What an amazing game – with a lower player count it flows well and has great player interactions and dynamics, with the geography, victory conditions and force pools producing a real Napoleonic feel. It’s not a deep simulation but a fun game with simple and effective rules which lead to rich game play within a relatively short play time.

We had a great time playing this game. There may be other games that do this, but it combines elements of Diplomacy with a very cool wargame engine using a 4 sided token that allows for a Stratego-like concealed movement.

Have only played the solitaire rules to learn the game. Find them to be original and fun and straightforward. Each game has been different with the random card draw. And you learn a whole lot about the geography of Europe!

Pretty amazing flexibility to allow 1-7 players (probably best with 3-4, though). I like the low block count, simple mechanics, and card-driven play, which makes this Napoleonic game accessible to a non-expert.

What is Borodino?

Borodino was fought between the Army of Imperial Russia and Napoleon’s Grand Armee on September 7 1812. The battle ended with a French victory, but strategic defeat. Losses were terrible on both sides, but the Russians could replace theirs. One week after the battle Napoleon occupied an undefended Moscow, hoping to impose a peace, but after four weeks was forced to retreat home with calamitous results.

Game at a Glance

Players: 2
Playing Time: 3–4 hours
Period: Napoleonic Wars, 1812
Sides: French Grande Armée vs. Imperial Russian Army
Complexity: Medium
Designers: Tom Dalgliesh & Carl Willner
System: Columbia Block System