Happy New Year’s Day to all of our readers! I am just blown away that another year has come and gone and we are now entering 2025. Just unbelievable! This month for the Wargame Watch I was able to find 26 games and of that total, just 1 was offered on Kickstarter.

If you missed the December Wargame Watch, you can read that here at the following link: https://theplayersaid.com/2024/12/02/wargame-watch-whats-new-upcoming-december-2024/

Again this month, we have a sponsor for the Wargame Watch post in Wharf Rat Games recently started by the dynamic duo of Ryan Heilman and Wes Crawford. I have interviewed both of these guys a few times for their games and also hung out with them quite a bit at conventions including Buckeye Game Fest in April 2024 and the World Boardgaming Championships in August 2024. I am really happy for them that they have taken this plunge and created their own publishing company. I know they know games. Have been in the industry for a while now and also have great connections with many designers and would be designers and I am sure that they will bring many quality offerings to our tables over the next decade plus.

Wharf Rat Games is a Baltimore-based board game publishing company whose mission is to produce high-quality, light-to-medium-weight board games with engaging themes in historical, science fiction, and fantasy genres. With gameplay designed to last under 90 minutes, their games aim to captivate both casual and experienced players.

But there is more than just their introduction here as they have signed their first game and it is from a designer we all know and love – Hermann Luttmann. A Forlorn Hope places solo players or up to three cooperative players in command of a battalion charging across No Man’s Land to capture enemy trenches during World War I. Success requires careful balancing of bold advances and timely retreats to avoid casualties, maintain cohesion, and keep troops from becoming pinned under relentless enemy fire. Over a decade ago, Hermann pitched a groundbreaking design to Alan Emrich
at Victory Point Games—a push-your-luck mechanic within a wargame framework, originally set in the WWI trenches. While the concept was well-received, Alan suggested a Civil War theme instead, leading to the creation of In Magnificent Style, based on Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg. This game went on to be published by Victory Point Games and later by Worthington Publishing.

During Wharf Rate Games premiere episode of “Rat Chat” on YouTube, Hermann shared this origin story. After filming, he was asked if he would like to revisit his original vision. To their delight, he agreed! With over a decade of additional design experience, Hermann has revitalized his original concept, resulting in A Forlorn Hope, which is now ready for playtesting. Fans can look forward to trying it at conventions throughout the year and a Fall Kickstarter campaign.

You can view the first episode of “Rat Chat” at the following link:

A Forlorn Hope features six scenarios, each with unique victory conditions and challenges, inspired by key WWI battles:

• Neuve Chapelle
• Second Ypres
• The Somme
• Passchendaele
• Verdun
• The Lost Battalion

Players take on the role of French, British, American, or German forces, navigating the deadly gauntlet of steel, gas, shrapnel, and desperate enemies. The game is designed for 1-3 players and plays in about 45-90 minutes with a low complexity rating.

If you would like to stay in the know about A Forlorn Hope and other exciting upcoming projects from Wharf Rat Games you can follow them on the following social media/platforms:

• Website: wharfratgames.com
• Email: info@wharfratgames.com
• Facebook: Wharf Rat Games
• Bluesky:  wharfratgames.bsky.social
• X (Twitter): @WharfRatGames
• Instagram: @wharf_rat_games
• YouTube: @WharfRatGames

But now onto the games for January and a new year!

Pre-Order

1. Iwo: Bloodbath in the Bonins 2nd Printing from Decision Games

I have played several of these smaller solitaire Folio Games Series offerings from Decision Games and they really are great little affordable and value added games. This month, they offered a 2nd Printing of a classic game from 2013 called Iwo: Blood Bath in the Bonins designed by Chris Perello that covers the brutal fighting on the island of Iwo Jima during the latter part of the Pacific War during World War II.

From the game page, we read the following:

Iwo Jima was a critical point on the flight path of US bombers from their Saipan bases to their Japanese targets. The island would be a refuge for malfunctioning or damaged bombers coming or going. An obvious target for a US amphibious assault, the Japanese had reinforced the garrison and dug miles of tunnels the length and breadth of the island. Their goal was to inflict maximum casualties on the Americans to force them to reconsider the seemingly inevitable invasion of Japan. The resulting battle was brutal, even by the standards of the Pacific War.

The game is a small poly-bag offering in the Folio Game Series and comes with a 17 x 22” map, 100 die-cut counters, one Standard Rules booklet for this series and one Exclusive Rules booklet for this title.

If you are interested in Iwo: Blood Bath in the Bonins 2nd Printing, you can pre-order a copy for $24.95 from the Decision Games website at the following link: https://shop.decisiongames.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=1630

2. Kircholm: Riga in the Balance from Decision Games

In the category of “games based on history that I know next to nothing about” is this offering called Kircholm: Riga in the Balance from Decision Games. The game is a part of Decision’s Mini Game Series and is even more compact and affordable than their Folio Game Series. The cover caught my eye when I saw the Polish Winged Hussars in the picture as these units have always fascinated me and horrified many on the battlefield.

From the game page, we read the following:

The Polish-Swedish War (1600–1611) was five years old when Sweden’s Charles IX led an army to besiege the Latvian port of Riga. The bickering Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth cobbled together a relief force, which took station near the town of Kircholm. Charles put his army through a miserable night march to find Poles awaiting him.

Kircholm uses a simplified variant of the Pike & Shot System to portray combat. Massive pike blocks form the basis of each army, with thin lines of musketeers for firepower and tightly packed cavalry for shock power. Artillery is only an adjunct—powerful but immobile. Battles focused on maintaining the dense formations. Once broken a unit was easy pickings, and a single broken unit could snowball quickly into an ignominious rout.

