Opinions on HPS Franklin

[Weatherman]

Hi all,

I see almost all the other HPS ACW games mentioned except Franklin. What do people think of this title? I'm thinking of picking it up. I'm a Nashvillean and think I would relish knowing the map and the road network from real experience. :p

[Coaling]

I have the disk, but haven't tried it yet. I will shortly, however. Just haven't got to it yet.

Opinions I've seen vary. Some say it's too hard for the Rebs to win, as they did indeed have a difficult time historically. Confederate forces were outnumbered at Nashville, for instance. But others have disagreed, so I will judge for myself in due time.

[KG_RangerBooBoo]

Well I've found that the first two battles in the campaign tend to favor the Rebs. These are usually variants of Spring Hill(?) and Franklin but if the Union is careful the battle of Nashville should be a Union win though I've been careless and had it proven that the Rebs can win. I'd really feel for more comfortable on my opinion if I had played it more.

[GBastiani]

I haved the game now for two years, it was the first one I picked up in the HPS series, I've played it against 5 different players. Won two and lose three. I'm in a campaign against Alex and getting wupped pretty good, he's a good opponent... and it's an enjoyable game.

[Alex Krolikowsk]

Franklin was my first HPS title and I like it very much. Always have at least one battle in my current game roster. Maybe it's not a scope of Gettysburg (in maps, scens and armies) but if you like western theatre you'll enjoy it.

In the first two battles of the campaign, Confederates must try to inflict losses on enemy without risking too much of their own strenght as every man will be needed at decisive battle of Nashville. They can muster only about 29.000 infantry for this campaign, regiments are not too large but they all are veterans and hard to break. I tell you, Pat Cleburne's division can outrun the devil when it is after Feds :smoke:

As to ballance of play - all depends on player choices. Once I started a campaing playing a variant of the battle of Columbia against Pitrek and it was simply a no win for Rebels without risking massive losses. I remeber also one of Spring Hill variants which was very tough for rebels.

Second battle is clash at Franklin and the only reasonable choice is to flank Union position. When Union player play with cool head, I think this battle can end as a draw.

And then Nashville - usually rebels are greatly outnumbered in infantry but have one trump - Forrest 6.000 cavalry coprs of best Desperadoes in Confederacy (I never saw a single yankee cavalryman at Nashville, guess that as always Forrest outmanouvered these poor boys completly :clown: ).

So Nashville is very interesting battle and I think that both sides can win here.

BTW, in Shiloh game you will find ever more ground around Nashville covered.
Only the armies are these of '62.

TENNESSE - A GRAVE OR A FREE HOME

[Weatherman]

Thanks for the opinions, gents. My copy just arrived and I'm looking over the maps. Mayhaps scare up a Union opponent as I have some time on my hands. :-D