Axis & Allies Anniversary Edition Board Game Review

Join us as we take a look at Axis and Allies Anniversary Edition.

[theshogunstein]

I saw a guy spend ages setting this game up at a gaming event, and then nobody showed up to play and he had to put it all back in the box. Felt so bad.

[tej]

That takes me back! We used to play that back in the late 80s/early 90s. Start on a Saturday and finish up Sunday afternoon!

[JohnDoe-hbge]

Thanks for this honest review. So hard to find anyone making honest board game reviews with an opinion

[jt]

Not the anniversary version but, back in high school in the 90s 3-4 of us would get together, It was a planned all nighter. when the person who owned the game was hosting, he would have the game all setup. Otherwise we would all set up our own nations.
Set up took a long time, but we all had fun

[biznesstime]

Can’t speak for the Anniversary Edition, but I have many fond memories playing Axis and Allies back in my University days. Granted that was two decades ago and there wasn’t the diversity of board games back then that there’s is now.
That said have you tried Star Wars Rebellion? Gives me a similar feel but immersed in the timeline of Episode 4 though Episode 6. Still a long play time, but builds and incredible narrative. And really a joy if you are a Star Wars fanboy.

[jacobolsson]

I feel like this game is great if you just play it a couple times. U find that one board game buddy and u just play it a few times. I know a lot of you will think this takes to long but trust me it is worth it. Another tip i have is to skip the cities. Just play untill the other player surrenders and that will be when he realizes he cant win anymore because then the game becomes less about taking certain places and more about strategy.

[herrmatash]

Hey,
I'm thinking of buying another A&A in addition to my Anniversary Version. I'm wavering between Europe 2nd and 1914, which game would you recommend? How are the playing times for both? You have any experience with it!? Thanks for your reply.

[davewarwicker]

The rules amount to everything intuitively doing what it is meant to do - infantry are cheap and plod, tanks hit hard and are fast etc - that is what makes the game so great 🙂

[majnuker]

I admit it'd be nice to see the naval ships be more defined in the rules, but tbh cruisers are bigger, destroyers have the flat back. Nation colors are pretty clear so that's nice. I admit it can get cramped in Europe at the beginning of the game but regular players will use their units and free up a lot of space too. Rules could definitely get rewritten.

The biggest thing you mention is the core of combat: the dice roll. And while the game is a bit of chance, statistically you start to learn what a 'safe' move looks like, specific openers, etc. Strategy definitely wins out and only on the risky/unlikely plays will you see chance give you an extra opportunity. That being said, it's rarely the thing that lets you win a given combat encounter. If you're curious what I mean, watch Board Game Nation's world championship games to see how regular and expected gameplay becomes when you start to understand the win percentages.

Otherwise, great review and this is a wonderful game that keeps on giving the more you play. Very excited for the Anniversary Edition reprints this year!

[petergross]

I loved this game as a kid. Snow days were spent with friends playing all day. But nostalgia only takes you so far. It will stay on my collection, but mostly for the memories. David Thompson and DVG games make amazing world war 2 games that are more streamlined and strategic.

[keithpalmer]

I would recommend setting this game up on a table that you can leave it on then play a couple 4 hours sessions.

[leebearfield]

I love this game but its not tenable as an evenings light entertainment for a few friends. I recently bought the 1941 version which was supposed to be Axis and Allies light, junior, kiddies etc and it was nothing of the sort. It was brilliant fun and definitely a case of less is more sometimes. I got my brother to play who has a PHD and it appeared to be no kind of insult to his intelligence I can assure you. We sat up till 02.30 absolutley rivetted!

[arthurstenzel]

I have many versions of A & A ... there is 2 pages in the back of one of the rule books that shows each nation's units.... they must have deleted those pages. Keep up u your reviews... you always do a great job... !

[tboneisgaming]

I have axis and Allies 1942 edition. The rules do take some time to understand. The game takes about 5 hours to complete. If you want a shorter experience and less complicated, it's best to go for the 1941 version.

The best way I can describe the game is Risk on steroids.

[waitingforvirtue]

That's me sticking with Memoir 44 I think Fella.

[edwardmemwah]

I played the original Axis and Allies (back when there was only one version of the game) dozens of times throughout my preteens. My uncles and cousins would each play a country during holiday gatherings. One time I was the US and actually survived the Pearl Harbor attack with my entire navy intact, but still walked away due to terrible luck later on. This game has the illusion of strategy because you can choose to buy different unit types, but I've seen way too many battles turn based purely on bad dice rolls and then it becomes a slog. If the Allied invasions of Germany or Japan fail, then it takes too many turns to build up another coordinated invasion. The Axis powers also can't really march on Britain or the US, so you just wind up playing out little impotent skirmishes until it's time for everyone to go home. What. Fun. You can play a game of Risk in the time it takes to set up Axis and Allies, so play Risk instead.

[eikmaster]

I own almost every Edition and this is my favorite one. (havn't played Zombies yet)

[theshogunstein]

Did you every play that German u-boat game from a year or two ago?

[keithpalmer]

This is the best overall Axis and Allies game. But the 1941 and Zombies are fun shorter versions you may get to the table more if you have a family and busy schedule.

[marky]

Is there not a “lite” version of the game out there or was I just dreaming lol