Bismarck (board game)

For example, a fast unit such as the heavy cruiser HMS Suffolk, is able to keep up with Bismarck and follow her on radar without engaging in combat.

[1] Eventually, British heavy units, such as the battlecruiser HMS Hood may be vectored into the same square as the German Task Force.

Bismarck was designed by Thomas Shaw, Charles S. Roberts, Mick Uhl, and Jack Greene, and was published by Avalon Hill in 1962.

Turnbull considered the game a failure, saying, "It had some, but not much, merit; certainly anyone who thinks Bismarck will simulate naval action any more than roughly would be disappointed.

"[5] In The Playboy Winner's Guide to Board Games, John Jackson noted that the 1962 edition was "easy to grasp and is, for a wargame, quite short — an hour or two at most."

He noted that "It is even possible for the German player to win, occasionally, if the Bismarck can elude its pursuers for a while and can catch one or two of the British ships alone at night.

"[2] In a retrospective review in Issue 9 of Vieille Garde, Stephane Martin gave a lengthy breakdown of the gameplay in the second (1978) edition, and concluded, "Bismarck still remains today a quality reference in naval simulation games.

"[1] In another retrospective review, Joe Scoleri noted in Issue 3 of Simulacrum that "Bismarck was one of the easiest and quickest playing [Avalon Hill] Classics but is obviously limited in terms of realism and simulation value."

Scoleri concluded, "Although the original version is perfectly acceptable as an introductory game, naval warfare enthusiasts will want to stick with the second edition.