Crusader Rex Cover

Crusader Rex is even better than its predecessor Hammer of the Scots. It retains many elements of the earlier Jerry Taylor game but small changes to the rules as well as a different map and force pool impart a noticeably different feel. I am struck by how a block wargame with only 8 pages of rules can be so tactically rich and provide such a convincing narrative.

This edition of Crusader Rex has honed an already good game into an excellent one. I own most of the Columbia games range and this comes to the table more than any other. It has the perfect mix of tough decisions and fun. Is much deeper that Columbia’s latest offering Julius Caesar and as a result is infinitely more rewarding. For those who have the original? The second edition is still worth the money.

Update 2021, still love this game. I can’t praise this game enough. 12 plays (Second Edition. Great replayability. No game has been similar to the others. Light on the rules, heavy on tough decisions and strategy. From my experience 3-5 hours depending on if either player is analysis paralysis prone. However, as play time is prolonged due to agonizing decisions, I view this as a positive aspect of the game.

Great game! The only other Crusades game I can think of is “Onward, Christian Soldiers,” although I bet the rules are five or ten times longer. In my opinion, the thing that probably makes it better than “Hammer of the Scots” is that it seems that the game is always close near the end. The Franks have to be very defensive in the beginning while the Saracens have to be very aggressive. The Franks must protect one additional city at the start of the game with essentially weaker forces.

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What is Crusader Rex?

Crusader Rex is a wargame of the 3rd Crusade. One player plays the Christian Franks, the other, the Muslim Saracens. The objective of the game is to control important Victory Cities such as Jerusalem, Acre, Damascus, and Antioch.

Game at a Glance

Players: 2
Playing Time: 3–5 hours
Period: Third Crusade, 1187–1192
Sides: Christian Franks vs. Muslim Saracens
Complexity: Medium
Designers: Tom Dalgliesh & Jerry Taylor
System: Columbia Block System

7.2

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