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Feb 26, 2025·Review·22:52·397·Watch on YouTube

Cuba, The Splendid Little War - First Impressions & AAR

Homo Ludens

Homo Ludens

Watch “Cuba, The Splendid Little War - First Impressions & AAR,” a board game review for Cuba: The Splendid Little War from Homo Ludens on BoardGameVideo.

Description provided by Homo Ludens on YouTube:

Join Alexandre and me as we dive into our After-Action Report (AAR) and first impressions of Cuba: The Splendid Little War, designed by Javier Garcia de Gabiola and originally published by Victory Point Games in 2014—now back in a newly improved edition! This two-player game simulates the Third War of Cuban Independence (1895-1898), where one player takes on the role of the Spanish colonial government struggling to maintain control, while the other leads the Cuban rebels fighting for independence. With asymmetric gameplay, event-driven mechanics, and the looming presence of the U.S., Cuba: The Splendid Little War offers a fascinating look at insurgency, counterinsurgency, and the broader geopolitical stakes of the conflict. In this discussion, we break down our playthrough, the game’s mechanics, and how well it captures this pivotal moment in history. How does it balance strategy, historical narrative, and player agency? And most importantly—what did we think of it? Tune in to find out! Support the show on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/homoludens1871

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Cuba: The Splendid Little War

Cuba: The Splendid Little War

2013·Javier Garcia de Gabiola

2 players
120 min
Medium weight: Teach it in one sitting

About Cuba: The Splendid Little War, from BoardGameGeek:

Cuba: The Splendid Little War, from designer Javier Garcia de Gabiola, is a two-player simulation of the third War of Cuban Independence, which lasted from 1895 to 1898. (This was the last of the three liberation wars fought between Cuba and Spain; the previous wars were the Ten Years' War (1868-1878) and the Little War (1879-1880). One player controls the forces of the Spanish colonial government, fighting to retain Cuba; the other player controls the Cuban rebels fighting for their independence. Gameplay represents the main insurgency and counterinsurgency operations that took place, and players must make key strategic decisions to achieve their objectives while balancing their resources and preventing their opponent from doing the same. There are event cards that help and hinder both players; disease, ambushes, assassinations, and the reactions of the American press and government. Steamships, railroads, telegraphs were all common, but there were no radios, almost no automobiles, and no airplanes, just like in the U.S.. Newspapers and magazines were the cutting edge of media, so print was “king.” As the Spanish, can you maintain control of the island, keep the economy going, and keep the U.S. claws out of the island? Or, as the Cubans, can you take control of the island, and stand your independence over the U.S. annexionist plans? Play Cuba: The Splendid Little War and find out! What's In The Box?: • One 16-page Rule book • One 11” x 17” map • One Set-up card and seven History cards • 67 Action cards • 39 information markers • 43 unit pieces • One two-sided player aid • Four 6-sided dice • One 11” x 17” mounted, jigsaw-cut game map • One white, 9" x 11 7/8" Deluxe cardboard VPG game box • One beautiful box cover sleeve • One "Wipes-A-Lot" napkin • One charcoal desiccant packet

Designer

Javier Garcia de Gabiola

Artists

Enggar Adirasa, Tim Allen, Bryan Armor (II), Eric Nyquist

Publisher

Tabletop Tycoon Inc.

Categories

EconomicPolitical

Mechanics

Area Majority / InfluenceArea Movement
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Cuba: The Splendid Little War

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