As subject - criteria is
- low to medium complexity
- solitaire or 2 player (but can be played solitaire given some caveats)
- squad/platoon level
- counters (LnL Tactical) or mini's (Memoir '44)
- can be card driven (Combat Commander)
I currently have
- LNL Tactical Heroes of Normandy and Heroes of the Falklands
- LNL World at War (something)
- Conflict of Heroes AtB and SoS and Price of Honour with the Solo rules (though haven't tried them yet)
- Band of Brothers Screaming Eagles and Ghost Panzer
- Combat Commander:Europe
Each of these games falls very nicely into my lap in terms of scale, playability and pleasing to the eye.
So - what other gems am I missing that I might be able to pick up sometime in the future. Please submit your options below.
Thanks
DVG's Warfighter WW2 comes to mind, it is of course more of a card game than just card driven, but worth a shout I believe.
Having said that, I have the modern Special Forces Warfighter game, not the WW2 one. But I rather like it, so am assuming the WW2 era one is a gem as well.
LnLP Nations at War series. Similar rules and same scale as LnLP World at War series but for WWII era conflicts. Current Normandy, East Front and N. Africa available. Fun game and plays fast.
Tide of Iron. It's out of print but there are still tonnes of copies available. All the expansions are decent but the two East Front ones offer the most bang for your money.
Quote from: Barthheart on April 19, 2018, 06:39:20 AM
LnLP Nations at War series. Similar rules and same scale as LnLP World at War series but for WWII era conflicts. Current Normandy, East Front and N. Africa available. Fun game and plays fast.
I saw this on the LnL website. Unfortunately, I couldn't find t online in the UK (well, not the Normandy one - I think BoardGameGuru had the Africa and Russia one).
Tide of Iron has always been on my radar...ever since I picked up and enjoyed Memoir '44 (which my daughter apparently loved and was completely unhappy when I sold it so I could buy Conflict of Heroes)
Does anyone play Axis and Allies? I always got the impression it was a bit like Risk but with proper units - and of course rules for navy and air force - so nothing like Risk except it's based on the World :idiot2:
I played the original Axis & Allies to death with my group. It's a fun light game. Great when drinking lots of beer. Not hard to learn but also not very deep. I eventually sold my copy when we all got tired of playing when most games turned out the same. So yes, think Risk+.
You have a pretty good list but I would add:
Red Poppies: Ypres Campaign (Compass) - units are companies, so maybe higher level than you want. Covers three campaigns, 1914, 1915 and 1917. Does a great job is showing the evolution of warfare through the period, 1914 is mobile and deadly - 1917 has gas and trenches. https://www.compassgames.com/military-simulations/red-poppies-campaigns.html (https://www.compassgames.com/military-simulations/red-poppies-campaigns.html)
Paths to Hell (Compass) - WWII platoon level system, of the War Storn series. This game covers early Russian invasion. Other games in the series cover Spanish Civil War, and France 1940. This summer, a Normandy 1944 will be published in the series.
https://www.compassgames.com/military-simulations/paths-to-hell.html (https://www.compassgames.com/military-simulations/paths-to-hell.html)
Tiny Battle publishes the "In The Trenches" series of games, that is at platoon level. The series covers WWI in the West and East, all periods of the War. The series does a pretty good stretch by also covering battles in Asia with Japan vs. the Germans.
Devil Dogs (Tiny Battle Publishing) is one of the base sets. Covers the US Marines at Belleau Wood, and a sprinkling of other periods
https://tinybattlepublishing.com/products/in-the-trenches-devil-dogs (https://tinybattlepublishing.com/products/in-the-trenches-devil-dogs)
upcoming and buzz
Great War Commander (Hexasim) is getting great buzz...but I haven't gotten a copy of it yet myself. It is the Commander series in WWI
https://www.hexasim.com/1139-Great-War-Commander.html (https://www.hexasim.com/1139-Great-War-Commander.html)
Red Poppies Campaigns: Volume 2 - Last Laurels at Limanowa (Compass): Eastern Front, 1914, Russians vs. the Austrians. Due to release tomorrow.
https://www.compassgames.com/preorders/red-poppies-campaigns-volume-2-last-laurels-at-limanowa.html (https://www.compassgames.com/preorders/red-poppies-campaigns-volume-2-last-laurels-at-limanowa.html)
Second Tide of Iron. I have the original base game and three expansions...which I've yet to delve too deeply into but I think looks amazing and fun.
DVG's Warfighter WWII game is great fun.
Fields of Fire from GMT might be a possibility, though you might find it too much (e.g. not low complexity) but I've heard great things about it.
You could always do with a copy of the old Ambush! game if you can find it (and are good with paying quid through the nose to get it, lol).
Also agree with Axis & Allies - there's so many iterations of it out there now you can easily find something that you'd like...though that's not squad/platoon level of course.
Wow, Great War Commander is a beautiful looking game!
Quote from: JudgeDredd on April 19, 2018, 07:26:56 AM
Quote from: Barthheart on April 19, 2018, 06:39:20 AM
LnLP Nations at War series. Similar rules and same scale as LnLP World at War series but for WWII era conflicts. Current Normandy, East Front and N. Africa available. Fun game and plays fast.
