Axis vs. Allies (US, UK, Russia vs. Germany & Japan). In my opinion the side playing the Axis has a tougher time of it in the long haul (hint: Germany must consolidate and defend before branching out), but if they can hold off Russia, and prevent arial attacks from the UK then they'll survive. It's always interesting to see what happens, and each game is different. Each side earns income from their territories, and must build land, sea, and air forces accordingly. As in Risk, the dice determine outcomes of battles, but the rules in Axis & Allies are more flexible with regards to where the forces can and can't go, and the numbers involved. It's more complex and interesting than Risk, and demands more thinking and tactical skill.

Six hours is probably a good "average" time-span for this game, although I remember keeping the board out overnight on more than one occassion praying the dogs wouldn't knock the pieces over! There should be ways to get extra pieces for this game . . . maybe there are now. All in all, I recommend Axis & Allies for learning geography, basic history of WWII, and improving chess related skills in tactics and strategy. Once you read the instructions and play the first time, the game is easy to figure out. And, as in life, the dice (i.e. the Fates, the Gods, Luck, Chance, the unpredictable whatever you want to call it) keeps each day (i.e. game) interesting and unique. Who knows, you just might re-determine the outcome of WWII! As a correllative, check out the "What If?" book series edited by Robert Cowley. There are fascinating essays by reknowned historians on such subjects as "What would happen if D-Day failed?," or "What if Hitler won the war?".

Have fun - may the dice be with you!

Good game, but get the new revised one (or wait for it) (Rating: 0.00)
Review : A&A is a great game, and lots of fun. There are some balance issues between sides, and too many strategies that are a istorical, but optimal.

Hasbro is introducing a Revised version and it will fix many of these problems with 20 years of play experience to guide them.

So don't get this, get the Revised edition.

axis and allies (Rating: 0.00)
Review : I have played this game many many times, with another gamer who loves the game and by myself. Somehow the countries, pieces, and luck of the dice with some intelligence of the gamer comes into play in a balance that leads to many unpredictable outcomes on the turn of a die and the expense of an IPC. I've had a lot of fun playing this game. Sure, it is complicated. Sure, it takes a long time to play (you don't have to play it all in one sitting, think of chess). But after hundreds of games, and sure some games are repeats due to common strategy and the odds on the dice, I am still amazed at the games ability to surprise me. It makes me wonder if WWII might not have very well turned out very differently indeed.
tim mcgraw

one of the best board games I've ever played (Rating: 0.00)
Review : Axis and Allies is probably the best strategy board game I've ever played. I'd play it over Risk and Stratego anyday. Although the game if well played can take over 6 hours, I still enjoy every bit of it. It forces you to look ahead into the future and anticipate the enemy's moves. When you want to attack, the battle board organizes the pieces into a controllable force and the attack into a step by step sequence. Nothing is more inspiring than building up a giant invasion force for 5 turns then unleashing it on an enemy capitol in hopes of conquering it and taking thier money too! Unfortunately, it's most fun with the maximum 5 players but 3 and 4 will do if u can't get 5 people together. In all I'd say that A&A can save u many boring rainy days. ****(for those of you who are thinking about buying this game,i recommend you buy the revised edition with new country specific pieces, new game board and rules. this older version is good too but hey it's up to you and fun either way!)****