In the mid 70's I stumbled into the local hobby shop and a game called Richthofen's war caught my eye. Back then AH was the Cadillac of cardboard war games. As we played one we'd save a few bucs and purchase another off the shelf. Tactics II, AK, PB. But, one day by luck I bought a new game called Squad Leader. The box said it does for infantry what Panzer Blitz did for armor. I was hooked. Thankfully back then us kids (so long ago) didn't sit in front of video games, so FTF players were quite abundant. Since the late 70's SL/ASL was the standard of all games we played. Fast forward 30 years, I have that same problem most of us have. "Too many games. Too little time" For a good while there were a few of us in the Pittsburgh area that ASLed it often. However as with anything it gets old after a long time of solely playing it, and new titles were far and few between. About 2003 I dabbled into the ATS series of games. Though ATS had a better impulse movement system and a much superior armor Vs. armor system, it was never less just a semi lite ASL. Being a fan of PB/PL way back I gave PG a Look about that same time (2003ish) Production errors and rules nightmares seemed to have plagued this series. I always liked the naval games from AP so I figured that PG would be worth a shot. I picked up my first PG title "Desert Rats" in a bundle deal when purchasing a naval game from AP. At first look it had all the candy of a winner. Great counter art, tons of scenarios, and even Italian colonials. However the rules at that time was a killer to me. When AP released the 3rd ed. rules, I gave it another look. Though not perfect by any means the 3rd ed. rules cleaned up all the "Killer issues" I had. Since then I started filling the PG series in on my book shelf.
Now to compare ASL to PG is as comparing apples to basket-balls. Both are similar as in you must break up the opponents force via morale rather than out-right killing. Both function as games where leaders play a key role. Both are set during WWII. That's where the similarities end.
The scales are vastly different. An ASL scenario would be played in an area of maybe 5 PG hexes and in a time frame of one or two PG turns. In ASL firepower and maneuvering to effectively break the morale of the enemy force is one of the prime tactics of ASL. In PG the prime tactics are more of maneuvering over a large area while being countered by your opponent. Combat is very much slow paced as are results in shoot outs, as they should be at that scale. The key tactics in PG revolve around maneuvering while countering your enemy, deciding where to overwhelm any weakness or objective, and using bombardment to soften up objectives via demoralizing enemies. Then the key choice of PG. Where and when to I close for assault?. Timing is nine tenths of success in PG. Though scenario balance is not near as good as ASL, no scenario plays the same twice. There are more random elements to PG than ASL. Be it random events or your leader force pool.
For what it's worth I really do enjoy PG. Is it as perfect as ASL? No. Has it improved over its run? Yes. Remember ASL has been a work of art for 30 years. PG only has 8 under it's belt.
Pros:
PG:
More random as what leaders you have.
Lower complexity results in more playability.
Company support for new titles 2 boxed a year plus many supplements.
Fast play using initiative and leader activations (always something to do).
ASL:
Refined system with years of production.
Complete and comprehensive rules.
Detailed combat, leadership, and morale system.
Ability to play any situation anywhere during WWII.
Cons:
PG:
Infant system with some rules contradictions.
Not best suited for urban warfare.
Map art not clearly hex identified. (But, improving)
ASL:
Rules rules rules. There's a rule for everything. Game at times bogs down as you thumb pages of rules.
It's done it all. Though I look forward to new titles.
Ugo Igo. Non impulse movement.
In conclusion, it's hardly fair to compare both titles. ASL is a vastly superior game as far as neatness of the system (30 years at it). But, is it superior in playability and fun? I'll leave that to Yuinz (Pittsburghese for "You all") to decide. I myself would give PG the edge in funness, when you want to push cardboard around, and play out a large engagement in one afternoon. By no means have I shelved ASL completely. Every once and a while it's good to FTF it still.
Brian
