The box art….
….and the rear showing some of the counters and a section of the map
Anyways, fast forward to 2026 and VUCA Simulations have released a game called The Far Seas that covers German cruiser operations at the outset of WW1. I have had my eye on this for sometime and so finally pulled the trigger and acquired a copy.
What can I say? Well, to begin with the production quality is of the highest standard. All the components, counters, the mounted map board, tokens, charts and tables and the rule book are quite frankly, outstanding!
The game is designed for two players but does come with a full solo system and a dedicated counter sheet for this version. I will let the pictures do the talking.
The rulebook, record pad and charts etc. Note the solo version of the game charts.
The three counter sheets. Number three is for the solo game.
The mounted map board. The rectangular section along the bottom edge is used for resolving tactical battles.
The rest of the components, a D6, wooden cubes etc and three drawstring bags.
I am really delighted to have a copy of this and am looking forward to getting it to the table. The rulebook is fairly daunting but mercifully is not written in bible print and features many diagrams and examples of play etc. The learning scenario is a straightforward tactical battle - Coronel to be exact, with the Falklands featuring as well - to ease you into the system and already I have plans featuring models….
For a variety of reasons, specifically a very trying couple of weeks, this arrival has given my weary spirit a much needed boost!
Looking at the third counter sheet it appears that in the solitaire game you play as the British. Is that correct?
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Hello there NCC1717,
DeleteThat is correct - you play as the British whilst the bot handles the Germans.
All the best,
DC
This looks like it’s a very interesting game, with lots of potential!
ReplyDeleteA good buy … and you’ll no doubt get loads of use from it.
All the best,
Bob
Hello there Bob,
DeleteThere is some really good stuff in this - the Japanese, French and Russians also feature and the Germans also have a selection of Battlecruisers to call on for hypothetical games. There is plenty of mileage in this and I am now looking at VUCAs highly recommended game of carrier warfare in the Pacific.
All the best,
DC
Absolutely agree with Bob. I recall years ago playing the earlier Far Seas game, which from memory was interesting but which, presumably for simplicity, left out a good few Allied ships. As (from the image of the playing area) the new game includes much of the Pacific. there ought to be some scope for deploying at least part of the Japanese Navy, the two Russian cruisers in that part of the world, etc. It would also be interesting to explore the scope for additional player(s), as e.g. the Japanese had rather different objectives to the UK or France. And if the German East Asia squadron was able to get back to the north Atlantic, what scope for the Germans to send a battlecruiser or two to help them into the North Sea?
ReplyDeleteHello there Toby E,
DeleteThe Japanese do indeed feature, as do the French and a pair of Russian cruisers. The Germans also have access to some battlecruisers. My next post will feature close ups of the counter sheets so you can see the ‘cast of thousands’ so to speak. I am hugely excited about this game and am already thinking about using models with it!
All the best,
DC