Summary
A game for 2 – 5 players
Playing time is around 360 minutes
Publisher is Renegade Games
Introduction
Axis & Allies 1940 Second Edition is a strategic board game set during World War II in Europe, 1940. This second edition features improved rules, new units, and additional gameplay elements compared to the first edition. It can also be combined with Axis & Allies 1940 Second Edition Pacific.
Setting up the game
Axis & Allies 1940 Second Edition is a strategic board game set during World War II in Europe in 1940. The goal is to lead either the Axis (Germany & Italy) or the Allies (United States, United Kingdom, Soviet Union, and France) to victory through strategic planning, diplomacy, and military might. Victory can be achieved by conquering enemy territories, destroying enemy forces, and controlling key strategic points on the map.
Game Setup:
Players choose a side: Axis or Allies. They then divide the nations within their alliance and place them on the appropriate spots on the game board. Each player receives a starting amount of IPCs (Industrial Production Certificates), the game’s currency, which is tied to their position on the score track at the top of the board.
Game Phases:
The game progresses in rounds, each divided into the following phases:
a. Purchase Phase:
Players buy new units such as infantry, tanks, aircraft, ships, and special units like anti-aircraft. The costs are listed on the game board.
b. Combat Movement:
Move units into adjacent territories that contain enemy units or that are unoccupied and can be captured.
c. Combat:
Battles are resolved in the order of unit class. For example, aircraft attack first, followed by tanks and infantry. Attackers and defenders roll dice to determine if a unit scores a hit.
The number required on the dice to hit depends on the unit type. For instance, infantry hits on a roll of 1 or 2 on a 6-sided die. Units that are hit are removed from the board.
d. Non-Combat Movement:
Units that haven’t moved and are not involved in combat can be repositioned to other areas.
e. Capturing Territories and Gaining IPCs:
Players earn IPCs for the territories they control at the end of their turn, which determines their income for the next round.
f. Place New Units:
Newly purchased units are placed on the board in the player’s home territories with a factory.
Specific Rules and Mechanisms:
National Objectives:
Each nation has specific objectives that, if achieved, provide additional IPCs.
Special Rules:
In this version, the U.S. and the Soviet Union do not actively join the war until after round 3 unless they are attacked before that time. If they are attacked, they immediately join the war.
Victory Conditions:
Victory conditions vary depending on the scenario, but there are typically two ways to win:
Economic Victory:
An alliance wins if it controls a certain number of IPCs at a given point in the game.
Military Victory:
The Axis wins by capturing and holding a specific number of strategic cities for a set duration. The Allies win by completely conquering one of the Axis powers.
Conclusion & final score
Difficulty: 3.50/ 5
Re-playability: 8
Our score: 7 out of 10 dice
Complexiteit en Diepgang
Axis & Allies 1940 Second Edition is a game with significant complexity. The large map, large number of units, and numerous strategic options provide a deep and immersive experience, making it ideal for seasoned board game enthusiasts. The combination of economic management, military power, and technological advancement requires careful planning and adaptability. Each round, the game board will change, and your strategies will need constant adjustment.
A single game can last many hours, especially if both sides are evenly matched, so keep this in mind when playing. The game components are of high quality, with detailed and sturdy miniatures, and a large, clear map with great attention to historical accuracy. There is one minor, in the game you really need some money, unfortunately this isn’t in the game box so you have to get some money out of your other games. We had an older version of Axis and Allies so we got the money out of that game box. We think you can play without, but that will be a lot less fun.
The rules are well-written, though new players may find it challenging to grasp everything at once. However, once you’ve played it a few times, it becomes more manageable. The complexity mainly lies in the fact that the game evolves continuously before you can execute your actions.
Axis & Allies offers countless strategic possibilities. Sometimes you might opt for an aggressive approach, while other times you might focus on an economic blockade—there are many paths to victory.
Axis & Allies 1940 Second Edition delivers a deep, challenging, and time-consuming experience that requires serious dedication, but it’s perfect for fans of strategic war games. If you’re looking for an intense strategy game that lets you relive and rewrite history, Axis & Allies 1940 Second Edition is an excellent choice.
Thanks to Renegade Games for this review copy and the opportunity to write about it.