The game is a small poly-bag offering in the Mini Game Series and comes with an 11×17 inch game board, a few less counters at just 40 die-cut 1/2-inch counters, a 6-page system rules booklet and 2-page scenario rules. These games are easy to jump into as there are not a lot of rules and counters and you can cut your teeth on hex and counter pretty easily. This is a game that I would recommend to anyone looking for a simple wargame that can teach you the basics of the genre and whet your whistle for even more later!

If you are interested in Kircholm: Riga in the Balance, you can pre-order a copy for $11.95 from the Decision Games website at the following link: https://shop.decisiongames.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=1737

3. Red Dragon Green Crescent Deluxe Edition from Decision Games

Recently, Decision Games has been very active and are creating new games as well deluxifying several of their previous games with upgraded components, new rules and play updates. One of the games that they have ready for pre-order is called Red Dragon Green Crescent Deluxe Edition designed by Bruce Costello. The game is set in the not too distant future and has had some upgrades to the date, units and tactics that have developed since the original game’s publication in 2012. This is also a bit of a monster wargame with 2 22×34-inch mounted game boards, 528 5/8-inch die-cut counters (3 sheets) and 5 player aid cards.

From the game page, we read the following:

Red Dragon Green Crescent Deluxe Edition is a strategic-level simulation of hypothetical future conflicts in and around East Asia, the Indian Ocean, and the Middle East. The time frame is the not-too-distant future, roughly between 2024 and 2035. The game system is based on the proven CSR Award Winning design Red Dragon Rising (from S&T Magazine #250) and its sequel, Red Dragon Green Crescent (from Modern War #1), as well as variants which were published along the way. Red Dragon Green Crescent Deluxe Edition is a two-player game, adaptable to multi-player and solitaire play, with three primary scenarios allowing for play on either map or a combined game across both.

This Deluxe Edition accounts for developments in the strategic situation since the original games were published. The People’s Republic of China has in recent years established bases (or at least basing rights) throughout the Indian Ocean. Russia is engaged in a war in Ukraine. The 2021 Taliban victory in Afghanistan shifted the perception of the power of the United States and its Coalition partners. All around, the powers are bringing online advanced weapons systems and new tactics. This is modeled with two general time frames for the scenarios, one set in the 2020’s and the other in the 2030’s.

If you are interested in Red Dragon Green Crescent Deluxe Edition, you can pre-order a copy for $112.00 from the Decision Games website at the following link: https://shop.decisiongames.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=1029

4. New Cold War, 1989-2019 from VUCA Simulations

While attending the World Boardgaming Championships this past July, I was able to get a play in of an upcoming CDG called New Cold War from VUCA Simulations designed by Andon Orive and Igor Plaza. The first thing to note about this one is the real high quality graphics and production of this game. We were taught the game by Patrick and Julius with VUCA Simulations who were here from Germany for Consimworld Expo and then WBC. They are really great energetic young men and it was awesome to play this game with them watching over us.

The game is based on the most important geopolitical events covering the period of 1989 to 2019. Each of the players is one of the 4 major powers including Russia, China, the US, and the EU in their fight for the new world order. The game is semi-cooperative but there is individual victory. Think Twilight Struggle for 1-4 players that plays in 3 hours.

From the game page, we read the following:

New Cold War is a 1 to 4 player geopolitics game that takes place between 1989 and 2019. Each player will manage the strategy of one of the great powers fighting to settle the new world order: US, EU, Russia and China. The first phases of the game will provoke a confrontation between the Western bloc and the Chinese-Russian alliance, but victory will be achieved individually. This will be marked by an agenda of hidden objectives that each power must achieve in order to win. New Cold War uses a Card-Driven game mechanic through the 135 most relevant historical events that have taken place during the 30 years in which the game takes place.

This one is a real winner! The game play is deep and you have to consider a lot of different parts as you go through your turn but the interaction is very interesting and dynamic. The game is like Twilight Struggle but is definitely on steroids. I am very much looking forward to this one and it is multi-player so you can get 3 friends together and have a fantastic 4-player game.

If you are interested in New Cold War, 1989-2019, you can pre-order a copy for $68.00 from the VUCA Simulations website at the following link: https://vucasims.com/collections/coming-soon/products/new-cold-war

5. Warfighter Battlepack #4 from Dan Verssen Games Currently on Kickstarter

If you know nothing about Warfighter, you simply need to because it is a really fantastic solitaire and 2 (or more) player experience that gives lots of tension and decisions about how to attack your enemy and how to traverse difficult terrain to reach your objective before the timer runs its course. Warfighter is a tactical card-based game for one to six players, where players will select and equip a squad of soldiers, and then attempt to execute the mission assigned by fighting their way to achieve the objective. This system is just FUN! It’s a type of side scrolling, pulpy, run-and-gun romp that elicits the feeling of a 1950’s style comic book. The game is very much customizable and we have a good time trying to choose our soldiers, their skills, weapons and other equipment to stay within their allotted points for the scenarios. The decisions that players have to make in this game start from the outset and you have to know what your objectives are and the type of things that you might need to take along with the team to successful.

There’s been several iterations of the system over the years in their own stand alone products, providing you with different theatres, weapons, nationalities, etc. and there really is something for everyone. Their new Kickstarter is a Battlepacks only focus and you can get great new packs for your existing games.

From the game page, we read the following:

This Kickstarter features Battle Packs from many of the Era’s! You can select the Packs that best fit your interest, or select a Pack from a new Era to get a feel for it.

