Field Commander Napoleon first try

Had first outing of new solitaire board wargame Field Commander Napoleon this evening. Set up the 1796 Italian Campaign. Took awhile to get to grips with the game system but once I got going it flowed very well. The counters are very nice and whilst the campaign maps are a tad bland (ie brown) the work fine. Managed to generate a couple of battles in initial March 1796 turn. First was modest French assault on Turin and its lowly garrison and fortification troops. French eventually took area but did suffer losses from the guns of the fortifications (lesson one I should have put enough combat power into area (ie 3 times defenders) to achieve an automatic envelopment. I then fought a second battle against Piedmontse in Savonia with Napoleon in charge which saw the lowly Italians defeated in short order. The battles are 'fought' out on a seperate battle board and both sides have access to Battle Plans (varied types) and Napoleon can add Insights (sort of super battle plans). These add nice flavour to  the dicing proceedings with a strong French Cavalry unit conducting a Engage and then a Charge plan to really put some hurt on. However despite this success, the ensuing Enemy programmed strategic turn saw 2 sizeable Austrian forces advance upon the newly taken Turin and in enough force for an automatic victory. This then caused an automatic French campaign defeat as they are required to have control of two Victory Areas at end of the March turn which I had not realised until too late !(lesson two read the campaign notes properly). This would have been easily thwarted by putting a sacrificial blocking French unit in area adjacent to Turin. All in all a nice game thats easy to play but requires a tad more thought than was initially apparent (the programmed/random nature of enemy options/actions is quite well done). Ah well their is always the next time.........................

The Campaign set up ready to start

Napoleons starting posistion in Nice

Battle board in use as Napoleon leads French to victory over Piedmontse

Close up of French units and couple of their selectable Battle Plans

Piedmontse inflict some damage (Allies go first in battles)

Disaster strikes as Turin is recaptured by Austrians (left of map) making a 'double advance' via Marengo whilst Boneys back is turned !

New arrival and another new experience

Field Commander Napoleon arrived today which is extremely quick service from sender (wee plug for Boardgame Guru site that I used at http://www.boardgameguru.co.uk/index.asp) especially to the remote colony of Ulster !!
Only had quick delve through contents but very nice they are.

A SYW miniatures game planned for tomorrow which I need table for but hope to get a go at FCN later on.

Also yesterday evening I had a game with 'RPG' mates of a boardgame called 'Mansions of Madness' (often a description given to my own abode I fear) which is a fantasy/horror game (sort of Cluedo/murder mystery/gothic horror mix) under the Call Of Cthulhu banner. Like RPGs this is not a genre I have ever had any interest in. The subject matter was definitely not my cup of char at all although the early 20th Century setting was interesting. But the game system itself was very enjoyable with a great interaction of cards, events, 'monsters', puzzles and characters with 3 of us as investigators and the games owner playing as the 'Mansion' as such setting up the story line and controlling the horror events and encounters. The game components were also nice with great 'gothic' artwork.
We just failed to solve the mystery by running out of time in the game (a count-down system in game goads players to not faff about too much) which led to the Mansion and ourselves being 'consumed' by something below the Mansion. A fun game to play despite the off kilter (for me) subject genre.

iPhone pics of board etc which really do not do the components justice at all.


Numerous cards and counters used in system

The Mansion laid out (very nice double sided tiles) with clues, equipment and obstacles thereon

I succumbed..................Field Commander Napoleon inbound

Ordered this today (whilst HMV in bed !!!) as gets good reviews and its solo (ie no need to find opponnent). Decided against any of the tactical games as I have enough miniature games to scratch that itch so the strategic/abstract nature of this appealed, that plus the 'oh shiny' factor of the components.  

I suspect this one will be appropriated at a later date and I also fear my painting plans will go awry !!