I saw this on the LnL website. Unfortunately, I couldn't find t online in the UK (well, not the Normandy one - I think BoardGameGuru had the Africa and Russia one).
World at War's first module game, White Star Rising, has some Normandy scenarios, among others.
The series is on "version 2.0" at the moment, with new counters and maps, in "version 1.0" there was a module for Operation Cobra, that has not yet been converted I guess. But I'd guess by Normandy the reference was to White Star Rising.
What about the Fields Of Fire series solitaire games from GMT?
Have heard a lot of good about it, although I've not yet fully learned it. The rules look a bit on the heavy side, but it sounds like a great infantry platoon/company commander type of experience from WW2 to Korea and Vietnam. The second version (Marine) reprint is also coming up soon.
https://www.gmtgames.com/p-322-fields-of-fire-2nd-edition.aspx
(https://www.gmtgames.com/images/Product/medium/322.jpg)
https://www.gmtgames.com/c-46-fields-of-fire-series.aspx
The terrain, etc, for each scenario is dictated by some randomization of terrain cards in a tableau. Same for enemy forces & such IIRC. So there should be some great replayability.
Someone has a YT introductory partial playthrough on it.
Honestly your low level tactical collection is nice. I would maybe consider moving up in the level of war to try something new like Normandy 44 or Holland 44. Both operational level and are good for solo play.
Heroes of Normandie is a legitimately good game system with a ton of different expansion directions to head down if you want to.
Quote from: Bison on April 19, 2018, 07:08:24 PM
Honestly your low level tactical collection is nice. I would maybe consider moving up in the level of war to try something new like Normandy 44 or Holland 44. Both operational level and are good for solo play.
I like the sound of that - perhaps I should scale up O0
Quote from: Nefaro on April 19, 2018, 04:07:05 PM
What about the Fields Of Fire series solitaire games from GMT?
Have heard a lot of good about it, although I've not yet fully learned it. The rules look a bit on the heavy side, but it sounds like a great infantry platoon/company commander type of experience from WW2 to Korea and Vietnam. The second version (Marine) reprint is also coming up soon.
https://www.gmtgames.com/p-322-fields-of-fire-2nd-edition.aspx
(https://www.gmtgames.com/images/Product/medium/322.jpg)
https://www.gmtgames.com/c-46-fields-of-fire-series.aspx
The terrain, etc, for each scenario is dictated by some randomization of terrain cards in a tableau. Same for enemy forces & such IIRC. So there should be some great replayability.
Someone has a YT introductory partial playthrough on it.
Thanks Nef - I hadn't heard of FoF before...or it never clicked with me to look up for some reason. Maybe at the time, I just wasn't thinking about a new game.
Quote from: Crossroads on April 19, 2018, 09:54:16 AM
Quote from: JudgeDredd on April 19, 2018, 07:26:56 AM
Quote from: Barthheart on April 19, 2018, 06:39:20 AM
LnLP Nations at War series. Similar rules and same scale as LnLP World at War series but for WWII era conflicts. Current Normandy, East Front and N. Africa available. Fun game and plays fast.
I saw this on the LnL website. Unfortunately, I couldn't find t online in the UK (well, not the Normandy one - I think BoardGameGuru had the Africa and Russia one).
World at War's first module game, White Star Rising, has some Normandy scenarios, among others.
The series is on "version 2.0" at the moment, with new counters and maps, in "version 1.0" there was a module for Operation Cobra, that has not yet been converted I guess. But I'd guess by Normandy the reference was to White Star Rising.
You mean Nations at War right?
I couldn't find Nations at War White Star Rising online in the UK.
WWII discussion of good tactical is not complete without mentioning the elephants... ATS (Advanced Tobruk System - Critical Hit) and ASL (Advanced Squad Leader - MMP)...both of those are such rich systems with such variety of available content, they are practically lifestyles.
I also enjoy Academy Games Conflict of Heroes system - kind of reminds me of Combat Commander, but with less cards and more tanks.
Some honorable mention to the Avalanche's Panzer Grenadier series...platoon level. I think the system has a lot of good aspects...but I also have some major quibbles with the way leadership is handled...also no Vassal support
Combat Commander does not have armor in any of the core rules or expansions. There was an experimental armor supplement published in C3I (I believe this was the publication), but the rules were never really well received and not implemented into the game in any other products
So if vehicles or heavier equipment beyond some artillery is what you want in a tactical combat system CC is not the game you want to look into for that option.
Another fun WW2 tactical system is Jim Day's Panzer series. The focus is individual tanks but also has rules for infantry squads and artillery. A fun game that has a modular rules system so you can tailor the combat to your preferences.
Panzer is excellent. Both as a board game and a miniatures game.
Panzer isn't very good solo though, is it?
Don't know. Never played it solo.
Well aren't we just special with all our gaming groups and buddies living at a convenient distance from your domicile, eh? ;D
The game's caught my eye on numerous occasions but I've read comments on both sides of the fence for it being suitable for solo play. Guess there's better out there for us alone types.