Remember, all Warfighter products are compatible with all other Eras. So, if you want to take your Modern SEAL soldiers back to WWII and see how they would do in the Jungles of the South Pacific against the Japanese troops holding a vital airfield, you can do it! No special rules needed!

Each Battle Pack contains 56 cards.

There are new packs for WWII (3), Modern (6), and Fantasy (3) Era’s included in the campaign and you can buy them all or just the ones that you have an interest in.

There are 3 different packs in the Kickstarter for the WWII Era including Operation Cobra BP, Operation Torch BP and Operation Market Garden BP.

The Modern Era has the most Battle Packs with a total of 6 different entries including Sweden & Finland, Barras BP, Cop Keating BP, Norway & Denmark, Winter Pack and USMC Soldiers.

The Fantast Era includes 3 new packs such as New Hero: Shadow Shifter, New Hero: Druid and New Hero: Swashbuckler.

If you are interested in Warfighter Battlepack #4, you can back learn more about the game by visiting the Kickstarter page at the following link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/danverssengames/warfighter-battlepack-4

As of January 1st, the Kickstarter campaign has funded and raised $22,736 toward its $5,000 funding goal with 215 backers. The campaign will conclude on Thursday, January 16th at 3:03pm EST.

6. Ermine: Battles in the War of Breton Succession, 1341-1364 from GMT Games

In 2020, we finally discovered the Men of Iron Series by playing the Men of Iron Tri-Pack, which is a large box game that includes the first three games in the Men of Iron Series from GMT Games including Men of Iron, Infidel and Blood & Roses, plus the Battle of Agincourt from C3i Magazine #22. This box was huge and heavy and is probably one of the greatest values in wargaming as there are three games included and the box is packed full to the brim with counters, maps and player aids. We really enjoyed our foray into the series and would love to continue playing the rest of the other scenarios.

This month, there was a new volume in the series announced called Ermine: Battles in the War of Breton Succession, 1341-1364 and it also appears to be interesting with a whole new era being opened up to play.

From the game page, we read the following:

The death of Duke John III of Brittany in 1341, just 4 years after the beginning of the Hundred Years’ War, would spark a dynastic conflict between Joan de Penthièvre, his niece, and John of Montfort, his nephew. Both sides would be backed by the Kings of France and England, respectively. Charles de Blois, Joan’s husband, was the primary military leader of the French-backed side and would be present in almost all of the battles during the conflict. Meanwhile, the Montfort faction would see numerous different ambitious and capable military leaders, who were regularly outnumbered by the French troops.

The war was characterized by a series of military engagements and shifting allegiances, as both factions sought to solidify their claims. The conflict not only featured traditional battles but also included skirmishes, sieges, and political manoeuvring, drawing in various local noble families, as well as notable mercenaries.

As the war unfolded, it became intertwined with the broader context of the Hundred Years’ War, further complicating the regional dynamics. Ultimately, the war concluded with the Treaty of Guérande in 1365, which recognized John de Montfort’s son (also called John de Montfort, you’ll find that most of the major political players during this conflict were called either John or Joan) as the Duke of Brittany, establishing his lineage and ending the immediate succession crisis. This resolution would have lasting implications for Brittany’s political landscape and its relationship with both France and England.

This entry is echoing Richard’s Berg design intent of the original Men of Iron, whose focus was to highlight the re-emergence of infantry on the battlefield at the beginning of the Hundred Years’ War. It will cover the 6 major battles during the War, as well as an extra one which saw many of the commanders and knights of the Breton conflict take part.

I really am interested in that last point made in the description of “emphasizing the importance of infantry on the battlefield”. I do enjoy these static lines of counters in this series and really look forward to seeing how it is changing in this time period that I admittedly know nothing about.

There are a total of 6 battles included in this entry.

Champtoceux 14th October 1341 – The opening engagement of the war, sparked by Charles de Blois besieging the castle of Champtoceux. John de Montfort rode to relieve the siege and was defeated in the field.

Morlaix 30th September 1341 – With John de Montfort imprisoned in France, his wife Jeanne de Flanders petitioned King Edward III of England for assistance, which came in the form of an expeditionary force led by the Earl of Northampton. Northampton laid siege to Morlaix, which Charles de Blois sought to relieve. The English had little time to prepare for the French attack, but did manage to dig a trench hidden behind a low hedge, just in front of their line, hoping it would be enough to blunt the charge of the oncoming French Knights.

La-Roche-Derrien 20th June 1347 – The Earl of Northampton secured control of the town of La Roche-Derrien in 1343, which proved to be a vital strategic stronghold for the control of the northern half of the Duchy. Charles de Blois gathered a very large host and besieged the town. The English did not have a large army to relieve the siege through a conventional field battle, which led to Thomas Dagworth’s daring night attack with barely 800 men, less than a quarter of the number of French troops.

Mauron 14th August 1352 – Sir Walter Bentley and Sir Robert Knolles, who had just recently returned with reinforcements from England, had been spending the month of July relieving sieges and establishing control in central Brittany. Guy de Nesle, the Marshal of France, moved south to wipe this force out. De Nesle’s army, primarily composed of mounted Knights, was several times bigger than the English one. As such, de Nesle offered to allow the English to leave the field without a fight, providing they left central Brittany. The English refused.

Cochorel 16th May 1364 – Whilst not part of the War of the Breton Succession, many of the soldiers and Knights in this battle were present and influential in it. Primarily Bertrand du Guescelin, the Eagle of Brittany, a Breton Knight who was one of the most important military figures of the early Hundred Years’ War. Taking place over a bridge and near a large hill, Cocherel saw the forces of the Kingdoms of Navarra and England square up against the forces of the Kingdom of France and was a crucial battle for the French to win in order to retain control of the south of France following several years of setbacks.

