Skies Above the Reich is a board game that simulates the air war over Germany during World War II. It was released in 2018 and designed by Antonis Karidis, Mark Simonitch, and Jeremy White. The game is published by GMT Games and falls under the categories of Aviation/Flight, Wargame, and World War II simulation.
Game Components of Skies Above the Reich
Map Boards: Two double-sided boards, providing four different maps that chronicle the development and increasing lethality of the bomber formations.Aircraft Blocks: Stickered blocks representing individual aircraft, including Bf109s, Ju88s, Fw190s, and Me262s.Attachments: Gun pods, rockets, and added armor for your fighters.Auxiliary Aircraft: Additional planes like Ju88s and Me262s for varied tactics.Rulebook and Manuals: Final Rulebook, Advanced Rules, Situation Manual, and Post Production Document with errata, clarifications, and design notes.
How To Setup Skies Above the Reich
To set up the game, you first select your pilots and equip them with various attachments such as gun pods or added armor. You may also choose to include auxiliary aircraft to augment your attack. The game board is set up with the formation map, which depicts the B-17 bombers in a tight array. Each mission requires you to organize your squadron and plan your attack strategy before engaging the enemy.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Mission Structure: Each mission takes around 30 minutes to an hour, with campaigns consisting of 6 to 60 missions.Formation Attacks: Decide whether to attack the bomber formation from the nose, tail, or other angles, and whether to use level attacks or drop bombs from above.Pilot Management: Manage your pilots and ensure their survival for future missions.Campaign Progression: The game is divided into seasons, each representing a distinct period of the war with evolving bomber formations and fighter capabilities.Basic and Advanced Games: The basic game focuses on knocking bombers out of formation, while the advanced game includes pursuit mechanics where you chase down isolated bombers.Two-Player Option: A cooperative mode where players command separate squadrons attacking the same bomber formation.
Player Experience
Playing **Skies Above the Reich** immerses you in the intense air battles of World War II, requiring strategic planning and quick decision-making. Each mission is a challenge to disrupt the bomber formations while keeping your squadron intact. The game’s progression through different seasons of the war adds a historical depth and increasing complexity to the gameplay.
Pros
Historical Accuracy: The game follows the chronology of the air war, including the development of bomber formations and fighter technologies.Strategic Depth: Offers a range of tactical options and strategic decisions to make each mission unique.Solo and Cooperative Play: Supports both solo and two-player cooperative gameplay.Replayability: With multiple campaigns and varied mission setups, the game offers high replayability.
Cons
Complexity: The game has a steep learning curve, especially with the advanced rules.Time Commitment: Campaigns can be lengthy, requiring significant time investment.Component Management: Managing the various aircraft blocks, attachments, and maps can be cumbersome.
Personal Thoughts on Skies Above the Reich
**Skies Above the Reich** is ideal for gamers who enjoy historical simulations, particularly those interested in World War II air combat. It is a great fit for solo players looking for a challenging and immersive experience, as well as for those who enjoy cooperative gameplay. However, due to its complexity and time commitment, it may not be the best choice for casual or new board game enthusiasts.
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