Wow what a month for new games! There are tons of new pre-orders (thanks in large part to Compass Games as they announced 12 new pre-order games that all look amazing by the way!) and several games on Kickstarter as well. We are in a Golden Age for sure and I only wish I had more free time! I am glad that I do have some free time. At least enough to scour the internet and share these great games. This month, I found 28 total games including 5 being offered on Kickstarter.
1. The Battle of Khalkhin Gol – July – August 1939 from Princeps Games Currently on Kickstarter
A few years ago, we encountered a new company on the scene called Princeps Games with their first game titled March on the Drina. Since that time they have really grown up and have released a 2nd game called Freezing Inferno: USSR vs. Finland 1939-1940 and now they have a third cool looking wargame focused on the seldom gamed topic called The Battle of Khalkhin Gol and it just hit Kickstarter on October 24th.
From the game page, we read the following:
The Battle of Khalkhin Gol is one of the least covered conflicts in the wargame world, so we thought it would be a good idea to offer you a new approach, new unique mechanics and a more artistic look of the design than wargames have in general. The Battle of Khalkhin Gol is a game for one to two players. If played by two players, one player controls Japan, while the other player controls the USSR.
Victory Condition No. 1: In order for the USSR to win, it must occupy 5 of the 9 checkpoints on the disputed territory (marked with white flag) and hold them until the beginning of the next round, while also controlling at least 4 of its 6 checkpoint on the Soviet territory. If this is not achieved by the end of the 8th round, the winner of the game is the player who controls Japan.
Victory Condition No. 2: If the Soviet player takes control of the Nomonhan and holds it until the beginning of their next turn the Soviet player wins the game.
Victory Condition No. 3: If the Japanese player takes control of the Tamsak-Bulak and holds it until the beginning of their next turn the Japanese player wins the game.
The game uses unique battle resolving mechanisms from Freezing Inferno, the previous game by Princeps Games Studio, successfully funded on Kickstarter last year.
As of November 1st, the Kickstarter campaign has raised $8,071 toward its $2,000 funding goal with 95 backers. The campaign will conclude on Tuesday, November 14th at 11:00am EST.
2. Would Be AcesPrint and Play Designed by Matt White Currently on Kickstarter
A few years ago, we posted an interview with Matt White, who is a very talented graphic artist and budding game designer, that focused on his artistic talents and love of tanks. He has since designed several very interesting small scale wargamers, with his most recent series being a World War II tactical wargame series for 1-2 players pitting the British Airborne versus the German Wehrmacht called Until the Bitter End. He then designed the next entry in this series called Until the Bitter End – US Airborne and then Until the Bitter End – Tanks. Now he has left the ground and is taking on an air war gamed called Would Be Aces that is currently on Kickstarter.
From the game page, we read the following:
Would Be Aces is a solitaire wargame where you command a flight of P-47 Thunderbolts on missions to destroy various enemy ground forces. As your pilots fly their planes across the Western European landscape they will encounter enemy ground forces, enemy aircraft, obstacles, good fortune and crippling bad luck at every turn as you try to reach the objective.
The main mechanic of the game centers around the confidence level of the pilot, with a push your luck mechanic as they progress towards their objective plus the amazing resilience and toughness of one of the greatest aircraft of WW2 – the P47 Thunderbolt.
The game takes no longer than 1 hour to setup and play and has a low complexity streamlined design.
As of November 1st, the Kickstarter campaign has raised $2,223 toward its modest $121 funding goal with 123 backers. The campaign will conclude on Saturday, November 18th at 1:47pm EST.
3. The Other Side of the Hill from NAC Wargames Coming to Kickstarter Soon
I really am intrigued by this game. The Other Side of the Hill is a very interesting looking take on World War II and has some very unique looking mechanics. The game is supposed to come to Kickstarter soon but I don’t have a date or a link to a preview page to share at this point.
From the game page, we read the following:
The Other Side of the Hill is a boardgame that simulates the effects that the struggle for power within the German High Command had on the development of the Second World War. Up to four players represent military leaders cooperating and competing as they manage Germany’s wartime strategy. To win, they must vie for Prestige by advancing the careers of their chosen Army and Army Group commanders, grabbing their share of victories while the early-war pickings are easy, then avoiding responsibility for battlefield disasters as the Soviets and the Western Allies solidify and push back.
There are also several game modes for gameplay:
Competitive > One player will win, even if Germany collapses. Cooperative > If Germany collapses, all players lose. Semicooperative > There will be one winner, but Germany must survive. Solitaire > You are alone against all odds.
There are also several different scenarios with varying game lenghts:
The Triumph of Blitzkrieg (1939-1941): 3-4 hours Total War (1942-1945): 5-6 hours World War (1941-1945): 8-10 hours Armageddon (1939-1945): 10-14 hours
Here is a link to a teaser trailer video:
Please check back and I will update this entry once I have more information.
4. Solitaire TacOps: Ortona from GMT Games
I love a good tactical wargame! And when that tactical wargame is a solitaire game mores the better. And this one really looks interesting as it has a campaign system where you can play across 12 different scenarios and also uses a very interesting looking dice combat resolution system. I am also very intrigued by the phrase “where operational decisions meet tactical realities” and want to see how that works and what it looks like.
From the game page, we read the following:
In Solitaire TacOps: Ortona, you command this campaign over twelve scenarios, from south of the Moro River to the city of Ortona, which ultimately became the proving ground for modern urban warfare tactics. Operationally, you will have to manage a brigade of units and maintain the fighting effectiveness needed to take the town—not an easy task as the Germans are determined to stop you at any cost, fighting over every inch of ground.
