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Expansion adds new challenges and opportunities to an already interesting game
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I got this product because it focused on a siege/battle that was a little bit different from the mainstream periods and battles that everyone else wants to refight and make a game about. This game shows that there is always room for fresh narratives and on wars or battles that are often overlooked by mainstream gamers. This game was made by an Italian author on a battle that is probably better known to the Italian community than the English speaking community.
I have printed out and played through this game as I feel that it is the only way to fairly appraise a game. I printed the map on an A3 sheet. That seems to be a good size to play on. The number of counters is fairly low. The number of cards is also not too onerous. Cards can be a problem inP&P. The ones here fit nicely onto an A4 sheet.
I thought that the game played through fairly well. It gave a good feel of a siege during the early 1770's. The card driven events are good. They provide a number of random events that help make the game interesting (sieges can be by their very nature boring if random events aren't catered for). The game seemed to work well.
I do however feel that there are a number of problems with this game that have impacted negatively on the star rating that I have given it:
The map is quite low resolution. It is not very clear. The map needs to be at a higher resolution (but don't make the file size too big - say 55MB should suffice). If this can not easily be done, I suggest redrawing the map to make it clearer.
The playing pieces also seem to be a bit simplistic in their design. They could do with being made looking more attractive and professional. I am OK with playing with counters with Italian names on them as it adds to the flavour. Others may be put off. I think that an English language version of the counters may help you gain a larger audience.
The rules are understandable and are nice and short. I do not think that they are clearly written and I had to re-read them several times to understand what the author's intentions were. Some of this may have been problems in the translation. I do, however, get the impression that the rules could have done with some more editing. There is also a section in the setup referring to green and blue areas of the map. There are green areas but the areas designated as blue do not look blue! Again, better editing and better map production could have solved this confusion.
Overall, I think that this game has potential. It is unfortunately let down by its quality of production. It would have greatly benefited from more editing and graphic design makeover.
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Creator Reply: |
Thank you very much for your review Philip.
I am really happy to understand that you like thr game itself; it is a not common topic and siege games can be difficult to desing and to play.
I thank you for all the suggestions given to improve the product; I am glad that most of them have been introduced in the upgrade of the game Corfù 1716 Juditha Triumphans NEW GRAPHICS. It has a much better map, increased units with silhouettes and better rules. Feel free to contact me to get a copy of this one.
Thank you again for purchaising a Lumaca Games game.
Marco |
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This is a very good PNP game from Lumaca Games. Took me a while since I bought the game (last Oct 2022) to print it out and play it, as I was saving it for when I had total knee replacement surgery on Dec 28.
The rules are in English and are exceptional. Counters and game map are very also very good. This particular battle is one that doesn’t have a lot of games on it. It is about a lone U Boat doing it’s best to sink transports carrying supplies, troops, etc during WW1 thru the lone port of Liguria, Genoa for the Italian Front. The game is for 2 players (one plays the sub and the other plays the Italian forces defending the transports), however, it is very easy to play solo. This one I have played a lot while in the hospital and at home recovering. So far, U-Boat 12 successes, Italians 32 successes in sinking the U Boat. It is not a very long game. 30 to 45 mins.
I know that Lumaca Games are ultra low price and worth it. I have quite a few of Lumaca Games (actually almost all), though not all have been printed out and played as I enjoy seeing how Marco researches his games. Every game I have found is very well researched. And he comes up with his version of how a game should play. Different for sure, but highly interesting. And it is nice seeing how the graphic work progresses in each game brought out.
Well, that is about it. A game on a very untouched subject, nicely laid out, good art, and fantastic set of rules. I would like to see more US publishing companies get with Marco and publish his games. Sort of like what happen with Perry Moore.
Also, do you know what "lumaca" stands for Italian? Hint - look at the logo, yes, "snail".
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Marco knows my feelings on the small games he designs. They are great. Inexpensive, not cheap. Well thought out with some clever game mechanics other game designers need to look at. Stukas ver Malta had me reliving WW2 and showed me why this happened -
*The Governor
Malta
To honour her brave people I award the George Cross to the Island Fortress of Malta to bear witness to a heroism and devotion that will long be famous in history.
George R.I.
April 15th 1942*
Those stukas are deadly in the game and this game joins it sisters in the series. Lumaca Games are translated from Italian, which is fine as it forces me to brush up on my limited ability to speak it. I wish Marco and all the success in the world both personal and designing games.
Alla vostra salute Marco.
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There are not many games on WW2 airwar in the Med, especially Italian aircraft such as the SM79. This product does it's best to change that. And change it with a fun and challeging game. Using cards and solo play, the game literally plays within minutes. And there is always time for one more game after the first one. The colouring and art style of the game of course looks like an Euro automobile - sleek and bright! Some folks may not like this, but I find it is fun (especially since I got my eyes fixed) and adds to the game.
The instructions are on 2 cards. Being translated from Italian to English is a little rough in places, but if one just thinks a little bit on the rule that doesn't make sense, it will come to ya. And of course, one can always send an email to Marco.
When I printed out my game, I did it on heavier paper - 110 weight and then cut out, placing the cards inside card protectors. I don't print the backside unless it is a two sided card.
My rating is a 5 out of 5. È un bel gioco semplice e divertente sul tentativo di distruggere le navi alleate con l'SM 79 e i siluri nel Mediterraneo. :)
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I bought this game as I like how Marco designs his games. He is a prolific small game designer with several big games to his credits. One thing I have noticed is how inexpensive Lumaca Games are. One can collect pretty much every thing.
