War in Europe (game) - Scenarios

Scenarios

War in the West includes a four-turn introductory scenario on Poland 1939, as well as scenarios for France 1940, North Africa 1942 (from Gazala to Tunis), Italy 1943, and France 1944. "War in the East" includes a scenario for each of the years 1941, 1942, 1943, and 1944. The complete "War in Europe" contains a single scenario for the fall of Germany, beginning in December 1944 with the Battle of the Bulge. The full game can be played by two or three players (the Soviets have separate victory conditions, based on control of territorial objectives, from the Western Allies), but is also playable solitaire.

For many World War II wargamers, this became the ultimate World War II wargame, even if it was not possible to complete all that many games. Nearly two decades later, Decision Games published a computer version by Greg Ploussios which recreated the game, which is still played by email between enthusiasts. The main limit to the computer game is that there is no computer opponent, so it must be played by two or more human players. Decision Games republished the monster in 1999, with additional optional rules (including Western Allied production) and counters (e.g. US Marines) and significantly upgraded map graphics. Decision Games is planning on again re-publishing this game, and stating they will add counters and new optional rules. A new computer game version of the War in Europe, redesigned to fit more advanced versions of Windows, appeared early in 2009.

An extension kit called the "First World War Module" was produced in the 1970s, containing rules and counters (mostly headquarter units with divisions being kept track of as abstract points), and instructions on how to amend the "War in Europe" maps (not included in the module) to simulate the First World War. Players are required to keep track of combat losses, which affect a country's morale and industrial ability, both of which will eventually, when a critical point is reached, reduce a nation's ability to withstand combat without retreating. This game has been out of print for many years and is now a rare collectors' item.