Axis and Allies - new vs old?

[Olive]

So I'd like it if General was general gaming rather than just general RPG, but if this is better in off topic, please feel free to move it over mods!

So the new Axis and Allies is out now. I've only recently gotten into this game, and I've played it as much as I've played anything recently, other than DnD. A friend got it for Christmas, but he got the old version.

Typically, a new edition has just come out. I read the design diaries over at the AH site, and it sounded absolutely fantastic. Has anyone played it? And if so, how does it compare? Do things like nation special abilities slow the game down? Are subs more sensible now? Tell all!

 

[Dire Bare]

My friends and I were doubtful at first, I mean, it's like someone saying to a devout Christian, "Hey, we just wrote a new version of the Bible, tell me what you think!" We didn't like the colors of the new board or the colors of the pieces . . .

But Ohmigod the new game is FANTASTIC!!! Soooooo much better balanced and the few really new things are fun and good add-ons (destroyers and artillery). The map is cut up differently (a bit), some pieces attack and/or defend differently, costs are different . . . but it truly is classic Axis & Allies, only better. Except for the colors of the board . . . and the pieces . . .

 

[LazerPointer]

The new one's great. some national advantages are way stronger than others, you'll have to decide if you want to house rule that or not.

 

[Olive]

but it truly is classic Axis & Allies, only better.

So would you ever consider playing the old game again?

'd buy it, but I'm worried that my friend will be a bit bummed out...

 

[Dire Bare]

So would you ever consider playing the old game again?

'd buy it, but I'm worried that my friend will be a bit bummed out...

Actually, no, I think the new game is vastly superior to the original (blashphemy!). Although the above poster who mentioned some of the extra optional rules seem a bit unbalanced I'd have to agree with.

However, if somebody printed a new board with the borders of the new game but the graphic design of the original . . . oh yeah baby!

 

[Crothian]

I stopped playing the old one a few years ago becasue it was just no longer fun. Too many ghames ended after 2 rounds...sure we could play the game out but after 2 rounds it was real easy to see who the winner was.

THe new version is just great. It is A&A....even better then all the A&A expansions that they had.

Also, the Europe and Pacific games are fantastic. I have yet to play the D-Day one, but it should be great as the rest are.

 

[Olive]

I have yet to play the D-Day one, but it should be great as the rest are.

Ohhh, I thought that wasn't out yet! Hmmm...

 

[mac1504]

I've been a long time player of A&A and played countless hours with the original board game. I was excited for the release of the new version as I agreed with many of the new changes they were making to this classic.

I especially like how they divided up Eastern Europe and Western Russia. That configuration of territories truly allows for more strategy than the old pile-infantry-to-the-sky scenarios most games would get into in that region. Even the small change they made to eastern Russia has changed the Japan-Russia conflicts enough to make both sides rethink old strategies. Also, the 3-3 tank was such a small change but a huge impact on game strategy and buying. Of course I liked the artillery and destroyer rules from Pacific and Europe rule sets, so it was also a joy to see them included as well.

Overall, it is a superior version to the classic, IMO.

 

[Iron_Chef]

Anyone have a list of "broken" National Advantages?

Also, who thinks it would have been cool to add Risk 2210 AD command cards and some type of General minis (Rommel, Tojo, MacArthur, etc.) with special powers to the new A&A?

 

[Olive]

Also, who thinks it would have been cool to add Risk 2210 AD command cards and some type of General minis (Rommel, Tojo, MacArthur, etc.) with special powers to the new A&A?

Not me to be honest. They would have moved the game in a direction I'm not really interested in.