Wilderness Empires

[Old Dwarf]

Every so often I get the urge to return to my war Gamer Roots,
before orcs, elves the Undead etc., and play manly men
historical games.

Thus Wilderness Empires a point to point Block Game on
the French & Indian War.

https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/...ss-empires

I like the time period and the rules are only 8 pages. The Blocks
represent Regiments (which are named not just Strength Points)
and the rules provide for the very period authentic that often
the Militia & Indians would just refuse to fight.

The OoB does leave a bit out which is strange considering that
a lot of research was obviously done. The 6oth Regiment of
Foot correctly has 4 Battalions (an oddity for the time) and
the Black Watch has both it's Battalions as does the French
Berry Regiment ,Plus every Indian Tribe is named.

Yet the British 48th Foot is not included when it was one
of the 2 Regiments with Braddock's ill fated campaign.
(the set up rules just have 2 British Regiments set up
at Alexandria.) Likewise the 80th Light Infantry Regiment
isn't included although it was the 1st Light Inf. unit the
British Army ever formed and it was especially raised
for N.American Service.

Maybe it was a block/counter limit but the Game comes
with extra blocks and the Label Sheet has blanks available.

The Board Map is nicely done but it could be bigger, the
British start with 13 Blocks in Albany! so things can get
rather crowded.

Still I'm looking forward to playing this as I just stickered
all the Blocks up.

OD

[ForestRunner]

I know from a previous thread you like Block Games, OD. Great to see! I picked up Wilderness Empires from Worthington's Kickstarter program. Other than some crowding issues I find it an excellent game. I've been hanging for a block game on this particular conflict for a while and am thrilled with it.

I love mounted map boards, and quality pieces... and this game has that. I find the dice a refreshing change from the A/B/C order-type combat I've gotten used to recently (Columbia Games). I also love how the cards support the game rather drive it. Wilderness Empires got a lot of November and December table time.

I've also recently acquired Worthington's... New York 1776 and Trenton 1776 as a change of pace too. Have the "three-pack" of Worthington's Blue and Gray series waiting in the wings via Kickstarter as well. It's been a good 18-24 months of Worthington productions!!

[Old Dwarf]

The combat system does a good job in capturing the feel
of 18th century warfare. You can really come to curse the
militia & the Indians make you 1 minute & then leave you
the next.

I have found that Block Games do a great job on wars
that you don't see many games on.

I have Richard III & Julius Caesar from Columbia Games
and GMT Pax Baltica (Great Northern War) .

OD

[ForestRunner]

I love block games full stop, but I can't agree more about those rarely covered battles/campaigns/wars. Since picking up the first Bobby Lee back in the 90s... I was hooked. I've 21 of Columbia's range on my shelf, 8 from Worthington, and couple from GMT.

Have Columbia's Pacific Victory on the table right now. Pretty intense.

Of what you've quoted, I love Julius Caesar. Very underrated gem that one!

[samuraitrev]

I remember playing an American Civil War table top game. The guy had hundreds (maybe thousands) we had huge battles which lasted all day. He put it all on fleabay, which was a shame but I guess they're getting used more I hope).

I'll always remember taking out his General with a sharp shooter. Great times.