1812 The Retreat From Moscow: a narrative skirmish wargame on the retreat from Russia
1812 The Retreat From Moscow: A Battle Chronicle Wargame is the first title in the Battle Chronicle series, a man-to-man narrative skirmish wargame. You lead a handful of French stragglers trying to survive the freezing 1812 retreat from Russia, hunted by Russian pursuers. The enemy is run by an automated system, making the game primarily a solo or cooperative experience. Its originality lies in its "road movie" approach: rather than grand manoeuvres, the game focuses on individual survival, managing the cold and searching for supplies.
Setup and playing a game of 1812 The Retreat From Moscow
The booklet is designed for progressive learning: the first scenario introduces the core mechanics with few figures, then each scenario adds a layer of complexity. A game plays out in turns alternating the activation of your survivors with the automated Russian activation. You manage movement across snowy terrain, musket fire, melee, taking shelter in buildings and, above all, loot (food, supplies, warmth), the central survival mechanic. The rules also cover the effects of the 1812 winter, such as frostbite, starvation and collapsing morale.
Victory conditions and end of game in 1812 The Retreat From Moscow
The game offers four linked scenarios forming a mini-campaign: losses, wounds and resources from one game carry over to the next. Each scenario has its own objectives (survive, reach an exit, hold a position…), beyond simply eliminating the enemy. A campaign phase tracks the health, morale and equipment of your band between battles. The end of the campaign therefore depends as much on your tactical choices as on your ability to keep your men alive to the end of the retreat.
