From: "Buzz R. Pounds" <brpounds@n-connect.net>
Subject: Re: Rise & Fall - EMS

Rise and Fall is an update of Barbarian/Kingdom/Empire.  I don't know the
original publisher.  The game is set at the Fall of the Roman Empire.
Players are Rome (West), Rome (East), Persia, and up to 3 barbarians (Huns,
several Germanic Tribes, Arabs and Africans, etc.)  The object is to gain VP
based on income of civilized provinces (Barbs get 1 fo1; Persia 1 for 2;
Rome 1 for 3).  The game is based on cycles from barb to kingdom to empire
(as the troops improve, they cost more to build and maintain).  Likewise,
the transition to empire imvolves the risks of revolt the longer the empire
is in play.  Players may "bail" at any time and subsequently enter as new
barbarians.

    Our experience with the game is that it is good for those days you want
to kill something.  Playing to the recommended vp (100) favors the barbs and
makes a 10 or so turn game, which puts anyone bailing at a disadvantage as
they take one turn to bail, another to announce their barb, and the third to
come in.  Additionally, with six players the choice of barbs can really tilt
the game.  One barb (alone) stands little chance against either of the three
starting positions; three will cause an early bail which makes their
entrance difficult (they become independent with default troops; the empires
can't garrsion everywhere but they counter counter -attack).

We have played the all kingdom (with five players it works ok) and set vp
higher, and we have played all barb versions (about the same).

As for collectibility, I know of a couple people with the game but haven't
seen it available for years [personally, I never buy games for collecting].
The counters are basic (and that is a euphemism) and the map ok.  Most of
the rules problems we ever had dealt with the end of the game.

I think it is worth playing.
buzz

-----Original Message-----
From: Grand Trunk <grand_trunk@hotmail.com>
To: consim-l@net.uni-c.dk <consim-l@net.uni-c.dk>
Date: Friday, February 18, 2000 7:09 PM
Subject: Rise & Fall - EMS

>Greetings,
>
>     I noticed that this game, Rise & Fall, by EMS is on Ebay and is
>currently at $120.00.  Does anyone know about this game.  I must admit that
>I have never heard of it.  The cover art looks rather amateurish and
>reminded me of the art commonly found on the old Judges Guild role playing
>accessories.  The map looks nice and is obviously meant for area movement.
>Who is/was EMS and what did it stand for.  Is this game all that rare??
>
>Brad Fallon
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