Austerlitz 20 2009

With the Danube campaign over and the Austrian capital of Vienna occupied by French troops, Napoleon requires a decisive battlefield victory to secure his gains. At the end of a long line of communication back to Paris, the Grande Armée feigns weakness in the cold and fog of an early December morning in 1805. Now Austerlitz 20 presents the story of desperation and destiny as three Emperors clash to resolve the fate of Europe. With its myriad scenarios and variations, students of history can explore a plethora of "What if?" possibilities as Allied greatness clashes with French glory at the dawn of the "Sun of Austerlitz."

This game features only modest complexity and a focused scope employing low unit density on the map (20 pieces or less) and dramatic, fast playing turns. It is the addition of ‘story-driven’ random event cards and night game turns that provide the operational pauses and "friction of war" that give players a great feel for the parry-and-thrust of a Napoleonic grand battle as the armies close to bayonet-point to see which will break first!

Complexity: 4 on a 9 scale Solitaire Suitability: 6 on a 9 scale Scale: Each unit is 1 corps or division, each hex is about 800 meters, and each turn is roughly 3 daylight hours (or 10 night hours).

2009 Charles S. Roberts(CSR) Award Nominee for Best Desktop Published/Print and Play