Any solitaire Vietnam games?

[JudgeDredd]

As the title.

I'd be especially interested in squad level (ala Band of Heroes) or even more especially air war

Ta

[Nefaro]

I know that Downtown: Air War Over Hanoi has a user-created solitaire flow chart AI on BGG that's still being worked on.  Possibly others, too.  I may check it out to see if it works with the Arab-Israeli title that uses the same system.

Problem with Downtown is it's almost impossible to find, or probably ridiculously expensive if you do.  Pretty sure you can still find Elusive Victory (the A-I Wars one) easier, but it's not Vietnam and I don't think it gets as much attention regarding user-created solitaire rules.

There is, of course, DVG's current Phantom Leader Deluxe.  Pretty pricey, but some decent components.  It's probably the go-to Solitaire air war game for Vietnam.  I'd like to get this one sometime, but I have the basic Phantom Leader game for the PC so no hurry.

I picked up Thud Ridge awhile back; a print & play indie solitaire game where you run a unit of F-4 Phantoms in Vietnam.  The graphics aren't good, but the gameplay may be (not sure yet).  Haven't quite finished cutting out the materials to play yet.  The same creator also has many other solitaire games using a handful of different systems.  There is one featuring helos and another with special ops IIRC, both set in Vietnam, but I don't have them.  He has a wide range of historical settings.

If you're okay pushing wooden cubes around in an abstract diplo-mil card driven grand strategy game, then there is the recent Fire In The Lake from GMT.  It has an AI flow chart solitaire system that comes with the game.  Many people love it.  I've had it sitting around for months, yet to be played, but the ebb & flow mechanics along with the historical event cards and different faction mechanics probably make it a fun multi-player game at the least.  Big solitaire flow charts always look rather unwieldy to me but they're usually just a matter of familiarization.

I seem to vaguely recall a smaller solitaire wargame or two for Vietnam, but I tend to skip the little "pocket size" stuff.

I'd like to hear about any further solitaire titles for the setting, too.

[JudgeDredd]

Thanks Nef

I have Phantom Leader (not deluxe) and it is truly awesome.

However reading about Thud Ridge, I was particularly struck with the hex map you had to navigate. I liked that idea. Phantom Leader - whilst superb - doesn't give that kind of depth.

So I was looking (hoping) for something a bit more in-depth than Phantom Leader. From a ground perspective, I'd kind of like something like Band of Heroes but in 'Nam.

Downtown Air War looks a bit too big. I don't know where I would play that.

As for Print and Play - I kind of prefer my games to be well manufactured (I'm even a graphics whore with boardgames!).

Wooden cubes aren't my thing. I'm hoping for hex map and counters - both with good graphics.

[MikeGER]

Nefaro, +1 on Phantom Leader Deluxe 
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCLfDWEAVwQ

there is also a full blown PC game ($19.9) and iOS also of Phantom Leader by DVG (no Deluxe so)

...and Huey Leader (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/149244/huey-leader) may see the light this year?, or i hope so!

[JudgeDredd]

Huey Leader is on pre-order - though I don't know that'll be able to scratch this particular itch. It looks like it's in the vein of Thunderbolt-Apache Leader which could turn out good.

I just couldn't justify buying the deluxe version of Phantom Leader - not having already paid £50 for my "early" copy.

[Barthheart]

You do know that the Band of Heroes is actually a spin off from the very first game in the series called Forgotten Heroes which is all about Vietnam? It also has an expansion called ANZAC Attack.

http://lnlpublishing.com/lock-n-load/forgotten-heroes-2nd-edition-lock-n-load

http://lnlpublishing.com/lock-n-load/anzac-attack-lock-n-load-expansion

[Rekim]

GMT's Fields of Fire

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/22877/fields-fire

"This game is based on three actual campaigns experienced by units of the 9th US Infantry (Regiment) in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam."

I have only played WW2 scenarios...must visit Vietnam one of these days.

[JudgeDredd]

Yeah I do Barth thanks.

I'm looking - but it's not showing at present in the UK. It's out of stock in IGUK, Gameslore and Boardgameguru. I'll keep looking.

There's one on eBay but it's got until Sunday to run. I'll watch it.

[JudgeDredd]

GMT's Fields of Fire

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/22877/fields-fire

"This game is based on three actual campaigns experienced by units of the 9th US Infantry (Regiment) in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam."

I have only played WW2 scenarios...must visit Vietnam one of these days.

Thanks but I've got a card based game (Warfghter) and it's not my fav I have to say. I am specifically looking for map and counter based games for Vietnam.

[bayonetbrant]

It would be cool if there was a Vietnam equivalent of Ambush

[Nefaro]

You do know that the Band of Heroes is actually a spin off from the very first game in the series called Forgotten Heroes which is all about Vietnam? It also has an expansion called ANZAC Attack.

http://lnlpublishing.com/lock-n-load/forgotten-heroes-2nd-edition-lock-n-load

http://lnlpublishing.com/lock-n-load/anzac-attack-lock-n-load-expansion

I was going to mention this, but didn't think it had dedicated solitaire rules.  Is the chit draw is enough to satisfy?   Also.. is it still available?

[Nefaro]

GMT's Fields of Fire

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/22877/fields-fire

"This game is based on three actual campaigns experienced by units of the 9th US Infantry (Regiment) in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam."

I have only played WW2 scenarios...must visit Vietnam one of these days.

Thanks but I've got a card based game (Warfghter) and it's not my fav I have to say. I am specifically looking for map and counter based games for Vietnam.

I'm probably going to pick up the reprint of Fields Of Fire when it comes out.  Because it's solitaire, and seems to have more gritty detail to the system than something like Warfighter.

The problem with your search is likely your pursuit of a hex & counter style wargame.  There aren't many truly solitaire hex & counter games out there.  :-\

[Barthheart]

You do know that the Band of Heroes is actually a spin off from the very first game in the series called Forgotten Heroes which is all about Vietnam? It also has an expansion called ANZAC Attack.

http://lnlpublishing.com/lock-n-load/forgotten-heroes-2nd-edition-lock-n-load

http://lnlpublishing.com/lock-n-load/anzac-attack-lock-n-load-expansion

I was going to mention this, but didn't think it had dedicated solitaire rules.  Is the chit draw is enough to satisfy?   Also.. is it still available?

It's not chit draw, just alternating impulses. No dedicated solo rules either but plays well solo because of the alternating.
I think the second edition is still available at their website.

[GJK]

"A week in Hell: the battle of Hue" is the game that you want (https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/60029/week-hell-battle-hue).  I have "Phantom Fury" that uses the same system and covers the 2nd battle of Fallujah.  It's a fun game that often comes down to the last few rolls of the dice to see if you're going to win or not.  It is solitaire or co-op only.  Problem is, the game is recently out of print but I think that they made another short print run for it- I don't recall.  You might have to dig around a bit to land a copy.

[TacticalWargames]

I'm waiting for the 2nd edition release...it does look like the ultimate solo tactical wargame.

GMT's Fields of Fire

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/22877/fields-fire

"This game is based on three actual campaigns experienced by units of the 9th US Infantry (Regiment) in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam."

I have only played WW2 scenarios...must visit Vietnam one of these days.