Every gamer’s favorite Hell on Earth is the Russian Front in WW2, and none is more grim than that over which the episode that is simulated in The Gamers’ Black Wednesday takes place. The 7th game in The Gamers’ TCS line-up features Franco’s contribution to WW2, the Spanish 250th Blue Division, the first time, to my knowledge, that this famous unit has been portrayed by more than a single counter. The game’s tone is dark and desperate, but, for the player, it’s all light and airy. I started right off with the campaign game, using historical set-ups. At first glance, there was not much to cry “Viva España” about. The Spanish 262 regiment, with some artillery, is holding a long, concave trench line against an all-out assault by what appears to be two-thirds of Mother Russia: 2+ infantry divisions and 2 tank battalions. As if that weren’t bad enough, Uncle Joe’s boys get several turns of preplanned, strength-doubling barrages, which make life for our Spaniards very tough indeed. Once the dust has settled from the barrage, the Russians stream onto the map, fighting each other for hex space and forcing the player to bring them in a regiment at a time. I must say that this opening scene is one of the most frightening and evocative experiences to be had in wargaming (Ed. Carl has, obviously, not spent any time with the BROG Crack Playtest Staff), and the Spanish player better undergo a cujones check before standing up to this onslaught. If they pass, they soon find that things get better. The Espagnols have a few tricks in their bag. They can use landmarks as reference points for artillery spotting, so that when their guns open up on the densely packed Russians the carnage can be as frightening as that of their arrival. Then the German Stukas drop in like demented Nazguls to up the body count. By now the Spanish are dug in, and the Russians, poor sods, have to advance halfway across the map in Move Mode with little or no cover … a Soviet Picket’s Charge, as it were. The Spanish have better morale, better prep ratings, and better position. As if all the artillery and barbed wire weren’t enough for the Russian Player, he has to watch most of his troops “loot” when they reach their objectives. In game terms, this means that all those units have to await new orders while gorging themselves on paella. With a new set of papers in hand, they now decide to implement their secondary attack piecemeal, as they can only release one battalion per turn now. With all of this confusion and weight of metal flying around, it’s obvious that BW offers a rich tactical experience. And it takes a long time to absorb it, as do all games at this level. There are short scenarios, and even hypothetical Axis counter-attacks and free set-ups for those with actual lives to live, all providing TCS fans with never-ending opportunities for playtime. Of course, TCS fans will slather and drool over the artwork; me? I found myself coming up with the dry heaves instead. Yes, beauty, the beholder and all that, but someone ought to double Dean’s Prozacability, as he’s been going over the deep end with some of his latest graphics. Most of the BW map is well done, but the peat bog looks like nothing less than a radioactive cowpie, complete with glowing aura. And, grumpy old man that I am, I’m starting to find all of these icon-heavy counters just a bit too much for my visual comfort zone. It’s all a matter of taste, and most of you will have your “ahs” “ooh-ing” all over your dining room table. My only cry in the wilderness is one of self restraint here; just because you can do something doesn’t mean you have to. Having said that, I also repeat that this is one great tactical experience. Long and tough? Fer sure, but well worth the effort for those who like their gaming sandwiches à la Dagwood. CAPSULE COMMENTS: Graphic Presentation: Highly professional, but time for Dean’s Valium. Playability: With its v3.1 rules, the TCS is now not only playable but playable with a natural flow. Long and detail-oriented, but still solitairable. Replayability: Lots of stuff to ponder. Historicity: Faithfully recreates the terror of an all-out Russian attack. Wristage: Anyone got the Bengay? Comparisons: 1st appearance by Franco’s Boys, and the TCS has little competition at its level. Overall: A gripping situation with good play tension. from The GAMERS Two 22” x 34” maps; 1040 counters; TCS 3.1 series Rules Book; Game Rules; 2 sets of Player Aid Charts; boxed. The Gamers, 500 W. 4th St., Homer IL 61849. $39 Back to Berg's Review of Games Vol. II # 19 Table of Contents Back to Berg's Review of Games List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1994 by Richard Berg This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com