Operation Sirocco Review!

Because my blog really needs more posts, I am trying to post every day this week.  Today we will be giving Dystopian Wars fans a real treat: a review of the latest campaign book, Operation Sirocco!  I will not be talking about the story the book contains, as I wouldn't want to spoil anything, but a general overview is probably in order.

Overview: This book covers the campaign in Africa and the Mediterranean sea.  The time period is from February of 1872 to June, 1872.  I won't give away very much, but basically the French decide to reclaim Napoleon's vast empire, with the other Imperial Bond powers working to help them but also working to achieve their own goals.  The Grand Coalition spends most of the time trying to fend off the Imperial Bond attack, but do launch an offense of their own.  The Covenant of Antarctica also gets involved, and finds yet more strange technology in the process.  Overall it is a very nice story, although major politics are once again left out, except for when they have an effect on the battles being fought.

 The Good: Very high print quality, with absolutely stunning color pictures.  Story is presented well and organized neatly and efficiently, with subtitles used to state the names of the battles and troop movements.  Nine scenarios are provided with the book, covering most of the major operations and battles fought out.  Finally, this book is not strictly Dystopian War, as several scenarios use the new Armoured Clash rules.  Also, a picture of Dystopian models is even sneaked in at the back of the book.

Dystopian Legion Models

Armoured Clash rules in print?
HECK YEAH!

 One of the great things about the Armoured Clash rules included in the book are the full color diagrams provided for many mechanics of game play.  I got a much better understanding of the rules from these!


The bad: Unlike Hurricane Season, very little artwork is used, with almost all the pictures being of real models.  Also the lack of attention paid to the major politics that went on.  There was some very stupid things in the political information they did provide, namely the Sultan not inviting an Egyptian ambassador to the treaty meeting.  Really Spartan, do you think the Sultan is that dumb?

 The ugly: The cover.  Hurricane Season's cover was way more colorful than Storm of Steel or Operation Sirocco.  Please Spartan, get some decent artwork to slap on the front of your books!

Overall: I would give it an 8 out of 10.  Only thing I didn't like was the cover and lack of politics in the story.

I will leave you with a parting shot of Operation Sirocco compared to Storm of Steel.

Operation Sirocco is definitely thicker.