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Hapsburg Eclipse (2nd Ed), by designer Darin Leviloff, is a solitaire ‘state of siege’ strategic wargame published by Victory Point Games. You play as the Austro-Hungarian Empire during World War One, 1914-1918, and make critical decisions to ensure survival. Although this review is specifically for the 2nd Edition, the first edition plays the same and all observations apply for both editions. Player drawn cards and the corresponding events drive the narrative of the game. You act within certain parameters to stave off multiple foes, both foreign and domestic! It’s a standalone game but can be combined with ‘Ottoman Sunset’ (for which I have reviewed separately) for an enhanced gaming experience.
Historical Backdrop
The Austro-Hungarian Empire was a multi-national constitutional monarchy in central Europe between 1867 and 1918 (notice the dates may give away the ending!). Although large in size and growing in industrial capacity, the empire had a complex and troublesome existence, upon which volumes of books could be written and still only scratch the surface of. Long story short, Austro-Hungary declared war on Serbia on 28 July 1914 and Europe plunged into the Great War until 1918 with the central powers defeated. Perhaps though, you could change history and ward off the Allied Nations and squash internal divisions.
What’s the objective?
Survive. Hapsburg Eclipse is card-driven. If the full deck is depleted, you’ve won. This is no easy feat thanks to advancing ‘fronts’ and fractions within the empire itself. Spend ‘action points’ and resources wisely. If Vienna (your capital) falls or internal fractions gain intolerable power, you lose.
Game or Sim?
Both! It’s one of the few games that successfully marries the two. One does not detract from the other (us wargamers know how challenging and I dare say, rare, that is). Hapsburg Eclipse includes interesting and educational historical narrative but not in exact order, so although the historical events did happen, there’s a log of ‘wiggle room’ enabling the game to mimic what COULD have happened based on the historical setup whilst not chaining you to a sequence of events. The cards and your decisions are what drives the game, enhancing replayability.
What’re the components like?
Lovely! Artwork is easy on the eye and fitting to the theme. No cartoonish depictions and it’s very atmospheric. The chit markers are cardboard, but well made, thick and sturdy. The cards themselves are average and I would criticise the text size as even a young gamer has to squint to read the text! The mounted gameboard is superb and includes handy references to the game rules, enabling smooth gameplay with minimal rule checking.
How hard is it?
I’ve won about 1 in 3 games. Don’t expect to ‘crack it’ and win habitually. There are many ways to win and many ways to lose which is why the replay value is so high with this game. I’ve succeeded once so tried the same strategy again the next game only to lose spectacularly. This is of huge appeal to a wargame as no two games play the same and varying your strategies is the only way to achieve a win. You may have gotten some excellent dice rolls in one ‘front’ but appalling in another, and all it takes is for one foe to enter Vienna and it’s….goodnight Vienna.
Is it like any other games?
Yes, Ottoman Sunset (see separate review for this title) focussing on the Ottoman Empires struggle during the Great War also.
How long does an average game take?
30-50mins.
