The Lamps are Going Out: World War I (2016)

About this game

The Lamps Are Going Out is a fast-paced game of strategic decision making in the First World War for two to four players. There are two Alliances – Central Powers and Triple Entente – each divided into two Factions. The Central Powers player controls the Germany and Central Allies (Austria-Hungary, Turkey and Bulgaria) Factions while the Triple Entente player has the Western Allies (Great Britain, Belgium, France and Italy) and Eastern Allies/US (Russia, Serbia, Romania and United States) Factions. A game turn consists of: Event Card Phase Movement Phase (up to two units may be moved) Combat Phase (cards are played to support combat) Production Phase (players spend production points to rally armies, invest in new technology, or lend points to other players) Players must make critical decisions each turn as to how to spend their scarce resources. Production Points are required to Refit spent units, build new units, construct trenches, conduct research, etc. The combat system is very simple, but yields tremendous excitement and that “just one more attack should do it” feeling. Event cards allow for all sorts of historical situations, conditions, leaders, political events and so on. Everything that would be important in a WWI simulation is considered in this game.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 2 to 4.
• Rules load. At 2.7/5 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.