I’ve certainly finished games (maybe not A&A) that were almost over yet completely forgone.
A&A can take a long time to finish. I once played the Gamemaster edition against an opponent who insisted the game wasn’t over till I occupied both Germany and Japan. I had a factory in the Soviet far East building Russian transports by the end of it. It was fun, I admit.
@Axis Roll - I think you are being funny. I find the game most fun when I’m under some pressure but still have a good fighting chance. But sometimes these games are the best when you’re brand new. Then you can buy whatever you want because you haven’t yet learned that some purchases are stupid!