Solitaire TacOps is a campaign system that simulates the battlefield space where operational decisions meet tactical realities. For Ortona, you start with a brigade of four infantry battalions, one armored regiment, an artillery battery, and an engineer company. These are represented on counters ranging from platoons to squads, with tank groups and artillery guns. Players will make operational decisions such as when and where to engage the enemy, which forces to use, and the type of support to provide them with. The scenarios are then played on hex maps that use a megahex activation system to manage the opposition.
An innovative dice system handles both player and opposition actions, providing a wide range of outcomes with fast resolution. This allows you to keep your focus on the map action and the narrative that emerges from play. The scenarios, which last from 30 to 90 minutes, will pull you in as you attempt to achieve objectives with the fewest losses. Each scenario can be played solitaire, with cooperative setups also available for some of the larger ones.
Now this one does need some graphics help but it is only a prototype at this point and I am sure over the next 2 years will have better looking counters and boards. But I am very hopeful with this one.
Italian Theater games seem to be all the rage at the moment and frankly I am fine with that. This game is the heavy that I was referring to in the title of the post as it is good to see GMT still working with hex and counter designers to bring out heavy games each year. I have not played The Battle for Normandy, which is the first game in this system designed by Dan Holte and I am very interested in this one.
From the game page, we read the following:
The Battle for Sicily uses the base system from GMT’s The Battle for Normandy. The German Luftwaffe makes their presence known in this one, while the Allied player has post-invasion “end-around” landings available.
Along with the standard campaign game will be a 3-player “Monty vs. Patton vs. Axis” scenario, where the US & UK players will be competing for total victory, while still trying to maintain victory conditions over the Axis player.
6. Panzer Expansion #4: France 1940, 2nd Printing from GMT Games
You know my affinity for tactical games and small unit actions is always tactical and something that will gain my attention. But, that having been said, I have never played any Panzer Series games but I would like to rectify that with this offering.
From the game page, we read the following:
This expansion set includes the most significant French forces that saw action on the Western front in 1940. Also included are the German forces that invaded France and the Low Countries, flanked the Maginot Line, and finally pushed on into France. The playbook includes rules for special units, new optional rules for Staggered Initiative, Command Span, and others, 12 riveting scenarios (including 2 historical scenarios depicting the fierce battle for Stonne), and unit summaries for the French and German units.
In addition to all the other features included in this expansion, there are two new exciting extras: the Panzer Leader rules and the respective 7/8” Leader counters of various enlisted and commissioned ranks for all forces (French, German, US, British, and Soviet) and the unique hull and turret damage rules and the respective 5/8” counters.
Ownership of Expansions #1, #2, or #3 is not required to field the German forces; they are all here, including the STuG IIIA and Hs 123A-1 aircraft, which were not previously available. This expands on those German units included in the first three expansions—no unit IDs are duplicated. Combine the German units from all of the expansions to create customized scenarios on either the Western or Eastern Front.
The TOE’s booklet includes details for the French and German forces covering the 1940 period, including the five major divisions from the cavalry and infantry arms of the French Army, including the Mechanized Light Division (DLM – Division Légère Méchanique) and the Armored Division (DCR – Division Cuirassée de Réserve). German forces include panzer, motorized infantry and infantry divisions, as well as the Grossdeutschland (mot) Infantry Regiment.
Finally, this expansion includes the next 4 double-sided geomorphic mapboards, modeling the terrain found in the French countryside, including 2 historical maps depicting the terrain in and around Stonne. Add these to the geomorphic mapboards from Expansions #1, #2, & #3 for added play and many possible battle combinations.
The game also includes Leader Counters that are added to the game and they look to give some really interesting modifiers.
7. Spring Prelude: Second Kharkov, May 1942 from Compass Games
East Front games are very common in our hobby and most of them are very good. Long lines of contiguous counters and tons of CRT consulting and dice chucking. I love it and have grown to love it even more over the past few years. The first new preorder from Compass Games was a new game called Spring Prelude: Second Kharkov, May 1942.
From the game page, we read the following:
Spring Prelude is a stand-alone game of the Second Battle of Kharkov (12-27 May 1942), the failed Soviet offensive to recapture Kharkov, and the subsequent German attack which produced the last great pocket of Soviet prisoners during the spring of 1942. Players will conduct operations as either Soviet Direction Commander Timoshenko or the German commander of Army Group South, von Bock.
The game utilizes the strength chit-pull mechanics originally from the Victory in the WestSeries and further refined in its VCS Series descendant. New rules cover how rain, mud, and swollen rivers played their part in the beginning stages. Stacking rules use relative unit sizes which are portrayed using white or gray dots. The addition of Headquarters will allow the Soviet command structure to feature in a more accurate way. Air missions are expanded to cover a few more options. Of course, what would the game be without the Soviet doctrine restrictions?
Background work is primarily based on Kharkov 1942: Anatomy of a Military Disaster by David Glantz with some OOB fleshing by Nafziger and maps based on post-war USGS surveys (which were themselves taken from wartime Soviet surveys).
The Second Battle of Kharkov is the perfect situation to entice players into the world of strength chits. One not heavily covered by titles and sporting the fact that during the fighting both sides were attacker and defender. Given this situation, a wide variety of outcomes were theoretically possible.
We recently took a look at Chit-Pull Games in our September Monthly Update video and this one uses those chit pulls for strength determination of units during combat which should be pretty interesting and definitely unique.
And just take a look at that big and beautiful map, which is actually shown as a combination of the two 22” x 34” game maps. This one looks really interesting for sure!
