RIVER OF DEATH Game Rating Commentary

"A big improvement in Berg's usual rule organization and presentation but still some counter errata and rule confusion. A vast improvement over 3DoG."

"The rules for the GBACW seem streamlined and functional without bogging down play. I've played a couple of scenarios with our campus strategy club. The feel of Civil War tactics is there, plus the chaos of friendly fire and enough chrome to maintain the right atmosphere for the battle. I've ordered the Gettysburg upgrade and can't wait to have a go with the system."

"Great counter art, great map art. This version of the GBACW Rules System is a vast improvement over the previous version (as seen in Three Days of Gettysburg). Much cleaner and easier to play, and actually adding more variety to play. I especially enjoy the Efficiency (Chit-Pull) system for variable activation and the Orders System. The game could use some more shorter and/or smaller scenarios for the newbie or people who are space and/or time constrained."

"This is a case of "old wine in a new bottle." The GBACW system has always been a laughable depiction of Civil War tactics, and it isn't any less so with the updated rules. Certainly if you liked the earlier games of the series you'll like this one too."

"Map and counters are excellent. Revised rules are much better than 1st Edition. Command rules are a little hard to follow at first though. Was well worth the wait for this beauty."

"The new GBACW system is a vast improvement over the 3DoG rules. The command rules are well written and easy to apply in the game. They also present a level of frustration, as players can't always assume a command will move to take advantage of opportunity. The graphic work is superb, from Roger MacGowan's box art to Joe Youst 's map and only add to the game play. The charts are well done and the information is easy to find."

"After reading about Mr. Berg's design philosophies in the past over the consimworld discussion boards I've developed a bias against anything that the man designs. I will probably end up selling this."

"Why bother with this convoluted system when there are better games on the same subject like BARREN VICTORY from The Gamers and CHICKAMAUGA from West End."

"Other than some troubling errata on counters, a well designed and produced game that has educated me about the multiple blunders that occurred on both sides of this battle that has been largely ignored or undertreated by toher designers and companies."

"The LIM method doesn't work for me in this context. It seems too many commands can move in each turn."

"Excellent depiction of the battle, nice graphics, and reasonable abstraction to help simulate command, control, and the ebb/flow of the fighting. This one is a keeper."

"Thanks to John Alsen for a great job of cleaning up the rules system from Three Days of Gettysburg. River of Death is reasonably playable for such a large game. The counters are a little busy but the map is nice. The command and fatigue systems really work well. I really like the feel the game gives for the Civil war era."

"I found this game to be a significant notch below other American Civil War systems such as the old SPI regimental games or the Gamers' brigade level. The command rules simply do not work properly, either to encourage planning by the participants or to give a proper feel to this particular Civil War battle. The advantage to the defense that existed in reality is not reflected here. And the map is simply AWFUL!"

"The game as a whole is good. I like the map, despite the errata. The counters are good, despite the errata. The rule system is good, but the game specific rules are only okay. There is a lot of room left for interpretation of the DD rules which makes the game difficult to play competitively."

Copyright © 1999-2002. ConsimWorld.COM. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited. Web Masters are encouraged to link directly to this page, this URL is not subject to change. For general site information: kranz@consimworld.com

Copyright © 1999-2002. ConsimWorld.COM. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited. Web Masters are encouraged to link directly to this page, this URL is not subject to change. For general site information: kranz@consimworld.com

Copyright © 1999, 2000 ConsimWorld.COM. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited. Web Masters are encouraged to link directly to this page, this URL is not subject to change. For general site information: kranz@consimworld.com