This is about the wargaming company Europa Simulazioni
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This is their newest release |
This is about the wargaming company Europa Simulazioni This is their newest release The following is in their own words: "Eightee...
For your Wargamer, Toy soldier collector, MiniFig collector, military history nut. Reviews, interviews, Model Making, AARs and books!
Europa Simulazioni
This is about the wargaming company Europa Simulazioni
![]() |
This is their newest release |
Europa Simulazioni Upcoming Games Here is a look at the first game: " The long-awaited "prequel" of All is lost save Hono...
For your Wargamer, Toy soldier collector, MiniFig collector, military history nut. Reviews, interviews, Model Making, AARs and books!
Europa Simulazioni
Europa Simulazioni
Upcoming Games
"The long-awaited "prequel" of All is lost save Honour is finally here. A game about the campaigns fought during the Italian Wars (1494-1530), the long struggle for Italy between the Habsburgs (the Empire) and the French Crown. This second volume is centered about the wars in Southern Italy, from 1494 to 1503. Featuring also the unfortunate Lautrec's campaign of 1528"
The Campaigns
This second volume includes all the major campaigns fought in Southern Italy:
- Ferrandino’s War, 1495-96, the Aragonese, with the help of El Gran Capitán, retake the Kingdom of Naples to the French.
- The fight for the Kingdom of Naples, 1502-1503, the French and Spanish, led by El Gran Capitán, fight for the Kingdom of Naples. This campaign historically included the two most famous battles of Cerignola and Garigliano (1503), where Cordoba gained the title "El Gran Capitán".
- Lautrec’s last chance, 1528, the unfortunate campaign of Lautrec to conquer Naples once again
- The crusade of Charles VIII (a what-if scenario), 1495-96, what if Charles VIII would have not decided to come back to France soon after his conquer of the Kingdom of Naples ?
These were longer campaigns with respect to the first game, and fought on larger areas. Scale has been adapted to these facts (3x in space and time)
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Map Sample |
Highlights
* The game system of All is lost save Honour, scaled 3x to adapt it to campaigns which were longer and fought on much wider areas
* Operational-level warfare in the XVIth century
* Highly interactive sequence of play, focused on Manoeuvre and careful planning
* Various forms of combat: Major battles, Skirmishes, Sieges
* a 22" x 34" fine-art Map , reproducing all of XVIth southern Italy, based on an accurate study of ancient maps and sources
* Gorgeous iconic counters representing all the main Capitani who fought there and the different combat units
* Detailed (as it is possible) order of battle, with combat units differentiated by strength, maximum movement, quality and reliability
* Very low counter density and limited play time
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Counters |
Components:
22"x34" map of southern Italy, depicting the Kingdom of Naples
280 1/2" die-cut counters
Standard rules
Optional rules and Scenario Instructions for 4 campaigns
Charts, tables
Boxed
Designer: Nicola Contardi
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Counter Samples |
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Counter Sample |
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Map Sample |
Piacenza 1746 by Europa Simulazioni The War of the Austrian Succession engulfed Europe in 1740. The war was caused by many of the same ci...
For your Wargamer, Toy soldier collector, MiniFig collector, military history nut. Reviews, interviews, Model Making, AARs and books!
Europa Simulazioni
Piacenza 1746
by
Europa Simulazioni
The War of the Austrian Succession engulfed Europe in 1740. The war was caused by many of the same circumstances as the War of the Spanish Succession. Before each of these wars all the European Powers were given a treaty to sign to stop any conflict that might arise from the succession in each country. The War of the Austrian Succession was preceded by the 'Pragmatic Sanction'. This was a law to allow a woman (shudder, gasp etc.) to inherit the Hapsburg lands. Every European power agreed with their fingers crossed behind their back, or with a stone in their hand (extra credit if you understood that last part). The minute Maria Theresa assumed power in the Hapsburg lands, the war drums in Europe started beating. Like buzzards around a dead body, the different Kings of Europe wanted their piece of the Hapsburg pie. The war pitted France, Prussia, Spain, and Bavaria on one side, while Great Britain, The Dutch Republic, and The Hapsburg Monarchy were allied on the other. There were numerous other small allies on both sides. Most people associate the war with the rise of Prussia and the start of the legend of Frederick the Great. The war was actually fought in many places in Europe. The Battle of Piacenza was part of the Spanish and French attempt to take some of the Hapsburg lands in Italy.