We also really have enjoyed our limited experience with games set in the China-India-Burma Theater with our favorite being Nemesis ’44 from Legion Wargames. Burma 1942-45 from Compass Games is a very interesting looking take on the subject by designer Bob Fowler as this game is being brought back and updated.
From the game page, we read the following:
Burma 1942-45 is a remake of the original Game Designers Workshop design from 1976. An operational-scale game using brigades and battalions, play moves in stops and starts as supply and the monsoon may limit operations. The rugged terrain and tenuous supply lines result in a game of maneuver and logistics that players must manage to gain victory. The Japanese can infiltrate the Allied lines while the Allies can release long-range patrols in the Japanese rear, creating havoc. Both sides must attack to get anywhere, while the Allied player must build the Burma Road through to China.
Updated graphics (featuring a mounted game map) and all errata are incorporated in this new edition of an old classic.
9. Rebel Tide: The American Civil War, 1861-1865 from Compass Games
There is no secrete that we really enjoy Gregory M. Smith designs and we also count him as a close friend so take that for what it is worth. He is a great designer and has put together some of our favorite narrative-driven solitaire wargames, such as Silent Victory, The Hunters and The Hunted, but also has done some great 2-player strategic level games on various historical periods including Imperial Tide, covering WWI, and Pacific Tide, taking on the Pacific Theater of WWII. His new game in the system deals with the American Civil War and is called Rebel Tide.
From the game page, we read the following:
Rebel Tide: The U.S. Civil War, 1861-1865 is a two-player strategic level game that places you in command of either the USA (Union) or CSA (Confederacy) during the Civil War. Each turn consists of a year, during which multiple card plays occur. These give the players movement, combats, entrenchments, and other actions. At the end of each year, players must make critical decisions on which cards to re-buy in an attempt to win the war outright or to win by placing the other side in a disadvantageous position by 1865. Rebel Tide is based on the popular, action-packed Imperial Tide/Pacific Tidegame system by Gregory M. Smith, with many combat and strategic decisions to challenge players in just a single evening’s game.
The core of the game is the unique card re-buy system, in which players take their annual production (adjusted for blockades and blockade runners) and decide which cards they need for the upcoming year. Cards not only provide for reinforcements, but allow for movement, combat, and entrenchment. Which cards to rebuy is without question one of the key decisions the player must make to prepare for next year’s operations.
The game has infantry units for all of the major participants, cavalry, and artillery units. Naval operations are mainly abstracted, although the Confederate player must worry about Farragut invading a port from the sea. Besides the focus on card play, the game features a small footprint (one standard map) and also is designed to be played in just a single evening – estimated at 3 hours for experienced players to fight the entire war.
But don’t worry because the game is not just a reskin of the same system used in those other two games, although the system is really interesting, but instead attempts to create new mechanics and elements to tell the proper story of the struggle for the soul of the country in the 1860’s.
One new mechanic in Rebel Tide is the Political Track, which is an abstract measure of the support of England and/or France to the Confederacy. If this track reaches the maximum early in the war, it can trigger an early CSA victory.
Another new key mechanic in the game system is the addition of historical Leaders, who range in ability from excellent (5) to poor (2). Bad leaders may be “sacked” and removed from the game and randomly replaced by the expenditure of a movement action. Leaders are vital in advancing after combat and also can add strength to an attack’s total combat power.
While attending WBC this summer, we had a chance to sit down with Gregory M. Smith to cover a few of his upcoming designs and Rebel Tide was included in that discussion. Here is a look at our video interview with Greg:
10. The Spanish-American War, 1898Designer Signature Edition from Compass Games
I love it when Compass Games does these Designer Signature Editions of games, upgrading their art, components and even reworking rules. Such is the case with a classic design reborn and reimagined from Vance von Borries called The Spanish-American War, 1898, which recreates recreates the naval and land campaigns against Spanish forces in Cuba and Puerto Rico.
From the game page, we read the following:
TheSpanish-American War, 1898 is a two-player game of the Spanish-American War of 1898 by Vance von Borries. It recreates the strategic naval and land campaign against Spanish forces in Cuba and Puerto Rico. One player controls the American and Cuban units, while the other controls the Spanish ones. The game is played in game turns, consisting of alternating player turns in which each player moves his pieces and resolves any resulting combat. When all the game turns have been completed, the game is over, and the winner is determined.
The game is divided into separate but closely related land and sea systems. A campaign game combines both of these into one strategic game. The introductory scenarios should be played before attempting the full Campaign Game. Some specially marked land and sea rules apply only to the Campaign Game. You can ignore them when you play introductory scenarios. The Campaign Game uses all the rules. Using separate land and sea commanders, up to four players can play the Campaign Game.
I normally don’t highlight non-wargames on this Wargame Watch but this next game is just too juicy looking to not share. Do you love a good pirate game? With broadsides, boarding parties and booty? Well, you are not alone and there will soon be another great game on the market to quench that thirst for adventure with Golden Age of Piracy: 1718 designed by Joe Carter.
From the game page, we read the following:
Golden Age of Piracy: 1718 is a solitaire, tactical-level, open-ended sandbox game by Joe Carter, being part wargame, part adventure game, and part RPG. As the captain of a pirate ship in the Caribbean during the year 1718, you will attempt to accumulate enough booty through illicit means in order to buy a King’s pardon and retire from a life of piracy before time runs out.
Ship-to-ship combat, boarding parties, and the search for buried treasure are to name but a few of the adventures that await you on your voyages.
But beware of lurking dangers such as the destructive Kraken or the haunting Ghost Ship, all the while you sail the crystal blue Caribbean waters in pursuit of infamy and fortune!