Auray 29th September 1364 – The final battle in the War of the Breton Succession saw John de Montfort’s forces, numbering around 5,000 and backed by the English, face off against Charles de Blois’s French-supported army of about 10,000. Despite being outnumbered, Montfort’s troops effectively utilized English archers and executed strategic maneuvers. The battle culminated in the capture of de Blois, leading to Montfort’s decisive victory. This victory solidified his claim to the Duchy of Brittany and paved the way for the Treaty of Guérande in 1365, which recognized his rule and reduced French influence in the region.

If you are interested in Ermine: Battles in the War of Breton Succession, 1341-1364, you can pre-order a copy for $47.00 from the GMT Games website at the following link: https://www.gmtgames.com/p-1153-ermine-men-of-iron-volume-vii.aspx

7. Rebel Fury 2nd Printing from GMT Games

Several years ago, Mark Herman designed a very unique and simple American Civil War game called Gettysburg that appeared in C3i Magazine #32. That game became the basis for his new Civil War Heritage Series with the first volume being Rebel Fury that focused on five battles from the Chancellorsville and Chickamauga Campaigns. This is a low complexity, low counter density system that is very much focused on maneuver and positioning of forces on the American Civil War battlefields and is really fun to play. The game has done very well and been a hit so they are bringing it back for a 2nd Printing on the P500 and I recommend that you get in now!

From the game page, we read the following:

This design features a new system on Civil War combat akin to the old SPI Blue and Gray Quads. Each game in Rebel Fury is quick-set-up, quick-playing, and deeply interactive. The density of counters in each scenario is low, allowing you to see and experience the big picture of the battle.

Rebel Fury places you, the player, in the role of the Army Commander (Lee, Burnside, Hooker, Bragg, Rosecrans, Grant). You maneuver your army to find the enemy’s flanks, concentrate your forces for an attack, and determine where to commit your artillery assets.

Units are portrayed at the Infantry/Cavalry division level. The Civil War Heritage series game system features a new Zone of Influence/Zone of Control mechanic that controls unit formation (March/Battle) based on their proximity to your opponent. As your units close with the enemy, your forces naturally break into battle formation, where they then maneuver the last distance to engage. Unlike most hex and counter wargames, this system allows you total freedom to move units in any order multiple times, unleashing the full range of historical tactics in a simple and clean format.

Combat features a differential combat system with few but significant factors that capture the key features of Civil War division level combat. Units are rated for quality, artillery support, supporting units, and terrain. The game features artillery duels with the occasional Exploding Caisson result. The Civil War Heritage series combat system accurately depicts the ability of units to launch multiple waves of attacks on the same position, capturing the back-and-forth nature of many famous combat duels.

Each battle features special units and situations, such as Wilder’s Brigade of mounted infantry (Chickamauga) plus other famous units and personages. If you are looking for a competitive, quick-playing Civil War battle game, Rebel Fury may be the game you have been looking to fit into your busy schedule. The short playing time (1 hour or less) entices you to play multiple battles in the same sitting.

One of my favorite parts of the system is the focus on maneuver and how Zones of Influence work as units approach each other. Each of the unit counters have a movement side and a combat side and as they are moving about the board to get into position when the come in contact with an enemy unit’s Zone of Influence. I really like the concepts of how your forces naturally break into battle formation, where they then maneuver the last short distance to cross the battlefield and engage the enemy. Unlike most other hex and counter wargames, this system allows you total freedom to move units in any order multiple times, unleashing the full range of historical tactics in a simple and clean format. The activation is I-Go-U-Go but each side only is allowed to move one unit. This creates some back and forth, and in some ways stalling, as players try to think about their movement objectives and where they wish to end up in relation to the enemy. For such a small, low counter density game, the maneuver is really quite good in this system.

Here is a link to our playthrough video of the Fredricksburg scenario:

If you want to know more, you can check out our video review at the following link:

If you are interested in Rebel Fury 2nd Printing, you can pre-order a copy for $47.00 from the GMT Games website at the following link: https://www.gmtgames.com/p-1151-rebel-fury-2nd-printing.aspx

8. Battles in the East #3: Battle for Pomerania and Drive to the Sea from Decision Games

In late 2021, we posted an interview with Tony Birkett as designer and Chip Saltsman as Developer covering his The Third Winter from Multi-Man Publishing, which covers the third winter on the Eastern Front during World War II and deals with German Army Group South as they retreat to the Dnieper River and then the Carpathian Mountains. They were both very helpful and shared lots of great insight into the game and its makeup. I most recently posted an interview with Tony for his Operational Combat Series game called Crimea: Conquest & Liberation from Multi-Man Publishing. He has also been working on several entries in his new series called Battles in the East (BITE) and Volume 3 was recently put up for pre-order on Decision Games website. The system looks very beefy and pretty good and I am very much interested in these games.

From the game page, we read the following:

Battles in the East (BITE) is a series simulating World War II Eastern Front battles. The system rules are an evolution of the SPI classics Panzergruppe Guderian, Army Group South, and Cobra. Unit integrity bonuses include Soviet Corps and vary to show the increasing Soviet cohesion and decreasing German cohesion as the war progresses. HQ units provide higher level combat support and supply advantages to corresponding units in range. BITE also incorporates standardized scales (unit size, distance, time) for easy comparisons. 

