Summary
- Release Year: 1991
- Genres: Strategy
- Platforms: Amiga, DOS
- Developers: The Kremlin
- Publishers: Domark Software
‘Nam 1965 – 1975: A Deep Dive into the Vietnam War
Released in 1991, ‘Nam 1965 – 1975 is a wargame that simulates the Vietnam War. It is designed to capture the unique characteristics of the war, its political character as much as its military one.
The full game lasts for ten years, from 1965 to 1975, the length of overt American involvement in Vietnam. Outright victory is difficult, but possible. The essence of victory is the right application of the right tools at the right time.
The object of the game is to prevent South Vietnam falling to Communist powers. They strive to take over the country both by military means, using North Vietnamese regular troops, and Viet Cong guerillas, and by socio-political means, by winning over the population while working to topple the South Vietnamese government. These two aims work hand in hand, and part of the Communist philosophy involved the idea of popular revolution, to which end much of the fighting was aimed.
As President and Commander-in-Chief, you oppose this challenge to the government of South Vietnam, and the vested interests of the United States in it, through the use of military power and economic support. In this game you can control the level of commitment to South Vietnam, and how that commitment is used on the ground. You are not a free agent, because you are responsible to the people of the United States for your decisions, and the war can become enormously unpopular. Overcommit, or fare badly and you will lose the next election. Behave irresponsibly and you may face worse things than an election defeat.
‘Nam 1965 – 1975 is a complex and challenging game, but it is also a rewarding one. It is a unique opportunity to learn about the Vietnam War and to make difficult choices about how to prosecute it.
Gameplay
The game is played on a map of Vietnam, which is divided into a number of provinces. Each province has a number of attributes, such as population, resources, and infrastructure. The player controls the United States, and their goal is to prevent the Communists from taking over South Vietnam.
The player has a number of tools at their disposal to achieve this goal. They can deploy troops to fight the Communists, provide economic aid to South Vietnam, and conduct diplomatic negotiations. The player must carefully manage their resources and make difficult choices about how to use them.
The game is divided into a number of turns, each of which represents one year of the war. During each turn, the player must make a number of decisions, such as how many troops to deploy, where to deploy them, and how much economic aid to provide. The player must also respond to events that occur during the turn, such as Communist attacks or political unrest.
The game is won if the player prevents the Communists from taking over South Vietnam. The game is lost if the Communists take over South Vietnam or if the player loses the next election.
Historical Accuracy
‘Nam 1965 – 1975 is a historically accurate game. The game’s map is based on real-world data, and the game’s events are based on real-world events. The game also includes a number of historical figures, such as Lyndon B. Johnson and Ho Chi Minh.
The game’s historical accuracy is one of its strengths. It allows players to learn about the Vietnam War in a realistic and engaging way.
Complexity
‘Nam 1965 – 1975 is a complex game. It has a large number of rules and mechanics, and it can be difficult to learn how to play. However, the game’s complexity is also one of its strengths. It allows for a deep and immersive gaming experience.
If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding wargame, then ‘Nam 1965 – 1975 is the game for you. It is a unique opportunity to learn about the Vietnam War and to make difficult choices about how to prosecute it.
Conclusion
‘Nam 1965 – 1975 is a classic wargame that has stood the test of time. It is a complex and challenging game, but it is also a rewarding one. If you are interested in history or wargames, then I highly recommend checking it out.
Review Score
8/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
