'General D'armee' seems to tick all our boxes: unit & army size, Napoleonic tactics, relatively quick & decisive games &, not least, a load of fun.
Our trial game was the scenario from the rule book but with Confederation of the Rhine forces opposing the Russian army.
The battlefield:
We managed to run about 9 turns (out of a possible 16) in under 4 hours. I was the only one who'd read the rules & there was much leisurely explaining & discussing. With a little experience (next game!) I think the whole battle in 3 hours is realistic.
The game relies on your ability to plan & lead your small soldiers. Things don't always work out as you'd want them:
Just before a potentially game-winning charge, my C-o-tR cavalry brigade became hesitant & refused to move forwards.
Turn flanks, screen your advance, seize strong points & terrain features - it's a challenge.
Whilst the Russian cavalry seized the centre of the battlefield:
Certainly just as exciting as the actual shooting & melee was manoeuvre: both sides jockied for position.
Although units exist as battalions etc, the key element is the brigade: with all its components. Here is a Bavarian-Wurtemberger brigade with line infantry in columns, skirmishers to the fore & the brigade commander & ADCs controlling everything.
And a Westphalian-Polish brigade as well.
Difficulty in in the variety. Units are graded according to size & training. Large but poorly trained Russian Opolchenie must be handled appropriately in order to function constructively:
Although the game wasn't finished, The Russian artillery held the high ground & looked formidable:
I felt the rule book is lucid, the supporting You Tuibe videos useful but even after one game, I think the intuitive nature of the rules means you are gaming confidently.
donald