While the series rules allow players to play many games with the same core rules, the scenario rules add unique situational elements of each battle. Each volume includes two battles from one year with two copies of the charts and tables as well as scenario rules and set-up cards for easy reference.

Drive to the Sea: West Prussia, January 1945: Stalin’s agenda focused on the conquest of Prussia, the first German territory reached by the advancing Red Army. The German Army, ahead of a total collapse, prepared a ‘defense in depth’ while deploying many Prussian recruited units to defend the region. The Soviet plan was simple—drive from the east while also cutting Prussia from the rest of Germany. The Soviets earmarked Rokossovsky’s 2 Belorussian Front for the task with the veteran 5th Guard Tank Army selected for the drive to the sea. The game runs from 13th January 1945–1st February 1945, a total of 10 game turns.

Battle for Pomerania: Pomerania, February 1945: By February 1945 the German Army faced a desperate situation. The Soviets under Zhukov regrouped at the Oder River preparing to press forward to capture Berlin. However, the northern flank of his Belorussian Front was thinly held and the besieged German garrison in the town of Arnswalde continued to hold. Himmler, with his personal credibility in terminal decline, opted to utilize vital German reserves and SS units to launch a relief effort of limited forces to drive south, relieve Arnswalde, and severely disrupt the Soviet plans. Once the Stavka, the Soviet General Headquarters, recognized the danger, clearing Pomerania became their objective for February and early March 1945. Himmler soon found himself out of his depth in a bloody campaign in Northeast Germany. The game runs from 15th February 1945–5th March 1945, a total of 10 game turns.

If you are interested in Battles in the East #3: Battle for Pomerania and Drive to the Sea, you can pre-order a copy for $100.00 from the Decision Games website at the following link: https://shop.decisiongames.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=P%2D1053

This one is getting ready to ship so get your order in fast to get the discounted rate.

9. BCS Inflection Point: Battle for Kalach, July 1942 and Battle of Chir, December 1942 from Multi-Man Publishing

Over the past couple years, we have played a few venerated and respected series games from Multi-Man Publishing for the first time that frankly I had initially turned my nose up at for various reasons. These reasons were not really anything important or truly about the design or mechanics but included things like price, graphic design, style and somewhat because of the complexity and reputation of complexity of those systems. These series included first the Standard Combat Series (SCS) with our first game being Rostov ’41 and now the Battalion Combat Series (BCS) in a brand new game called Arracourt. I must admit here that I am actually embarrassed that I hadn’t played those series and readily admit that I just discounted and dismissed them out of hand. The Battalion Combat Series ais a system designed to model combat at the grand tactical scale from late World War I to the present day and was created to in some ways fill the gap that existed between the operational and the tactical. The system is fairly crunchy, meaning there are lots of DRM’s and combat modifiers, and attempts to model accurately combat and the importance of both supply on the one hand and command and control on the other. After playing Arracourt, we have now played an additional 2 entries in the series and have also acquired the remaining volumes that were published. Recently, they have announced and placed on pre-order a new volume called Inflection Point that takes the action to the East Front of WWII.

From the game page, we read the following:

Inflection Point is a Battalion Combat Series (BCS) game depicting two important but relatively unknown battles before and after Stalingrad. The Battle for Kalach was fought in July 1942 following Case Blue, the successful drive into southern Russia. Paulus’ Sixth Army intended to encircle and destroy the Soviet Armies and walk into Stalingrad. The Soviets were still recovering from Operation Barbarossa the year before. The result of the battle set up the epic urban fight that was the turning point of the Eastern Front. By December 1942, the Sixth Army was trapped at Stalingrad by a more capable Red Army. In the Battle of Chir River, the Soviets looked to exploit their gains and prevent German relief operations over a portion of the Kalach battlefield. Initial success along the Chir River changed when the energetic 11th Panzer Division was thrust onto the scene. These two battles show the progression of the Red Army into an offensive army that could start fighting toe-to-toe against the invaders. For the Germans, the days of blitzkrieg successes were waning and were being put on the defensive. There was a marked inflection point around Stalingrad.

The game showcases this change in quality and capability between the armies. Units famed for fighting at Stalingrad are here – 24th Panzer and 100th Jäger Divisions as well as the 62nd Army. With rules on crucial air supply that was needed to sustain the German offensive, to stubborn Soviet command in the form of Colonel Konstantin Zhuravlev, players will be able to recreate these pivotal battles. The steppes of Southern Russia are accurately depicted, with rivers, balkas, and small hills being crucial in the otherwise flat terrain. With offensive and defensive possibilities for both sides in both battles, there’s tense decision making in order to win and change the fate on the Eastern Front.

Love the cover on this one, with the Soviet red and the charging T-34 tank, and we are very excited about it. We have already placed our pre-order and hope to see this one sometime in 2025….maybe!

If you are interested in BCS Inflection Point: Battle for Kalach, July 1942 and Battle of Chir, December 1942, you can pre-order a copy for $63.00 from the Multi-Man Publishing website at the following link: https://mmpgamers.com/inflection-point-p-418

10. No Turning Back: The Battle of the Wilderness, 5-6 May, 1864 from Multi-Man Publishing

American Civil War is an up and coming gaming experience with us as Alexander has really been bitten by the bug because he has been reading various books on the subject (Shelby Foote’s The Civil War: A Narrative Series). I have always had interest in the conflict but just have not played all that many games in the setting. With this new offering called No Turning Back: The Battle of the Wilderness, 5-6 May, 1864 we are definitely more interested now than ever and very much looking forward to this!

