The Second World War was the most monumental struggle ever fought and the eventual Allied victory was by no means a forgone conclusion. There was a very real prospect that the Axis partners would carve up the world and propel history in a new dark age. They had victory in their grasp as late as the autumn of 1941 but both squandered strategic operational opportunities in order to achieve tactical battlefield success (Example: envelopment of the Kiev pocket and Japans decision to attack Hawaii).
It was also a clash of political ideologies, the viability of European Colonialism, and the very pathology of national sentiments that had still been prevalent since the First World War. From the ashes of destruction to much of Europe and Asia, the old world was forever broken asunder.
This Strategic level simulation of the essential land, sea and air warfare operations attempt to crystallize the very real choices that faced the political/military leadership during this global struggle. As Germany you will face a number of options and if acted in a propitious manner can result in German global hegemony. Japan faces an equal task and if successful can establish an unstoppable Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere that exploits millions of workers and brings Japanese military might to American shores. The Allies in turn must accurately react to Axis advances and selectively counterattack and build up and open the "Second Front" that will return the freedom of conquered nations and peoples. The Allies will find soon enough that the game has two distinct theaters of war that need to be fought with a precipitous economy of force. The failure in one theater will soon spell doom in the other. The beauty is to walk the tightrope in the lean years of the war. In further stages this "rope" expands as the Allies economies produce an endless supply of men and material.
Introduction of a 12D system allows the specialization of many new unit types and provides more character to their purpose. The application of all optional rules is encouraged to round out the game. The advanced naval conflict rules really provide some enjoyable "Sink the Bismarck" or luckless Japanese carriers at Midway types of possibilities. A main emphasis was to give back the navy so that silly consequences such as a badly mauled British navy within the span of a single turn never occurs and a number of smaller more frequent naval clashes are possible.
This culmination of effort in design and research draws upon a larger framework of my experience in recreating better more realistic gaming solutions that do not provide a simplistic overview, but a concise all encompassing rule system presented in a playable manner. My greatest duty was to pour my "Blood, sweat, toil and tears" in the creation of this perfect mental edifice providing a good playing experience and to give something back to anyone who played it. With the inspiration of the past may Victory’s bell ring its eternal truth…
Enjoy,
GameDreamers Design Team
