Game Overview

Game Name: Codeword Cromwell
Publication Year: 2014
Designer: Daniel Hodges
Artist: Mark Mahaffey
Publisher: Fifth Column Games
Solo Mode: Designed for Solo (Included in the Base Game)

The overall goal is to survive through the night, maintaining strategic points and protecting the central church. But it’s more than just a mere exercise in making the units last. Everyone has a story, and the tension rises as injuries mount and the enemy troops inch closer.

Trouble at the Pub

Saturday evening would normally be a bustling time at the pub. Betty and Edith flitted about, changing bandages and tending to wounds that no one should have endured.

They had held fast for most of the day, though, and pride in Birkham Stokes reigned over everyone.

Suddenly, though, the abandoned west orchard was filled with Germans. There wasn’t enough time to react, and Edith bravely drew their attention. Along with a bullet.

Spluttering and heaving in pain, she desperately clung to Betty as they wondered what they might do next.

Slowing the Advance

From the wireless came hopeful news from the sea. Several German landing barges were swamped or otherwise thwarted. The invasion was hampered!

It was little comfort for Birkham Stokes, however. All of that effort to slow the landings didn’t affect the fact that the enemy was already within or very near the village.

There were far too many lost parts of the village, including the surgery. Dr. Greystone would have to do his best.

Those in the church were in the safest spot, but safety was furthest from their minds. The hours ticked by slowly.

Arthur’s Plan

Since the beginning of the day, Arthur Pendrake had been quietly helping to organize the teachers at the schoolhouse. It was Ms. Featherlake’s show, of course!

Yet no one questioned the fact that he lugged around a briefcase with a heavy shotgun. He was exhausted, but never let it show. There was a plan taking hold.

It reminded him of the bank vault sieges he read about. Guards could only hold out for so long before defeat.

Ah, but there was a simple way to distract bank robbers. Arthur could only hope it would hold true for the Germans.

A Clearing in the North

Perhaps it was the low lighting that brought the South Sussex Hunt to their senses. They were often at their best when a fox took refuge in a rather shadowy copse.

Together with Hartwell, they attacked. The cricket pitch quickly fell to German control, but the advancing units had no idea of the sort of accuracy they were up against.

Hartwell could barely muster the strength to hold his weapon, but with a bit of luck, he found his target.

The village might be attacked from many directions, but the northeast was safely secured for the time being.

Unexpected Allies

The cricket pitch might have been lost, but the cricket pavilion was still under Birkham Stokes’ control.

Fortunately, Sharma and Earl Thorncroft arrived to support the Contemptibles. They held off the advance, still desperately trying to get a foothold to the north.

If the invasion continued into the next day, or even beyond, they would need to secure routes to escape or guide friendly troops through. It was an exhausting affair.

Earl Thorncroft thought of what else he might do, loathe as he was to dive into all the action. A coward he was not…

Absolute Devastation

The church remained the safest place in the village. There was no denying that, and Drayden Fox was there to be bandaged and congratulated by grateful neighbors.

No one missed a second of his interview and they knew that it was the reason for the arrival of the US troops.

The young reporter quietly marched across the square, ready to help blockade the doors and move the supplies.

Without warning, a sniper nestled in the trees found him. No one expected it and villagers fled in terror. Drayden, the heroic broadcaster, was dead. As was most hope.

Alone on the Road

James Arnold heard the shot and the panic erupt from the church. Others raced ahead to see what the commotion was about. Yet the mechanic stayed behind.

Before he knew it, he was the lone defender on the main road as Germans moved in from the east. His aim was true, yet he didn’t stand much of a chance.

James was almost cut off from an escape route back to the church. Germans controlled his garage, of all places!

He had to make a decision soon. Risking his life for the village was something he never considered… Until now.

Fine Defenses

As dusk settled around the village, the southwest square remained an important stronghold. It was the last defense for the church after conceding so much ground.

It was not to be trifled with, though. Hodges maintained control while Sergeant Taylor marched off to deal with the incessant incursion from the east. All alone…

But not so! The US troops moved in to support the lone home guard soldier and they had a spectacular defense.

The gunfire was something all could almost get used to. Just barely. It was a somber thought… Would it ever end?

Cricket Bats Inbound!

Earl Thorncroft could sense the gradual losses in Birkham Stokes. Perhaps not many lives had been taken, but it was only a matter of time before the north was overrun.

He brooded inside the cricket pavilion, the Contemptibles looking on with a glimmer of their signature contempt.

A group of Germans started to creep up, but a few quick shots took down some of them. The cricket team was already injured, yet their determination was intact.

They charged into the fading light, screaming and yelling with their bats swinging about. With luck, they lived.

Teacher Knows Best

Although every person in Birkham Stokes played a role on that momentous day, Ms. Featherlake made herself something of a legend. As the day faded, she resolved.

This was no time to get exhausted. She simply wouldn’t abide by that. Her teachers were injured, yet they, too, remained alert and at the ready. For the schoolhouse!

Clark was there to offer minimal long-distance support. But he was buoyed by Ms. Featherlake’s unwavering spirit.

His volley of bullets found nearly all their marks and the bridge was determined to be relatively safe for the hour.

Danger on All Fronts

Imperceptibly, and not even noticeable at that moment, Birkham Stokes somehow turned the corner on fear.

