Verdun 1916 - Enfer d'acier, is a simple wargame with zones and directed by maps simulating the year of fighting in Verdun.
The game is based on towers representing a month with action and suspense that include all the important events of 1916 (such as the Somme) and their interaction with the battle of Verdun. Players will have to make choices between reinforcing Verdun or using cards to score points in other theatres of operations. Both sides will have the initiative as the French counterattack in late 1916. Two short scenarios and a campaign over the year 1916 playable in one evening.
The cards allow to play actions or to play major events of 1916, all present in the game, which are and their interaction with the battlefield of Verdun.
Troops are represented by wooden cubes abstractly representing brigades, which players will manoeuvre on the map,
Players will have to make difficult choices, continue to strengthen Verdun by using the resources of their cards or play events to get victory points elsewhere.
Both sides took it in turns to take the initiative, at first the Germans were on the offensive, then the French went on the counter-offensive at the end of 1916.
The different scenarios are :
an introductory scenario in 2 turns (playable in 1 hour), a short scenario in 2 turns playable in one short session (about 1h30) and a campaign game in 6 turns playable in one afternoon (about 3 to 4 hours).
The game is ideal for two players, but a solitaire game module is also available for download on the publisher's website.
Finally, the game is illustrated by Jacques Tardi, known for his comic strips devoted to the Great War such as C'était la guerre des tranchées.
Material:
- 97 large playing cards
- 1 rigid cardboard game board
- 160+ wooden pieces
- a rule, a booklet and playing aids
- a board of markers
- 10 dice
