Battle of Buena Vista (1996)

About this game

Buena Vista is a simulation of the 23 February 1847 battle between Zachary Taylor's American Army of Occupation and Santa Anna's Army of North Mexico. Santa Anna hoped to defeat Taylor's force before returning south to stop Winfield Scott's invasion of central Mexico. this game only covers the second day of the battle (the decisive period of this conflict). The colorful map shows six types of terrain found around Buena Vista Hacienda as it existed in 1847. 124 counters, of which 16 are double-sized, one 22"x34" mapsheet, 7 pages of rules. This game is of low complexity and can be played by two people in about 3 hours. Game scale: hex scale = 100 yards per hex side to side time = one hour per game turn strength = infantry & cavalry units of between 50 and 350 men each, double sized Mexican brigades representing 1,000-1,250 men. Artillery units at 2-6 cannon.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Strictly 2 players — no more, no fewer.
• Rules load. At 2.8/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 12 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.