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Player Aid Cards |
This is what comes with the game:
One Map (roughly 23" x 25")
One Sheet of Counters
Rules Booklet
Complete OOB (Order of Battle) and Uniforms Booklet
Three Player's Aid Sheets
Two Die
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Map and Rule Booklet |
I have a good number of games from Europa Simulazioni and I am always impressed by the components and work that goes into their games. The map looks a bit like a cross between a period piece and a new Euro one. The actual paper, or possibly a coating, feels much more resistant to normal wear and tear than normal maps. I believe it will hold up to many years of playing. The map is also easy to read, and the terrain is easily discernable. There are three hard stock Player Aid cards. They are double-sided and are in full color. Three of the pages are in Italian and three are in English. The first has the Terrain Effects Chart and the Turn Record Track on it. The second has all of the Combat Charts etc. on it. The third contains the map and has all of the setup hexes for the different units. The Rule Booklet is twenty-four pages long and is in full color. The actual rules take up just over eighteen pages. This is followed by a Historical Context essay which is about the whole war, but mostly about the Italian theater of operations. Then follows the scenarios and some Examples of Play. The OOB and Uniform Booklet adds a lot to the immersion of the game. It also acts as a manifest to check for missing counters if something untoward happens. I left the Counters for last. They are exceptionally well done. I know I have used the phrase before, but these are really little pieces of artwork. The Strength Points are easy to read, and they are color coded for which formation they belong to. Great Work Europa Simulazioni!
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Full Battle Setup. The Wooden Pieces do not come with the Game. |
This is an abbreviated Sequence of Play:
"A) Wing Selection Phase
Each player must choose a Wing Commander. Whoever
wins the die roll (see below), may decide to go with his
Wing Commander OR let the other go. These two Wing
Commanders must activate, one in step A.1 and the other
one in step A.2. Exception: in the first game turn, the
Spanish left wing begins, followed by the Austrian right wing.
A.1) Activation of the first Wing. Activate one of the
two Wing Commanders (see Wing Activation, 3.1 or
below).
A.2) Activation of the second Wing. Same as point
A.1 above.
A.3) Repeat from A1 with other two Wing Commanders
until all WC have been activated.
B) Reorganization and End of Turn
B.1) Reorganization. Both players may try to restore
units to Good Order. See Reorganization, Par.11.4
B.2) Markers removal. All “Smoke” and
“Changing” markers are removed. Feu de Billebaude
markers are not removed.
B.3) Turn. Advance the current game turn and start a
new game turn.
C) Proclamation of the Victor. If the Austrian
Player does not obtain an Automatic Victory (see 13.2)
before the end of the last game turn, check whether one
of the two players has reached his Victory Conditions. In
this case, he is proclaimed the Winner.
Wing Activation
a) Removal of Feu de Billebaude markers
Units of the activated Wing Formations may try to
remove the Feu de Billebaude markers (see 9.1.2).
b) Movement
Move all, some or none of the units of the activated Wing
Formations. For details see par.5.
c) Bombardment
Bombardment by artillery units, as described in par.8., is
performed
d) Combat
Fire, Melee or Charge combats as described in par.9. are
conducted by one Formation at a time for the activated
Wing, in the order chosen by the owning player."
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Play Close up |
This is a pretty amazing game for its size and length of rules. It manages to catch the feel of 18th century warfare as has been described to us in books. It has many rules that you do not see in other games of the same era. These are a few:
Wing Movement and Activation
Commanders in Chief
Capture of Commanders
Line Formation
Cavalry Refusal to stay next to an infantry unit
Stacking
Presence of Smoke
Cannon Failure
Infantry Changing of Ranks
First Volley
Second Volley
Feu de Billebaude - It means 'Firing at Will', which in 18th century warfare is not a good thing. The unit would be firing haphazardly in any direction.
These really add to the immersion of the players.
The game comes with four scenarios of varying length:
Full Game - 12 Turns
Scenario One - 5 Turns
Scenario Two - 5 Turns
Scenario Three - 3 Turns
The smaller scenarios take place on smaller portions of the map.
The game has a little twist to the victory conditions. The Franco-Spanish player has to choose four geographical locations out of a possible eight. The Austrian Player is not told which of the four he picked. So, he has to assume that everyone might be needed for victory. If the Franco-Spanish Player only holds onto one, it is an Austrian victory. If he manages to hold onto two, then it is a draw. Three or more of his chosen geographical locations means he has won.
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Another Closeup |
Thank you very much Europa Simulazioni for letting me review this very good looking and playing game.
Robert
Europa Simulazioni:
Europa Simulazioni (italianwars.net)
Piacenza 1746:
Europa Simulazioni (italianwars.net)
Custoza Fields of Doom by Europa Simulazioni Custoza and its fields were a crossroad in Italy for a long time. It was also essential to a...
For your Wargamer, Toy soldier collector, MiniFig collector, military history nut. Reviews, interviews, Model Making, AARs and books!
