1949: Germany, still in ruins from WWII, is split in two, as the Iron Curtain of the Cold War descends. East Germany and West Germany become bitter rivals, each wanting to show its system is superior. Which will reconstruct quicker? Which will make its people happier? Socialism vs Capitalism; collectivism vs individualism - which will triumph?
Wir sind das Volk! ("We are the people!" — the main slogan of the East German demonstrators in 1989) recreates the history of the divided Germany, from the Berlin Airlift to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Flowing from how the 84 individually designed action cards are played, each game is different. There are many possible strategies. Will East Germany build the Wall or stem the exodus of its citizens another way?
East vs West: as a player, you take the role of East or West Germany. Use your action cards wisely. Build up your economy and increase the living standards of your people. Don’t fall behind, or you will face widespread unrest. Also win the contest for international prestige. Precise planning is the key to victory. But be careful! Even the best plans may be derailed by events like the 1973 Oil Crisis or the Monday demos. Mass protests, that may seal your fate, are always on the horizon.
Images
- One of the most unique games played
- Takes players to interesting places
- Intense economic and strategic gameplay
- A bear to get through
- Requires relearning after time away
- Economic warfare, cutting off supply lines
- East Germany vs. West Germany (Cold War)
- Twilight Struggle
- Flashpoint: South China Sea
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — car driven area control
- card-driven — Just like Twilight Struggle and that kind of style of game.
- Economic warfare — you're trying to sort of economically choke out the other side
- Multi-Use Cards — and multi-use cards and all these kinds of things
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- these are my favorite games these may not be like the best quality games in some cases
- it's a really really cool mechanic and then it has all the fun scoring stuff of the original Seven Wonders game
- it's a two-player game two-player game only there's not really anything else to talk about player count wise with this one
- it's just a really cool tight experience great production all this stuff
- there's been tons tons of stuff for it and it has been like six starter sets and then all this little like packs of uh you know different War bands and stuff that you can buy
- yes that bugs me I really like the game that really bugs me
- artistically graphic design wise is my favorite just because there is just a lot going on on this game
- I just prefer it mechanically just that much better
- galors and venos bear like a nice perfect marriage of theme and mechanics
- and gosh if it ain't thematic I'm telling you it's thematic