"Rise and Decline of the Third Reich" is a realistic wargame simulation of the strategic situation as it existed in Europe during WWII. It features 6 wargames in 1; a campaign game of 24 turns which runs from the invasion of Poland to Germany's final defeat or victory, an advanced game providing additional complexity, a multi-player version (in which even the Italian player can be the winner), and three 12-turn scenarios which allow you to play faster games. Third Reich is not for the faint of heart or the beginner simulation gamer. For 2 to 6 players. 560 counters which includes 1 blank one
Rise and Decline of the Third Reich is a classic Strategic level board-wargame covering the European theater of WWII. The game is huge in scope. Players take on the roles of all of the major national powers and can simulate the entire war effort from 1939 until the end (often isn't until 1946). This game is a favorite of many because of an excellent balance between politics and military might, and it gives players a chance to try things that did not happen historically to see if they might have worked better (e.g., Germany invading Spain). This wargame is definitely not for the novice gamer. The rules are intricate, and there are many factors for players to deal with: resources, unit production, negotiation, and, of course, strategic warfare.
Avalon Hill Complexity rating - 10
- Opened the host's mind to country-level gaming
- Fascinating hypothetical possibilities
- Great time playing it
- Hefty rulebook
- Complex concepts
- Took a while to dig into
- Host is not sure they ever played it correctly
- Grand strategy World War II
- The entire European theater of combat for World War II
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- economic simulation — Involves managing resource points and building up units and types.
- grand strategy — Models the entire European theater of WWII, with players taking the role of nations.
- What-if scenarios — Allows for exploration of hypothetical and alternate WWII histories.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- So it felt like no matter how many times I played this game, every single time it was different.
- I think it captured operational level combat in a way that the other options in that period of time thinking about things like Africa France 1940 that I just didn't quite gravitate towards from a play level as I did with this one.
- So, it is easy and far away the number one game on my list of top 10 Avalon Hill war games.
- But first up, let me introduce the game to you. Midway Naval Air Battle Game.
- For for what it does, I think it captures that whole cat and mouse and strike first or be struck nature of naval warfare.
- But that whole idea of that being the first war game that I got, I remember think that you could have history in a box like this.
- I mean, paper time machines, right, is the the famous quote is what these are. That hit me so strong the moment I opened this box up and it's why I still play, right? Because it's history in a box.