TDG: War Room 

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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. RU-vid 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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

Very cool. Glad to know this is out there. A souped up Axis and Allies is a great idea. Ill probably never have time or money, but maybe some day the board game gods will smile on me.

Wow... intense game. Looks awesome. I enjoy Risk. This is Risk on steroids.

This game looks simply... MAGNIFICENT!!!! Great review! Greetings from London 🇬🇧 UK

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.

Cancelled my pledge during the Kickstarter because I didn’t think it would fit on my table. I’m buying a bigger table.

I've been on the fence about this one for a while now. Thanks for the push

Hey Cody. I first discovered your channel from your Amazon review of Axis & Allies: Anniversary Edition! Ha. You are my favorite board game reviewer. Like you, I grew up on A&A (I became a high school history teacher). I was just shocked to hear you say that War Room replaced A&A for you, but also pleased. I was so hoping that Larry's new creation would land with success. I am now dying to play this game. I hope I don't regret spending that kinda cash, but I have a feeling I won't. Looks like TI4 level fun. Cheers and thanks for the channel.

I KNEW you’d love it. Was my game of 2019 as well. One other criticism I have is the set up time. Can be extensive but otherwise it’s a masterpiece.

Hey Cody. I just wanted to let you know that I showed this video to my gaming group and we will be buying it soon! One of my friends is wheeling and dealing Magic cards to cover the cost! Thanks for the awesome review!

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?

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.

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.

This is a BIG game!!! I love that it literally looks like the players are in a real War Room, complete with unit tokens and the little staves that you can use to move units across the board!!! What a comprehensive overview, seems like the mechanics are simple; but there's a lot to do per turn/round! And 3-9 hours?!! Wow!!! We've never played for that long before, but it seems like the wealth of actions, options, and moves justifies the playing time. Haven't seen this game in my country, I'll have to look into how to find and acquire it, if ever...also may need to save up for it!!! Good luck on your PhD!!!

Damn you Cody. And I mean that in the nicest possible way. I was on the fence with this but only due to cost. I too owe my WW2 infatuation to L Harris for my teen years spent playing original axis n allies. For you to say this has trumped it and is your no1 game of choice is a BIG call. I hope it doesn’t sellout before I can scrape the cash for my copy. Great review. Great channel. Thank you.

I remember the kickstarter for this, it looks really amazing. I kind of hope this inspires some video games, especially in Virtual Reality, that capture a similar sense of immersion and scale. And with those war sticks of course.

Great video that should push me to buy this behemoth. I doubt that it will dethrone the reigning war game champ "Empires in Arms" - but if it comes close it will be worth every penny.

Reading “Eisenhower’s Lieutenants” by Russell Weigley. Another good one on the campaign in France and Germany

Another suggestion of yours I have bought..! Kickstarted the second edition, I can't wait to get my hands on this game

Sounds incredible. Just ordered a copy from Nightengale Games. Hope to have a group to play it with some day!

Very interesting perspective on the game. I bought the game and have played it 3 times. I agree it’s a major improvement/evolution over A&A but it doesn’t come anywhere near being the best WWII wargame or even best wargame period. After one play, I had concerns about the combat system, which were verified in my 2nd and 3rd playthroughs. I hate how every battle turns into a bloody slugfest where whole armies are wiped out and the winner comes down to whichever side has more tanks since they’re harder to hit and therefore harder to kill. This aspect of the combat system really knocks this game down a few pegs for me. It scratches the itch of wanting to play a game with an A&A level of sophistication, but I would still place Triumph and Tragedy, or even Cataclysm above this game in the Strategic WWII category. Both of those games give the player more freedom on how to pursue victory and tailor your country’s military. Much like the original A&A, another problem I have with this game is it starting in roughly 1942. The game strategies are pretty much already laid out for each player. Russia defends, Germany has to decide how to pressure Russia while also supporting North Africa, and Japan has to decide whether to commit against China, go against India/Australia, or push against the US. As far as being a realistic WWII wargame, because of the issue with the combat system that I mentioned earlier, I’d take any WWII wargame that uses a traditional CRT (I.e. Unconditional Surrender, or Axis Empires) over War Room’s combat system.

The music is destroying my existence

I backed the 2nd edition of War Room and I can not wait to play!

