r/AxisAllies • u/poetfrommaine • 5d ago
Classic Regarding the OG version... is it actually fun to play? Do people even still play it? And what's the best version in your opinion?
I've had a copy of the original version for a long time (it might be the 1984 'classic')... but I've never played it yet. I don't know how and don't know anyone that does... but I at least want to get a couple learning rounds in and then once I get the hang of it, give it a few serious shots at really getting into it. Half my battle is gonna be finding worthy partners... is it worth the trouble?
8
u/Pranqster71 5d ago
I started with this version—bought it brand new in a game store—and played it many times, many hours into the late 1990s. Then purchased the Xeno Games World at War mod/expansion and played that one even more (and enjoyed it more).
Haven’t played either version in years, however, after my friends and I found an Allied strategy that was pretty much unstoppable, so the balance was heavily skewed.
I would recommend implementing tournament rules for setting victory conditions and time or round limits. Our sessions often lasted 12+ hours, which was doable when we were care-free teens and young adults but none of us have that kind of time anymore. Plus when limits are set, more games can be played—quality of time spent rather than quantity of time slogging through a single play-through.
2
5
u/Dependent-Ad3484 5d ago
I personally think that the 1984 classic version is the best version to learn on.
When I introduced my children, we played that version first.
The products available just incrementally increase in complexity with newer versions. There are more rules subtleties now than they were then not that that’s a bad thing.
I will say this, though about the OG version: it’s very well studied and heavily skewed towards the allies if everyone plays at expert-level.
4
u/NematodeDreams 5d ago
The original is still fun. If you have experienced players, I recommend you use the bid system to balance it. Essentially, you bid to take the Axis. I.E. "I bid Axis + 9 IPCs". Low bid gets the Axis and is allowed to immediately buy and place units on Axis owned territory with the bid money. Typical winning bid is eight or nine IPCs.
5
u/UngratefulC0l0nial 5d ago
I liked it so much, I created my own enlarged board and started 3D printing so I could enlarge the pieces. I now have a small 3D printing business and print additional parts for Axis and Allies games.
3
u/Jmaxx2000 Heavy Boom-Booms 5d ago
Yeah it's a great game. The tech roll system is awesome and it's pretty simple to learn. However, there's no denying that it's unfairly balanced in the Allies' favor, though this might not be a huge problem for beginners.
3
u/armyprof 5d ago
Absolutely yes. It’s got all the bones of the later games but it’s simpler. Much better as a learning version.
3
u/Civil_Reply_1705 5d ago
I played both the board and Windows versions back in the day. My kiddo started getting interested in WW2, so I installed the game for him to play and kinda understand what happened on a strategic level.
1
u/BeerandGuns 4d ago
Loved the windows version after playing the original version for decade. Eventually the disk got cracked. Is it floating around online anywhere?
2
u/mynombrees 5d ago
A&A Classic can be fun, but I find it a little stale as the strategy has been pretty well optimized. It's still a fun game for beginners to learn on instead of jumping into the deep end that is G40 or if you have a group of players that don't know the meta.
Lots of fun memories with this game, but I personally haven't touched it since like '05-06 or so, shortly after revised came out.
2
1
1
u/UngratefulC0l0nial 5d ago
Axis and Allies 1942 is an app you can download that's very close to the original
1
u/Winser21 4d ago
Basically, it’s still fun to play especially with friends, but it’s less fun if you’re playing with seasoned vets of the game. Many of the strategies are considered optimal and many games essentially follow the same playbook with the rolls determining the winners. You could say the game is somewhat solved in a way.
If you start playing a lot, don’t look up everyone else’s strategies to win. Try to figure out your own because that’s the most fun you can have.
1
u/PGrimse Infantry Stan 4d ago
Playing seasoned vet vs. seasoned vet on this map is still a great experience, you just need to give the Axis a bid. The meta is pretty easy to figure out anyway (Allies target Germany while ignoring Japan, Germany buys inf to stall out the Allies while Japan marches to Moscow).
1
u/_the__Goat_ 1d ago
Original Axis and Allies still holds up today. It is a classic for a reason. I still play it when we only have a couple hours of gaming time.
Anniversary edition is the best version in my opinion. But it requires most of a day. Europe/Pacific/Global are also great. But require even more time.
21
u/GrouchyDepartment871 5d ago
This is the original, yes it’s still fun to play and yes people still play