Over-sized, over-priced, and over here. Yes, at long bleeding last, the new ASL annual is here. Over-sized? Yes, its 96 pages and has a wraparound card cover with 9 Deluxe ASL overlays. Over-priced? Well, yes, but the two '93 annuals each cost £7.95 for 48 pages, so in that respect £17.95 doesn't seem so bad.

And, at the end of the day, its the contents that determine whether its really worth it. So, what's inside? Well, a brief flick through reveals an article on Japanese airborne forces, a campaign game leader system, a look at the Normandy campaign, a discussion on routing, and finally a Series Replay of Festung St Edouard. Plus some 24 scenarios covering everything from the Spanish Civil War to a Soviet clash with Ukrainian nationalists in 1946.

Production wise, the annual is a joy to behold. Anyone who's seen recent issues of The General will be familiar with the improvements made by Avalon Hill recently. Extensive use is made of colour for maps, article sub-headings, and sidebars/tables. We are also treated to numerous photographs. The centre pages also feature a consolidated listing of all ASL errata and Q&A issued in previous annuals and issues of The General.

Anyone who has read Steven C. Swann's previous Reference Notes For ASL articles will know what to expect from "Airborne Samurai", in which Steve takes a look at Japanese paratroopers. The limited activities of these forces mean that the article is somewhat brief, but it is none-the-less informative and of much use for potential DYO scenarios. A couple of scenarios featuring Japanese paratroopers also accompany the article.

Reading an Annual Crossfire article always reminds me of a military exercise where they talk their way through a battle. This time Mark Nixon and Robert Banozic cover "Defeat In Java". It's worth reading just for the way the two argue and counter-argue, although having never played "Defeat In Java" I can't say how accurate their observations are.

The campaign game leaders variant is basically an update of the system that was originally introduced in Squad Leader. Although it has been expanded to cover all the nationalities in ASL it does not cover armour leaders (which were introduced in Cross of Iron). I rarely used campaign leaders in Squad Leader and never thought of using them in ASL, so it's not of much use for me. None-the-less it's a well written piece.

Reading the Normandy articles makes it clear how much this annual has been delayed, as they were intended to be a celebration of the 1994 50th anniversary celebrations. But despite being a year late, they still make an interesting read. The primary article looks at the Normandy campaign and how it is reflected in the various scenarios. Some of these are GI and Rogue updates contained in the annual, and the second article looks at how they were updated and suggests various tactics for their play.

Most of the 24 scenarios in the annual have been seen before, in one form or another. Apart from the three updated Normandy scenarios, there are also a large number of scenarios taken from some of the ASL 'zines such as Rout Report, Tactiques, and ASL News. All look very good, and are not too rules intensive (although there is a D-Day beach assault and a night para-drop, and a couple of scenarios which feature snow).

The Gentle Art Of Routing offers some advice on an all too common occurance of any ASL game. Following a review of the basic principles of routing, it offers advice on how to minimise effects of being Broken. Knowing this also allows you to take steps to maximise the effects on your opponent's units.

A series replay of Festung St. Edouard, one of the Kampfgruppe Peiper scenarios, brings the annual to a close. There's little you can say about a replay, but the use of full colour on the accompanying maps shows how much of an impression play of ASL can make when in full flow.

So, it is worth it? I'd have to say yes. Unlike the 93 annuals, this one has a lot of stuff that you'll keep going back to, even if just to read through. Too, much of it is playable even by a relative beginner to the system. So, if this is what we can expect in the future, let's hope they can get the promised '95 (Fall) annual out this year.