Hey Cody! First of all... LOVE the shirt! Having been to the WWII Museum in NOLA, many times... I find it AMAZING! Have you gone to the Civil War Museum, almost across the street? That equally amazing! OK... War Room: Saw the KS... like the concept of A&A... SO... NOT a big enough table presence, but more importantly I'm a solo player, and don't even KNOW five or six people, I could play this game with. You, I'm assuming, have a pretty constant play group so many of these games are no problem for you... be grateful for that! My other concern is that while fighting WWII all over again is and would be fun, I'm a tactical player versus a strategic player. I like my soldiers running around, where I can count them... LOL! I can see where this would be a very fun game, IF you had the people and time to play it. I guess, in terms of getting any game to my table (small as it might be-- a 1950's kitchen table)... I'm finding DVG's Warfighter, "Rifles in the Ardennes/Pacific" and "Combat Infantry: West/East" to be a little more manageable. It would be great to play a game with you some day...

Played this game 7 times with between 4 and 7 players. It's ace, buy it if you can. Larry Harris is also working on a new game called Imperial Borders which promises to be equally good.

Nice review. You've convinced me to back the new kickstarter. I don't know how I missed this the first time around.

This game really needs your kind of review to get as well known as it deserves. Not easy to find in UK! Thank you

Great freakin' review!

Glad I went all in at the KS!

Fine…you convinced me - backing 2nd edition, hope your happy 😏😎

Speaking of good books on WWII, I recommend, "Stopping the Panzers: The Untold Story of D-Day" by Marc Milner. I'm tempted to try War Room, but 9 hours!!! Warm regards, Rick.

OK, I don't have anybody to play with, but I bought it because I love and trust you. :)

wow, quite the endorsement. Thanks for the review.

CODY.. You just blew my mind with this review!!!!

Wow. You sold me.

looks impressive Though it feels chunky and a little saw on eyes ( feel some contrast with less detail or softer colour contrast would help on map and combat board). Some game mechanics intrigue me. And I love the map view it is more friendly for multi player. Sadly time is a factor, gone are the days of Axis and Allies, and attempts to get enough players for Diplomacy.

The price has forever kept this game from my play circle (a wide circle).

Wow so cool

Great review! Gonna have my first physical war room game going next weekend. Can't wait. I'm assuming you have imperial borders on your radar?

What are your thoughts on the Jumbo Pack? Neoprene vs board map? It’s a pricey add-on

Couldn't agree more would say it's my favourite WW2 game set in WW2, but the interwar period is so good something that isn't portrayed so wouldn't be favourite overall WW2. Definitely wipes axis and allies though I think it more balanced, more complex and love the art. Axis and allies is wiped off the map, I only got into axis and allies like 2 years ago and wished I had held off Pacific and Europe 40 for this instead.

Wow Cody. I can't believe I missed this review. I am blown away by this game. I am just not sure if my friends would be. How does it play at lower play counts, say 3-4 players? Also, what's the best way to get a copy of this game if one were intrested?

The order issuing system sounds a lot like diolomacy

Nice review as always. I am a little worried as I have put two years into customizing, painting and magnetizing hundreds of pieces for my Global 1940 game. My bro and I attend the annual Global 1940 Bloodbath (Sireblood's G40 Bloodbath Rules) event and have probably played Global 1940/BBR over 300 times in the past two years. I am concerned because after all that work I am not so inclined to play Axis & Allies any longer. It feels a little flat now and I do not really miss the minis. Axis & Allies will need an evolution via house rules to regain its appeal. Throwing 50 dice at a time used to be fun. Now it seems pointless and anti-climatic. What is fun now is bidding 6 oil to move first and then finding out the enemy has moved into the same space with a bigger force and bid no oil! Then having to decide, does one drag the battle(s) out as long as possible by going on the defensive or go big and try to destroy as much as possible with a likely total loss. The inevitable mis-written commands/orders are also fun but equally frustrating...fog of war. The cost may seem high but I see value in the price given the quality of the game, the variety of components, the box, etc. I suppose if one could get a map printed one could use discs and other components to build a "poor man's" version. Might try a video on this later. Most GMT games (which are pretty high quality and usually just cardboard) are $80 to $90 so ~$250 does not seem that bad. Once can easily drop $250 or more on Global 1940 with some customization or additional purchases. The game time could be an issue for some, agree. We had our 1st 4 player game with 2 new players. 1 hour for set-up and rules. Game time was about 8 hours with additional rule look-ups/etc. With 2 experienced players we get through a game in about four to five hours with a capitulation (usually Axis) typical after turn 4-6. It is an exhausting game, however....mentally. Setup time is no more than Global 1940. 2 experienced players (my bro and I have about 20 games under our belt) can setup G40 in 30 minutes. About the same for War Room. The printed set-up on the War Room commands really helps. Anyhoo....I am with you...if you can afford it, buy it or sell some underplayed games to afford it. It isn't Axis & Allies and one should not go into it thinking that. Erase any preconceptions and try it. My next purchase is the v3 map of Historical Board Gaming 1936-1945. Players say it is the evolution of Axis & Allies Global 1940. I hope it is good as I need something else to play other than War Room! I am also looking forward to Larry's next game on which he is working. Finally, buy a lazy Susan and something on which to place the board (foam board, plywood, etc.). Being able to spin the board around makes moving, battles and strategy discussions so much better. I want a round map and spin-ability with every game now! My 2 cents...Steve

So what WAS your favorite boardgame, prior to War Room! Or is that game still your favorite game that can be played in under three hours? I think we need two categories for "Favorite Boardgame"... 1) Playtime is three hours or more 2) Playtime is under three hours. Anyway, so this is better than 'Empire of the Sun', or 'Unconditional Surrender', huh?

