Community

OK, so I've been trying to decide if I should buy Pacific 1940, and so I've been reading through threads here gathering information. At this point, I'm almost more confused than before I started reading, so I've created this thread to help myself, and others, make up their minds.

Right, so I'm an avid A&A fan, but lately I've found myself losing respect for AH. I'm frustrated by their repeated redesigning of A&A (Revised was awesome, but then there was the Anniversary Edition, and then there was 1942 for some reason), the very bad word-of-mouth I've gotten on 1942, and the fact that there seems to be basically no information on Pacific 1940 on the site when the earlier games got plenty of articles detailing the development process and how the map would play... I grew sort of tired of the whole spectacle.

Then I heard of Pacific 1940, and thought, "oh, right, so they're remaking those, too". But when I started reading the description I was cautiously intrigued. After that, as I've said, I've just been confused.

Against buying:
 - Posts on the forums about how there's pieces missing, a battle board with insufficient information, etc. (even though letters to customer support means they'll send the missing stuff).
  - Rumour saying Anniversary Edition, which received great feedback and sadly went out of print before I got to buy it, will see a reprint.
 - The fact that while I didn't own the original A&A before buying Revised, I already own A&A Pacific, and so I don't know if I want to spend money on an expensive "deluxe edition". I also own pretty much every other A&A game (Europe, Pacific, D-Day, Revised), so I'm starting to feel I've got enough or too many as I do :P .

For buying:
 - Huge map.
 - Ability to piece the game together with the Europe edition (who hasn't looked at the two maps and pondered the possibility of doing this?).
 - New playing pieces and rules.
 - Rumour that the Anniversary Edition will not get a reprint after all.
 - Good rating on Boardgamegeek.

So two questions, basically - firstly, am I right when I guess this is not a limited edition game, but something I can put off buying while I make up my mind? Secondly, and more importantly - how is it? I loved the rules of A&A Revised (such as the nation-specific advantages), and I love the prospect of national goals, though I'm a bit unsure as to how the politics stuff will work out. And it looks like a very fun and polished game, despite its shortcomings. So what is your experience (pros, cons, overall fun) playing this? Is it worth the investment?

Jan 30, 2010 -- 4:18AM, AH_drt wrote:

I'd buy it if it is available.
I figure it will go out of print just as the anniversary edition did. No company will be carrying huge stocks of any game while the economy is what it is.
The closer we get to Europe 40 the harder it will be to find this game.
I look at the "40" games as a solution to avoiding reprinting the Anniversary edition.
The original is always a great game to me anyway. I have three copies as I love the minis and hate poker chips. Plus, yah gotta love the styrofoam trays.
Wizards are great about replacing missing pieces once you can notify them. This took me a while as this board is still beta.
God luck with your choice. 

I skipped buying the 1942 versions and the 50th (three friends have that game).

AAP:1940 is a blast to play.  There are a lot of folks who have posted 3 turn wins for **** (only to be shown their rule mistake).  It's a nicely balanced game.  The rules on when the allies can attack are confusing (the errata helps).  I think not having the gray plastic pieces is better (now only the units stand out).

AAE:1940 - I agree that Pacific 1940 will be in real short supply after the Europe version comes out.  Right now I would suggest selling your 50th copy and taking that money to buy the 1940 versions.

Thanks for all the feedback so far, I'm leaning towards getting the game now, when I have the money. 1000 crowns is a lot for a board game.

1942 should have never been released INHO and only harmed A&A.  It was not meant to be on par with AA50 or others, but more of an introductory A&A to sell in the big box stores at a marketbale price.

Not only that, but it was obsolete - they had the excellent Revised edition, if they wanted a new version they should just have repackaged that and basically released a "Revised Revised Edition" with some new rules, some balancing and whatnot based on player feedback from Revised, and the fabled Cruiser piece.

WoTC has stated AA50 will be reprinted, but frankly I think this is lip service.  IMHO AA50 would directly compete with AAP40 and AAE40 at half the retail price.

Besides form the fact that I'm a 24 year old student with not too much money to spare, this is what's holding me back - the ambiguity of AA50's re-release. I will most likely buy the game after the feedback I've gotten here, though.

That was funny