I am not sure about any of the elements of game play but there are crew mats, which to me signals that you will be building a crew that will have skills and weapons, there are also multiple ship mats so you might have the option of customizing or upgrading your ship and a pirate ship cargo mat so that means you will have options for what type of cargo you are spending your time and money on. I am totally in on this one!
Good solitaire tactical combat games are always good and while I have never played any of the entries in the Combat! Series, I am keenly excited about this one as it deals with one of my favorite topics in Operation Market-Garden. Combat Volume 3: Arnhem is sure to be a winner!
From the game page, we read the following:
Combat! is a solitaire game of man-to-man combat in World War Two. This is the third game in the series of Combat! games that use the same system. This game introduces the British Armed Forces into the system. The game will focus on one of the most well-told moments in the long history of Britain. The fight for Arnhem Bridge. Players will use the actual British army forces that fought at the famed bridge and most hold at all costs.
This is a stand-alone game and ownership of Volume 1 and 2 is not required.
The game system uses a unique AI to make for intense combat situations as well as unlimited replayability. You will stand on the defense against a relentless foe. Can you hold on?
There are multiple scenarios covering several stages of the attack on the Arnhem Bridgehead. The results from each scenario will influence the following scenario if you wish to play a campaign game – or play any battle as a stand-alone experience.
We all are fascinated with the desert warfare in North Africa during World War II. There is something about this theater that really gets my juices flowing and I will play a North Africa game at any time. There is a new one coming out called Desert Generals designed by Ernie Copley and it looks pretty interesting.
From the game page, we read the following:
Desert Generals captures the ebb and flow of the North African Campaign from late 1940 to November 1942 with a unique emphasis on leadership and command. Desert Generals is a game designed by Ernie Copley in the classic wargame tradition, offering play balance, challenge, and fun both for veteran gamers and newcomers to the hobby alike.
The game also recreates critical supply constraints. A player refighting the Desert Campaign, like his real-life counterparts, cannot fight continuously – he launches an offensive, pauses to build up supply, then resumes his offensive…unless his opponent has preempted him and launched his own offensive first. As in real life, offensives tend to run out of gas (literally) as they approach the enemy’s home base.
Historical elements include air support, minefields, engineers, artillery, anti-tank guns, Axis fuel shortages, and Allied command and control problems. The Allies must wrestle with problems like Command Confusion, which can cause even the best-laid plans to go astray. Generalship matters: O’Connor, Auchinleck, Montgomery, and Rommel headquarters units all play their roles. Players can fight the entire campaign, or choose their favorite desert battles: Operations Compass, the struggle for Tobruk, Operation Crusader, Gazala, and Second Alamein.
The Campaign Scenario can be played in an afternoon, and each of the smaller scenarios in an hour. The game is fast-paced and suitable for solitaire play. Given the uncertainties of supply and (for the Allies) command control, no two games are alike. North Africa buffs will find Desert Generals a fun, challenging representation of their favorite campaign.
The board look huge but it is two maps with a combined 22″ x 57″ footprint.
You had me at American Revolution Adam Starkweather! I absolutely and supremely interested in this offering, although I am not a fan or the title. Just doesn’t’ seem to fit with the history but that is a horse of a different color! It si actually named that as it uses a similar system to Warriors of God. Warriors of America is a new low complexity American Revolution hex and counter wargame. Not much information was shared but I do enjoy Adam Starkweather’s designs (favorite is Saipan – The Bloody Rock) and look forward to this one for sure!
From the game page, we read the following:
Warriors of America is a fast-playing game on the American War of Independence, inspired by the well-received game Warriors of God. It features the leaders, soldiers, fleets, and events that were pivotal in this war. The map is focused on the colonized coastal regions while reaching west to Indiana and north into Canada. Major events will shape each season and both sides will call on their allies; the French, Spanish, and Dutch rallying to the Americans, and Hessian mercenaries coming to the aid of the British. The American player must raise money and an army that, while less trained, is highly motivated to prevent the British player – commanding perhaps the greatest army in the world – from putting out a revolutionary fire that is about to change history.
15. No Peace for Thirty Years!: The German Wars of Religion 1618-1648 from Compass Games
I have never played any of the No PeaceSeries games from Compass although I have heard very good things about them on social media. I am keenly interested and truly do enjoy these Wars of Religion type of games.
No Peace for Thirty Years! is the newest offering in the Card Driven Game system and is designed by Kris Van Beurden whose games we have enjoyed in the past.
From the game page, we read the following:
No Peace for Thirty Years! is a two-player, card-driven standalone wargame using the No Peace Without Spain system. It contains two evening-length scenarios, the Winter King scenario (1618-1629) and the Lion of the North scenario (1630-1648), as well as the full-day No Peace for Thirty Years scenario (1618-1648). One player controls the Austrian and Spanish branches of the Habsburg family and their allies in the Catholic League (the “Habsburgs”) while the other player controls their (initially Protestant) adversaries in the Holy Roman Empire: Bohemia, Transylvania, the United Provinces, Denmark, Sweden, and France (the “Anti-Habsburg Alliance”). The point-to-point map covers the Holy Roman Empire and some of its closest neighbors, with each space a fortress ripe for plundering.
Will the Habsburg Emperor unite the Empire to dominate central Europe? Will the United Provinces retain their independence in their own Eighty Years’ revolt against the Spanish Habsburgs? Will Cardinal Richelieu, France’s sinister Prime Minister, manage to make his country Europe’s most powerful state? It is up to you to answer all these questions and more!
