“Behind Enemy Lines”

My Favorite Cards #1 - Memoir ‘44

One of the pleasures of Memoir ‘44 is the consistency of the experience. The game excels at presenting real choices routinely each turn. Each player has a hand of cards. Each turn a player may choose one card to activate units and attack. The gameboard is divided into three sections - left, center, right. You play cards to move & fight.

Some cards invoke a special ability or resource. The key gameplay dynamic was you could only choose a single card each turn. Very often, given the vagaries of the game state, it wasn’t obvious which was the most pressing choice you needed to do right now! Every turn felt like it could be the key to the puzzle of ultimate victory.

I was pleased my boys started playing when they were about 8-years old. The simplicity of gameplay was ideal:

1. Play a card to activate some units.

2. Move some units.

3. Attack with those units.

4. Draw a card.

But, that moment of choice at each turn really made you think. What would you do with this opportunity? Will you respond to that enemy move? Or will you call the tune and make him respond to your move?

Now, my boys, Max and Malcolm, being 8-year old boys, they were very excitable. Some cards in Memoir ‘44 are super cool because they have a real “take that!” feel to them. Whenever the boys drew one of these cards, they could never contain their themselves. No poker face for them. Out of control excitement!!

“Ambush” was always cool, particularly if the enemy is pushing his luck with a weakened unit. Giving him a bloody nose was always fun. “Their Finest Hour” was a great option card to play for a crucial attack. Not 100% certain, but great fun to throw down.

However, it must be said, nothing compares to “Behind Enemy Lines”. With this card, you really could pull a fast one by defying the constraints of time and space to attack somewhere, typically behind enemy lines, and move again! The versatility of picking off a unit for that final medal to win the game or use the incredible movement to snag a distant objective was very appealing. It really felt like a veritable ace-in-the-hole. Not a game-winner, but a damn useful asset with enormous drama. Being a sucker for drama, I agree with my boys. “Behind Enemy Lines” is still our favorite card in Memoir ‘44.