| Game | Gettysberg ('77) | Complexity | Medium |
| Company | Avalon Hill | Time | Variable |
| Setting | American Civil War | Solitaire | Variable |
| Type | Battle | Rating | 7 |
This game covers the famous battle of the same name between the Confederate Army of North Virginia led by Gen Robert E Lee and the Federal Army of Potomac led by Gen G Meade. Actually "game" is inaccurate as it actually contains 3 completely seperate and very different games: Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced. The only common component that all three use is the mapboard and perhaps the dice!
The Introductory game is very simple, consisting of only 2 pages of rules. Units are divisional level, resulting in a very low unit density game. In total, the game employs slightly more than 50 counters. On average, a game can be completed in slightly more than 2 hours.
The Intermediate Game is a large step in complexity compared to the Basic Game. Units are brigades and batteries, and there is significantly more units than in the Basic Game.
Some rules are added to capture the "feel"of the battle. Commanders aid in the recovery of disorganised units, and breastworks may be built to strengthen a defensive position.
I believe the Advanced Game is an attempt to put a minature wargame into boardgame form. Each unit is a brigade which can be deployed into different formations, each spanning several hexes. Each hex contains battleline markers to represent the actual formation of troops within the hex. Battleline markers also determine what amount of firepower can be delivered into a certain hex.
I feel that the basic game is good for bringing new young players into the hobby. When you are seven or eight, multiplication may seem too difficult, but addition and subtraction may not seem too bad. I know, because Gettysberg is the first game that I could play by myself when I was seven.
The Intermediate Game is perhaps the most played of the three versions. It was simple enough to complete in an evening by competent players (even solitaire), but has enough chrome to retain interest.
The Advanced Game is too detailed for the casual player. I have set it up a couple of times, and played through a few turns, but never had the time, space nor inclination to even complete the first day.