Just got 2nd edition two days ago and already played a 2 player game. This game is absolutely fantastic! Playing the global scenario in a few weeks.

Sounds like it would make a great "convention game", depending on how long it takes new players to be taught the rules.

Those are nice plotting poles! Where can I get some of those? Need them for Axis and Allies Global

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-q2Tp3ndePZk.html If you loved War Room this much, then check out this link for a teaser trailer for Larry Harris's new game, Imperial Borders. Something tells me you will like that one as well.

Its like axis and allies advanced edition as it has everything that is missing from that game and more

So basically hoi4 the board game

Hey cody I was wondering Can you research in this game like in axis and allies

How long "global war" scenario will be played generally? (2nd Ed. is on Kickstarter🤔)

Does anyone know the song at the beginning of the video?

What is the song at the beginning?

Would you say at all player counts the game is fun ? With the smaller maps ?

Just discovered this game just now, where can I buy it?

is coming the second edition... quite interested if they were able to streamline some part of the game and make the play time a bit shorter

WOW

I can't find the song from the intro here: 0:25

I want this.

Would totally get this but the board won't fit on my gaming table.

Tabletop Simulator version would be nice

Fantastic review, and I agree with you. This game is so much fun, I'll probably never play Axis and Allies again. I didn't back the kickstarter because of the price, but I got to playtest it in 2018 and I immediately ordered the game and jumbo pack afterwards. Also, thanks for the laugh from ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Dva1XGGEL8E.html :D

Favourite game of all time?! High praise! COuld you do a best 'shorter wargames of all time'? Maybe for games that are under two hours? Love wargames but the length is just too much. ty

Is this playable with 2 people? Me and my wife love board games but I can't find enough people to play the board games with and it ends up being me and her. I play axis and allies 1940 as that was the best wwii game I could find. After this review I'm guaranteeing a buy for this game.

Hey TDG, did you ever play World in Flames?

Why did you not mention the board game world war 2 world in flames deluxe to me that’s the mother of all games by agd

Cody, any possible way someone could solo this, playing all sides?

You love this game. You've got to try checkers!

I surrendered as soon as I heard that...music? It was hellish! War is hell but that was an affront to the Geneva convention! KRIPES! ") $600 Cdn used? Where's the white flag??? Jack ~'()'~

Looks like an incredible game by looking at this review and BGG ones indeed! I presume below 6 players it looses dynamism right? The price tag is an issue indeed, unless they bring it down to 100-120 they will miss on potential customers. AGOT or TI4 are likely better options just because of the price to fun ratio. If they halve the price it would definitely hit my collection.

Why is the game so expensive?? I thought it was brand-new, yet E-bay copies are going as high as 600!

Not the 2nd edition which just came out.

looks like a flat earth map

😮

A&A on steroids. This looks like a great convention game. Does it play Solitaire? Just joking. Would love to play it but Not enough space, Not enough time, Not enough players available and not enough Capital.

In my book Axis & Allies 2.0 Still American Cold war view of the war but fun to play, kind off important that "fun" part. Other games are better in my book, many and by far. But fun it is and who does not want to have fun while playing?

What about the issues with combat that have not been resolved?

TY for the great review! But this game is not for me: I don't like the plastic units at all / The sessions are much too long / I don't have enough players for it!

I literally just saw this video for the first time...War Room is obviously sold out, my disappointment is immeasurable, and my day ruined.

Don’t play this game with a cat in the house.

Thanks for the review. Nightingale doesn’t have many of the parts right now (staffs). I think that it may be possible to apply the rule set of War room to an axis /allies map with a few modifications. I don’t like the very abstract appearance of war room. The miniatures of axis /allies makes the game more tangible for me. I recommend that nightingale produce some miniatures to go with the game. Those stacks of abstract chips are unattractive

Honestly this just seems kind of like a watered down version of Global war 36 or 39...

The map has no Argentina? Where the nazis will flee to?

Update: Thank you Cody for making me regret that I sold the game 😁 😭

Why is this game £200