Kickstarter has welcomed a novel board game, “The Other Side of the Hill,” which promises to deliver a fresh perspective on World War II gameplay. With a goal of $32,145, the game has already garnered $15,217 in pledges from 228 backers, and the campaign is set to conclude on December 20.
The game is unique in its variety of play modes, catering to different gaming preferences. The primary mode is competitive, where the game ends either when Germany collapses or at the end of the 1945 spring turn. Players aim to accumulate the highest Prestige, with intriguing elements such as the Dissidents’ agenda, which includes the potential to end the war early by assassinating Hitler.
In cooperative mode, the goal is to ensure Germany’s survival until spring 1945, fulfilling specific objectives like controlling Festung sectors and concluding technological projects. The solo mode mirrors the cooperative mode, with a single player managing all game aspects.
Two additional modes add further depth: the semi-cooperative mode, similar to the cooperative mode but with a competitive edge, and the Campaign mode. In Campaign mode, players engage in sequential short scenarios, accumulating Prestige Points across multiple sessions.
Prestige Points, a central element of the game, can be earned through various means, reflecting the tensions within the High Command. Players can earn Prestige by leading sections of the High Command, managing historical generals, and fulfilling agenda cards representing different factions within the Wehrmacht.
The game’s structure is meticulously designed, with each year starting with the allocation of Prestige Points and the distribution of new General and High Command section cards. Players navigate through administrative and operations phases each season, making strategic decisions about reinforcements, resource allocation, and military directives.
Combat in the game follows a detailed process, with battles influenced by terrain, air power, and generals’ abilities. Successful generals gain Prestige, while defeats lead to questioning and potential dismissal.