TDG: Escape From Colditz 

Enjoyed your review. After having purchased this game recently, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Being a WWII history buff, I find the Colditz story quite interesting. As far as gameplay, you are not the only reviewer I have heard that disliked the "chance" aspect of it, i.e. getting almost to the end and having your escape foiled. For some, this may be a drawback for a board game. However, taken in context, it was a very real aspect of what happened more times than not to the actual escapers. I think it enhances rather than detracts from the game. If you and your fellow "escapers" only played this once, or even a couple of times, I would give it another go. It is actually our favorite game at the G household, and we are looking forward to playing another round this evening.

Great review of my favourite board game, that in its Day was the most highly selling board game topped in sales only by monopoly. Sad to hear that you didn't love the game as much as I do. Though I think the reason I love this game so much is, as it was a Christmas present when I was about 10. Back in 1982 and I have alot of Christmas memories playing this as a family with my dad and grandad. And driving my dad wild when every time he was escaping outside the wire and I as the Greman security officer, would put on my helmet on then play my shoot to kill card, whilst pointing a toy mp40 at him and say 'For you Tommy zee war is over' and then shoot him lol. As for what you say about a lot ot luck is needed, yes I agree but I feel that this realy reflects the reality of most real escape attempts. So for me personally I think it adds a little realism to the game. But that's just my opinion. Great to see you have a first edition, I have both a first and second edition. The second edition the board comes in four peices and the colours of pows represent, British, Dutch, Polish and French prisoners. Looking forward to seeing more of your videos.

I'm glad this old soldier has been reprinted but really... With that many games on your shelves you've never played this before? I was surprised you said it's a long game at only 2-3 hours and was amused to hear you say Apple rather than appell (roll call) at least the first time when I thought it accidental. As to your comment about chance, well escaping wasn't a 'game' where you could set your plan into action and, if implemented correctly, it will work. Chance played a part and both helped and hindered the P. O. W. s Since you say you are interested I recommend three books: 1. The Colditz story 2. The latter day at Coldidz both by major Reid who was the British escape officer and also designed this game (he has written a third but I've never come across it) 3. Coldidz the German viewpoint. This book written by Reinhold Eggers (served first as duty officer then security officer) and is well worth a read. He points out that 'Coldidz was designed to keep people out not in.' (he thought the castle just about the worst place to try to keep prisoners let alone multiple escape artists.)

This game is very emotional for me. My grandfather died at a German concentration camp. It was winter of 1944 and had been snowing quite hard. It became slippery and he fell from his guard tower.

The coloured pawns in the original where designated countries. Britain, USA, France, Holland etc. This was my gateway game back in 1974. I still have my original copy and I had never seen any game like this before. I haven't seen the rules tweaks, god knows they were needed. The original rules were flaky at best. Just got to say though my rose coloured glasses may see me pull out my original copy, just to that 7 year old on the last day of term at school. Thanks for your review Cody :)

I had the uk Parker games version, the first edition that had swastikas everywhere , they stopped that in later versions

It feels like they missed an opportunity to update the design a bit. Too bad, I doubt I'll rush to get my copy to the table now!

I to have my original copy you need to bounce the goones to get the germans to play their cards before you go for the home runs. its very themematic its not easy to escape

The Lack of Sgt Schultz in the Review saddens me. That being said: I taught and played this to two others and we got done in 90 minutes, maybe less players?

just like the real thing then cause there was defo a lot of chance if you escaped

Cody, many thanks for this- and many other reviews. I actually played the original as a young boy and was interested to see your review and note the changes (if any.) I liked the game but was always struck by how hard it was to escape- particularly if only a few players. Some house rules to speed it up including dishing out escape kits, so we just had to accumulate equipment. BTW tried to leave a comment on your site but could not find a way to register ;) Thanks again, gr8 review Nick

But the million dollar question for me is...Do you get to actually build the plane?

I've seen a lot of "gamers" turn their nose up at this game because it's a... *gasp*... "roll-and-move" game! Ah, well! Their loss! A very fun game experience.

Yes! More Osprey Game reviews, please.

This game looks interesting. Maybe if Restoration games had a go at it they could have made it such that luck wasn't such a factor, resulting in a more enjoyable experience.

So the Germans prevented you from escaping twice even after all your effort and prep. That's down to chance according to your review which is disappointing to see . You need to coordinate your escapes with others. The German player did what they needed to do. Escaping from Colditz is not easy! This game is excellent and singular escapes usually fail as they should. Improve your luck and go for coordinated multiple escapes. This game is intense but a whole lot of fun and I thoroughly recommend it.

You do understand that you rolling amazingly is to the guard player just as bad as them being able to obstruct you with a card they've kept? This is not a game about a single escape, it's about an orchestrated large scale escape that spreads guards resources thin. I don't think it is a great game, but it's a really good one and having this 'unknown' to certain plans is incredibly thematic as well.

They had nationality s in the old uk version Brits poles Dutch French and think americans

I played this a lot back in the 70's. It is very much a product of that era. Agricola / Twilight Struggle is is not. It is a very thematic version of snakes and ladders. It captured my attention back in the day but I doubt I would play it now. Goods review.

on point

Was there not a statement issued saying that people just wanted the game to be available and they didn't feel the need to update the game for those people? I hadn't played this game it was before my time; it sounded like the theme was better than the game, I could see in those sad faces and your comments I would only be wanting to play this had they updated it.

I have played this game since the mid 1980's. I disagree with your assessment on luck dismantling your escape attempts. Isolated escape attempts are easy for the German player to put down (as it should be). The game is about competition between the players to win, but also about co-operation. For the players to win they need to play the odds. In order to be successful, the players need to co-ordinate their escape attempts instead of just going gung-ho to win alone. The German player if forced to spread his move score between multiple players and undo all their uses of passes, keys and so on at the same time will have a very difficult time stopping them. At times it is about bluffing the German player into thinking the players are doing one thing when in actuality they are doing something else. Great game!

Thanks for the review... what is the intro music?