So, who has actually PLAYED Studio Tomahawk's new CONGO game?

[chicklewis]

Northstar says copies of CONGO are headed across the channel to them from France. 

I found and read the blurbs released by Studio tomahawk on the game, but there doesn't seem to be a boardgamegeek page, and I must have missed any reviews of the game posted here. 

Could someone please give me a pointer to game reports or independent reviews? 

Thanks in advance.

Chick

[Kommando_J]

There is a rules showcase in a recent issue of Wargames Illustrated 342 I think.

[Sir Rodney Ffing]

Chick - what Kommando said.   The April edition of WI had a fairly in depth preview explaining the concept with an overview of how the system works. There was also a demo at Salute which I regret not taking part in!

[chicklewis]

Thanks, reading the rules is sone thing, game reports and reviews are another.  I am hoping for the latter.  Seems nobody has played except perhaps a coterie of the designer's friends.  Maybe someone who played in the demo at Salute will comment here. 

[Arthur]

Seems nobody has played except perhaps a coterie of the designer's friends.

I believe this is called play testing  

The rules will only hit the shops in the next few days : wait until they are out and then people will start forming opinions about them and publishing game reports.  

[Sir Rodney Ffing]

I have my copy already thanks to those decent chaps at Foundry!  With luck, I may manage a first game at the weekend, although I am still painting Askaris, Zanzibaris and tribal warriors to get ready.

[chicklewis]

Great news and great advice.  Thanks !

Yah, there is playtesting, and there is blind playtesting, which is the only real way to find out what assumptions in the rules are not actually stated there. 

[Siaba]

I was one of the playtester and own a copy of the finished game. If I can answer any of your questions.....

[Elk101]

I was one of the playtester and own a copy of the finished game. If I can answer any of your questions.....

Thanks.  Are there any games you would compare it to in terms of gameplay,  etc?

[Siaba]

No. I can't think of no wargame rule who plays like CONGO. At the beginning of your turn, you choose 3 cards in a hand of 7. These cards will allow your units to move, fire or fight hand to hand but they are labelled in such a way that you must prioritize wich units will act.
All units have values determined by a dice (D6, D8 or D10) and a roll of 5 of more is necessary to succeed. Your opponent can force you to check morale during your turn if he has the good cards and they are quite a lot of random events in relation with african adventure.

Don't know if I have been much clear...english is not my mother tongue 

[Elk101]

That's actually very helpful,  thank you. I have a small collection of Darkest Africa stuff in my large unpainted box that would be ideal for this, especially as it doesn't look like you need a lot of figures.

[Siaba]

You need between 30 and 40 figures per side.

[Elk101]

Based on the Foundry sets and other comments it looks like groups of 3-6 depending on level with a few leaders?

[Siaba]

That's it. Depending on the troop types units are done of between 3 (pygmies) and 6 figures. Most are around 5 or 6 figures. And there are independent characters who bring bonuses to the unit they are with.
The FOUNDRY boxes are tailored for the game. You won't have a figure left.

[Ray Earle]

Received my set from Northstar yesterday (amazing turnaround, top notch distribution as always  ) and had a quick flick through last night. Very professional ruleset, and looks like a great game.

The smallest numerically appears to be the white mans column which while just throwing lists together in my head I could get to around 23 figures. Of course, that's a fairly elite(?) force, and one I'd definitely enjoy playing anyway. 

I love the way you can tailor your force by your selection of heroes, and that by picking the 'best' heroes will give advantages to your opponent.