As in Borries' previous GMT games, KASSERINE includes some options for defenders, like reaction movement and combat refusal for mechanized units, as well as a "No Retreat" rule where defenders can trade higher casualties for holding their position. Air units, in addition to close suppport, can perform bombardment and interdiction missions. There are two combat tables, mobile and assault, with some flexibility for the attacker in choosing between them, depending on terrain, weather, and participating units; combat results include retreats, disruptions, step losses, and, at extreme odds, total elimination. In a neat bit of chrome, the attacker may take automatic armored losses when combat occurs in a minefield or if the defender has heavy-duty antitank units like the German Tiger tanks and 88-millimeter guns.
     KASSERINE seems pretty balanced. It comes with six scenarios, including two depicting Allied offenses in March and April 1943. But the meat and potatoes are in the campaign game. The Americans are caught flat-footed and must try to preserve as many of their initial units as possible while falling back to form a stronger line of defense, ideally in places like Kasserine Pass that channel movement. Skillful positioning of minefields, strongpoints and artillery is essential. If the Germans can be delayed enough at first, Allied reinforcements and the likelihood of bad weather may well doom the Axis. Conversely, the Germans must strike hard and fast and keep moving, as their victory depends on reaching certain towns and exiting units from the map within a tight timeline. There are many tough decisions for both sides.
     Though KASSERINE appears to have received a very good response overall, there have been some complaints on the Consimworld board that the combat procedure is slow and "fiddly" -- one aggrieved gamer called it "convoluted" -- with too many coordination rolls that collectively don't seem to have that much effect on battles. Becoming familiar with all the modifiers for combat and coordination rolls also takes awhile. As well, some players have questioned the ZOC rules, saying they're either too rigid or too fluid, depending on the situation. A single tank company, for example, can force a stack of three infantry battalions to stop moving, while a lone motorized unit can waltz right between two huge stacks of enemy mechanized units.
     I have a sense Borries had some disagreements with the GMT development team on the final version of KASSERINE, which was delayed for weeks past its expected shipping date; GMT President Gene Billingley had an active roll in development toward the end. Borries has said he's considering modifications to KASSERINE to streamline play, changes that presumably would be used in two projected games designed to mate with KASSERINE to cover the whole Tunisian campaign. For my money, KASSERINE could use a few tweaks -- I think the ZOC rules need some adjusting -- but overall it's an excellent, great-looking game that covers a good topic. It's not for beginners, but neither is it mired in detail. Between the uncertainty of combat and the tough decisions both sides must make, KASSERINE ensures a lot of great action and replayability.

WILDERNESS WAR

     WILDERNESS WAR, a strategic game on the French and Indian War, represents GMT's third foray into card-based battle games, coming on the heels of PATHS OF GLORY and FOR THE PEOPLE. Designed by Volko Ruhnke, WILDERNESS WAR is played on a point-to-point map depicting the northeast American colonies and the southeastern sliver of Canada, running from Virginia in the South to Quebec and Montreal in the North, and from Boston in the East to the Ohio/Great Lakes region in the West. Each turn is six months, beginning in 1755 and running possibly through 1762.
     Graphically, the game offers typical GMT quality: clear, functional counters, well-organized rules, efficient play aids. The oversize counters, which display small soldier icons, include four types: leaders, drilled troops, auxiliaries, and militia. Drilled troops include trained European regulars, provincial troops, and light infantry. Auxillaries, represented by round counters, are Indians, rangers, and the French Coureurs de bois, or "Runners of the woods." Leaders, such as Montcalm for the French and Wolfe for the British, are rated for tactical ability, initiative, and how many units they can command; they're depicted on large rectangular counters that are fitted upright into plastic stands. With those units and the conventional flat ones on the map, the game has a striking look.
     My only gripe (a minor one) is with the map, which uses the same satellite-picture background imagery found in PATHS OF GLORY and FOR THE PEOPLE. I think the game would have benefited from a more period-looking map, although to its credit GMT has developed something along those lines for THIRTY YEARS WAR, an upcoming card-based game.
     The heart of WILDERNESS WAR, of course, is found in the deck of 70 strategy cards. As in the other point-to-point games, each player uses the cards to initiate various actions. "Activations" allow you to move and conduct combat with units, either individually or as part of a force under a leader's command. An alternative is to build stockades and forts, which are crucial for guarding retreat and supply lines in the wilderness and defending along the frontier. As a third option, cards can be played for events, covering everything from bad weather to British Prime Minister William Pitt's decision to commit major resources to North America. Some cards can also be played during the opponent's turn, like an "Ambush" card that lets a defender pounce on an unwary attacker.