About game plus historical detail: | Caesar: Rome vs. Gaul is yet one more very interesting Card Driven Game, which is pretty fast-playing, reasonably easy to learn, two-players title touching on the Caesar’s conquest of Gaul. One player plays Caesar as he attempts to gain wealth and fame in Gallia at the expense of the Gauls. The other player controls all the independent tribes of Gaul as they slowly awake to the peril of Roman conquest. Caesar: Rome vs. Gaul uses many of the core rules and systems which author incorporated in Hannibal: Rome vs. Carthage. So players are dealt 8 cards at the start of each turn and use their cards to move their armies and place control markers. There are events, operating points, battles and sieges. Plus of course control of provinces and regions. The game covers the height of the Gallic Wars, the period between 57 BC and 52 BC when Caesar campaigned back and forth across Gaul putting down one rebellion after another and invading Germania and Britannia (you get special VPs for those). Units are individual Roman Legions or Gallic Tribes. Each turn represents one year. Would you stand-up to the task and manage to prevail against odds, leading the Legions or Tribes to victory over the determined enemy forces? |
Number of players: | This is truly great 2-player game. I cannot imagine playing it solo as there is so much suspense in hidden cards, tricks, last moment attacks or events. |
Playing time: | Allow around 3-4 hours for your first game – assuming both players are new to this title and you play full game. With experience – but also due to possibility that the war can end with sudden death victory – it should not take more than 2 hours. |
Complexity: | I can definitely state that the rules are not overly complex, although we have some cases which requires your attention. And of course, each side has its own set of faction-specific rules and actions which spice-up the game. |
What I like: |
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What I do not like or would like to see in the game: |
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For whom? | Definitely great title for all the fans of CDGs (Card Driven Games) and Mark Simonitch. At the same time ancient warfare fans will find a lot of theme and great mechanics here too! |
More about the game: | |
And now let us have a look at the components – some from Vassal some from the actual game:
VERDICT:

I had a chance to familiarize myself with that game deep in the COVID times, paying with my buddy Dave over Vassal. Later it was only better and better. This is another of Mark Simonitch masterpieces, very tense, very close and engaging game where you all the time try to surprise your opponent. The knowledge of cards, events and what they bring is a huge advantage for experienced players, but other than that this is great Card Driven Game.
I can definitely recommend it to the new wargamers, for whom this can be one of the first CDG games ones. It plays easily, quickly and thematically. It is also well suited for more experienced players, especially when playing twice, changing sides, and comparing the results. Highly recommended!
I didn’t realize you had got a copy of this one. Great!
The new solo system that’s shipping in June includes one for this game. I’m looking forward to it now that I have the game in my hands.
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You inspired me to get into this game 🙂
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That’s what I like to hear! 🙂
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As always, a very good review. I’m curious about your thoughts about the balance of the game. Don’t you think the game is more favorable to the Gauls? If I’m not mistaken, Mark Simonitch recognized there are some balance issues with the game, but hasn’t released any “patch” up to now.
However, you are an experienced wargamer and played it multiple times, so your opinion is very much appreciated.
Maybe the Romans’ learning curve is just bigger. XD
Regards from Brazil!
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I confirm, playing as Romans is MUCH harder; you need to look after your supply, crush revolts – sometimes at the rear, have time for “trip” to Germany and Britain. On the other hand, as Gauls you can have very poor draft in first two turns and simply not be able to do much…
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