Just Xiangqi (chess for wargamers)

Xiangqi, the Chinese form of chess, has more WA (wargamer appeal) than the western variety. Its combat might be just as deterministic, but a board that boasts actual topography, and armies that include artillery units capable of stylised indirect fire, makes it feel groggier.

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M2T

M is for Master of Chess. The fact that the demo for Master of Chess, an intriguing Football Manager-style chess sim, refuses to run on both my laptop and desktop PC, probably says more about my fondness for outdated operating systems than BRANE’s professionalism or coding prowess. In Master of Chess the cultivatable character you Svengali provides insightful feedback on the moves you’re contemplating.

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Beer Regis

For a while now I’ve had the nagging feeling that Tally-Ho Corner was lacking something vital. Holidaying in Dorset a few weeks ago I finally realised what that something was. THC doesn’t have an official beer!

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H2L

H is for Hercules farewell. No aircraft type – with the possible exception of the Canberra – has served the RAF longer than the C-130 Hercules. Introduced in 1966, Britain’s Hercs will retire at the end of the month. I’m hoping to catch today’s country-crisscrossing farewell flypast, but if I don’t make it, I do, of course, have numerous virtual options for saying goodbye…

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Rule the Waves 3 ruled out

According to Steam I’ve only played Rule the Waves 3 for 74 minutes since installing it a couple of weeks ago. That quick post-installation plunge was long enough to tell me that Naval Warfare Simulations have produced another rich, multi-layer naval management game unlikely to win over my neighbour, Ted, or my optician, Sangeeta.

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Rail sim round-up

Announced almost two years ago, Derail Valley’s long-awaited second major update, should finally reach Steam on June 30. To understand why fans aren’t up in the arms over the project’s year-and-a-half overrun, watch the following three videos, and bear in mind ‘Simulator’ will be absolutely free.

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