The Desert Fox: Rommel’s Campaign for North Africa April 1941-December 1942 (1981) Board Game

“The Desert Fox: Rommel’s Campaign for North Africa April 1941-December 1942” is a historical wargame that simulates the North African campaign during World War II, focusing on the battles between the Axis forces led by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel and the Allied forces. This game was released in 1981 by SPI (Simulations Publications, Inc.) and was designed by Redmond A. Simonsen and Masahiro Yamazaki.

Game Components

The game includes a hexagon grid map of North Africa.

Counters representing military units for both Axis and Allied forces.

Charts and tables for combat resolution.

Dice for resolving combat and movement.

How To Setup The Desert Fox: Rommel’s Campaign for North Africa April 1941-December 1942

Place the hexagon grid map on the table.

Each player gets their set of unit counters.

Set up the combat resolution charts and tables within reach.

Roll to determine the starting player.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Players take turns moving their military units across the map, engaging in combat, and trying to achieve their strategic objectives. The game uses dice rolling and a combat results table to determine the outcome of battles. The objective is to either capture key cities and supply depots or eliminate the opposing player’s forces.

Player Experience

Pros

Historical accuracy in depicting the North African campaign.

Strategic depth in planning movements and attacks.

Replay value due to different scenarios and outcomes.

Cons

Steep learning curve for new players.

Luck factor with dice rolling may frustrate some players.

Limited player interaction as it is primarily a two-player game.

Personal Thoughts

As a fan of historical wargames, I found “The Desert Fox: Rommel’s Campaign for North Africa April 1941-December 1942” to be a challenging and immersive experience. The build quality of the components is durable, considering the game’s age. While the pricing for new copies can be on the higher side due to its rarity, the game is worth the investment for enthusiasts of World War II strategy games.

In terms of alternatives, if you enjoy this game, you may also like “Afrika Korps” or “Axis & Allies: 1942 Second Edition” for a similar gameplay experience. Overall, I would recommend this game to history buffs and wargame enthusiasts who are looking for a detailed simulation of Rommel’s campaign in North Africa. However, casual gamers or those looking for quick gameplay may want to skip this one due to its complexity and time commitment.

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