The much awaited Axis and Allies CD-ROM version is out. Is it worth the money? Well, that's for you to decide. I will provide you with my opinion, and facts about the game.
This has been a highly-anticipated milestone for Axis and Allies players everywhere. I couldn't wait to try it out. I thought that the intro was very, very good. It consists of high quality wartime video, and goes through each of the powers one by one. But, the intro does not make the game. The truth is, nothing really makes this game. Rules inaccuracies are scattered throughout the game, and if you plan on buying this game, I suggest that you find a human opponent to play against.
First, I'll deal with rules inaccuracies. What I noticed first was that the W. Canada Sea Zone rules are not included with the second edition rules set. This is a somewhat moot point since this particular rule can be toggled individually, but it is inaccurate nonetheless. Second of all, battleship bombardment casualties are removed in the same manner as submarine casualties. This is not right, and this rule cannot be toggled. The list is too long to mention here. A large (though likely not complete, due to the seemingly endless problems with the program) list of bugs and rule discrepancies can be found at the AAMC website.
A second issue which is just as annoying is the Artificial Intellegence. The AI playing the Axis powers uses the wrong tactics. If the Axis are to survive they must be above all else AGGRESSIVE. I have yet to play a game against German AI in which the first purchase was twelve infantry. "Are you on the lowest difficulty?" you ask. Absolutely not. This is the choice of on the five-star "Rommel" setting of AI. Is this because of a good Russian first attack? No. My first attack was repelled by German forces in BOTH Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Germany continues on this defensive path throughout the entire game, when it is only truly needed near the end. My British Invasion tactic worked 100% of the times it was tried. Japan uses aggressive tactics, but it is also pitifully predictable. First turn, it puts an I.C. on Indo-China every game. No, it is not in danger right away. However, if the Russians attack Manchuria first turn and roll down into Kwangtung, which is usually done by about the third or fourth turn, the base has too little production power to protect itself, and unlike if the I.C. were on Manchuria, it is easy to blockade.
I am very disappointed in Hasbro over this one. My only consolation is the fact that they are planning to make a series of patches to fix the things they couldn't get right the first time.