I found a copy of this new in shrink at a garage sale for $5 a month ago. I'm still buzzing about it!

The rules and mechanics are absolutely brilliant! It's easy to transpose the rules and mechanics to other settings, and I've used these beyond the second world war to play homemade scenarios in RPGs - in a fantasy world (where dragons flew sorties), and in a western setting. It's an endless sandbox of fun.

Bought this game in 2014. Played the small scenario "Poland Invasion". Got frightened... Every once in a while, I open the box, read the rules, setup the game, play a few rounds and then have to put it back in the box. I really need a game room.

Thank you for cutting in footage of the game/components while you are talking about the game!

I think you captured exactly what Sal Vasta did that makes me find this game so appealing. [Bias note: I helped him playtest it.] The interesting strategic decisions, the smooth (but not trivial) air and naval systems, and the land combat and maneuvering. I’m still playing it. A couple notes on Unconditional Surrender: Western Campaigns (USWC): the map scale is the same. One of the goals was to allow people who have limited physical space but want to set up a physical copy to be able to play the scenarios. We also took the opportunity to refine the scenarios, which you’ll see already reflected in the USE living rules & playbook. USWC will have a couple new scenarios as well, all using units already present in USE.

Desperately waiting for the new printing. Even if I only play it once it will have been worth owning it

Great video, as always. I'm hoping that this extra publicity will help to speed up the 4th reprint!

Latest printing currently in "Art and Final Development" stage (8/12/24).

I know this review is a bit old but you guys nailed it. I agree verbatim with everything you said. I don't see this system working in a Pacific version though for a variety of reasons. So happy I picked this one up recently

What a joy to see this! You guys were why I took the plunge in 2017 to order the 2nd printing of USE from GMT, my 1st war game in 25 years & my first direct order from a publisher. I figured if I was only going to get one game I’d get the one that did it all in Europe. Grant, I think you were very skillful & lucky: I played the Barbarossa-only scenario as Soviets against two different friends and we called both games after 10-12 hours in favor of Soviets. Maybe the scenario is more restrictive (no bringing DAK to East front)? If you ever play that one, please post about it on your blog, I’d be interested to hear your results. Also: was this game the site of the infamous Italian navy fiasco? I don’t believe you said. Thanks for the two player review, guys, and good luck on the p500 board.

picked this up after gimpy gamer mentioned it. a brilliant sandbox

Great game, my favorite for this scale.

Hey guys you mentioned not knowing the status of the western game version, it has made the P500 cut. So it’s on the way.

Excellent video - and timely too, as I'm just about to pick up a 2nd hand copy. Have you tried the Unconditional Surrender implementation on boardgamearena? It's pretty bloomin' good and right up there with the Rally The Troops stuff. I just plunged right in without too much knowledge of the rules and managed to play through a couple of small scenarios no bother. I'm almost ready to seek out a live, human opponent - even though I know I'll get my ass handed to me!!

I am far from a expert gamer, but this game is really playable (although long for sure). There are a lot exceptions though (it seemed to me anyway maybe normal for war games) and the Naval supply was a little confusing, but Sal Vasta on BGG is great helping with the rules.

I appreciate what the designer tried to do in this game: Making a simpler grand strategic game by only having 1 combat system and low counter density. Also, making combat a part of movement is a good idea and the sortie system for air is nice. However... in the end, I don't think USE achieves the goal. Yes, there's only 1 CRT, but it's used in several different ways, so it's still not one combat system. ... and the game still takes, what?... 50 hours to play. Combined with that the first part of the game is utterly boring for the Allied side, I just soured on this ... a lot. I know World-in-Flames take 200h to play and has a rulebook twice as long. But I'd much rather have fun for 200h, than not for 50h. Recently I've been looking into "Blitz! A world in conflict" and I actually think this game manages to achieve what USE promised. A short, low-counter density, grand strategic WWII game with only a single combat system. And it takes

Liked the review, but still undecided on whether to take the plunge. like the idea of a large map and not many counters, just a case of space to play game. Looking at the Western Campaigns on P500, I will have room to play that one. Thanks for the review.

I want to learn this game, but feel intimidated by the rules...but a definite buy once it's available in Europe again

GMT Games is reprinting it, so act fast BC it may be a while until we see another version! I've been waiting a year so far and can't Wait!

⁠ until all factions are active, the 3rd player doesn’t have much to do when playing the full campaign.

Thank you for the review! Looks a great game but grand strategy isn't one of my favourite scales at the moment.

13:25 I think "convoluted" may have been the word you were sortying for...

🎉wonderful gsmec

HI Grant and Alex, this was good as I have the game, but have not opened it. I am on the P500 for the mounted board and new scenarios. Do you have an estimate of how long the shortest scenario would be? Thanks,

Saw it was also on BGA, anyone tried that. I cut my teeth on AH Rise and Decline of 3R, how does it compare.

The ONLY thing I hate about this game is that wonky map projection used... or whatever it is. If I buy this, I will have to make my own map to play on.

I do not like this as a 3-player game. Love it at 2.

ummm, how come you guys never show the board? or any units opr markers? etc??!!

FIRST!