The next pre-order game from Compass has its roots going back to the mid-1980’s with Quarterdeck Games publishing about 135 amateur production FLEET ADMIRAL games (1987) and would result in the spin-offs of TSUSHIMA (S&T #130 – 1989) & TOGO: Dawn of the Dreadnoughts (2018). This one looks pretty interesting and should be a unique experience. Who doesn’t like big battleships shooting at each other?
From the game page, we read the following:
JUTLAND: Fleet Admiral is the ultimate battleship simulation. This game has consumed hundreds of hours of design effort spread over years; and decades of research and study. JUTLAND: Fleet Admiral was conceived as a game that allows for realistic yet playable surface combat in the Battle of Jutland era. The concept was to design a big game that would give one the sense of the grandeur and scope of the largest surface battle ever fought on this planet and yet not load one down with needless detail. Certain liberties and abstractions have been taken to achieve the overall design goal, but I believe you will find that any sacrifices in the name of playability have been the correct ones.
One of the greatest arms races in history was a primary cause of war in August of 1914. Ships would see action in every corner of the world. It was a war fought by two of the most highly trained navies in history. The Officers and Sailors of these two fleets had worked for years at honing their skills to an unimaginable extent. Both would offer up surprises to the other in the course of the war. But it also must be placed in a context where the vast majority of sailors of both nations, when they came onboard a warship, would find them working with tools and equipment that were new to them, and new to the modern world of 1914. The turbine, the radio, the telephone, powerful long-range “heater” torpedoes – all equipment that had been recently invented and perfected and was not to be found back on the farm or often not in the part of the cities where many of these men grew up.
But JUTLAND: Fleet Admiral does not stop there. Also included are a number of possible hypothetical actions, carefully researched for 1914/1915.
17. British Tank Ace: 1940-1945 from Compass Games
While attending WBC this summer, we got a quick look at some of the playtest components for the upcoming solitaire narrative-driven wargame designed by Gregory M. Smith called British Tank Ace: 1940-1945. As is usual with these games, it looks fun and interesting and is a continuation of the system used for American Tank Ace. It is important to note here that the game has other options for multi-player as well as cooperative play.
From the game page, we read the following:
British Tank Ace: 1940-45 is a solitaire, tactical-level game by Gregory M. Smith that places you in command of a British tank during World War II in North Africa, Italy, and the European Theaters of Operation. You will make the tactical decisions a tank commander faces and control the actions of your crew while trying to survive.
You will be assigned missions to attack, defend, or conduct movement-to-contact, depending on the current tactical situation. As time progresses and players survive, they may use the experience gained to improve their odds of success by purchasing skills. As their prestige increases, they may request improved versions of tanks when they suffer the loss of their previous tank. Awards and promotions help to narrate the player’s eventual goal – to survive the war and help defeat Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany.
Players will find it challenging to survive an entire tour from June 1940 to April 1945, although shorter games may be played involving just one theater of operations. You will start with one of the tank models available to the British Army at the start of the game, but as your fame and prestige rise, more advanced tanks will be available to choose from.
Game play moves quickly. Once you have your initial tank and commander, play proceeds by rolling for a mission and then conducting it. Enemy forces range from Penal units to SS or Fallschirmjäeger, all randomly generated, ensuring no two careers will ever be the same. Combat is swift and sometimes deadly, as many of the Axis tanks, SPGs, and AT guns can destroy your tank. Terrain and weather also have an impact on operations, as well as smoke. Players must pay attention to hull down status, the orientation of their hull and turret, and decide when it is prudent to “button up.” Artillery and mortar fire can sometimes support either side, and random events will add to the uncertainty of combat. Due to its streamlined play, a single mission can be completed in as little as 10 minutes.
When a mission is completed, assuming you have survived, you will ascertain if any awards have been earned or experience points gained. Promotion is also possible, which has the advantage of allowing for artillery and mortar support. You may also upgrade your tank if you have sufficient Prestige to get a better model; otherwise, you continue to fight in your starting tank until it is knocked out.
While British Tank Ace is designed as a solitaire gaming experience, additional options for play are provided for both multi-player cooperative and competitive gaming sessions.
18. Lightning Strikes: The World Wars of the 20th Century from Compass Games
Big monster wargame incoming! This new offering is both huge and intriguing to me as it attempts to deal with both of the World Wars in a single box. The interesting thing here is that players take countries through the years of 1914 through 1954 and both fighting of wars but also preparation and technology development. This could be the most interesting looking offering this month!
From the game page, we read the following:
Lightning Strikes! gives players the chance to write a completely new narrative of 20th-century world history. In the full campaign game players create a new global history by managing their countries from the outbreak of war in 1914 through 1954, navigating potentially several world wars, as well as intervening lulls of global peace, while overseeing the development of exciting and devastating new weapons, until one player’s power bloc emerges victorious. There are also many shorter scenarios (from single campaigns to an entire world war) for players with limited time or focused interest. Lightning Strikes! is based on the legendary World in Flames family of detailed wargames.
Players take the role of one (or more) of 5 major powers: Commonwealth, Germany, Japan, Russia, or the USA. Secondary powers include Austria-Hungary, China (3 factions, Communist, Nationalist, and an imperial faction), France, Italy, Ottoman Empire, plus dozens of minor countries, including many new ones that were created along the way.
During each 6-month turn during wartime (or 2-year turn during global peace) players move and fight with their armies, fleets, and air forces around the globe, while also managing the economy, international diplomacy, and internal affairs, for the player’s countries. 3 to 5 impulses per turn each with variable weather gives both flexibility and uncertainty to your on-map units and their military offensives.
