Fields of Fire (Deluxe Edition)
Anecdote
A singular work by Ben Hull for GMT Games, Fields of Fire offers a solo experience in which the player commands an American infantry company of the 9th Division during the campaigns in Normandy, the Hürtgen Forest, Belgium, and Korea. The system combines modular terrain cards, leadership management, enemy fog of war, and dice-roll resolution. A mission lasts approximately two to four hours and replayability is sustained by around twenty scenarios spanning several theatres. The learning curve is demanding, as the title is renowned for the depth of its rules. Hull drew on American field manuals and the combat accounts of the 9th Division to build an impressively faithful simulation. GMT's production is understated but solidly crafted, with terrain cards and a very rich mission booklet. Fields of Fire was praised as one of the most profound solo wargames ever produced. Its critical reception was excellent, earning several major awards in the solo category. A revised second edition and a Volume II expanded the series. The title's influence can be seen in the recent wave of solo wargames with original mechanics, such as Conflict of Heroes Solo. The community is very active but reserved for veteran solo players, feeding BGG and Vassal with campaign narratives. No French translation exists, but the material remains accessible to experienced French speakers. For enthusiasts of deep solo wargaming, it is an irreplaceable experience. The title embodies the new wave of solo wargames that reconcile simulation with demanding gameplay. Hull confirms with this system his status as an ambitious and original designer. It is also an object of study for those who wish to understand the evolution of the solo genre in the 2000s.
Popularity & reception
Distinctions — Charles S. Roberts Award - Best Solitaire Boardgame (2008) · Golden Geek - Best Solo Board Game nomination (2008)
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