In recent years I was drawn back into the WW2 war-gaming scene after a long absence. I bought Flames of War without knowing much about it and while initially I did enjoy a couple of games I was left hungry for something that would satisfy a certain expectation for a more playable "simulation." Apart from certain situations in FoW not ‘feeling right' I felt in time I could become a very adept FoW player while experience nothing or learn nothing of the true tactical nature of WW2.
I was looking for a system that would promote historically accepted tactics; rule mechanics that incorporated enough detail to seem accurate in simulating rather complex actions and yet simple and elegant enough to run smoothly; while all at the same time feel like they were giving reasonable representations of the chaos and unpredictable nature of war. Surely that's not a lot to ask!
Well my search bordered on obsessive at times; ask my poor wife! I read review after review, TMP discussion after discussion. I ordered more rules than I like to remember. Among the most enjoyable I came across were IABSM and Crossfire both excellent games for probably different reasons. For the last year and a half I was been developing my own rules which myself and my gaming crew were enjoying.
But recently we stumbled across Fireball Forward and like most new rules they stirred my interest and I read as much as I could (which wasn't a lot.) I watched their Youtube videos and thought some of the mechanics seemed very stream lined and innovative, especially impressed with how they dealt with infantry movement. I also thought the shooting mechanic was very clever; combining the hit probability with target range and the weapons range effectiveness without any reference to charts or slowing down the game in the least (which turned me off several games.)
I know there's been some criticism levelled at the quality of the videos and while the presentation of the game isn't at its best do not let that dissuade you from checking them out. (I found the videos very informative and well worth viewing) Despite my favorable view of the mechanics I had no idea how good these rules were until I played them. I found their real appeal (and this aspect is what reminded me a little of Crossfire) is the effortless fluidity in which the game moves, action after action; and while there's practically no rule referencing or chart checking it's elegance is less down to that and more to the system's intrinsic simplicity.
I want to point out that I'm in no way affiliated with the game or its designers (I just joined their Yahoo group last week…actually I've just posted a number of photos of our last game at that site if anyone's interested in seeing some step by step action of the game.) I've never bothered to post anything on this great website before (to my great shame) but I think this game deserves to be more known; as it seems to be one of the hobby's best kept secrets. I came so close to not ordering the rules because of a certain lack of independent reviews so I just wanted to share my thoughts on what I've experienced.
This is an incredibly subjective topic but from my experience it's been by far the most enjoyable WW2 system I've ever played (at any level Company/skirmish). For anyone out there that wants a really enjoyable, fast moving and fluid game that really feels right and rewards historically proven tactics then I can't recommend this system highly enough.
reports from the final California Gen Con...