From the game page, we read the following:

No Turning Back is the next game in The Gamers’ Line of Battle (LoB) Series covering the first epic confrontation between Grant and Lee, the Battle of the Wilderness in May 1864. The battle is a very misunderstood battle with the general narrative that both armies were stumbling to find each other in the thick woods. Units get lost and confusion reigns. While the precepts of this confused melee are generally true, there is much more to this battle that No Turning Back will showcase based on extensive design and research. There was maneuver at the operational level as both commanders prodded their forces forward to hit an open flank. Grant was seeking a general offensive to bring to bear the entire weight of his large army. Lee was not looking for a general engagement in the Wilderness, but had no choice when the shooting started and deftly engaged his outnumbered army. What is not often known is that both sides had multiple chances of obtaining victory only to be undone by the tide of fortune at the last minute. Do you have the dogged determination as Grant or Lee to snatch victory in the bloody thickets?

Game specific rules to handle the terrain that dictated how the forces fought include: WIlderness terrain type, command & communication difficulties, different trail types, and guides. Unique command situations are likewise represented in the game with Grant’s chain of command with Meade’s Army of the Potomac and Burnside’s independent corps, Hancock’s pseudo-wing command, Lt. Col. Sorrel’s ad hoc division, Ewell’s stoutness then passiveness on successive days, and A.P. Hill’s inability to get his men dug in which nearly spelt disaster for him. While cavalry action was minimal, the actions of two cavalry regiments, the 1st NC and 5th NY, proved pivotal and their exploits are captured in the rules.

The map is accurately rendered from a survey conducted immediately following the war that laid out the myriad of trails that led the armies astray. The Order of Battle is presented with accurate regimental strengths with contributions from a leading Civil War scholar. No Turning Back will show the Wilderness in incredible detail at the regimental scale.

If you are in interested in No Turning Back: The Battle of the Wilderness, 5-6 May, 1864, you can pre-order a copy for $63.00 from the Multi-Man Publishing website at the following link: https://mmpgamers.com/no-turning-back-p-420

11. BCS Arracourt: Battle for Arracourt, 1944 from Multi-Man Publishing

Another pre-order offered from MMP was a reprint of their very cool BCS entry from 2023 called Arracourt: Battle for Arracourt, 1944. This entry is a very accessible and smaller entry in the BCS and is recommended for players who are new to the series.

From the game page, we read the following:

Arracourt is a Battalion Combat Series (BCS) game depicting the forlorn Axis counterattack to stop Patton’s drive across France in September 1944 and the stellar example of mobile US Combined Arms that stopped that offensive dead in its tracks. 

The rapid movement of Patton’s Third Army eastward to Nancy has led them at the end of a supply net that is being re-allocated to put emphasis on the British in the north (which resulted in Operation Market Garden). The US 4th Armored Division in the lead performed a double envelopment of Nancy and is waiting for other elements to catch up. 

For the German part, Hitler sees an opportunity to do two things simultaneously: To strike at the US spearhead stopping their advance and to try out his newly formed Panzer Brigades—complete with Panthers just off the assembly line but manned by crews fresh out of training. 

The result was a classic defense studied by the US Army still today as the “school solution” of how to defeat an armored foe in a mobile set of battles. 

Arracourt is a game of those battles with both sides using all the tools of mobile warfare with both sides maneuvering to attack and defend the ground of their choosing. The game is straightforward for the beginner BCS player and works very well as a starter kit before trying any of the others in the series yet is still challenging for the BCS veteran. All scenarios are on one (or less than one) map.

There are very few special rules to employ, well, except for dealing with Bazooka Charlie … a US L-4 artillery observation pilot who rigged his wings with bazooka launchers so he could go out daily and try to kill German tanks. 

Here is a link to our video review of the game:

If you are interested, I wrote a fairly in-depth First Impressions post about our experience with BCS Arracourt and you can read that at the following link: https://theplayersaid.com/2022/08/17/first-impressions-bcs-arracourt-from-multi-man-publishing/

If you are interested in BCS Arracourt: Battle for Arracourt, 1944, you can pre-order a copy for $52.50 from the Multi-Man Publishing website at the following link: https://mmpgamers.com/arracourt-p-342

12. Fallschirmjaeger: The Airborne Assault on Fortress Holland May 10 to 14, 1940 from Multi-Man Publishing

I am a fan of any game that deals with airborne operations as these games are always unique and interesting. One of the volumes in the Standard Combat Series that has eluded us until recently is Fallschirmjaeger: The Airborne Assault on Fortress Holland May 10 to 14, 1940 as I got a second hand copy from our friends at Noble Knight Games. But, it appears that MMP knew this and has just now released on pre-order the game in a new edition.

From the game page, we read the following:

Fallschirmjaeger: The Airborne Assault on Fortress Holland May 10 to 14, 1940, simulates the German May, 1940 capture of Rotterdam and The Hague (Den Haag).

In the spring of 1940, the German military machine turned west to convert the Phoney War into a real one. Fresh from his victory in Poland, Hitler planned a blow that would knock France out of the war. Key to this plan was a knife-like attack through the Ardennes to the English Channel which would split the Allied forces moving north to block the expected replay of 1914 and the Maginot Line forces immobile in the south. To add to the trap, the Germans planned the first massive airborne operation of the war. This attack would capture the hinterland of Holland, pave the way for subordinate German Armored thrusts crossing the Maas, and to continue to lure the Allies northward.

