Conflict in Vietnam (1985)
Vietnam is a sensitive subject for Americans, even now, which makes it all the more surprising in retrospect that MicroProse would do a game on the subject. Truth is, if the game had been designed by anyone other than Sid Meier, MicroProse wouldn't have even considered it.
Design: Sid Meier
Publisher: MicroProse
Genre: Turn-Based Wargame
Difficulty: Advanced
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Conflict in Vietnam was designed in the early stage of Sid's career, which is best characterized as a relentless search for identity. Sid's enthusiasm, so evident in games such as Sid Meier's Pirates or Silent Service (both of which he would design in the next two years), was severely dampened here - mainly because everyone associated with the project wanted to treat the subject seriously.
On the other hand, Conflict in Vietnam was more accessible than NATO Division Commander, another high-complexity wargame designed by Sid during this period. It isn't as accurate a treatment as Nick Karp's old Vietnam board game (ironically designed about the same time and of similar complexity - you can still find copies in auctions at summer game conventions like GenCon or Origins).
 | Sid on types of gamers:" "I don't need a game that has a score permanently displayed, which winds up as you do better."
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If you're dying for a campaign-style Sid game, you're much better off playing the lighter affairs of Crusade in Europe or Decision in the Desert (provided you can find a Commodore 64 emulator). Or better yet, play some of the excellent scenario packs for Civilization II.
Next: Crusade in Europe 
