Let me preface this review by admitting that I haven't actually played this game, and I'm not sure that I ever will. This is not to say that `Empires in Arms' is not worth playing, far from it, and it would be great to be able to gather together 6 or 7 experienced players for the several days necessary to complete a game. Back in the real world, however, those of us limited to a few hours gaming at weekends will find it difficult to devote the time and energy to this game that it deserves.

`Empires in Arms' is a strategic game of the Napoleonic wars from 1805-1815, played in turns each representing a month. The game comes with two large, unmounted, maps depicting Europe from Ireland across to the Urals and from Scandinavia south to North Africa. Counters and information/play-aid cards are provided for each of the seven major powers represented by the players (England, France, Prussia, Russia, Austria, Spain and Turkey) along with the minor countries which are conquered and controlled by the players.

This is a large game, both in terms of the size of board and numbers of counters but also in the time required to play it. Anyone sitting down for a game of `Empires in Arms' will also require a good working knowledge of the rules and how all of the various mechanisms and options interact. This is not the type of game that can be learnt `on the fly' in half-an-hour. To get the best out of `Empires in Arms' needs careful study of the rules and strategies available.

Having said all that there is some good news!

`Empires in Arms' does contain some excellent rules and ideas that can be `adapted' for use in your own campaigns. The rules are relatively modular, in that the sections for political activity or economics can be `lifted' out and used separately for example, and are worthy of particular mention.

The rule section for Diplomacy covers all aspects of diplomatic activity in the period. There are mechanisms controlling the interaction between all the major powers, and the minor neutrals. Alliances, how they are made and broken and what effects they have in the game are fully covered as are rules for forcing a nation to accept defeat by forcing them to accept `historical' terms and conditions of surrender. Other topics include, prisoner exchanges, political instability and of course, how to declare war on other powers!

Economic activity is also provided for in detail, with rules for; taxation, trade, manpower, equipping armies and fleets, trade blockades and even England providing funds to the other European powers to continue the war.

`Empires in Arms' represents probably the best effort so far to produce a strategic game of the Napoleonic wars. Throughout the game there are little items of `chrome' that bring the game and period to life. Unfortunately, in providing a game of such detail the designers have produced something that I suspect will seldom be played in it's full glory. However, for anyone with an interest in the strategic aspects of the Napoleonic wars it is still worth obtaining a copy of this game simply for the wealth of ideas and detail which is provided.

More Reviews

Falcon Figures 15mm Spanish 1806-1812
Minifigs 15mm Swedish Napoleonic Range
Bicorne Miniatures 25mm Napoleonic
Napoleonic Scenarios (Book)
Hougoumont [Command Magazine] (board wargame)
Empires in Arms (board wargame)