Overview
At a glance
Is this game right for my group?
ABG editorial scores on a 1–5 scale.
Harder to teach
High replayability
Highly interactive
Scales well
Deep strategy
How it plays
How does it play?
The Bulge is a re-design/re-development of 1979 SPI's The Big Red One: The Game of the First Infantry Division at the Battle of the Bulge (re-released as The Big Red One in 1980 by SPI.
Core mechanisms
Key systems that shape the decisions players make.
Grid Movement
Move pieces between adjacent spaces on a regular grid.
Dice Rolling
Roll dice to introduce uncertainty into actions, production, movement, or resolution.
Movement Points
Spend a movement allowance across spaces with different costs.
Hexagon Grid
Use a hexagonal map where each space connects evenly in six directions.
Combat Results Table
Compare opposing strength as a ratio, then consult a table to resolve combat.
Read the full game description
The Bulge is a re-design/re-development of 1979 SPI's The Big Red One: The Game of the First Infantry Division at the Battle of the Bulge (re-released as The Big Red One in 1980 by SPI. In addition to updating the rules, this version introduces new victory conditions, a shorter play time, and updated art on the 34"x22" map and 176 5/8" counters. The original counter set has been expanded and now offers players the choice of using either "classic" NATO symbology or a more modern iconic style. Originally published in World at War magazine, issue #3 (Nov-Dec 2009)