fights, based on real events of the Spanish Civil War.

Combat Resolution Board: For resolving battles.

Wooden Indicators: For tracking various game states.

Dice: Each player has a set of 5 dice.

Side Board: A summary of the game sequence.

“La Armada” Expansion: Adds naval units, new cards, and tokens for enhanced strategic depth.

How To Setup La Guerra Civil Española

Setting up the game involves placing the central board, distributing the tokens and cards to each player, and preparing the combat resolution board and other components. Players choose to play as either the Republican or National side. The game includes a side board with a summary of the game sequence to help guide the setup and gameplay.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Duration: 10 turns, each divided into several phases.

Objective Areas: Players fight for control of key areas on the map.

Victory Conditions: Military dominance, control of specific cities (like Madrid, Seville, Barcelona), or unexpected outcomes.

Replacement Points: Victory often decided by points obtained from controlled objective areas at the end of the last turn.

Card Play: Using cards to execute events and modify battles.

Dice Rolls: Resolving battles and other actions with dice.

Player Experience

La Guerra Civil Española offers a realistic simulation of the Spanish Civil War, blending player skill with random elements from cards and dice. The game scales well to different player experiences, making it accessible for both newcomers and seasoned players. The renewed graphic design and new illustrations by Joan Guardiet add a unique and historic flair to the game.

Pros

Historical Accuracy: Based on real events of the Spanish Civil War.

Scalability: Suitable for players of various experience levels.

Strategic Depth: Enhanced by the “La Armada” expansion and additional cards.

Visual Appeal: Modernized and intuitive graphic design.

Cons

Complexity: May be overwhelming for absolute beginners due to the number of components and rules.

Time Commitment: Requires a significant amount of time to play through the 10 turns.

Personal Thoughts on La Guerra Civil Española

La Guerra Civil Española is ideal for fans of historical simulation games and those interested in the Spanish Civil War. It offers a deep and engaging experience, making it a great choice for strategy enthusiasts and history buffs. The game’s ability to balance realism with player interaction and random elements ensures that each playthrough can have different outcomes, providing high replayability.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.