LIMITS OF GLORY
NAPOLEON'S EASTERN EMPIRE
FROM
FORM SQUARE GAMES
Almost a year ago, I reviewed the prototype of this game. I was majorly impressed by the quality and the originality of this game.
What I had to say then can be found by clicking on this LINK.
The game was launched later last year on Gamefound and rapidly reached its target for publishing and was a complete sell out. Roll forward less than a year and here is the published product safely and proudly in my hands with many thanks to Andy Rourke, the game's designer and founder of its publishing company Form Square Games.
In this brief reprise, I mainly want to highlight the extra notch or two by which the final professionally published game extends the existing qualities of the prototype. Perhaps the most obvious step up is the map which suffered in its original draft from a strange abnormality in the colour of the sea. Here, below, everything is as it should be with a perfect translucent blue sea, but my photograph still cannot capture just how strikingly bright the whole effect is.
Next come the counters - identical in every way to the prototype, but just that bit sharper and perfect in the images; especially the circular counters, two for each leader, one of which goes on the map and the other marking their Glory Points on the Leader Displays.
The Leader Displays too reveal the same increased precision with the background colouring and outlined cartoon images distinct and clear.
However, what I want to comment on most is the rule book. In its prototype it was a simple set of black and white A4 stapled sheets. It did the job clearly, despite the originality and novelty of so much of the rules. The final product deserves my wholehearted praise and approval. It's magnificent! So here goes for a quick dip in, from the front cover...
to the admirable index on the back page.
Everything about it signals quality perfection. Physically, it is a delight to hold and turn the substantial, smooth pages and reading the rules is a pleasure. Large print and spacious layout complement the presentation and add to the ease of reading and comprehending what you read.
Substantial illustrations simply enliven the text...
while the majority serve to support and clarify the explanations.
The text, as in the prototype draft, is designed to be read consistently in chronological order. This may seem an odd comment to make. Surely all rules should be read in chronological order? True, but I know many experienced gamers often turn to certain sections (e.g. Combat or Movement) for a preliminary scan. This game and series introduces so many intriguingly original, yet simple, mechanisms and takes you carefully step by step through them at each appropriate stage of the game play that I think it worth emphasising.
There is so much to like about this presentation from the massive main headings for each stage of the rules to the comprehensive alphabetical Quick Reference page on the back of the rule book. Understanding of the rules is supported by the many examples, all immediately recognisable by being highlighted in pink background boxes, and a factor I always like is the detailed explanation of all the Events, which are particularly important in this game.
The richness and the attention to detail throughout in the artwork, the colour, the cartoons drawn from the historical period and the sheer physical quality contributes so much to the pleasure of the game. It also testifies to the designer's love and appreciation of the game's subject and his desire to communicate this in a way that is so much more than just a set of rules.
If you did not back the boxed version of this game, it is still possible to buy the folio magazine version either directly from Form Square Games or Second Chance Games.
And finally, I am more than happy to say that the second game in this series, Maida 1806 is well under way and shortly you will be able to read my review of the prototype here on A Wargamers Needful Things.
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