Europa Simulazioni
Custoza Fields of Doom
by
Europa Simulazioni
Custoza and its fields were a crossroad in Italy for a long time. It was also essential to attack or defend the fortress system called the 'Quadrilateral' (composed of the four fortresses Peschiera, Mantua, Legnago, and Verona). The first battle in 1848 was decisive in the First War of Independence of Italy. The third battle took place during the Third war for Independence in 1866. Both battles were fought because Austria-Hungary was trying to keep control of its possessions in Northern Italy. Like many areas in Europe, because of Custoza's geography many other armies have traversed its fields also. The year 1848 saw the Hapsburg monarchy of Austria-Hungary fight for its life against the tide of revolution flowing across Europe. The Hapsburgs were barely treading water, let alone able to deal with insurrections and invasions into the outer parts of the Empire. Finally with some semblance of calm in the inner empire Franz Joseph I, the new emperor, was able to send Field Marshal Radetzky to secure its Northern Italian provinces. Unbeknownst to many, the Austro-Prussian War in 1866 also saw Austria-Hungary fighting in Italy. Custoza was the scene of another battle in this war. Why do I mention two battles? Because the game allows the players to fight both of them. So, let us see what you get with this two for one deal. These are the contents:
Two 23"x34" maps
A rules booklet (the Italian version also contains a rule booklet in Italian)
3 sheets of large (5/8") counters
Charts and tables (both in Italian and English)
Two Dice
Boxed
This will be my third review of a Europa Simulazioni wargame. I must tell you upfront that the game impresses me as visually as the first two did. Even the artwork on their game boxes are wonderfully done. The maps that come with the game are large and have big hexes to accommodate the large 5/8"counters. The maps are extremely well done. Another thing I like about Europa Simulazioni maps are that you do not have to guess what the terrain is in each hex. They make it very easy for the player that way. There is no need for quibbling if this hex is more forest or swamp etc. The counters are very colorful without being 'busy'. You get very nice looking counters, with small black and white portraits of the different generals. The two Player Aid cards are of thick paper and are done in large print. On one side of the first one is the terrain chart. The other side has the Assault Table and the Fire Table, along with the modifiers and the Cohesion Check Modifiers Table. The other Player Aid is 'The Objective Map'. This is used in the advanced game; more on this later. The Rules Booklet is thirty-two pages long and is in black and white. The rules only take up sixteen pages, and the rest is the different scenario setups, background history, and designer notes.
The game actually comes with these scenarios:
Three smaller ones to learn the game (two from 1866, and one from 1848).
1848 Historical
1848 Free Set-Up
1848 Late Start
1866 Historical
1866 Free Set-up
So, you get eight scenarios from two different wars in one box. Not a bad package at all.
The game allows a player to deal with almost every problem or tactical conundrum that faced all 19th century generals. The terrain helps with that, but the various scenarios really help to put you in their shoes. The Basic Game rules only take up twelve pages. There is enough in the rules for anyone who wants to play out a 19th century battle. Where the game really shines is with the addition of the Advanced Rules. These include:
Formation Status
On March Formations
In Reserve Formations
Fatigue
Command Collapse
Line of Communication
Reinforcements
There are also a few Special Rules that deal with Fortresses and Night turns etc.
This is the Objective Map below.
When using the above Objective Map in the Advanced Game, only the commander and his scout unit is shown on the large map face down. Every 'On March Formation' has it's marker placed on the above Objective map. One interesting rule is that at least half of his movement allowance must be on any type of road hex. The commander also has to be at least one hex closer to his destination after movement. The designer states that both "fair play and good sense" are to be used in conjunction with the above. They must grow grognards differently in Italy.
So, the game comes with eight scenarios and the inclusion of the Objective Map, and the free set-up scenarios mean that the gameplay in this box is almost limitless.
The designer states that at first the project was boring and predictable. Their answer: "Hence the radical decision: we reset everything and started gain with a completely new system. Without using predefined schemes, and with the basic concepts of a) non-absolute control of formations and b) continuous action/reaction, the system that you find was born". Historically, in 1866 the cavalry of both sides were not used to their fullest advantage. Both sides groped about the battlefield trying to find each other. In these essentially Napoleonic battles I am sure that most grognards will do better. The games revolve around a unit's cohesion, and its ability to withstand the enemy fires and then use shock. In my eyes Europa Simulazioni has hit the mark with this game. As long as you are a fan of 19th century warfare, you should be a fan of this game. Thank you Europa Simulazioni for allowing me to review this unknown, but very welcome addition to battles of the 19th century.
This is the link to the English Rules:
Custoza-Rules-P1-2-Eng.pdf (italianwars.net)
This is the link to Europa Simulazioni:
Europa Simulazioni - Home (italianwars.net)
This is the Link to Custoza: Fields of Doom:
Europa Simulazioni - Custoza, fields of doom (italianwars.net)
Robert
Gorizia 1916 La Sesta Battaglia dell'Isonzo The Sixth Battle of the Isonzo by Europa Simulazioni Wor...
For your Wargamer, Toy soldier collector, MiniFig collector, military history nut. Reviews, interviews, Model Making, AARs and books!
Europa Simulazioni
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Austro-Hungarian |
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Is that Albert Einstein as the Game Turn Marker? |
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