The Royal Navy (1984)

About this game

Follow-up to Iron Bottom Sound. The Royal Navy in action against Germany & Italy in WWI & II. Also has US, French & Soviet ships. Surface ship only. Hex and counter, but lots of tables and status sheets so it has a miniatures feel. Each hex represents 600 yards for night actions and 1500 yards for daylight actions. Each turn represents 3 minutes of real time for night actions and 7.5 minutes for day battles. The game scale is not a straight doubling of the scale because, on the average, friendly ships tend to sail closer to each other at night and further apart during daylight.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 2 to 3.
• Rules load. At 2.4/5 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.