This War Without an Enemy (2020) Board Game

This War Without an Enemy is a board game that focuses on the English Civil War, a series of conflicts fought between Parliamentarians (“Roundheads”) and Royalists (“Cavaliers”) in the 17th century. The game is designed to simulate the strategic and tactical aspects of this historical period, where armies clashed in battles across the British Isles.

Game Components of This War Without an Enemy

Main Board: Covers lower, central, and northern England, Wales, Scotland, France, and Ireland, though gameplay is restricted to England and Wales.

Battle Board: A separate board for combat, featuring detailed terrain elements like trees, fortifications, and a road.

Blocks: Representing units from both sides, used for area movement and combat.

Cards: Drives gameplay, influencing various aspects including combat.

City Symbols: Indicate Storm Value, Victory Point Value, and Recruitment Points.

Terrain Features: Rivers, mountains, and impassable areas that govern unit movement.

How To Setup This War Without an Enemy

Setup involves placing blocks in neutral areas, representing initial battle lines. Cities are marked with their respective values and loyalties. Players must carefully position their units according to the game’s area movement rules, considering geographic features that affect movement.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Driven: Cards influence various game aspects, including combat and unit movement.

Area Movement: Units move within defined areas, with restrictions based on terrain features.

Combat: Conducted on the Battle Board, where units are divided by type and affected by terrain elements.

Objective: Control key areas and cities to accumulate Victory Points, with the goal of winning the war.

Player Experience

This game creates a tense and thematic experience, particularly through the use of blocks that obscure exact enemy forces, requiring players to make strategic decisions under uncertainty. The detailed board and Battle Board enhance the immersion, making players feel like they are part of the conflict.

Pros

Immersive Theme: The game’s design and components effectively recreate the English Civil War experience.

Strategic Depth: Area movement and combat mechanics require careful planning and adaptability.

Detailed Board: Clear and well-designed, making it easy to navigate and understand game state.

High Replayability: The card-driven system ensures different experiences with each play.

Cons

Complexity: The game’s rules and mechanics can be daunting for new players.

Long Gameplay: Sessions can last from 60 to 240 minutes, requiring a significant time commitment.

Limited Geographic Scope: While detailed, the game’s focus is restricted to England and Wales.

Personal Thoughts on This War Without an Enemy

**This War Without an Enemy** is ideal for experienced wargamers and those interested in historical conflicts. It offers a deep and immersive experience, but may not be suitable for casual players due to its complexity and lengthy gameplay. The game’s attention to detail and thematic design make it a standout in the block wargame genre.

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