Review: Carrier Battles 4 Guadalcanal

[admin]

The problem that I have with naval games is what I call the ‘wall of death’.

http://www.pockettactics.com/reviews/ca ... adalcanal/

[DotComCTO]

Great news! I was wondering when PT would get around to reviewing Carrier Battles 4 Guadalcanal! The author has done a lot to keep enhancing and supporting the game, and that's to be commended. This is a niche title for sure, but it most definitely scratches my 1970s-hex-based-naval-wargaming itch!

As an aside, you can buy many things in the game, including multiplayer & the ability to change certain game options. Here's the IAP list:

- Multiplayer (2-player game over internet, turn by turn - you can play the Japanese side this way) - $1.99

- Options: Weather + what-ifs for the scenarios in order to test the effects of some likely events. Ex: what would happen if the Japanese had committed their whole carrier forces to invade Port Moresby, what-if the Saratoga was repaired on time for the battle of Midway, etc. ($0.99)

Each of the extra scenarios cost $0.99:
- The End of Rabaul: A 7th scenario covering the US landing at Bougainville and airstrikes against Rabaul in November 1943
- Operation Ke: A 8th scenario covering the evacuation of Guadalcanal by Japanese troops in Jan/Feb 1943
- Operation Watchtower: A 9th scenario covering the US invasion of Guadalcanal in August 1942
- Revenge Raids: A 10th scenario covering the US carrier raids against Japanese positions in Feb/Mar 1942

I do wish there was a bundle option to buy all the IAP at once.

[EICJoe]

Great news! I was wondering when PT would get around to reviewing Carrier Battles 4 Guadalcanal! The author has done a lot to keep enhancing and supporting the game, and that's to be commended. This is a niche title for sure, but it most definitely scratches my 1970s-hex-based-naval-wargaming itch!

As an aside, you can buy many things in the game, including multiplayer & the ability to change certain game options. Here's the IAP list:

- Multiplayer (2-player game over internet, turn by turn - you can play the Japanese side this way) - $1.99

- Options: Weather + what-ifs for the scenarios in order to test the effects of some likely events. Ex: what would happen if the Japanese had committed their whole carrier forces to invade Port Moresby, what-if the Saratoga was repaired on time for the battle of Midway, etc. ($0.99)

Each of the extra scenarios cost $0.99:
- The End of Rabaul: A 7th scenario covering the US landing at Bougainville and airstrikes against Rabaul in November 1943
- Operation Ke: A 8th scenario covering the evacuation of Guadalcanal by Japanese troops in Jan/Feb 1943
- Operation Watchtower: A 9th scenario covering the US invasion of Guadalcanal in August 1942
- Revenge Raids: A 10th scenario covering the US carrier raids against Japanese positions in Feb/Mar 1942

I do wish there was a bundle option to buy all the IAP at once.

Yeah I'm honestly a little embarrassed over how long this took - I didn't want just anyone reviewing it and it was harder than you think to find someone who I was confident had the right interest, writing ability and access to an iPad. Although there was a stretch where I'd given up for a while, but decided to renew the search again after we featured the game in a Weekender a few months ago.

Ben's one of our writers over at wargamer.com, and was already familiar with the game, as it happens.

[jeffy777]

Great review. I too have been waiting in this one.