The news over the wireless spoke of disaster on all fronts and withdrawn units. Far away, it sounded like defeat might be on the dark horizon. Looming, so very close.

But some of the villagers looked to the northwest. The pub and schoolhouse had not wavered throughout the day. Ground was lost, but the village was still theirs.

No one was particularly comfortable with the Germans so close, yet there was something more hopeful in the air.

Rolling Along

Dr. Greystone heard the roar of an engine and headlights blink to life from a corner of the churchyard. This was it… The Germans had arrived with a tank to kill them all.

Yet the unmistakable “Honk honk!” cheerfully cried out as none other than Earl Thorncroft’s Rolls appeared!

Word spread that his initial decision to protect it in the churchyard had been countermanded… By the earl himself. Now, he wanted it to be a way to move the troops.

“Much obliged!” yelled the captain of the British regulars. They raced off into the darkness, honking madly.

Racing Off for a Drink

By all accounts, the British regulars used the Rolls to race off to the pub for a little respite in the midst of the battle.

Naturally, there was a plan in place. The desperate Rolls honking and revving was enough to wake the next village, and it drew the attention of the Germans. Just as planned.

Betty and Edith were alone, though. They made the difficult decision to send their friends back towards the safety of the church. They would stay to the end.

The arrival of the overflowing Rolls was enough to bring back their plucky smiles and restore hope.

The Brave, The Fallen

Bolstered by their success with the cricket bats, the team encouraged Earl Thorncroft to help out where the village truly needed his shooting prowess and accuracy.

He joined them as a cowardly, selfish man. But in those few short hours, the young men changed the earl.

Heartbreakingly, the cricket pavilion was attacked shortly after he left. The team crumbled under the gunfire.

Earl Thorncroft never had a chance to thank them. He would go on to spend his life dedicated to standing up where no one else would, just as a Contemptible would.

Slowing the Enemy

It was becoming apparent that the Germans were getting desperate. They had control of several key points, but they were absolutely unable to move in from the west.

So it was with little surprise that Hartwell and the South Sussex Hunt heard Germans marching from the northeast.

They posted a fine defense from the police station and stopped the enemy in its tracks. Granted, Orchard Lane was still under German control. There was no escape.

Actually, the villagers felt as if escape would not be needed. If Ms. Featherlake could hold them, they all could!

An Unexpected Attack

In the dark, it was still difficult to detect all of the enemy units that approached the village. And no one expected the southeast to be a particularly dangerous spot.

Naturally, a large contingent set up inside the garage, much to the chagrin of James Arnold. The attack was certain to be a disaster. The sound was deafening.

Hartwell emerged unscathed, though half of the South Sussex Hunt were hit. No fatalities, thank goodness!

Captain McGowan had his defenses in place. Yet the Germans kept making unexpected maneuvers. What next?

The Last of the Night

In the deepest depths of night, time often has little meaning. For Birkham Stokes, that was the night that felt like an hour and a day, all at the same time.

It began with the devastating news that a German deception plan succeeded, bringing much of the British navy out of position. There was a clear entry point.

Worse, the new landings weren’t by foot. No. Light armor, or tanks, rumbled across the British coastline.

The villagers knew that they would not be spared these terrifying attacks. But they no longer feared them.

A Mighty Sacrifice

“I must go,” whispered Arthur. Ms. Featherlake’s brow knitted in irritated contemplation. He was just finishing with the main floor fortifications. What now?

Her expression softened in an instant. Arthur clutched his briefcase, a hand on the back door handle.

She reached out a hand to lay it softly on his cheek and let out a ragged breath. “Arthur Pendrake, you come back now. I intend to become Mrs. Pendrake before autumn.”

He winked with a smile, then was swallowed up by the shadows of night. Ms. Featherlake boarded up the door.

Utter Chaos

The final assault was ghoulish. Germans swarmed from all directions. To the west, Ms. Featherlake’s teachers used an arsenal of weapons to cause a tank to explode. A tank!

Most of the troops focused on the weak point to the southeast. It was apparently unguarded. That is until a Rolls flew into the police station yard, honking merrily!

All were stopped in their tracks, including a tank. Sadly, all of the British regulars were killed in that last hour.

But somehow, inexplicably, the Germans began a hasty retreat. By dawn, Birkham Stokes was safe at last.

The Village Heroes

And what of Arthur Pendrake? He risked his life, racing right up to the enemy and tossing his briefcase… Money rained down, and the Germans in the north grabbed it all.

He stumbled back to the schoolhouse in the early morning light. Ms. Featherlake, operating on no sleep, ran to him in the most uncharacteristic display of affection.

The teachers stood beside her the entire day, protecting that which was dear to them: Birkham Stokes.

Betty and Edith became the best of friends, often policing the most unruly pub regulars together. Tough as nails!

Session Overview

Play Number: 18
Solo Mode: Designed for Solo (Included in the Base Game)
Outcome: 227 Points (Win)

All of those who fell on that fateful day were always to be remembered. None deserved to die, yet their roles in the village defense were pivotal. Drayden Fox brought in the US regulars who might otherwise have stayed out of the action. The home guard and British regulars fought valiantly, putting their lives on the line to protect civilians. And the villagers made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure freedom for their beloved. Their Birkham Stokes.

Affordability

Price & Value

8

Functionality

Challenges & Mechanics

7

Originality

Design & Theme

5

Quality

Components & Rules

6