Game Report: Andy T, Andy S, Mike, Ilaria & Tom M-J

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Another five player game and a good mix of 'old-pros' and a 'WOT-virgin', Mike, who throws himself into it from the start, blowing most of his starting cash on terrorists during his first turn. We like his style.

Andy S turns Evil very early in the game and keeps the Balaclava on for a long time, giving him a good advantage on cards. Due to some unlucky oil prospecting neither Andy T or Mike really get going, both Empires look weak. In the meantime Tom and Ilaria keep fighting over Southern Europe (Italy), but in the end it looks like Tom has the upper hand, even though he's subjected to some serious psychological note-based torture.

Andy T tries to sell a Nuke to Ilaria for some much needed cash when Andy S steals it from him with a well played Espionage card. The terrorists try their best to extort some cash from the Empires, managing to sell some dried fruit at one point.Andy T doesn't like this one bit and announces the news to the board, Andy S uses this as an excuse to unleash seven shades of shit on Andy T's Empire, wiping him from the board in one turn. Mike's Empire also gets it, mostly in colatoral damage from the Nuke. We have two (cash strapped) terrorist players early in the game.

The heat also picks up between Tom and Ilaria, nukes are exchanged but a Nuclear Bunker on Tom's part saves his skin and he's looking strong with a good chunk of Asia, Europe and he also manages to sneak round and take North Amercia from Ilaria in a single turn.

The terrorists try their best to extort some cash from the Empires, managing to sell some dried fruit at one point. They threaten to hijack one of Andy S's planes and he says he has no money, thinking that they'll play it elsewhere... Instead they go for it and Andy sends in the troops, who cockup and bankrupt his Empire... Three terrorist players.

Tom and Ilaria are still fighting it out, but it seems that Tom still has the upper hand, by this point Ilaria has a small part of Europe and her oil money is drying up. After a couple of turns holding on by her fingertips she folds and joins the terrorist force. Then Tom grabs Asia and builds some cities in his very next turn and takes the game; his first victory!

Australia remains undiscovered throughout the entire game... Just seven terrorists on their own enjoying the surf. A three hour game!

Game Report: Andy T, Andy S, Hamish, Ian & Bob

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Drumroll... New cards! Hot of the press and they're even printed on card, how cool is that? No one else seems that impressed though and after running through the latest rules we start our respective attempts to liberate the world.

As per usual the first few rounds are nice and peaceful and it all looks pretty even. Bob takes Africa, Andy T South America and up the West Coast of the States. Ian's split between the East Coast and Asia. Andy S has Europe and a good chunk of Asia and Hamish has whatever's left. Hamish also takes the Falklands which pisses Andy T off (who's already evil) and we see an early strike and a Dirty Bomb in retaliation... The Falklands remain a sore point for the rest of the game.

Butterfingers Andy S drops a nuke on Asia, taking out a fair chunk of Ian's Empire... Andy S starts to get all cocky so Hamish and Andy T call a truce and turn their attentions on him, making quite a dent into his burgeoning Empire. Bob's keeping quiet in Africa and has managed to knock up four cities. Ian tries to fight back but never quite manages it, even though the Balaclava of Evil moves back and forth between Ian and Andy T.

Ian caves into Andy S's 'terrorism is fun' propaganda.Terrorism is spreading and the board starts to look like a right mess. Andy T keeps hitting Andy S hard, more dirty bombs, a revolution and a couple of oil pipelines are destroyed. In the end it all proves too much and Andy S turns terrorists, quickly followed by Bob (whose cities were an obvious target). There's a filthy 'Andy T is about to win' propaganda campaign going on and they turn the full terrorist force against Andy T, who was about to win...

A few more turns in and Bob has to quit, leaving the terrorists in Andy S's capable hands. Shortly after, Ian caves into Andy S's duel assault of 'terrorism is fun' propaganda and by blowing the shit out of Ian's Empire. The new influx of cash and cards to the terrorist cause means that by the end of the next turn Andy T's empire is in tatters... He decides to join the terrorists before Hamish does and brings yet more essential Terrorists Cards and cash to the dark forces...

Next terrorist turn and Hamish is still looking fairly strong, at least 14 developments on the board... Then... 3 Revolution cards! Terrorist Tide! 4 Terrorists Attacks! We wipe him from the board in one evil sweep... A terrorist victory! Four and a half hours and the terrorists head off for a drink in an Empire free world.

Game Report: Andy T, Andy S & Tom M-J

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We're off! Another classic three player with the original WoT boys and there's nostalgic talk of that first game back in August 2004... We're loving the new 'first villages anywhere' rule and the only other change is how the points system works.

