Shingen-Jouraku
Republished on Game Journal #52
Components
1 full map
1 counter sheet (252 counters)
1 rulebook
1 shorter scenario is included on the magazine
Back ground
This game was published by Tsukuda-hobby as a first game of “Sengoku Gunyuuden” series. This series cover the most of Japan in Sengoku-era and the final game “The longest day in Sengoku” covers the whole campaign of Sekigahara even the sideshows in countryside.
Though this is a first of the series, it looks that there was no concrete plan of the whole series at this point. First, this game uses a hypothetical situation that Shingen Takeda didn’t fall by disease before his march to Kyoto. Second, unlike later games in the series, there is only one campaign scenario in this game.
But, this time the Game Journal has an article of another scenario “Mikatagahara” which looks more playable.
Since I don’t have the original version, I cannot explain how different this version is from the original one.
Game engine
The game uses multi-impulse system. In this game, there are 4 impulses in each turn. But, only the most skillful busho can use all the 4 impulses. Each busho has action rating from 1 to 4. Basically, this shows how many impulses he can act. Rating 1 leader can act only the first impulse. Raging 4 leaders can act all the 4 impulses.
In this specific game, Shingen Takeda and most of important Busho of Oda Nobunaga have rating 4. So, the game usually uses the all 4 impulses. This means that each game turn looks like 4 game turns of other regular wargames. As a result, the game is longer than I expected beforehand.
Strategic Situation
The other important point is the strategic situation. The game is played by Takeda player and Oda player. And Takeda player controls not only Takeda clan but also anti-Oda force including Asai, Asakura, Souga, and Ikkou-ikki. So, the Oda player is surrounded by enemies from East, North and West. But, as I described above, Oda player has very effective stuff of rating 4 leaders. So, he can fight with Asai, then Asakura or Ikkou-ikki before he must face the Takeda’s invasion. On the other hand, Eastern part of Oda territory is defended by Tokugawa force which is definitely weaker than Takeda’s main invading force. But, he is strong enough to slow down the enemy’s march and make valuable time for the whole campaign.
Conclusion
This game has a wide map from the home territory of Takeda to the Kyoto area. And this game has wide variety of bushoes from Takeda, Oda, Asakura, Asai, Ashikaga-shogun and Ikkou-ikki. Due to its engine, usually only several important forces move and stand on this wide area. This game is similar to those of Gallic campaign. If you are a fan of ancient or medieval campaign games, this game is for you. Though there are many controversies around this game, which means many gamers would like to play this game and really played the game for a long time.
