TDG: War Room

Did somebody say World War Fun? It's the new grand strategic World War II game from Nightingale Games. Will it Blitzkrieg its way into your heart? Or will it just strategically bomb your good times? Join Cody for this very special episode.

[HiroNguy]

"Gentlemen please! This is the war room; there's no fighting here!" 😁

[WatchItPlayed]

Was very curious about this title and really enjoyed your thorough enthusiastic review of the game, thanks!

[syme]

Cody I just backed War Room based on your recommendation. I also bought Cthulhu Wars when that review came out. Please next time you absolutely fall in love with a game make it a cheap one.

[rocingersol]

It looks like the next step in Axis & Allies evolution to World In Flames. Love the look of the board, really stands out.

[MoragTong_]

I always equate value to the cost of a movie ticket. Its about $12 for 2hrs of entertainment at the theater for a single person(barring cheap day, etc.)...so $6 an hour. At $350 if you play the game for 8 hours, you will need to play it between 7-8 times to get "your moneys worth". But that is for a single person, there are more likely than not 3-4 people playing this game and you would be committed to playing it even less if you opt for the standard edition. My girlfriend and I long ago realized the value in board games(even expensive ones) can be vastly less expensive than a trip to the movies.

[jefferybaker]

You forgot to mention persistent battles from turn to turn. I accidentally recreated guadalcanal as the US and Japan were rushing to send units to the area...all because of the pinning mechanic. I've stopped playing all other axis and allies iterations years ago because I felt there were unsolved problems with the game engine. Warroom fixes everything. Brilliant!

[robertmoffitt]

After seeing your review, both my best friend & myself; bought it. You were right about Rampage, tough book to read; currently taking a prolonged break from it on audio book to recoup a little sanity. Your book list at the end of this video, it may take some time to get to all of them, but I'm all over them. Thanks Cody for all your game reviews and your point of view on history. Great music on your vids, and call me dorky, but I love the humor! If Larry inspires you to learn more about history, especially WWII, he does me as well. You and your channel are another source of inspiration to learn more too! I don't just say this lightly, it's sincere and heart felt. YouTube allows people with a common interest to share those interests, and people like you and Larry inspire the desire to learn. Thanks again Cody! 🍻 History is something that should not be forgotten. The people who made that history should not be forgotten.

[kaaasmaakehaake]

21:14 When you are about to conquer so much Lebensraum in one battle you cant believe it

[Arminius]

Great review, agree 100%. Absolutely fantastic game in every facet! The design of this was very innovative, with the oil bid, simultaneous movement, stress system, and homeland status tracker. They did a great job simplifying the rules from A&A. Always enjoy your content.

[hw]

Dude, I chuckled something fierce at the "I don't have a family" interjection music.

[flashgordon]

What a beautiful board! I can tell they must’ve spent a lot of time and effort creating it, kudos to the designers.
Perhaps a round table, with an outer part that spins round, might prove to be helpful? Like the one in Indiana Jones the Temple of Doom, at the beginning. (I’ve always wanted one of them.)
Also, the only thing I could say that the designers didn’t build into this game, from seeing this video, are the weather conditions.
When moving across open land and sea, perhaps you could roll a weather dice. 1, 2 fair conditions halves the movement time. 3, 4 adverse conditions takes the normal time no change. 5, 6 horrible conditions. Double the movement time.
In some areas of the board, like Siberia for example, or in the desert. E.g. 1 = fair. 2 = adverse. 3, 4, 5, 6 = horrible. With numbers varied for each unique territory.
That would mean for example, Japan will be less likely to invade the USSR. Storms at sea will be a factor, (some Sea zones more prone than others). And the Rasputin wet mud in Belarus and Eastern Europe realised as well.
If there’s a passage of time calendar, with seasons that affect logistics. Making planning logistics more realistic.
I hope there’s wonder weapons, technologies and nukes as well?

[timothysmith]

I just received my second edition copy in the mail. I have been playing wargames since 1975 and I can tell you that I was absolutely blown away by the production value in this game. From the box it comes in down to all the components I cannot imagine anything that could have been done any better. If you are hesitating because of price just forget about it, this game is well worth the money. Absolutely 10 out of 10! Well done Nightengale games and Larry Harris.

[Kili]

Great review of an interesting game. I like to see these reviews knowing that I can never afford them and not enough time !

[mackermicker]

Such a good game, every single problem axis and allies had this game solved. No more down time, no more man spam, Italy/North Africa actually important. Hats of to Larry Harris. Really hit it out of the park with this one.

[larryirons]

War Room is simple but has so many complexities because of the number of variables.

[alphaomegacomics]

My group of four play once a week. We go back and forth between G40 and War Room. In seven years we probably amassed a total of 30-35 games of Global, and we’re starting game 6 of War Room. It’s hard to pin any of us down on which we enjoy more, which is probably why we continue playing both.

One thing I will say about length of gameplay, War Room is a faster game, both in feel and in actuality. As you mentioned, each player in continuously involved, with very little downtime. Global, on the other hand, can really feel like a waiting game, especially if you are only playing one power such as Japan. The other factors that lend to War Rooms speed of play are the effects from stress (which again you mentioned) and the bombing of factories and rails which cannot be repaired. In all previous iterations of A&A, bombing seemed iffy with regards to risk/reward. Not only could your bombers be shot down prior to releasing their payloads, but also all damage incurred could be repaired on that players very next turn with a simple payment method. War Room, in my opinion, more closely depicts the severity of bombing raids on a territory. Even units in production are at risk of being destroyed, which again adds to the realism, and makes bombing raids a very serious threat.

Love this game, and your introductory video did it justice. Well done.

[Demiarioch]

Wow! That was one helluva a review that gave me pause. I may need to check this one out. I have played TI4 about eight times now and while I enjoy it I don't have a burning passion to play it.I love games that draw you in and take hours and hours though. This review from you now has me wanting to find someone in my area who is hosting the game. Thanks! Will be checking out your history page tonight.

[El-jygl]

Thank you for this relatively simplified review/explanation big this true gem of a game!

[adavis]

Almost backed this on KS, but just didn't think my regular gaming group would get into it. In the early 1980s, I designed a Cold War game with the same map board concept in mind but never got beyond rudimentary playtesting. Would love to see the War Room make a Cold War version.

[BW]

Wonderful game! Played 3 Global scenarios so far (2 Axis and 1 Allies victory)