[2] David M. Ewalt, in his book Of Dice and Men, pointed out that the game, published only a year after TSR's Dungeons & Dragons, was one of D&D's first early competing products.

Evans started a PBM game using the same computer programs in 1986 in a new magazine called Small Furry Creatures Press, which he co-published with Clarke.

"[8] In the inaugural issue of Games International, Richard Ashley reviewed the republished edition by Small Furry Creatures Press, and was impressed by its improved layout, as well as the new chapter on postal play.

"[9] In the July 1980 issue of Fantastic Science Fiction, game designer Greg Costikyan called En Garde!

"[10] In the 1979 book The Playboy Winner's Guide to Board Games, John Jackson noted that "There is a minimum of player interaction; play is geared toward individual deeds rather than group action."

Jackson concluded, "If it lacks the scope of true fantasy role-playing games, it's not as time-consuming, either, and it appears to be a pleasant diversion.

Freeman concluded by giving the game an Overall Evaluation of "Good", saying, "except for Melee and Wizards, it's the only RPG you could imagine running concurrently with your major campaign on, say, alternate Tuesdays.

"[12] In The Guide to Simulations/Games for Education and Training, Martin Campion called the game "a tongue-in-cheek simulation of the kind of life lived in The Three Musketeers and other historical adventures."

He also noted "What makes it special is the inventive tactical combat system, perhaps the best fencing simulation ever to grace an RPG."