| Game | We the People | Complexity | Low |
| Company | Avalon Hill | Time | 1.5 to 3 hrs |
| Setting | American Revolution | Solitaire | Very Low |
| Type | Strategic | Rating | 7.5 |
We the People is a simple strategic level game based on the American War of Independence.
The map is divided into circular spaces. Spaces are grouped into 14 colonies (including Canada). Individual spaces are linked to each other by a network of lines. Spaces linked by these lines are said to be adjacent to each other. Movement is possible between adjacent spaces.
There are two levels to play, the political level and the military level. On the military level, players move their armies in an effort to defeat them in battle. A defeated army has to retreat. If it fails to do so for any reason, it surrenders. The British player may win military victory by capturing George Washington or destroying all American CUs. The American player wins if there are no British CUs anywhere in the Thirteen Colonies.
On the political level, the player has to establish political control over areas of the map.
The most common victories are political ones. When the game ends, the American player wins if he controls 9 or more colonies, while the British wins if he controls 6 or more colonies. Canada counts towards American victory but not British. Control of a colony is defined as having the most number (not necessarily the majority) of political control markers in the colony.
The Strategy Phase is the heart of the game. During the Strategy Phase, players are dealt 7 strategy cards each. Strategy cards may be operational cards or event cards.
Operational Cards allow players to move a general (and CUs) or place political control markers in empty spaces. There are even three (?) special operation cards, known as campaign cards. Campaign cards allow players to move 2 (minor campaign) or 3 (major campaign) generals, but cannot be used to place political control markers. The ability to move several generals to outmaneuver the opponent and cut off his retreat route cannot be overempahsised. In the case of George Washington, this can even lead to an abrupt end of the Revolution!
Event cards represent special events that occurred during the Revolution. These add considerable spice and histroical chrome to the game, although their effects on the game vary greatly. Most event cards involve the placement or removal of political control markers.
The system of placement/removal of political markers are somewhat similar to the ancient oriental game of Go. Political Control (PC) markers placed on the map are removed when they are isolated. PC markers are isolated if they are not connected to:
Furthermore, at the end of the turn, CUs may place control markers in the space they occupy. However, due to the effects of Winter Attriction, this usually happens only in the extreme south of the board or in Winter Quarters spaces.
Combat in the game occurs when an army moves into a space containing an unfriendly CU. Combat is resolved by a system of cards. Each player receives a number of cards based on his general's competence, army size, presence of friendly militia and other special conditions. The attacker plays a card, and if it cannot be matched by the defender, the combat round is over and attacker wins. If the defender successfully fends off the attack, he may counterattack by rolling against his general's combat rating. If his counterattack is successful, he becomes the attacker.
The game is a neat introduction-type game. It is simple to learn, and the very colourful components can capture and keep the attention of the no-so-hardcore gamer. The historical spice added by the numerous event cards add to an already good game.
One complaint about my copy though. Several cards were found to have incomplete glossy finishing. When held against the light, these cards look absolutely splotchy. *yukes* I am inclined to put this down to the very occassional piece to slip past the quality controller, for Avalon Hill games are generally not what one associates with substandard components.
Official Errata from Avalon Hill