What is it?
Fire in the Lake (2nd edition) is a turn-based strategy game based on the Vietnam War. Play as either the United States (US), the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), North Vietnamese Army (NVA) or Vietcong (Vietnamese Communists).
Is it a game or SIM?
Both. It's quite honestly a masterpiece that merges the two. There's enough detail and historical accuracy to constitute a Simulation game without loosing the 'game-like feel' and good-fun aspect.
What's included in the game?
What isn't! There's wooden units, chit markers, plastic-coated cards, a quality board, hard-card reference guides. It really is a treasure chest.
What's the objective?
Put rather simply and crudely, when you do good, you gets points and your opponent loses points. Once you hit a certain score, you win the game. In real terms this could mean US withdrawing from the war without incurring major losses, leaving the ARVN to their fate. It could mean ARVN holding onto South Vietnam's key cities and thwarting invading NVA and insurgent Vietcong. It could mean NVA successfully invading South Vietnam and defeating ARVN/US troops in open combat. It could also mean successful sabotage and subterfuge by the Vietcong, demoralising the enemy and eroding their support for the war and will to resist.
What're the components like?
Very high quality. GMT really have gone on all to make Fire in the Lake as aesthetically pleasing as it is fun to play. The board is strong, colourful and resilient. I've had this game for years and haven't noticed any chips on any of the wooden counters nor fading of the cards or chits. Even the cards themselves seem plastic-coated and resilient to water and even finger prints and general wear and tear. Again, I've had this game for years and if I ever sell it (I won't!) I think it'd be safely in the 'mint condition' bracket.
Is it similar to any other games?
Yes. It is fourth in the COIN series by GMT Games. COIN stands for Counterinsurgency. Each of the games in the series is different but follows the general gist of the COIN rules.
How long does a game last?
4-8 hours. It's advertised as around 3 hours game-time and it could well last as such, or even less, but I've found games to last much longer (play style dependant).
How many players can play?
1-4. It's important to note that each player has their own victory conditions. US can win and ARVN lose. NVA can win and Vietcong lose. For example, US could slowly reduce its combat presence, minimising losses and maintaining public support for its government, whilst the ARVN could be left to solitary destruction. Alternatively the NVA's overbearing presence in South Vietnam could trample on Vietcong progress and ultimately take over their bases and draw on their gains. The balance is outstandingly even, despite keeping historical flavour and realism. I find Fire in the Lake truly inspirational in getting that balance right between simulating history accurately whilst allowing fun, open gameplay.
What's the historical backdrop?
You can start Fire in the Lake at various points in history depending on what type and what length game you want. Assuming you play the full war, it starts right from US military intervention to its withdrawal. But of course you needn't repeat history and US might never have withdrawn, or committed in the first place. It really is very open. The cards drawn each turn decide the narrative for each game, and since these are numerous and shuffled, each game is different and can follow a different path depending on the card drawn and the actions taken by each player.