In this game, one plays the Serb assassins who murdered Archduke Ferdinand and his wife 106 years ago in Sarajevo (June 28th 1914). Sort of morbid, but honestly, what wargame isn't? And honestly, how in the heck did Marco come up with game?
There are no counters, but a game map that one prints out. Using 2D6 that the gamer supplies, one follows the short "turn sequence" until either the Archduke's automobile (a 1910 Gräf & Stift Double Phaeton touring car btw) exits at the end of the game or he is assassinated. Of course, luck followed Gavrilo Princip that day as his two wild shots killed the Archduke and his wife.
As mentioned above, no counters are provided and not needed as the only moving piece is the car and can be represented by a coin (I use an old Buffalo nickel). The coin is moved along the track, the dice is rolled and a table is consulted to see which each assassin does the dirty deed (the game map has the spots where each assassin stood in the crowds along the street.).
To save on printer ink and paper, I put my 8.5"x11" game map in plastic and used a water soluble pen to mark out whatever is needed. A quick erase with a paper towel and the game is ready again to see if history can be changed or not.
I have played the game a lot of times and it does have re-play value. IMHO, this game is recommended to get an idea what went on during that short time span on June 28th 1914.
Please note I entered my review in the wrong section. mea culpa.
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Fun and lots of decisions! This is a surprisingly complex game because there are three ways for the Milanese rebels to win, and so the Austrians have to use three different approaches to stop the Milanese. The map is basic but works, the pieces are fine, the rules are clear, but the main point is that it is very fun and tricky for both sides! The use of action cards for each side adds variation like dice would. Nice approach. Many meaningful decisions in this game- Definitely worth the discount price :-)
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Creator Reply: |
Thank you John for getting the deep meaning and opportunities this game offers to the players.
Even if a quite obscure topic, we are really happy that it is so enjoying and challenging!
Take care and thank you once more.
Marco & Lucrezia @ Lumaca Games |
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Originally bought this game on the strength of a couple other Lumaca games I have that I enjoy (and for 2 bucks it's hard to go wrong!). I have found it to be a fun little diversion. Simple, quick to play, engaging the imagination, it provides a fun narrative with the Stuka subject being great chrome. I look forward to the promised expansion; I want to do some East Front tank-busting!
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Creator Reply: |
Thank you Frederick for your great feedback!
Marco & Lucrezia @ Lumaca Games |
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this game is actually very good. I have it and it's companion game "Attacco a Suda', (Italian small craft attack on the Brits at Suda Bay, Crete, 26 march 1941.) This game concerns the ill-fated Italian attack on Malta by the Xª Flottiglia MAS on 25 and 26 July 1941. Xª Flottiglia MAS is considered the world's greatest underwater commando group ever assembled (these folks were tougher than the US Navy Seals of today. FYI - the Seals came from the USN UDT's which were formed after the USN found out about Xª Flottiglia MAS).
the game
The print out was a little difficult, because US paper sizes are very different from European sizes. I had to go from European paper size to US by blowing up and shrinking the game and finally use 11"x17" to get the size of game map that I wanted. No big deal.
Once I had everthing printed out, then read the rules a couple of times and thank goodness I am learning Italian (thanks to Marco who has become a good friend), as I found a "portafortuna", or as known in English, a lucky charm, LOL!!!
I like this idea in Lumaca Games. And to be honest, the Xª Flottiglia MAS should have had 5 or 6 of these on those two fateful days. The game has search lights and a very good early warning detection for the British in the game that unfortunately got me. I have played the game 21 times and only won 5. Out of the 5 games won, 3 were because of the portafortuna. It is tough. But rightfully as it should be.
la fine della recensione
The cost of the game is very resonable, VERY. It really isn't a very big download or prints out big, but I like my games HUGE (so I can see them), that's why I fiddled with the sizes. The game is not perfect, but there are NO perfect games. The game has a lot of very interesting ideas and concepts. For example, how Marco made the British searhlightes work in the game especially with the timing of the different areas.
It's a keeper and if you only play it a few times, it can be a real eye opener towards the Italian underwater commandos - Xª Flottiglia MAS was tough.
Thanks Marco for a very nice series of games.
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Creator Reply: |
Thank you Ashley so much for your review and your suggestions! We are happy that you are enjoying our games!
Marco & Lucrezia @ Lumaca Games |
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SM79 Damned Hunchback is a card game of low complexity. There are only a few rules to learn, and you can be playing a game in minutes of reading them. A game/mission takes a minute or two to complete, but the game is additctive. You will want to start another game/mission to try and get that torpedo hit after the last mission missed its target.
You're at the mercy of the shuffle of the deck, but knowing when to release the torpedo is key. You are not always gaurenteed a hit even when you make it to the target.I could see playing this game and tracking a group of aircraft attacking a target and seeing how many hits are scored.
The rules could use some clarity being that there are only a few rules. The cursive text on the "Damages" card is a bit hard to read for my eye sight. I could see combining the "Distance" and "Damages" cards into a single card and using a couple of tokens to track the respected values, but the two cards as is allows you to have a tokenless game to play.
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Creator Reply: |
Dear William,
Thank you for your review which hits perfectly the aim of the game. Glad you enjoy it’s replyability!
Marco & Lucrezia @ Lumaca Games |
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