19. Afrika Army Korps Combined from Conflict Simulations Limited
As I mentioned previously, we all love games set in North Africa during World War II and we also love big monster games. This combination trilogy from CSL gives us both of those things with 3 games in one box.
From the game page, we read the following:
The long anticipated follow-up for our Destroy All Monsters Series, the proposed three games on North Africa have been combined into one massive 8 map monster-game which covers the entirety of the North African campaign.
The game features 8 Maps, 2 Player Aids, 2 Sheets of counters (around 240 for low counter density) and has a total of 3 scenarios covering the Early War, Torch and the entire Campaign.
The core DAMOS rules have been rewritten for clarity up to the standards of our current manuals as well – this will be our first monster game that we release and we are really excited for it. DAMOS is a unique WW2 Division level system which utilizes zones of influence, reactions by non phasing units and attack/defense planning.
North Africa includes exclusive rules for the North African campaign and the supply rules have been much simplified compared to Barbarossa in addition to random events making the game exceptionally re-playable.
20. U-BOOT: The Board Game – Collector’s Edition from PHALANX Currently on Kickstarter
On the subject of interesting looking monster games, the guys at PHALANX are bringing back their U-BOOT: The Board Game in a Collector’s Edition with a HUGE resin plastic mini for the submarine. We still have been unable to get this one played, because we are obtuse and didn’t understand how to use the app, but this one does look amazing! And I love a big mini for sure!
From the game page, we read the following:
The legendary U-BOOT: The Board Game – the recipient of multiple Charles S. Roberts Awards and the nominee for the Origin Awards and Golden Geek – returns to Kickstarter! U-BOOT: The Board Game – Collector’s Edition brings back everything that captains and sailors across the globe fell in love with, but enhanced with brand-new features:
The Mission Builder that will allow you to create your own U-BOOT missions and share them with your friends and the world at large.
And an astonishing 90-cm long plastic model of a German VIIC U-boat, quite possibly the largest miniature ever created for a board game.
This Kickstarter campaign is for cadets and veterans alike. If you’re new to U-BOOT, and looking to discover what’s special about this beautiful game, you’ll be thrust into a highly immersive, real-time experience of World War II submarine warfare!
If you’re an old hand, a U-boat ace with multiple successful missions under your belt, you’ll get to upgrade your game with new features and rediscover your love for it!
In U-BOOT: The Board Game – Collector’s Edition, 1 to 4 players assume the roles of Captain, First Officer, Navigator, and Chief Engineer on board a VIIC U-boat. They coordinate their actions to fulfill mission objectives, which include patrol duty, ambushing convoys, laying mines in enemy waters, and more. From quick skirmishes, through full combat missions, to an all-out campaign, U-BOOT: The Board Game – Collector’s Edition allows you to conduct submarine operations in major naval theatres of World War Two.
The game uses a companion app, allowing for an unprecedented level of realism, as well as a challenging enemy AI that will push your skills to the limit. It features the most essential instruments of the U-boat (e.g. the periscope, the hydrophone, the Enigma) that reveal otherwise hidden information, and the app needs your input to generate an adequate AI response of the enemy force.
The app is also responsible for all the ambient sound effects, thus immersing you even deeper into the claustrophobic interiors of the type VIIC submarine. But while the app is an important part of the game, the vast majority of gameplay still requires real-life markers and cards, and takes place on the game board – in the case of U-BOOT: The Board Game – Collector’s Edition it can either be a large three-dimensional cardboard board in the shape of a U-boat submarine, or an impressive plastic miniature n 1/72 scale.
As of November 1st, the Kickstarter campaign has raised $189,584 toward its $60,601 funding goal with 1,791 backers. The campaign will conclude on Friday, November 3rd at 6:00pm EDT.
21. Warriors of the Blue from Acies Edizioni Currently on Kickstarter
I am always up for an air naval game and particularly one that covers the lesser gamed Mediterranean and Italian Theaters. Recently, I saw news about a new Kickstarter launching from Acies Edizioni called Warriors of the Blue and I checked into and found the mechanics to be pretty interesting and unique.
From the game page, we read the following:
In Warriors of the Blue you will be able to experience the bloody and devastating war that saw the British on one side, and Italy, helped by Germany, on the other, conducting a relentless fight. No quarter was given, the objective was to take full control of the Mediterranean.
This strategic theater was of utmost importance, especially during the first years of the war. It was harshly contested from all the involved powers, and everybody was determined to use whatever means necessary to achieve victory.
You’ll have to use aircraft and submarines to their fullest capabilities, they will be the first ones to spot the enemy’s ships, which will give you the choice to either engage the fleet with your own vessels or with planes. When the latter will enter in the fleet spotting zone they’ll find themselves in hell, thanks to an hailstorm of AA rounds, and the escort fighters.
Will you be able to save Malta from the pending invasion? Will the desperately needed convoys reach it? On the other hand, shipping the essential men and materiel to Africa will be a significant challenge. Are you ready to risk it all in a battle between battleships?
Many aircraft models will be available in-game, from the Spitfire to the versatile Albacore, and the old but reliable Swordfish. When playing as the Axis you’ll have Italian and German fighter planes at your disposal, but also crafts such as the Ju87, renowned and lethal dive bomber, the SM79 nicknamed “gobbo maledetto” damned hunchback, some experimental weapons such as the Re2001 Sezione Speciale and the “motobomba FFF” will be present and available.
As of November 1st, the Kickstarter campaign has raised $3,699 toward its $8,475 funding goal with 60 backers. The campaign will conclude on Friday, November 10th at 9:31am EST.