Fallschirmjaeger covers this bait. The German player plops down an airborne invasion force with the goal of fighting off all-comers until relieved by advancing ground forces. The Dutch, all but abandoned by their French and British Allies, put up a fight for the record books. The German air bridge held on by its fingernail. While the main German drive was never in doubt, these scattered paratroopers had the fight of their lives against a small nation unwilling to succumb without giving the fight everything.

In the end, the Dutch government had to be evacuated along with the Dutch Gold Reserve, to form a government in exile. They would return after liberation.

The player must do all these things, or smash the German paratroopers before they are rescued by the Panzers, to win. Any German player thinking he’ll have an easy time, must be reminded his is not Nazi Germany’s main effort and that he must make-do on a shoestring.

If you are interested in Fallschirmjaeger: The Airborne Assault on Fortress Holland May 10 to 14, 1940, you can pre-order a copy for $39.00 from the Multi-Man Publishing website at the following link: https://mmpgamers.com/fallschirmjaeger-p-419

13. Operation Typhoon: The German Assault on Moscow, 1941 from Decision Games

As was mentioned above, Decision Games has been very active in deluxifying several of their previous games with upgraded components, new rules and play updates. One of the games that they have ready for pre-order is called Operation Typhoon: The German Assault on Moscow, 1941 designed by Joe Angiolillo and Joseph M. Balkoski. The game comes with 4 huge 22×34-inch paper maps, 4 12.25×22-inch paper maps, 880 5/8-inch die-cut counters (5 sheets), 2 player display sheets, 1 weather PAC (2 copies), 2 six-sided dice and storage bags.

From the game page, we read the following:

In the autumn of 1941, the last desperate German assault on the Soviet capital is underway. The staggering German successes of the past summer have led to one still unanswered question: Can the war be ended in one last, decisive stroke aimed at the heart of the Soviet nation?

Operation Typhoon is an operational level recreation of this titanic struggle. Players will not be concerned with the intricacies of low-level combat, nor the grand strategic questions of the respective High Commands. Rather, players will be faced with the problems of a corps and army level assault: distributing meager armored formations to the attack, choosing a strong defensive line, allocating supply, and assigning air units to ground support and interdiction missions. The victor will be the player with the greater ingenuity and operational sense.

This updated reprint of the original SPI game delivers new artwork on the maps and counters, enlarging the maps to handle the larger 5/8-inch counters. Additional markers are provided, such as optional Hedgehog defenses, to aid play. Charts and tables and rulebook have been reproduced with new layout and artwork. While the rules have been reformatted with official errata, no changes have been made to the game system. Players are getting the original SPI game in an enlarged and enhanced format. Open the box and find out whether the German offensive on the Soviet capital can be stopped. Pick your side and determine your strategy. The decisions are yours.

If you are interested in Operation Typhoon: The German Assault on Moscow, 1941, you can pre-order a copy for $110.00 from the Decision Games website at the following link: https://shop.decisiongames.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=P%2D3039

This one is getting ready to ship so get your order in fast to get the discounted rate.

14. C3i Magazine Nr. 38 from RBM Studio

While attending the SDHistCon in San Diego in November, we got together with Trevor Bender to get a quick look at the upcoming Korea: Fight Across the 38th appearing in C3i Magazine Nr. 38 from RBM Studio. Korea: The Fight Across the 38th recreates the opening salvos of the Korean War. It is the third volume of the C3i Combined Arms Series, after Battle for Kursk: The Tigers are Burning, 1943 and Desert Victory: North Africa, 1940-1942.

This game is the feature game in the upcoming C3i Magazine Nr. 38, which was just put up for pre-order on the RBM Studio website.

From the game page, we read the following:

C3i Nr. 38 is currently in development, slated for a March 2025 release! Place your pre-order now to save an early-bird spot for when this issue is published! Those who order before Jan 1, 2025 will receive a signed poster from RBM!

The C3i Combined Arms Series rules have been adapted to capture the ebb-and-flow of operations as well as the rugged terrain and the logistical challenges faced by each side during the Korean War.

We were able to discuss the game with Trevor and learned that it loosely resembles the earlier award winning Kursk game. However, Korea in 1950 is not central Russia in 1943, so this one is very different and is really an interesting subject and implementation of the series in a small format wargame that plays in 3-4 hours. We were able to shoot a short video with Trevor and I am very much looking forward to this one. Here is a look at that video:

If you are interested in C3i Magazine Nr. 38, you can order pre-order a copy for $45.00 from the RBM Studio website at the following link: https://c3iopscenter.com/rbm-studio-store/C3i-Magazine-Nr-38-Pre-Order-p645718603

You can order the COLLECTOR’S EDITION package which comes in a secure, white C3i-branded collector box for an additional $6.00.

New Release

1. Sword of Orthodoxy: The Rise and Fall of the Byzantine Empire AD 421-1453 from White Dog Games

I have really enjoyed my plays of several solitaire games designed by R. Ben Madison. He has a knack for including elements of the history into the gameplay while placing the events into the framework of his chosen system, which is usually the States of Siege Series…but not necessarily always. His newest offering is called Sword of Orthodoxy: The Rise and Fall of the Byzantine Empire AD 421-1453 and uses the States of Siege Series model but seems to use both of the types that he has used, the more traditional paths to a central point and the horizontal model where forces can build up and threaten invasion. Anyway, this one looks really good and I have recently acquired a copy and done an unboxing video and I can confirm that it is a gorgeous presentation.

