Phalanx Games have an exceptional catalogue of board games and among them is a compelling strategy game by Vangelis Bagiartakis, Freedom! Insurgents vs Empire.

Freedom! // Phalanx Games

The initial print run of the game sold out so quickly and interest from people who missed out on it has encouraged Phalanx Games to not just go to a second print run, but to expand it through a pre-order scheme into multiple new language versions, but more on that at the end.

The game itself is set during the Third Siege of Missolonghi, one of the most important events in modern Greek history that took place during the War of Greek Independence. Historically it was the fall of the city that involved the superpowers of Russia, France and Britain in the conflict and ultimately swayed the result but here is your chance to change the course of history.

The game allows players to not only manage the military aspects of a besieged city from both sides of the conflict but also to deal with the problems of reinforcements, lack of resources and urban refugees. Freedom! includes mechanisms that replicate the real problems faced both by the aggressor and the defenders.

The game is designed for two players, although there is also a balanced solo mode that allows the player to experience an exciting siege on their own through a separate card deck for the AI.

Ottoman Forces Mass For A Charge // Freedom!

The battle takes place in two maps: one showing the actual city and the forces involved in the siege, and one with the surrounding areas, highlighting the support that each of them provides to both players.

This game features asymmetrical play. The goal of the invading forces is to manage to get inside the city before the end of the game or force the citizens to abandon the cause by dropping their morale to zero.

The defenders, on the other hand, try to withstand the siege and protect the city long enough for the invaders to abandon their attempt either by deciding to leave on their own or by having their morale dropped to zero. The actions of the players are driven by the cards in their hands, which highlight actual events and personalities of that time, while the combat is dice-driven to allow for quick and exciting game-play.

A fascinating concept of the card mechanic is that it can be played as either action points, or for the event on the card which is applicable to only one of the sides. However, if a card is played by your opponent which has a beneficial effect on your own force, you can forgo your own turn by discarding a card from your hand to activate that effect.

Freedom! Insurgents vs Empire

The discarded card can not be used in the same way, so choosing when to discard and even what cards you use to play them to keep them out of your opponent's hand is significant, and you can't just chuck away a card to prevent your opponent making use of it.

Pre-Order Details

Due to numerous questions about where to find and purchase the game, Phalanx Games have decided to prepare a second printing, the pre-order for which has just started, and the real surprise is that five new language editions are also planned - German, French, Greek, Spanish and Polish. There are a few steps behind the pre-order to make sure it is viable for them to produce the game which they have listed as follows;

• Step 1 – Collecting preorders – Whether or not the game will be published depends entirely on you. We are going to carry on with the next development stage if and only if we receive at least 200 preorders (for each language), and for the Polish edition of 250 preorders.
• Step 2 – Final development – After collecting 200 preorders, we are going to begin Development – the stage of finalizing the graphic design is going to last 30 days. This is the time during which we are planning to receive preorders and offer Freedom! in such an affordable price. You will be able to preorder the game at a bargain price until Game development ends and before the Credit cards, charge commences.
• Step 3 – Credit cards charge – As soon as we announce that all the game files have been approved and the game itself is ready to print with the date of actual printing confirmed, only then do we charge your credit cards to fund the game production. We are going to release an official date of collecting money in advance.
• Step 4 – Game production – The whole production of the game is going to take us 60 days.
• Step 5 – Logistics – The next step is logistics. Shipment and delivery to all our supporters who preordered the game and have been successfully charged is planned to end in no more than 15 days after the production step will have finished.

Phalanx has told me that there is no window for the pre-order collection, it will remain open until they have the requisite number of orders for the print run, hence why they are not charging when you place your order. It could be longer for some language versions than others, but if you're interested then tell your friends and spread the message around.

The Polish version is on a different page, so make sure you follow the correct link above!

I hope to be sitting down to talk to Vangelis soon so if you want to know more about this milestone in the formation of modern Greece then stay tuned!

 I dream'd that Greece might yet be free...