Western Front Ace

Categories: Aviation/Flight, Wargame, World War I

Mechanics: Area Movement, Campaign/Battle Card Driven, Role Playing, Solo/Solitaire Game, Variable Player Powers

Players: 1

Ages: 12+

Playtime: 120–180 Min

Western Front Ace: The Great War in the Air, 1916-1918 is a solitaire, tactical-level game that puts you in command of a scout (fighter) aircraft during World War I. Each turn represents a sortie, where you will typically encounter combat. Players can choose to fly for one of seven different nationalities and be based at various locations along the trench lines or in Italy.

Western Front Ace is inspired by the action-packed Nightfighter Ace game system by Gregory M. Smith and is the third game in the series. It features a strong narrative around the pilot, as you strive to increase your prestige, earn skills, rise in rank, and receive awards.

The objective of the game is to conduct numerous sorties as a scout pilot and accumulate victories. Pilots can use the experience gained to enhance their odds of success by purchasing skills. As your prestige grows, you may request a transfer to other fighter bases to take part in major ground offensives or request a newer model of scout aircraft. Achieving awards and ace status adds to the narrative, with the ultimate goal of becoming the top "Ace" of the war.