Memoir ‘44 Refresh….Kind of….

A newish version of an old favourite - so what is different then? Read on….

I have played many enjoyable games of Memoir ‘44 over the years but for a variety of long forgotten reasons I offloaded my collection several years ago. Was this a mistake? Probably, but like many of my similar disposal decisions it seemed like a good idea at the time. I have often mentioned that I like the all important historical ‘feel’ when playing a wargame and whilst Memoir ‘44 has this it is very much at the easier end of the complexity spectrum. Looking back I think this was the main reason for the disposal.

I only found out that a refreshed edition of Memoir ‘44 was being launched whilst reading about Star Wars: Battle of Hoth. My curiosity was piqued at this news and so, with the usual lack of meaningful forethought for which I am renowned, I picked up a copy.

So What’s New?

The new miniatures. These are now in a hard plastic and are a vast improvement on the original versions

In truth, not very much! The box artwork has been cleaned up and the scenario count has been increased - there are 22 in all with one ‘Overlord’ two board version. The miniatures have been remodelled in a harder plastic and look a whole lot better than the original versions. There are some optional activation tokens that can be used to mark ordered units and the rulebook seems to be easier to read - not that it was difficult in the first place!

The Activation Tokens - movement on the left and firing on the right. The idea is that you place one by each unit you are ordering and flip it from the moving side to the firing side when you engage in combat. 

I did read somewhere that the various expansion sets that feature miniatures will have these remodelled to the new standard but the rules etc will still be the same. So far the only rule change I can see is concerns terrain height and this change should also be applied to the existing expansions.

So what’s next then?

Well, I certainly have no plans at present to go down the rabbit hole and start hoovering up expansions etc - especially as all of the models will be remodelled at some point. I can see myself getting another copy of the base game and the Operation Overlord expansion, along with the double sided desert/snow map board. Most of the scenarios in the expansions can be downloaded from various sources and by making use of the Axis and Allies collection that recently returned home I should be able to fight pretty much anything that takes my fancy.

I think for now the main thing is that I have the base game again and as long as I use it for what it is - a simple but cracking WW2 tactical wargame - rather than what I think it should be all should be well!