Within a couple of turns Andy T is looking clever with a nice spread of oil throughout Asia and Europe, Andy S turns up the 'dirty propaganda' campaign. The Axis of Evil is seeing some action early in the game and Andy S is evil twice in quick succession, giving him a devilish hand of Terrorist Cards. Tom bungs him 50 million for terrorists and suddenly three anarchy cards (to be renamed) are on the table and Andy T's Empire is crippled: Andy S takes the upper hand.

... he's got The Bomb and starts a bidding war between Tom and Andy T as to who won't get nuked ...Andy T toys with turning terrorist but decides to fight on, trying his best to counter Andy S's invasion of Europe and Tom sneaking into South Asia. Tom and Andy S have some kind of peace pact going on which allows Andy S to build up a powerful empire, Tom only attacking when it's almost too late. Andy T gets his hands on a couple of nukes in a single turn and evens the board up a little.

A couple of turns later and Andy S is close once again, he's also got The Bomb and starts a bidding war between Tom and Andy T as to who won't get nuked. Andy T only has 30 million but pushes the price up to 300 million just for kicks, which Tom pays... Andy S drops the nuke on Tom just to spite him but it's all over anyway - little did we know that we just funded his last four cities and Andy S romps home with another victory for an Empire!

A two and half hour game... All of us finished wanting more. A quick brainstorm and that feeling of 'getting close' is still with us... We NEED a six player game.

Game Report: Andy T, Andy S, Rich, Ilaria & Marc

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Another five player game and the only new rule (first two villages can be anywhere on the board) is a good one and things look interesting from the start.

Ilaria turns Evil in the first turn and those terrorists get in the action early, within a turn they start popping up, Illaria taking the initiative and trying to 'free' Italy from the clutches of Marc. Andy S hots things up as he decides to try and wipe out Andy T's fledging empire in one turn. A nuclear bomb removes his target from Asia, then a volley of attack cards almost cleans him out Nowhere: Andy T starts his turn with a single village. This all proves too much for him and he turns terrorist early in the game.

Andy S moves into Asia and looks strong. Meanwhile Ilaria has been fighting on two fronts, Rich's South America and Marc is trying to hold her off in Southern Europe. Marc and Ilaria drop several nukes on Asia, some out of spite, others tactical. Andy S's empire takes a knocking and it could be anyone's game. Marc moves into the waste land of Asia while Rich tries the same with Nowhere. Andy S returns with an A-Bomb of his own, demoralising Marc who caves into terrorism. Rich declares to the board that the terrorists are going to win and joins them in the fight against colonialism.

Ilaria and Andy S's empires remain. The influx of cash to the terrorist cause helps a lot and they manage to knock the wind out of Andy S's sails, at one stage close to forcing him to the dark side. This is four and half hours into the game and as it's a school night, we decide to call it a day without a winner once again... But after a bit of a brainstorm we think we might have a 'tweak' which will help resolve the game quicker... Bring on the next game.

Game Report: Andy T, Andy S, Karl & Lucy

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A four player game and an 'election special', which basically means we have to lie more than normal.

Andy S starts aggressive, boxing Lucy into South America from the first two villages laid. Karl starts in Asia and Andy T decides to try the Middle East, always a warm spot. It all seems rather lovely as we spread our Empires over the board.

Lucy makes it into Africa but seems a little unlucky with the oil. Andy S takes North America easily. Karl would have Asia if not for a couple of well placed towns on Andy T's part, who also puts pressure on from the south by sneaking into Australasia.Lucy makes it into Africa but seems a little unlucky with the oil...It's a peaceful world, cities are being built, oil is plenty and money is no problem for some. Then Andy S shows his true colours as he wipes out Lucy's presence in South America in one vicious attack. Andy T spots the strength of Andy S and starts funding those cheeky terrorists, managing to take out a few vital cities.

For some unknown reason Karl and Lucy take this a cue to attack Andy T in his homeland. This gives Andy S the opportunity he needs, two hours into the game... Andy S wins with 10 Empire Points. After a short discussion we decide to carry onto to 11 as we're having too much fun. Karl manages to take Asia completely and carries on his advance into Europe, which really starts to piss Andy T off. Lucy contemplates 'turning terrorist' but decides to hang on and try and help Karl out.

It's looking close between Karl and Andy S, Andy T tries attacking both, but makes little headway into either. Karl looks like he can win, but instead has the 'long term campaign' in his head as he strikes out through Europe to get to the Americas. An hour after the 10 point win, Andy S does it again with 11. He's claiming this as two wins, which only goes to show, you should never trust that man.