Waited to watch this review until I unwrapped my copy of this on Christmas morning. Another outstanding review of an incredible game that will be months in discovering the finer points about. Fire In The Lake is yet another example of why GMT games continue to be my favourite company for publishing games. Thank you as always Derek. I always look forward to your reviews. You are a wonderful teacher and a pleasure to watch & learn from. I salute you sir!
Simply outstanding review. Of all your perspectives you've shared with us on games across the Design Spectrum, Derek, this is my absolute favorite. Your approach and insights are as deep and interconnected as was the vast tapestry that was this war. GMT owes you more than a commission, buddy - when's that's 1st paycheck as their Director of Marketing getting cashed?? (Next business trip to the Bay area, draft 3 of your grognard buddies for a game - I want in!)
Thomas Marshall LOL! Thanks Tom:) GMT Director of Marketing? I wish! I'd quit my real job tomorrow! Hard for me not to get enthusiastic about a great game. I'd love to get 3 more serious grognards around a table for this one.
Great. Now you made me want to buy this game. What am I supposed to tell my wife? Seriously though, I've re-discovered my old copy of Vietnam 1965-1975 by Victory Games and have been playing it on Vassal. I like it alot but the length of time it takes to play the campaign game means I can't play it as much as I'd like to. This may be a quicker substitute for a Vietnam war game.
Great, and very helpful review! Definitely buying Fire In The Lake after watching this. Have you had the chance to try some of the other COIN games yet?
marrei9 Glad you found it helpful, and thank you:) Haven't tried any of the other COIN series yet, but looking forward to "Liberty or Death". Based on the AWI. That's basically what the Revolution was for the Brits...a counter-insurgency. Can't wait:)
Now THAT is a #@?!$& good review, congrats! I've been a bgg reader since 2011, never wrote a single post, but this one deserve it. Found out about this game a few days ago, and I'm going to move mountains (and rivers, and LAKES) to make it get here in Brazil. Until now, I was much more interested in ww2 history and never paid too much attention to Vietnam, but I can feel this is going to change, at least a little... Subscribed!
***** Welcome aboard Almir :) And thank you. If you can get your hands on it, FitL is a full course meal that needs to be on the table! I've lost several weekends to it.
Great review Derek. This looks cool but I have to say, I had a REAL problem with the rule book for Labyrinth: The War on Terror and this look awfully close. Keep up the great work.
Outstanding review of the game. Thank you! I have been looking at purchasing FiTL and this has helped me immensely to understand more about it. The game looks beautiful, though I don't care much for the colorful counters employed (I much prefer the traditional square unit counters).
Great review!...one question I would like to ask you is if this game will be a good intro to the COIN system, or you prefer to get into the system with one of the previous games like Andean Abysm or A Distant Plain. I had this one under my radar for a while because of the Vietnam war theme but have been hesitant to get it because of the difference in opinion from different wargamers.
Hi Michael:) So far, FitL is the only COIN game I have experience playing with. I've heard Cuba Libre is a good intro to the system, due to it's smaller scale, but that replay value may be an issue. The learning curve is a little steep for FitL, but when things fall into place, I can't imagine you regretting it. Just be prepared to put the time in:)
Derek,thanks!....I've been trying to get Andean Abbism, but everytime when I almost got it for a good price in ebay, someone take it from my grasp😈...it looks like FITL will be the one to learn the system.... Now....I can't wait to see your review and walk thru of Nimitz....Happy New Year!
Halfway through but, here’s something I don’t get: In the demo you showed of how a turn would you, NVA and VC were able to choose event/op/SA/etc. move to inelligble, and then end the turn. But the top of the card showed ARVN and US go after them. What happened? Do only the first two factions get a turn or am I missing something?
You are indeed a good teacher. You make the game feel interesting, I really appriciate how keep a lower pace, so the listener have time to think on what you have just explained. Great review. I'll subscribe and tell my friends about your youtube channel.
