The Manufacturer's Board Game Review of Axis and Allies: Europe:

It is the spring of 1941. Germany stands poised to launch the largest invasion in history, an all-out attack on the Soviet Union. Most of Europe already lies under Hitler's yoke. Great Britain, reliant on its overseas empire, is slowly strangling in the web of German u-boats prowling the seas. And the United States, despite its tremendous industrial might, is tragically unprepared for war.

Axis and Allies: Europe pits you and your opponents in the massive struggle of World War 2 in Europe, the Atlantic, and across North Africa and the Middle East. But this battle isn't just about armaments. As a world leader, you must initiate masterful military maneuvers, conjure up clever economic strategies, and play power politics to lead your nation to victory.

Axis and Allies: Europe adds new pieces (artillery and destroyers), new economic warfare rules (convoys, Middle Eastern oil fields, and expanded strategic bombing), and a more detailed European theater. Plus, all of the over 350 plastic playing pieces are country-specific: you get P-38s, Stukas, Spitfires, Shermans, Panthers, and T-34s, not just generic tanks and planes!

Rainy Day Game's Board Game Review of Axis and Allies: Europe:

The Axis and Allies: Europe board game is a great addition to the Gamemaster from Avalon Hill. Being long-time Axis and Allies players, at Rainy Day Games we couldn't wait to get our hands on this board game. It didn't disapoint

The differences are many, but Axis and Allies: Europe manages to keep the feel of the original that we love so much: that real sense of managing a nation's war economy. Although it's commented on in many places elsewhere, we have to mention the unit pieces. In A&A: Europe they are country-specific and beautifully made. It's always a pleasure to play an Axis and Allies game for this fact alone.

Another big winner are the rules regarding submarines which are much more realistic. They're harder to find and kill, and if Germany can gain control of Allied convoy zones the Allies lose income. Other units have been added or rebalanced to improve game play. These kinds of realistic yet simple touches are what make Axis and Allies: Europe and the other Gamemaster series games such a joy to play.

Axis and Allies: Europe can be a real challenge for the German player who faces-off against the other players at the table. Germany has several options for strategy, which makes even the first couple of turns a real challenge. Blitz Russia? Choke the Atlantic and prevent America from entering the fray? Take the beaches of France and deny the Continent to the Allied forces? Axis and Allies: Europe requires and encourages the Allied forces to cooperate in the assault, something which didn't necessarily happen in the original Axis and Allies board game.

After reading all that, have you decided whether you should buy this game yet? For gamers without much experience with war games we recommend the original Axis and Allies. If you haven't played the original at least a couple of times, maybe you should buy that one first. However, if you're comfortable with large-scale war games and/or are specially interested in the European theatre of World War II, then Axis and Allies: Europe will be a great addition to your games cabinet.

Related Products in the "Axis and Allies" series

Axis and Allies	Axis and Allies: Europe	Axis and Allies: Pacific	Axis and Allies - revised edition
Axis and Allies: D-Day	Axis and Allies: Guadalcanal