Yaah! Magazine n°8 - Race to the Sea 1914

This is the eighth issue and Brad Smith is at the helm of the magazine as guest editor. We bring you 88 pages full of gaming information from a diverse group of talented writers. You'll find information on the latest wargame releases, a look back at some classic wargames, scenarios, expansions, and, of course, our featured game.

To start, our feature article is an exclusive tour of Essen by the one and only Ania B. Ziolkowska. Take a tour of the Spiel'16 board game convention to discover not only the upcoming hits, but also the hidden gems of the board game world. We've devoted 13 pages to Essen coverage in this issue. Ania takes you on a guided journey through the halls of Messe Essen, where the world comes to show and play board games. She gives you her impressions of various new and interesting games after testing them. She also provides a unique wargamer's perspective on the experience and value of attending the Spiel convention. With this article, this issue alone is worth the price of admission.

We also feature a fantastic new game by Hermann Luttman, Race to the Sea 1914. As you may have guessed from the title, the game is set in the early days of World War I. The Allied and German armies in Western Europe are trying to harness their forces in a last-ditch effort to win the war and be home for Christmas. Hermann's dynamic and unique ruleset features a card-based, rules-free combat system that oozes narrative and tension with quick resolution and play. The result is an exciting simulation of the last mobile campaign on the Western Front of World War I.

Norm Lunde takes a look at GMT's recently redesigned and refurbished MBT. James Day's beloved Panzer System focuses on the armored warfare in West Germany between the Americans and Soviets in a hypothetical World War III scenario in 1987. Norm shows the components and talks about how the game plays out. If you're curious about MBT since its highly anticipated update was released earlier in 2016, you'll find this article interesting and insightful.

The other articles in our Games We Love section are also excellent. Roger Leroux gives his personal take on his favorite game, Twilight Struggle. This is the first part of his review of the game and the second part will be featured in a future issue. Fred Manzo tells us how to deal with the zombie hordes by looking in detail at the strategies of both sides in his article on Dead Reckoning.  Brad Smith talks about wargaming with kids and shows us the classic he hopes will hit the table. Harpoon: Captain's Edition is a perfect starter game for people with kids and he explains why.

Deborah Malmud's writing skills should also be mentioned here. In this issue, she shares her insight on two games, Don't Tread on Me and D-Day at Peleliu.  In both articles, she not only gives us her impressions of the games, but also an after action report. You'll see how her Marines fare when they land at Peleliu in a fierce battle with the Japanese in late 1944. You'll also enjoy her account of the American War of Independence, as she plays the role of the British. This is asymmetrical warfare, 1770s style!

While our featured game in this issue covers the Western Front of World War I, Matt Foster talks about a game that deals with the other side of the conflict. Tannenburg: The Introductory Game uses the Der Weltkrieg system to simulate the early battles of the war that took place on the Eastern Front. Matt explains how the rules system attempts to model the complex aspects of the battle and shows us why this title is worth checking out.