New Release
1. Vive L’Empereur! A Solitaire Wargame of The Battle of Waterloo June 18, 1815 2nd Edition from Blue Panther
I really love the great games designed by Hermann Luttmann. He always adds great chaos and interesting elements to his games. When they are a solo game from him, I am immediately interested as I have had fun with several of his solo games including In Magnificent Style and Attack of the ’50 Colossi. This Vive L’Empereur looks really good and is a solitaire hex and counter wargame.
From the game page, we read the following:
You, playing as Napoleon , are at the culminating battle of your brilliant “Hundred Days Campaign”. You have successfully separated the two armies opposing you – the Anglo Allied army under General Wellington and the Prussian Army under Field Marshal Blucher – and you have deployed Marshal Grouchy with a large force to pursue the recently defeated Prussians. On this day, you must now defeat the Anglo-Allied Army before the Prussians are able to rally and rejoin the campaign. Both Wellington and Blucher are long-time skilled rivals, and both are familiar with your strategy and tactics. In addition, you have been ill for days, and this has affected your judgment and decision making. Can you overcome these disadvantages and reclaim an uncontested throne of France and with that, its renewed dominance of Europe?
Vive L’Empereur uses a chit pull system to generate random force activations for both sides . The Anglo-Allied and Prussian forces move and conduct combat based on the instructions resulting from a dice roll on their respective Activation Tables. You must be prepared to expect the unexpected … to seize the advantage when an opportunity presents itself to react swiftly if Wellington or Blucher order a sudden counterattack. Because you have historically “humbugged” the Allies and Prussians on numerous occasions, you are able to hold some activation chits and use them when they will be most valuable to you and do the most harm to your enemies. By the same token, your health has been compromised and lingering sickness may become a burden to your ability to command your La Grand Armee effectively. Are you up for the challenge?
If you are interested in Vive L’Empereur! A Solitaire Wargame of The Battle of Waterloo June 18, 1815 2nd Edition, you can order a copy for $55.00 from the Blue Panther website at the following link: https://www.bluepantherllc.com/products/vive-lempereur-2nd-ed
2. The Last Hundred Yards Volume 4: The Russian Front from GMT Games
If you didn’t know we really enjoyed The Last Hundred Yards and Volume 2: Airborne Over Europe. The system is very interesting and uses some novel elements in regards to how victory points are scored. Really an excellent system! Now, we never got around to playing the Pacific entry in the series but we are really looking forward to the East Front.
From the game page, we read the following:
The Last Hundred Yards Vol. 4: The Russian Front is the fourth game in The Last Hundred YardsSeries. It covers major campaigns and missions from the second half of the war in the east, introducing the Russian army to the series for the first time. A series of missions simulates actions from the October 1943 fighting in the Ukraine near Krivoi Rog, while others feature fights during the Russian 1944 summer offensive, Operation Bagration. All major Russian armor from late 1942 onward is covered, plus some additional late war German armored vehicles.
There was a note in the description of the game warning players who are familiar with the system to be aware of some changes:
If you are already familiar with playing the Germans and the Allies in the previous LHY modules, you are on firm ground. However, be forewarned that the unique feature of this module is how Russian army behavior is modeled at the tactical level, particularly in its lack of local command-and-control flexibility and general indifference to casualties when fulfilling its missions. Make no mistake, playing the Russians will require a different mindset. The challenge will be in understanding the Russian behavior modeled in LHY and transitioning that into solid tactical applications. The Russians need numbers to make up for their lower tactical flexibility, but “quantity has a quality all its own,” and they generally do get those numbers. While the period of the war covered by the module was one of overall Russian initiative, it still featured numerous German counterattacks, and module missions feature plenty of German attacks against Russian defenses as well as the reverse. Another set of new tactical challenges in the module stem from the frequently more open terrain found in the western Ukraine.
Both Alexander and I enjoy games that have player interaction and negotiation. We also enjoy historically themed board games that attempt to replicate the political process. Prime Minister appears to be a game that does all of the above and has piqued my interest for sure.
From the game page, we read the following:
In Prime Minister, 1 to 4 players take on the roles of talented politicians vying for power and prestige in Victorian-era Britain.
At the beginning of the game, each player draws a politician card representing one of the ten historical Prime Ministers who served during Queen Victoria’s reign. Each card features unique abilities that you’ll retain throughout the game. You’ll also have one of three exchangeable player mats for your Politician’s current role: Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, or Backbencher. While always keeping one eye on the upcoming election, players select and debate bills, pursue official appointments, recruit support by hobnobbing with influential Victorians, garner favor with the Queen, and, when the time is right, challenge other players for their leadership roles and seize their player mats. Politician roles and party control of government shift throughout the game, and you’ll rack up victory points as you secure personal and political achievements. Win the game by becoming the first to reach 100 victory points while holding the Prime Minister’s role.
I really enjoy a game that focuses on history and makes an interesting and interactive experience. I am not saying that this game reminds me of it, but Churchill is one of my all time favorite of these type of games and if this one can be even half as interesting as that I will be happy.
4. Galahad’s Ordeal: The Battle for Myitkyina, May-August, 1944 from High Flying Dice Games
High Flying Dice Games is a small company but they have a lot of projects going and a lot of very interesting looking games. One such great looking game is Galahad’s Ordeal:The Battle for Myitkyina, May-August, 1944.
From the game page, we read the following:
Galahad’s Ordeal portrays the Allied attack and siege of Myitkyina during WWII. The town and its nearby airfield were a constant threat to the Allied airlift operations that ferried war materials and supplies from India to Nationalist China. The Japanese occupation of the town also severed the only land access from India to China for the Allies.
