Tide of Iron

Infobox Game
title = Tide of Iron
subtitle =
image_link =
image_caption =
designer = Christian T. Petersen Corey Konieczka John Goodenough
illustrator =
publisher = Fantasy Flight Games
players = 2–4
ages = 12 and up
setup_time = 15-30 minutes
playing_time = 1-4+ hours (Scenario Dependent)
complexity = Medium
strategy = High
random_chance = Medium (dice rolling, luck)
skills =
footnotes =
bggid = 22825
bggxrefs =

"Tide of Iron" is a wargame designed and published by Fantasy Flight Games, also notable for publishing other large games containing a large number of counters and/or other components such as "" and "Arkham Horror".

Overview

"Tide of Iron" focuses on German and American forces in Western Europe during 1944 and 1945. Players take the role of division commanders, and play through a pre-designed or original scenario. The game takes place on imprinted cardboard map tiles, using cardboard markers of various types and plastic models for representing the various military units used in gameplay.

Game scenarios are given a title, descriptive write-up, player objectives, and force setup information. Scenario details provide further information about the scenario, including information on the number of rounds to be played for that scenario. Victory is determined by meeting, or preventing, the objectives from being accomplished. Strategy cards are used by players to influence the ebb and flow of battle.

The game comes with over 200 plastic figures, which are snapped into bases to form units for play. The plastic figures are well detailed and include clearly distinguishable tanks like the American Sherman, the German Panzer IV and Tiger.Other components include markers for terrain, the terrain boards themselves, and unit tokens. An extensive rulebook [cite web | url=http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/PDF/toirules.pdf | title=Rules of Play | publisher=Fantasy Flight Games | accessdate=2007-10-23] lends credence to reviewers' Medium complexity rating.cite web | url=http://www.gamesquad.com/index.php?option=com_articles&id=8&aid=171 | title=Tide of Iron | last=Baker | first=Tracy| publisher=Gamesquad.com| date=2007-06-01]

Reception

The game has met with positive reviews, with reviewers often remarking on the customizablecite web | url=http://www.gameshark.com/features/340/p_10/Cracked-LCD-13-Tide-of-Iron-Review.htm | title=Cracked LCD 1.3: Tide of Iron Review | last=Barnes | first=Michael| publisher=GameShark.com| date=2007-07-26] , open-ended nature of the game through its scenario system. Reviewers did note that the generic nature of the units and the uneven nature of some scenarios were minor detractions from the game. It was also one of seven games listed by "Fortune Small Business" as being worthy of putting the Xbox down to play. [cite web | url=http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/fsb/0710/gallery.board_games.fsb/7.html | title=Give the Xbox a rest | last=Stewart | first= Brandi| date=2007|publisher=Fortune Small Business]

From a wargamer's perspective, this game has rules covering opportunity fire, overrun and suppressive fire by mortars to appeal to those wanting some realism.

The game was a nominee for the 2007 "Editor's Choice Award" [cite web | url=http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2007/12/15/11548#more-11548 | title=2007 Editor’s Choice Award nominees | last=Belado | first=Zac| date=2007-12-15| publisher=Tabletop Gaming News] on Tabletop Gaming News.

Expansions

"Tide of Iron: Days of the Fox" is the first expansion for the game. [cite web | url=http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/tideofiron_td02.html | title=Tide of Iron: Days of the Fox| publisher=Fantasy Flight Games] The North African Campaign is introduced in this expansion, along with the British Army. Recently, Fantasy Flight Games has announced Tide of Iron: Designer Series Volume 1. [cite web | url=http://fantasyflightgames.com/productsrelease.html | title=Tide of Iron: Designer Series Volume 1| publisher=Fantasy Flight Games] This expansion (book) will be a collection of scenarios for the game created by numerous game designers. It is scheduled for release in late 2008.On the August 5 Fantasy Flight announced the next expansionpack on their website. The Normandy: Operation Overlord Expansion. It is scheduled for release Fall 2008.

References

External links

* [http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/tideofiron.html "Tide of Iron"] official homepage
*bgg|22825|"Tide of Iron"