Earlier this year, I saw a Facebook ad for a 2nd Printing copy of a very cool looking card game from The Game Crafter that covered the Allied Paratrooper Operations during the D-Day Invasion of World War II called Airborne Commander.
Airborne Commander is a solitaire deck building game depicting the 101st Airborne Division’s actions in support of the D-Day landings. The player begins with a simple starting deck of just a few men, a couple non-commissioned officers and a lieutenant and are asked to face off against the German deck while trying desperately to recruit more cards from the drop zone in order to build up force for assaults against objectives. Points are earned for defeating enemy cards and taking objectives, but combat can result in lost cards and the dilution of the deck with disorganized cards providing a tense experience.
Combat includes small arms fire, suppression fire, bazookas, gammon grenades, anti-tank guns, indirect artillery support and air strikes. German cards represent the actual forces and terrain present including personnel from Ost battalions and static divisions, armored cars, STUG’s, blockhouses, Rommel’s asparagus and flooded fields. The objective cards represent the actual causeways, locks, artillery positions, headquarters and other locations that were assigned and have features unique to each.
Frankly I really like this game! It was a great find for me and I have played it about 35 times over the past 5 months or so. I heartily recommend the game and you can obtain a copy for $35.99 from The Game Crafter website at the following link: https://www.thegamecrafter.com/games/airborne-commander-2021
And if you don’t mind, if you buy it please let them know that Grant sent you over from The Players’ Aid.
-Grant
The Players' Aid 
This is, indeed, an excellent little solo game. There is one video playthrough on BGG where a gent comments that the game is a win EVERY time, and I wholeheartedly disagree. I think he stacked his deck in the replay. I have played this at least 30 times with less than a 30% win factor. Granted, there are a couple of VERY strong cards which will make a win easier; however, you have to get them in your deck first. If those don’t come up right away, it’s going to be a great struggle with the outcome in balance until the very end.
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I would also not agree that it’s a win every time. I’ve played slot as well and probably win about 60%. I just really like the game. Simple. Interesting. Challenging. Just what you want in a solo game.
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