Overall a great basic upgrade anyone can enjoy. I would've preferred the maritime borders to be more noticeable, especially the Africa to Middle East ones, but its a minor hindrance that it's not that big of a deal.
The game is best with a large group. Card Scale progression is decent that prevents stalling tactics and the continent bonuses are well balanced to reflect each one's position in the map.
Don't be surprised at how simple this board looks. Personally, I find is very challenging and have had less than stellar results. If an opponent has a bonus, they will have many more units to place than you do.
Although I initially thought the board was pretty balanced for 2 players, the stats prove otherwise, first player usually has an advantage. Still, it's a fun board, every game is a different challenge.
Wow, I really couldn't disagree more with M57. I understand that the momentum lately has been towards "prettier" maps with themes and such, but to my eye you still can't beat a classic, crisp, continent-grab board done well, and that's what this is. The borders are 'too thin'? I don't even know what that means. Take a look at an archived game and see for yourself - maybe this board doesn't have fancy textural overlays and disappearing capital territories or whatever but it's always simple to see who has what at a glance.
I'll agree that there's not much gameplay-wise to recommend this board over other boards with similar subject matter - aside from the crispness of its graphics and the fundamentally sound nature of its gameplay. It's good for small or large groups, with or without fog, teams or ffa, and there are remarkably few boards about which that can be said these days.
I'm honestly a bit shocked at comments like 'ill-considered' and that anyone could find the continental areas hard to discern - particularly blaming the board for the player's failure to remember to take advantage of the information on display. I find that review blatantly unfair, which takes my rating from 8 to 9 stars.
Graphically, this board just leaves a lot to be desired. There's nothing technically wrong with the map, but the design is uninspired and ill-considered. For instance the boarders are too thin.
Some territories are too large and some too small - Yeah, I get that they are actually RL borders, but it just makes for a not-so-good-for-gameplay map. I find it hard to discern continental borders - Yes, the 'key' map in the corner helps, but I often find that I forget to look at it.
There's just a lack of interesting embellishments or unique play features that would set this map apart from the host of European maps on this site.
Board seems simple, not too much different from other games except more of africa. The three transfers during one turn makes this easier than other boards.
The game is best with a large group. Card Scale progression is decent that prevents stalling tactics and the continent bonuses are well balanced to reflect each one's position in the map.