Sure enough, got a total victory in 27 turns.. This one is definitely fun to see how quickly it can be done.. It really is about making an efficient machine. Even though the gameplay is a bit on the mundane side once you've figured out the process and neutralized the enemy, there's a certain geeky fun in getting the timing right and switching your machine from a resource generating machine to a war machine. I could probably trim down a few turns by switching a bit earlier (stock piled 39 resources this time around before switching.. 35 probably would of been fine).. But probably not motivated to go through it again to do that..
Nice simulation!
Wow. 27 is pretty good. We actually created an entirely new card type to allow one to add more turns to the turn total. It is the IMF LOANs card. The central idea behind this game is that time is on Ukraine's side if it wants to stop Russia from capturing more territory....but time may be on Russia's side when it comes to Ukraine recapturing territory. I would say your assessment is correct: the opening phases of the game are the most interesting, and the rest is optimization. I think we were all transfixed by the 40 mile convoy and the siege of Mariupol. Watching Ukraine build an army that can retake and hold territory is a lot less exciting. It is also a lot more expensive. Thanks for playing!