CRY HAVOC
encompasses a series of games that simulate man-to-man,
tactical combats in various historical times: > 9th & 10th Century (VIKING
RAIDERS) > 12th Century (OUTREMER) > Western 13th
Century (CRY HAVOC,
SIEGE) > Japanese 13th
Century
(SAMURAI) > or in
heroic-fantasy times (DARK
BLADES, DRAGON NOIR)
The Maps
These large maps (40 x 60 cm) use the principle of Squad
Leader and can be combined to create multiple terrains.
Colors are always warm, even though a few players got bored
over time with this yellowish land that spread everywhere.
All maps are hand drawn, with a luxury of details. The grid
is made of large hexes (2 cm wide) and hand drawn as well,
which leads to a few irregularities when assembling several
maps. You can argue that this is the very reason why we love
this game!
The Counters
They
are the key success factor of the series: they look
gorgeous, colorful (due to excellent designers like Gary
Chalk or Peter Dennis) and are all different. The system of
decreasing values was a true innovation back in 1982. It was
then imitated but never surpassed in my honest opinion. The
texts below are a translation of the excellent review from Patrick Giacomini
that was published in Casus Belli N°23
back in
1984.
First Counter
> Face:
Sir Conrad, a brave knight (or a baron) looks superb and is
ready to fight.
> Reverse:
Flip the counter that occupies 2 hexes. This side shows the
horse alone. Sir Conrad had to leave for a bio break.
Second Counter
> Face:
He is a victim of his own passion and gets wounded (note the
broken lance and the teared garments).
> Reverse:
Lucky (crossbow) strike: his horse is killed. Reverse the
counter and use the other dismounted knight counter next to
fallen animal.
Third Counter
> Face:
Sir Conrad has left his horse and rushes against the enemy.
> Reverse
Unfortunately, a violent strike leave him stunned. His armor
prevented him from being more badly injured.
Fourth Counter
> Face:
Bad luck this time: He is wounded.
> Reverse:
End of the story: His heirs will inherit a superb castle.