I normally review new rules and supplements for games that I play. I also tend to avoid rules that I do not play reference books (of which I own many). A number of years ago, I did write a review of the Et Sans Resultant Napoleonic Wargames Rules. This is a system that I feel has some of the most innovative systems in that genre that probably gives the most realistic looking Napoleonic war-games in form and function. I have followed up the purchase of those rules by buying the campaign guides that were released in the following years. These books are not really supplements, like other games provide. They are really full reference books too.
I really liked those guides and wished they would have been available when I first got into wargaming. They were unique in that they provided a narrative of the given campaign, detailed maps and OOB of those battles and uniquely, complete uniform plates for the armies involved. These books provided the wargamer with a complete guide of the relevant campaigns to support their needs in both playing the battles, but how to paint the troops involved.
I had two complaints of the original books. The first was they were spiral bound. This was helpful when you laid them on the table as a painting guide, but annoying to store on the bookshelf and find. Plus you had to be very careful when handling them, so you would not bend the soft cover. The second issue was with the plates. While these were fantastic, they did not show the below the waist colors or much horse furniture. So, once would still have to supplement the research.
Well, that was then and this is now! The Wargaming Company has started to release their new series of campaign books and these are keepers. Not only did they replace the old spiral bound style with hard covers, they improved their graphics to include complete views of uniform plates with all horse furniture for each cavalry unit! They have also improved their battlefield map graphics and OOB listings, adding a few scenarios and updating balance to boot.
As mentioned, the books come in hard cover with full color plates throughout. This will provide a durable reference and look nice sitting on your shelf with easy to read spines (no more hunting and pecking through a stack of books).
The book starts with your normal table of contents listing each section. This covers two pages and provides you a guide to get you to where you want to go in the book quickly. This is followed by a short summary of the campaign to set the framework.
The next section on battles is the largest. It starts with a description of how to read the various sections to set up your fights and forces. There are fifteen scenarios listed that cover the battles up to Borodino (I suspect volume two covers the fight back). You are given a background to the battle, maps showing the set up of forces (separate for each side), victory conditions and special rules. Of course, you also get full listings of forces involved in each fight at the battalion level (laid out with playing ESR in mind).
The last section is the armies section. Frankly, this section by itself is worth the price of purchase. You get a narrative describing each of the two armies involved in the campaign. This is followed by lists of each unit in the armies and then color plates of each and every unit in the army. This includes variations in uniform for musicians, officers, etc. The listings are divided by infantry, cavalry and artillery. The Grand army includes all minor nationality units that fought with Napoleon in the campaign. You literally do not need any other painting guide if you buy these books. Just amazing.
I mentioned that the OOBs are set up for playing ESR. Well, not everyone plays those rules, so this must be a waste. Well, no. Since the listings are by corps, division and brigade, down to the battalion level, you can easily organize these fights using your rules of choice.
At the time of writing this review, the Wargames Company has released two books so far. The other covers the 1808 Peninsular campaign (I bought that one too). It is the authors intent to release new books to replace their older guides and then follow up with more books in the series. If you have spent any time trying to find complete information on the web, only to determine you would need to purchase or borrow a stack of books, these books solve that problem. If you are thinking of getting into Napoleonic gaming or wish to expand your existing collection, you need to check these out!
- Manteuffel