Summary

• Release Year: 1988
• Genres: Strategy
• Platforms: Amiga, Atari ST/STE, DOS
• Developers: Turcan Research
• Publishers: Atari Corporation

Borodino: A Historical Battle Simulator (1988)

Borodino is a grand strategy and tactical wargame set during the Napoleonic Wars, focusing on the Battle of Borodino. It was developed by Strategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI) and released in 1988 for the Apple II, Commodore 64, and MS-DOS.

The Battle of Borodino was fought on September 7, 1812, between the French Grande Armée under Napoleon Bonaparte and the Russian Imperial Army under Mikhail Kutuzov. It was one of the largest and bloodiest battles of the Napoleonic Wars, with over 250,000 troops engaged and over 70,000 casualties.

Borodino the game is a complex and detailed simulation of the battle, allowing players to take command of either the French or Russian forces. The game features a large-scale strategic map, where players can move their armies and engage in combat. There is also a tactical combat system, where players can control individual units in real-time.

The strategic map is divided into hexes, each representing a specific area of terrain. Players can move their armies across the map, and engage in combat when they encounter enemy units. Combat is resolved using a die-rolling system, with modifiers for terrain, unit type, and leadership.

The tactical combat system is turn-based, and allows players to control individual units in real-time. Units can move, attack, and defend, and can also be used to construct fortifications and other obstacles. The tactical combat system is very detailed, and allows players to simulate the chaos and confusion of battle.

Borodino is a challenging and rewarding game that accurately recreates one of the largest and bloodiest battles of the Napoleonic Wars. Planning and strategy are key to victory in this complex and detailed simulation.

Gameplay

Borodino is a turn-based strategy game that can be played by one or two players. Players can choose to play as either the French or Russian forces.

The game is played on a large-scale strategic map, which is divided into hexes. Each hex represents a specific area of terrain, such as a forest, a hill, or a river. Players can move their armies across the map, and engage in combat when they encounter enemy units.

Combat is resolved using a die-rolling system, with modifiers for terrain, unit type, and leadership. Units can be infantry, cavalry, or artillery. Each unit has its own strengths and weaknesses, and players must use them wisely in order to achieve victory.

In addition to the strategic map, Borodino also features a tactical combat system. The tactical combat system is turn-based, and allows players to control individual units in real-time. Units can move, attack, and defend, and can also be used to construct fortifications and other obstacles.

The tactical combat system is very detailed, and allows players to simulate the chaos and confusion of battle. Players must carefully consider the terrain, the composition of their forces, and the enemy’s strategy in order to achieve victory.

Historical Accuracy

Borodino is a historically accurate simulation of the Battle of Borodino. The game accurately recreates the terrain of the battlefield, the units involved, and the overall course of the battle.

The game also includes a number of historical scenarios, which allow players to replay the battle under different conditions. For example, players can play as the French and try to achieve a decisive victory, or they can play as the Russians and try to hold off the French advance.

Critical Reception

Borodino was critically acclaimed upon release. The game was praised for its historical accuracy, its detailed gameplay, and its challenging AI.

Computer Gaming World called Borodino “the best wargame ever created” and “a masterpiece of game design.” The magazine also praised the game’s historical accuracy, saying that it “faithfully recreates the Battle of Borodino in all its bloody detail.”

Borodino was also a commercial success, selling over 100,000 copies worldwide. The game is still considered one of the best wargames ever made, and it is still enjoyed by gamers today.

Legacy

Borodino has had a lasting impact on the wargaming genre. The game’s detailed gameplay, historical accuracy, and challenging AI have set a high standard for other wargames to follow.

Borodino has also been used as a training tool by military historians and strategists. The game’s realistic simulation of combat has helped to provide insights into the challenges and complexities of warfare.

Borodino is a classic wargame that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game’s historical accuracy, detailed gameplay, and challenging AI make it a must-play for any fan of the genre.

Review Score

8.5/10