Game Designers' Workshop publishes this partially as an extention of their "Europa" series but mainly as a separate game. The previous parts of the " Europa" series are DRANG NACH OSTEN (voted Best Game of the Year and Best Game of All Time by PF subscribers, reviewed in this column in issue #59), covering the first year of the Russian Campaign, and UNENTSCHIEDEN (reviewed in this column in issue #60) extending D.N 0. thru 1944. These two games were r~viewed more extensively by Herschel M. Sarnoff, in PF #64. NARVIK was designed by Frank Chadwick and Paul Richard Banner.

The map comes on three separate sheets which are 9 1/2" x 20 1/2", 16"x20", and 20"x 27" and which fit together to form an irregularly shaped map showing all of Norway and Denmark, most of Sweden (except the southern tip) and most of the northern part of Finland, including Murmansk. Like the other "Europa" games the maps are printed in blue and black inks on cream-colored light card stock. There are two 8 1/2 x 11" and one 4 1/2 x 11", sheets of die cut, beautifully printed, very colorful, 1/2" square unit counters and two plastic, zip-top bags are provided, in which to keep them after they're punched out. The rules are printed on 10 pages of paper, three-hole punched (as are all the Europa rules). They are printed on a light greenish-grey paper so as to be readily distinguished from the main Europa rules, when kept in the same notebook. Also on three-hole punched, but white paper are one page of designer's notes, and a one-page supplement to the Europa rules providing for the-incorporation of the one map-sheet containing northern Finland and Norway with DRANG NACH OSTEN/UNENTSCHIEDEN.

Instructions for incorporating the rest of Scandinavia will be completed in later additions to the series, as they are largely dependent on the campaign in the west, which has not yet been covered. On one sheet (2 pages) of yellow, punched paper are another Europa supplement: Swedish and Norwegian mobilization schedules. These are provided for future use (when the series is complete) to allow players some insights into the utilization of the forces provided in counter form, and for experimental use by those so inclined.

On the same kind of paper (white), but unpunched, are 1 page of errata, a map legend and a Unit Identification Chart. Also included are 10 sheets of light card stock, in various colors, containing various charts and tables,

NARVIK can best be characterized as a conbined-arms game. Land, air and naval units all play important roles.

The German player has a pronounced superiority in the air and on the ground, but this is not decisive unless they are used together in a mutually complementary team.

The Allied player, however, holds virtually complete control of the sea, which he must use to achieve a local superiority at some decisive point. Each turn represents four days of real time, and the game lasts 15 turns (2 months). Each hex is 16 miles across. Units represented are at the operational (battalion- regiment -brigade) level. Victory is determined by a point system, with points being earned by eliminating enemy units, and especially to the Allies for holding the town of Narvik and/or parts south of a given line.

NARVIK is of about the same level of complexity as ANZIO. If this is your bag especially if the combined-arms aspect interests you, it should be well worth the $3.75 price. NARVIK is available from Game Designers' Workshop; 203 North Street; Normal IL 61761.

Thumbnail Analysis Mini Reviews

Russian Campaign
The African Campaign
Manassas
Torgau
Narvik
Rommel: The Campaign for North Africa
GHQ Additions