Okay, let's talk about The Campaign for North Africa. You've probably heard whispers about this beast - the board game that eats other board games for breakfast. I remember hauling the box out of my closet last year, dust flying everywhere. My gaming group took one look at the 1,800 counters and said "Nope." But if you're here, you're either braver than us or just morbidly curious. Either way, stick around.
What Exactly is The Campaign for North Africa?
Simply put? The Campaign for North Africa (CNA for short) is a monster WWII simulation covering Rommel's desert war from 1940-43. Created by SPI in 1979, it's legendary for good and bad reasons. Think chess meets military logistics meets accounting nightmare.
Reality Check: This isn't your casual Friday night beer-and-pretzels game. We're talking about tracking individual water consumption for troops. Seriously. When people ask "is The Campaign for North Africa playable?" they're asking if humans can physically endure it.
Core Components Breakdown
- Three 34x22" maps (stitch them together for a 6-foot monstrosity)
- 1,800 cardboard counters (tanks, planes, trucks - good luck sorting)
- Rulebooks totaling 80+ pages (plus 50 pages of play aids)
- Player aid cards for supply tracking
- Charts for everything (weather, attrition, air operations)
- Scenario book with 10 starting setups
Why This Game Will Test Your Sanity
Let's cut to the chase - The Campaign for North Africa is complex. Not "read the rules twice" complex. More like "you'll need a PhD in logistics" complex. I learned this the hard way when I forgot to account for fuel evaporation during summer turns. My entire Panzer division got stranded in the desert. Embarrassing doesn't cover it.
| Complexity Factor | What It Means | Gameplay Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Supply System | Track fuel, water, ammo for every unit | Forget water? Your Italians surrender instantly |
| Air Operations | Separate altitude counters for planes | 30+ minutes just to resolve air phase |
| Maintenance | Vehicles break down randomly | Your precious tanks become paperweights |
The Time Commitment (No, Seriously)
How long does The Campaign for North Africa take to play? That's like asking how long it takes to climb Everest. The full campaign? Historical sources say 1,500 hours. Even the shortest scenario takes 50+ hours. Here's the brutal truth:
Typical Session Reality:
• First turn setup: 90 minutes
• Each subsequent turn: 45-60 minutes
• Full campaign turns: 300+
• Actual calendar time: 6-18 months playing weekly
My group managed four turns over two weekends before we admitted defeat. The Campaign for North Africa doesn't just consume time - it devours it.
Finding and Buying This Beast
Tracking down The Campaign for North Africa feels like its own campaign. The original 1979 SPI version is rare. Expect to pay $300-$600 on eBay if complete. The 2018 reprint by L2 Design Group is slightly more available at $150-$250 but still tough to find.
Where to look:
• eBay (check daily - copies vanish fast)
• BoardGameGeek marketplace
• Specialty war game stores (call ahead)
• Wargame conventions (bring cash)
Warning: When buying used copies of The Campaign for North Africa, count every counter. I learned this after discovering 173 missing pieces in a "complete" set. Seller swore they were "lost in the desert." Funny.
Is It Actually Playable? A Reality Check
Here's where I get real with you. Can you play The Campaign for North Africa? Technically yes. Should you? That's complicated. Let me break it down:
Why You Might Survive:
• Dedicated team of 5+ players
• Permanent game room (seriously)
• Rotating "logistics officer" role
• Digital aids (spreadsheets mandatory)
• No small children/pets near board
Why You'll Likely Fail:
• Standard gaming group of 2-4
• Normal attention spans
• Limited table space
• Desire to play other games
• Basic human needs like sleep
Truth moment? I've never met anyone who finished the full campaign. The Campaign for North Africa is less a game and more a lifestyle choice.
Rules That Will Make You Weep
The rulebook reads like a military manual crossed with tax code. Just a taste:
| Rule Category | Complexity Level | Headache Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Supply Transport | Calculate truck capacity × distance ÷ terrain | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ |
| Aircraft Operations | Separate rules for 27 plane types | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ |
| Water Consumption | Different needs for Italians vs Germans | ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ |
The infamous Italian water rule? They need extra because they... cook pasta. I'm not joking. This is actual North Africa campaign simulation detail.
Who Actually Wins This Thing?
Victory in The Campaign for North Africa isn't about El Alamein or Tobruk. It's about surviving the bureaucracy. The Allied player controls British, Commonwealth, and US forces. The Axis handles Germans and Italians. But here's the kicker:
Allied Advantages:
• Eventually get numerical superiority
• Better naval supply routes
• Don't have to manage Italians (sorry Axis)
Axis Challenges:
• Constantly juggle fuel shortages
• Italians collapse if not babysat
• Rommel's brilliance only gets you so far
Frankly? The real winner is whoever doesn't get stuck as quartermaster.
Modern Alternatives That Won't Break You
Want the North Africa experience without losing your marriage? Try these:
| Game Title | Play Time | Complexity | North Africa Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desert Fox (GMT) | 3-4 hours | Medium | ★★★☆☆ |
| Afrika Korps (DVG) | 2-3 hours | Medium-Light | ★★☆☆☆ |
| The Desert Rats (MMP) | 6-8 hours | High | ★★★★☆ |
Honestly? I get my desert warfare fix with Desert Fox these days. Takes one evening, not one decade.
Critical FAQ Section
How many players are needed for The Campaign for North Africa?
Ideally 5: 2 per side plus dedicated logistics officer. You can technically play with 2, but prepare for mental collapse.
Is there any way to play faster?
Veterans use spreadsheet apps for supply tracking. Some groups play "IGO-UGO" style instead of phases. Still slow.
What's the deal with the Italian water requirement?
True rule: Italians need 50% more water because they supposedly cooked pasta. Historical? Dubious. Annoying? Absolutely.
Has anyone ever completed the full campaign?
Few documented cases. Most famous was a 1983 group that took 18 months playing weekends. Legend says they're still recovering.
Why do people still care about this game?
Three reasons: 1) Legendary status as gaming's ultimate challenge 2) Incredible historical detail 3) Bragging rights if you actually play it.
Is the 2018 reprint better than original?
Marginally. Rules are cleaner but components similar. If you're buying a copy of The Campaign for North Africa, completeness matters more than edition.
Final Straight Talk
Look, I appreciate The Campaign for North Africa as a historical artifact. It's an astonishing achievement in simulation design. But as a playable game? For 99.9% of us, it's a beautiful disaster.
Will you buy it? If you're a hardcore grognard with unlimited time and space, maybe. For everyone else? Admire it as the Mona Lisa of wargaming - best appreciated from afar.
Still determined to try? Godspeed. Send me a postcard from Turn 50. If you ever get there.
People searching for The Campaign for North Africa also ask: Can you play solo? What's the shortest scenario? Are there digital versions? (Answers: Yes but brutal, Operation Crusader scenario takes mere 50 hours, No official digital version exists)
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