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(More customer reviews)Axis & Allies Europe 1940 uses the same game mechanics found in Pacific 1940. Like Pacific 1940, you will find many more territories and sea zones than those on the 1942 map. Germany & Italy face the Soviet Union, UK, US & France (briefly). My first impression after setting up the board was that Europe was way too cramped (like 1942 edition). You quickly realize that France isn't long for the war and a turn or 2 later will have Germany up to its old antics in the east. The Sea Zones around UK/Germany are pretty small as well. The use of marshaling cards or task force markers would be helpful if the UK or Germany is building a large navy. I really like Italy in the Europe 1940 and the Global game compared to their appearance in the Anniversary Edition. I believe that Italy played correctly will be more of a factor in many games.
GAME MECHANICS
If you are unfamiliar with the mechanics of Pacific 1940, I recommend you read my review of Pacific 1940. To recap, both games utilize the 2 new unit types (Tactical Bombers & Mechanized Infantry), Air/Naval Bases, Minor/Major ICs, Convoy Zones, 2 hit Capital ships (Carrier & Battleship - that need repairs @ Naval Bases), Scramble (Airbases on islands), new costs for Tanks ($6) and Carriers ($16). The Political Situation is still a big factor and National Objectives give most powers an opportunity for a boost to income.
Europe 1940 also adds a couple new wrinkles that Pacific 1940 does not have.
*Optional rule: German subs in a convoy zone cause 3 IPC loss instead of 2.
*Narrow Straights: The use of the Panama & Suez Canals have always been dependent on who controls the adjacent territory or territories. Europe now adds 3 new areas to the mix, these are called narrow straights and their use, like canals, depends on who controls the adjacent territory. The straights of Gibraltar can be used by the side that controls Gibraltar; the Danish straights can be freely used by the side that controls Denmark and the Turkish straights used by the side that controls Turkey. This offers an extra step of protection to those powers that have territory on the other side and should allow them to spend more IPCs on their front lines and less on defense of the areas that are not contested as frequently. Another factor is allowing the use of a straight or canal by a power on the opposing side that you are not at war with. The controlling power can approve or deny such a request...although denying such a request may be fightin' words.
*Neutral territories: There are now 3 types compared to the one that Pacific included. They are: Friendly, Unfriendly & Strict.
Friendly Neutrals can be moved into by your power/side during the non-combat move and an infantry army (number of infantry listed in territory) of your power is placed into that territory and may be used by your power in future turns. You also place a control marker in the territory and any IPCs are added to your total.
Unfriendly Neutrals can be invaded and conquered in your combat move. The opposing army consists of the number of infantry listed in the territory and remains in play should you not win the battle or retreat. You place a control marker (if conquered) in the territory and any IPCs are added to your total.
Strict Neutrals can be controlled by either side after a battle against its army in your combat move. The caveat is that all other strict neutrals now become friendly to your opposing side for the remainder of the game. While this doesn't make a difference for you to invade other strict neutral territories anywhere on the board in the future, it does give your opponents some opportunities to possibly utilize some IPC and infantry boosts. Will that potential shortcut or IPC pickup be worth giving your opponents free troops & income?
GAME COMPONENTS
Europe 1940 contains pretty much the same components as the Pacific; it does however include a board for tracking income and technology (for Global game). The quality of the pieces are as to be expected, very good. One of my boards was not cut straight and leaves a slight gap when mated up to the Pacific board. Not a big deal, but I would've liked to have had no gap. There is also a noticeable Sea Zone color difference between Pacific and Europe boards and surprisingly between the two Europe boards which is really only noticeable where each meet. I was surprised about the Europe boards but I work in the print industry and understand how easy it is to have an ink mix issue, though. It is nice to see the Soviet Union have its own Carrier mold as well as France as a playable power. I was disappointed that R&D tokens were not included, even if it is only used for the Global game (it just would've been a nice touch).
GLOBAL GAME
This is far and away my favorite way to play Europe/Pacific 1940, but be ready for some long war gaming action. The biggest issue I see for people is the large board size, the two boards combined are 70" long and 32" wide. Setup is essentially the same as setting up each game with the addition of an ANZAC infantry in Egypt and 18 Soviet Union infantry in East Russia (6 apiece in Buryatia, Sakha & Amur). There is a separate list of National Objectives, but they are largely a mix from both games. Technology can also be used; they are mostly similar to those found in the anniversary edition with a few changes. Another thing to note is that the UK must keep the income it generates in the Pacific separate from Europe, and vice versa. The Axis capturing India will give them the UK's Pacific IPCs, but not their Europe IPCs.
SO WHAT AXIS & ALLIES GAME(S) SHOULD I GET?
All in all I recommend Europe 1940 to any Axis & Allies or wargaming fan. I prefer a game of Europe 1940 over Pacific 1940, but most of all I like combining them to play the Global game over either individually. The biggest potential downside to Europe/Pacific/Global is also what makes is great, the political situation. Some powers (like US) may be sitting around waiting for combat longer than they want if the Axis decides to bide their time and amass their troops. The Anniversary Edition is great, and also impossible to find at a reasonable price...so it's pretty much out. I like the classic feel to the 1942 edition, but seeing the same strategy or two play out EVERY game has soured my enthusiasm for it. If you and your gaming group don't mind details, Europe & Pacific 1940 are the games to get; these two provide 3 game variants. The rules are definitely more intensive than the 1942 or Anniversary Editions, but so far I think the 1940 series makes for a more balanced game with a variety of ways to execute your strategy.
Happy Wargaming!
Update 3/15/11: Much has changed the last few months regarding the rules of the Global game since Europe 1940s release. Eventually these changes will become official and printed in an update rulebook. Until then you can check out these changes at the "Harris Game Design" website, search for "Alpha+.2" in the Global 1940 section of the forums. The last change was 1/13/11 and Larry has been updating his opening post if additional changes are made. I have been playing test games as the new revisions come out; Global is now more balanced than before and the opening moves for some powers require a bit more planning (UK vs Italy).
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With the invasion of the Low Countries and the allied evacuation from Dunkirk, the German army is poised to march on Paris. Axis and Allies Europe 1940, designed and developed by Larry Harris, builds on the success of the acclaimed A and A Anniversary Edition. France appears for the first time in Axis and Allies and will represent a new playable ally.Italy will be included as a second Axis power along with Germany.The UK, USSR and the US find themselves vulnerable at this early and uncertain point of the war. Two new combat units that debuted in Axis & Allies Pacific 1940, Tactical Bombers and Mechanized Infantry, will also appear in this game.Axis and Allies Europe 1940 will feature an oversized board that measures 35" wide by 32" high.With over 550 combat units, deluxe game components and local storage boxes, this game will raise the standard established by A and A Anniversary Edition.All new rules for neutral nations, naval & air bases, and convoy disruption will add even more depth and historical accuracy to this giant game.Finally, this deluxe theater-level game is designed to play together with Axis and Allies Pacific 1940. Together these two games will create the greatest Axis and Allies experience to date, with a combined board measuring5\' wide by 32" high and over a thousand sculptured combat units. Both games are designed to play alone or together to offer the 2-6 player global 1940 scenario, complete with weapons development, and national objectives.
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