When the Japanese offensive at Imphal and Kohima was launched the Allied High Command viewed the battle as an opportunity to launch a counter offensive by the US 5307th Infantry Group (Merrill’s Marauders, also nicknamed Galahad Force by their British and Indian Allies) supported by Nationalist Chinese forces against Myitkyina, deep into the rear areas of Japanese occupied northern Burma. The Allies calculated that the Japanese had to have weakened their hold here to launch their massive offensive to the west. Unfortunately for the Allies, the US forces were badly depleted from earlier battles, and the Japanese had not weakened their grip at Myitkyina, and instead, anticipating just such an attack, were in the process of strengthening the town’s garrison. One of the most costly and prolonged battles of the Burma theatre would be waged here. Can you do as well or better than your historical counterpart? Learn and enjoy!
If you are interested in Galahad’s Ordeal: The Battle for Myitkyina, May-August, 1944, you can order a copy for $15.95 from the High Flying Dice Games website at the following link: https://www.hfdgames.com/ordeal.html
5. BCS Valley of Tears: The Yom Kippur War, 1973 from Multi-Man Publishing
Our first experience with the Battalion Combat Series was with Arracourt last year and we really enjoyed the nuances of the combat and movement and also really enjoyed the scale. The newest offering in the series is Valley of Tears depicting the entire 1973 Yom Kippur War. This one should be very interesting as it is very much focused on heavy tank combat and should be a really interesting take on the system.
From the game page, we read the following:
Valley of Tears is a Battalion Combat Series game depicting the entire 1973 Yom Kippur war from 6 Oct 73 until the ceasefire enforced by the Superpowers and the UN. As the culmination of over 20 years of research in consultation with world-class experts, Valley of Tears shows the Yom Kippur war at a level of detail not yet seen. For the first time ever, for example, the game’s maps were precisely drawn using actual tactical Israeli maps used during the war and include the official code names for hilly defensive positions in both battle areas.
Valley of Tearstakes the BCS into a whole new level: that of post WW2 operations. For example, its dedicated air warfare system allows BCS players to not only pit F-4 Phantoms against MiG-21 Fishbeds in the contest for air superiority, but also assign the Front’s air units to execute SEAD and Deep Strike (both RAM and DOMINQUE) missions (to suppress the ever present SAM threat and attack enemy air bases/destroy enemy infrastructure, respectively) as well as the traditional (but more effective) BCS Close Air Support missions.
The game presents the largest tank battle since WWII, with the Cold War adversaries fighting a proxy war where the latest Centurion and Patton tanks faced off against T-62s following Soviet tactical doctrines.
Expecting to have to repeat the war’s of 1967 and 1956, the Israelis were confronted by the then-new and unexpected masses of Sagger missiles and RPG hand-held weapons. It’s your job to win the war, with or against, these new weapons and the much more effective and versatile air war to generate a win without taking excessive casualties making the win Pyrrhic.
If you are interested in BCS Valley of Tears: The Yom Kippur War, 1973 from Multi-Man Publishing, you can order a copy for $160.00 from the Multi-Man Publishing website at the following link: https://mmpgamers.com/valley-of-tears-p-389
6. The Battle of Mackinac Island from SNAFU Design
I love smaller lesser gamed subjects and this month I found a great little game called The Battle of Mackinac Island from SNAFU Design and designed by Matt Kelly. The game is very versatile as it is a solo or 2-player game and has some pretty good graphics for such a small game.
From the game page, we read the following:
In the final year of the War of 1812, the United States launched a campaign against British forces in the Great Lakes region between the present-day Michigan and Ontario. This involved an ill-fated attempt by American troops to retake strategic Mackinac Island.
The Battle of Mackinac Island is designed as both a solitaire and two-player game that can be played in about 30 min.
7. Battle of Brandywine 2nd Edition from Blue Panther
There is a need for introductory wargames in our hobby that can be used to teach the concepts of wargames to new players. Very few designers focus on this area but Bill Molyneaux is one of those as he has designed several very good introductory wargames over the years including Bloody Mohawk and Savage Wilderness. Recently, he has struck up a new partnership with Blue Panther and they are releasing a 2nd Edition of his Battle of Brandywine game that was funded on Kickstarter about a year ago.
From the game page, we read the following:
Battle of Brandywine is a fast-playing, introductory level war game that recreates a series of engagements between American and British troops during the American Revolution.
Brandywine is designed to be played in about an hour, while not losing the feel or flavor of the events simulated. The bonus scenarios play in about thirty minutes each. While the rules provide everything you need to enjoy the main battle included in the game, the bonus scenarios will have special rules to modify the series rules, to enhance the experience of the individual engagements.
The second edition of Brandywine includes a revised rulebook, a terrain chart, setup maps for each battle and new bonus maps (Germantown, Valley Forge and Paoli).
As usual, thanks so much for reading along and sticking with me this month as I navigated through the many websites and game pages looking for new and interesting games to share. I am very excited about a lot of these games and really look forward to playing them. Please let me know if you know of a new pre-order game, Kickstarter or new release that I missed.
I have already backed Khalkhin Gol. After great experiences with Freezing Inferno I could not resist. For The Other Side of the Hill I had a chance to do a game preview and how to play and this will be one of the most intriguing titles of the next year. Definitely, not a standard topic!
The Players' Aid 
I have already backed Khalkhin Gol. After great experiences with Freezing Inferno I could not resist. For The Other Side of the Hill I had a chance to do a game preview and how to play and this will be one of the most intriguing titles of the next year. Definitely, not a standard topic!
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