Guess it depends on who you ask. There aren't specific solo rules, but people do play it solo.
https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/662412/two-questions-solo-and-72-pages-or-game-me (https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/662412/two-questions-solo-and-72-pages-or-game-me)
Quote from: BanzaiCat on April 21, 2018, 03:41:35 PM
Well aren't we just special with all our gaming groups and buddies living at a convenient distance from your domicile, eh? ;D
You solo players have my sympathy :P
I'll just move to the area and live out of my car.
Quote from: BanzaiCat on April 21, 2018, 03:47:13 PM
I'll just move to the area and live out of my car.
Sounds like a plan! O0
Quote from: mirth on April 21, 2018, 03:43:44 PM
Quote from: BanzaiCat on April 21, 2018, 03:41:35 PM
Well aren't we just special with all our gaming groups and buddies living at a convenient distance from your domicile, eh? ;D
You solo players have my sympathy :P
I'm the best AI there is vs myself!
Panzer is good solo. It does not require you to be any more or less schizophrenic as a player than any other wargame not specifically designed for solo play.
Quote from: mirth on April 21, 2018, 03:43:44 PM
Quote from: BanzaiCat on April 21, 2018, 03:41:35 PM
Well aren't we just special with all our gaming groups and buddies living at a convenient distance from your domicile, eh? ;D
You solo players have my sympathy :P
mirth might play with himself, but not with wargames
Aveeno: The Gathering
I'll miss that wit when I'm not at Origins this year....wait, no I won't.
You shouldn't miss Origins.
You'll have to run FoD this year.
But who will I be able to make sarcastic comments to???
That is a dilemma.
Offer him a beer.
You haven't met these cheapskates.
Nah. Only bourbon and/or scotch.
Quote from: mirth on April 21, 2018, 06:58:03 PM
You haven't met these cheapskates.
I was recommending Keystone Light.
Bah. I'm buying whoever bourbon and/or scotch.
Quote from: bbmike on April 21, 2018, 07:11:12 PM
Bah. I'm buying whoever bourbon and/or scotch.
Where was this offer last year?
I was totin' a ball and chain. I don't think that's the case this year. So bourbon/scotch, here we come!
Quote from: Bison on April 21, 2018, 01:42:12 PM
Another fun WW2 tactical system is Jim Day's Panzer series. The focus is individual tanks but also has rules for infantry squads and artillery. A fun game that has a modular rules system so you can tailor the combat to your preferences.
+1
Panzer solo has worked well for me.
Quote from: Bison on April 21, 2018, 11:46:08 AM
Combat Commander does not have armor in any of the core rules or expansions. There was an experimental armor supplement published in C3I (I believe this was the publication), but the rules were never really well received and not implemented into the game in any other products
So if vehicles or heavier equipment beyond some artillery is what you want in a tactical combat system CC is not the game you want to look into for that option.
Combat Commander Expansion 5: Fall of the West included the experimental AFV rules and counters from C3i. They did seem pretty bad. I never used them because after reading, I was completely turned off.
Quote from: ArizonaTank on April 21, 2018, 08:14:31 PM
Combat Commander Expansion 5: Fall of the West included the experimental AFV rules and counters from C3i. They did seem pretty bad. I never used them because after reading, I was completely turned off.
Cool. I don't have that expansion yet and didn't realize they'd put the rules in it. Learn something new every day. :)
Whenever I opened Combat Commander Europe I was always quite relieved there was no armour. It made a nice change to just have squads of infantry
You could just stay with the CC system and go Mediterranean or Pacific.
Quote from: ArizonaTank on April 21, 2018, 08:06:41 PM
Quote from: Bison on April 21, 2018, 01:42:12 PM
Another fun WW2 tactical system is Jim Day's Panzer series. The focus is individual tanks but also has rules for infantry squads and artillery. A fun game that has a modular rules system so you can tailor the combat to your preferences.
+1
Panzer solo has worked well for me.
Just sold my old 1993
IDF that was the last in the original Panzer/MBT line.
Great wargame system, but I have so many unplayed tabletop games it was time to start sending some to more attention-giving households.
Heroes of Normandie might be a good one - a bit cartoony perhaps but the playthrough vids I've seen are interesting. I haven't quite gotten up the motivation to buy it yet though.
Quote from: BanzaiCat on April 23, 2018, 01:45:34 PM
Heroes of Normandie might be a good one - a bit cartoony perhaps but the playthrough vids I've seen are interesting. I haven't quite gotten up the motivation to buy it yet though.
I have the computer version and it is fun. On the light side but very action-story telling....
I traded HoN away. It was just not for me but I can see the appeal of the game.
Quote from: BanzaiCat on April 23, 2018, 01:45:34 PM
Heroes of Normandie might be a good one - a bit cartoony perhaps but the playthrough vids I've seen are interesting. I haven't quite gotten up the motivation to buy it yet though.
I think it's best played as a tabletop skirmish game without the need for minis. The scenarios are kinda meh, but building up points armies and maps and throwing down is a lot of fun.