Are these Pieces for You? Fire In the Lake [GMT Games 2014]

My impressions of "Fire in the Lake" after just one... errr, 'difficult' try with other players

The 3rd Printing is available as of this video on GMT Games' site:

"Conflict in Vietnam" was the games from the 80s I mentioned, here's some extended gameplay footage:

[scuey]

I was the US player in the game discussed in the video. I had also solo'd the game using the Tru'Ng Bot a couple of times. Compared to other COIN games we played, FITL definitely has a more wargame kind of feel as well as a more 2v2 kind of dynamic. Both the ARVN player and I really struggled to understand what it was that we needed to be doing and how to do it during much of the game and only felt like we were getting a handle on things towards the end of the game. Having never fully investigated or read about the Vietnam War, I felt like this game gave me great insight into why it was an 'unwinnable" war right from the start.

[biffybeans]

I really find that soloing all factions helps me understand how each faction works on their own and with each other. When I finally got this to the table, I found all the factions slightly familiar from playing 4 previous COIN titles in that way.

ARVN (and the US) really need to be utilizing their special forces. Those few pieces can have a big impact.

It is always an option when learning a COIN to only use the event cards for faction order and only use ops/activities or even just ops until people get the swing of things.

One thing I found different about FITL than Cuba Libre, A Distant Plain, and Colonial Twilight is how massive a lot of the effects could be. Big sweeping actions by the US or NVA made things very interesting.

The Ken Burns series was excellent. I watched it when I first bought the game over a year ago but I only just played it last week. Really helped understand a lot more about what is being depicted in this game.

[mansoorsiddiqui]

As the ARVN player that game, even with the crushing weight of the NVA upon me, there were some high highs that made the experience well worth it. :D I can also look back and clearly trace our loss to some poor decisions made early on -- a hallmark of good game design. None of it felt random or unfair. Indeed, let's get another one going after some breathing room. :)

[markherman]

I enjoyed your video, thanks for sharing.

[richard-mtl]

I'm glad you recognize some of the errors you made, and that you want to try it again! It is definitely a long one, but it's one I keep wanting to go back to because of all the card variety, and the "evolution of the story" as you put it. Even now, I feel the urge to set it up and start a solo. You really do create a unique "history" every time you play this, and it's quite the experience.

[jumpmasternd.]

For a different slant try " Save South Vietnam" by Fortress Games. Not much wiggle room to get a win.