Europe Ablaze

In the Feb-Mar issue of II Computing, Rick Teverbaugh called this "one of the most complex war simulations on the market. It is exciting to play and easy to learn." In Issue 21 of the Australian game magazine Breakout!, Nigel Brand called it "a fine simulation and is indicative of programming of the very highest order." However, Brand was disappointing by the rulebook. Brand also did not like how information was summarized for the players, and that it was not possible to transfer squadrons from one base to another. Brand concluded, "Despite the excellent sound effects, some people may find Europe Ablaze a little boring... However a well-planned strike, incorporating appropriate defence-suppression tactics, is rewarding... Europe Ablaze captures the essential spirit of that style of conflict and deserves considerable success." Ken McMahon, writing in Commodore User, gave the game a rating of 8 out of 10 and described Europe Ablaze as "one of the most extensive and accurate World War II simulations". In the February 1986 issue of the French game magazine Jeux et Stratégie, Michel Brassinne warned that this game "is not intended for beginners" due to its complexity. Brassine concluded "A game for specialists." " In the Australian magazine Commodore Magazine, Chris Hindmarsh wrote, "As usual SSG have produced a top of the range product. This time their act seems totally to have come together with complete and understandable tutorials included." Hindmarsh concluded, "The WWII scenarios are exciting, compulsive and authentic — well represented with sight and sound and of interest to both the general games player as well as the ardent wargamer." Writing for Compute!, Neil Randall noted, "For those expecting excellence, Europe Ablaze will not disappoint... But those hoping for innovation may not be." Despite this, Randall concluded, "Europe Ablaze is a fine simulation that uses a proven game system. We can't ask for much more." In Issue 10 of.info, Benn Dunnington gave the game 3.5 stars and wrote, "Europe Ablaze is about as close as you can get to military board-gaming without a board." In Computer Gaming World, Jay Selover praised the game for its multi-player, gameplay variety, and the possibility to create custom scenarios. Computer and Video Games noted that the game is not for beginners and gave it a score of 7 out of 10. In the Swedish magazine Oberoende Computer, Morton S. Nielsen thought "Europe Ablaze offers the best experience of the air war to date. The simulation is challenging [and] more action-oriented." Nielsen concluded, "Europe Ablaze is undoubtedly one of the best purchases in the genre."