Battle Cry

Battle Cry is a board game designed by Richard Borg and published by Avalon Hill (now owned by Hasbro). It is not a traditional wargame in the sense of detailed simulations of historical battles; rather, Battle Cry is a strategic-level game that simulates battles from the American Civil War using a simplified and accessible ruleset.

The game is played on a modular hex grid map representing various battlefield terrain, such as forests, hills, and open fields. Players command armies composed of infantry, cavalry, and artillery units from either the Union or Confederate forces. The goal is to achieve victory by completing specific objectives or by eliminating the opponent's units.

Key features of Battle Cry include:

1. Command and Colors System: Battle Cry uses the Command and Colors system, which is also used in other games designed by Richard Borg, such as Memoir '44 and Commands & Colors: Ancients. This system utilizes command cards to dictate the actions that players can take on their turn, adding a level of unpredictability and strategic depth to the gameplay.

2. Scenario-Based Gameplay: The game includes various historical scenarios representing key battles from the American Civil War, such as Bull Run, Shiloh, and Gettysburg. Each scenario has its own unique victory conditions and setup, allowing players to experience different aspects of the conflict.

3. Simplified Rules: Battle Cry is designed to be accessible to players of all skill levels, with straightforward rules that are easy to learn and understand. This makes it suitable for casual gamers and families looking for an introduction to historical board gaming.

4. Historical Flavor: While Battle Cry simplifies many aspects of Civil War combat, it still captures the historical flavor and dynamics of the conflict, including the importance of terrain, the role of different unit types, and the overall strategies employed by Union and Confederate commanders.

Overall, Battle Cry is a fast-paced and engaging board game that offers a blend of strategy, tactics, and historical flavor. It's well-regarded for its accessibility, replayability, and ability to introduce players to the world of historical wargaming.