La bataille de la Marne, 1914

La Bataille de la Marne, 1914 [The Battle of the Marne, 1914] plunges you into one of the decisive campaigns of the First World War — at the exact moment when everything could still change. Building on the acclaimed “Les Campagnes de la République” series, this game shifts to an operational scale where every decision matters. With one day per turn and a wide battlefield stretching over 250 kilometers, you take command at a level where coordination, timing, and momentum outweigh tactical detail. Command your forces as structured Combat Forces representing divisions, corps, and armies—but beware: their true composition is hidden. Fog of war is not a gimmick here—it’s the heart of the system. You will rarely know your opponent’s real strength until it’s too late… unless your cavalry manages to uncover it. Every activation is a dilemma. With a limited pool of action markers, you must choose: strike hard in one sector or maintain flexibility across the front. Initiative shifts dynamically, recreating the historical turning point as the French gradually regain control of the battle. Combat is fast and decisive, driven by combined arms and a powerful fatigue system. Your troops don’t just take losses—they wear down. Push them too far, and exhausted formations will falter at the critical moment. Logistics are not an afterthought—they are the backbone of your strategy. Maintain your lines of communication, protect your supply routes, and use engineers to disrupt your enemy. A well-timed disruption can decide the campaign. Historical events add tension and unpredictability: intelligence breakthroughs, command failures, logistical setbacks—and even the legendary Taxis of the Marne. Each can tip the balance… if you seize the opportunity. In just ten turns, you will experience a full campaign arc where every choice counts. This is a tense, fast-paced operational game—easy to learn, rich in decisions, and deeply replayable. A game of maneuver, uncertainty, and timing—almost like chess… but where the pieces refuse to reveal their true strength. Key Features Operational-level command with meaningful strategic choices Hidden unit structures and realistic fog of war Dynamic activation system and shifting initiative Innovative fatigue mechanics affecting combat effectiveness Fully integrated logistics and engineering actions Historically grounded random events Game Information Complexity: 5/10 Solo suitability: 1/10 Playing time: 2–4 hours Time scale: 1 turn = 1 day Unit scale: Division / Brigade / Artillery groupings Map scale: ~20 km per area —description from the designer