When I was asked to review the new Anniversary edition of this classic game, originally published by Parker Brothers, I was delighted.

The Opportunity cards, Escape Kits, Escape Equipment and Do or Die cards are all only useful for the escapee’s, the only cards the Security Officer can use are the German Security cards. This game is truly iconic: with its historical note, high quality components and immersive game-play. If the player rolls a 3, 7 or 11, the player takes an "Escape Opportunity" card (Escape Officer) or "Security Opportunity" card (Security Officer).For the Germans, there’s strategy on how many guards you have out on the board, and how many you keep back in the guard room to appear on the board at key times and in important locations. Whatever way you choose to go you’ll have to spend the appropriate piece of equipment to do it, so if you clamber out a window that’s your rope gone. This edition, published to coincide with the 75th anniversary of Pat Reid’s escape, will feature completely new art-work painted by fan-favourite historical artist, Peter Dennis. An Equipment Card may benefit any number of PoWs of a team during the turn in which it is used, provided only that the dice throw and free circles allow their movement and rule 23 is observed. Whereas, the anniversary edition's escapees are distinctly less impressive, especially with the startled expression of the left-hand figure and the overshadowing German guard.

Sometimes we may include links to online retailers, from which we might receive a commission if you make a purchase. PoWs in cells, safe areas (marked blue), tunnels or outside the entire castle walls or wire are not required to attend Appel.Along with a complete set of wooden pieces, the box will include replicas of prisoner-of-war artefacts from Mr. Spaces with a number on them indicate that a rope is needed, either one for space marked 30 or two for those marked 60. There’s a great sense of camaraderie and yet mistrust amongst the Escape Officers, and as the Security Officer attempting to keep everyone under control is really fun.

I’ve not played the older version of this game, and hadn’t heard of it, so a game about Colditz was just so exciting! Become the German security officer – maintain control through guile, ruthlessness, and careful observation despite limited numbers.

If you’re captured outside of the main courtyard not only do you have to lose a random piece of equipment but you’ll also be sent to the outer solitary building. In 1972, BBC produced Colditz, a television series about Allied POWs imprisoned at the supposedly escape-proof Colditz Castle and their many attempts to escape. The 103 third parties who use cookies on this service do so for their purposes of displaying and measuring personalized ads, generating audience insights, and developing and improving products.

Rules are found within a four page A4 instruction booklet/escape manual, entitled “To all Prisoners of War! Players in possession of these tools can now be arrested and sent to solitary confinement, and if a POW is caught outside the inner courtyard, the Security Officer will lose a piece of equipment! In fact you could even play it as a co-operative game from the start, although I imagine whoever is playing as the German’s would not be very appreciative of that choice.Depending on the types of equipment collected and Opportunity Cards held, each Escape Officer will then plan routes and execute the escapes of individual men in his team. Turns play out in relatively straightforward fashion, with players – Allies first, then the solo security officer – rolling two dice to calculate movement points available for prisoners and guards, respectively. Whether or not the PoW holds equipment, the PoW is sent to Solitary and the guard to barracks as above. Another friend waited for several turns at the front gate of the prison next to a guard (there are “safe” places where players are safe from arrest). I can’t say it’s brilliant or one of my favorite games and therefore I don’t feel it quite earns a full recommendation sticker.