From the game page, we read the following:

In Sword of Orthodoxy: The Rise and Fall of Byzantium, your task is to guide a former Greek colony founded in 667 BC on the Bosporus from its hard-scrabble beginnings as an emergent  power in 421 AD to becoming the capital of the vast thousand-year city state known to history as the Eastern Roman Empire and to the world as the fabulous and storied Byzantium. A solitaire game, Sword of Orthodoxy is designed by Charles S. Roberts Award winner R. Ben Madison, who also has designed the following other White Dog Games titles: Global War, The Mission, The First Jihad, The White Tribe, Mrs. Thatcher’s War, N, Don’t Tread on Me, Gift of the Nile, Jeff Davis, Kaiserkrieg, and Gorbachev. Sword of Orthodoxy features a beautiful game map by artist Jose Faura. 

I am very much looking forward to playing this one and doing some content on it in the near future.

If you are interested in Sword of Orthodoxy: The Rise and Fall of the Byzantine Empire AD 421-1453, you can order a boxed edition copy for $57.00 from the White Dog Games website at the following link: https://www.whitedoggames.com/byzantium

2. A Most Resolute Action: Fort Meigs, 1813 from High Flying Dice Games

Over the years, we have played and highlighted several smaller games from High Flying Dice Games including Kekionga!: A Dark and Bloody Battleground, 1790 and St. Clair’s Folly: The Battle of the Wabash River, 1791. We have played and reviewed Kekionga and Walking a Bloody Path: The Battle of Fallen Timbers, which were both fantastic and we very much enjoyed the simplicity of the system as well as the graphics created by Nils Johansson! This series called the Battles of the Old Northwest Series focuses on early battles between US forces and various Native American tribes in the area of the Old Northwest Territory, which includes the present day states of Ohio, Indiana (my home), Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. This war was characterized by massacres and atrocities, which seemed to follow one upon the other, and in 1790 the new US Government authorized its first war against the Native Americans for control of the region. The games also take a look at a few key battles in the War of 1812 and the newest volume is called A Most Resolute Action: Fort Meigs, 1813 and deals with the siege of Fort Meigs near Toledo, Ohio in 1813.

From the game page, we read the following:

The War of 1812 brought conflict once again to the state of Ohio and the Northwest Territory. The War of 1812 began badly for the US. In August, 1812 a 2,000 man US army in Detroit was surrendered to the British and their First Nation allies by General William Hull without a shot being fired. General Harrison’s army, that was meant to reinforce and relieve General Hull, was forced to retreat back into Ohio following another defeat south of Detroit at the battle of River Raisin in January. Reforming south and east of Toledo, Harrison constructed a fort along the Maumee River, near present day Perrysburg, Ohio in February 1813.

In the spring, the British, Canadian and First Nation forces under the command of British General Henry Proctor advanced from their positions in Michigan and laid siege to Fort Meigs on May 1st. One may 5th, General Harrison ordered 2 sorties by the US garrison to destroy British siege guns that were east and west of the river. Following orders they became involved in a protracted fight with their enemies that led to nearly 3 quarters of the US militia and regulars being killed or captured (many of whom were later massacred by enraged First Nation warriors). However, the US sorties were able to disable several of the British cannon before withdrawing back into Fort Meigs. Despite the US setbacks and losses, the British were unable to maintain their siege as their cannon had little effect on the fort’s stout logs, and rainfall made the land and earthwork defenses sodden and impervious to the British artillery.

This new entry in the Battles of the Old Northwest Series is a real beauty and the new components and art are done by Nils Johansson and look fantastic. But the game also has a new player aid that is sure to speed and improved game play and flow and I am very much excited about getting this one to the table sooner rather than later.

If you are interested in A Most Resolute Action: Fort Meigs, 1813, you can order a copy for $18.95 from the High Flying Dice Games website at the following link: https://www.hfdgames.com/meigs.html

I would also recommend spending the extra $8.00 to get mounted counters for the game as they make it so much nicer!

3. Game of Drones: Ukraine War 2024 – A Solitaire Drone War Game from Historic Wings

Over the past few years, the interest in solitaire book wargames has skyrocketed and there are a lot of different offerings out there. One that has really caught my eye is from designer Thomas Van Hare with his Historic Wings products. Thomas Van Hare has designed several of these solitaire book wargames recently and they have been well received by the solitaire community. In fact, Alexander and I recently purchased several of these games including Overflight!, Tally-Ho! and SOE Lysander. His newest offering in the series is now out and is called Game of Drones: Ukraine War 2024 – A Solitaire Drone War Game.

From the game page, we read the following:

The high-pitched whine of an FPV drone is the modern equivalent of the Stuka siren from the Second World War. From a clear blue sky, a drone appears, traveling so fast that it nearly outpaces the noise of its motors. Those who hear it may have only seconds to live. Drones have changed the face of modern warfare.

Game of Drones is a trademark of Historic Wings & Thomas Van Hare. It is a solitaire wargame set in Russia’s Ukraine War during the Summer of 2024. The game puts you in command of a four-person Ukrainian drone team fighting against Russian forces in Donetsk.

To begin, you name your drone team. Examples of actual combat teams in Ukraine are: “Asgard”, “Sky Lords”, “Code 9.2”, “Limbo”, “Magyar”, and “Peaky Blinders”. Then you equip your team with upgraded equipment and deploy into combat along the zero line. Your brigade HQ directs you to search for certain types of Russian forces. When you spot them, you may call for artillery fire, drop bomblets and bombs with your drone bombers, including oversized Baba Yagas, or perform direct attack missions with FPV drones.

Game of Drones is a narrative-style wargame. The experiences you create while playing the game are so realistic that you will be able to keep a narrative diary of the events of each day as it happens. This written narrative forms the heart of your wargaming experience. Those who feel that they cannot write well will find the game enjoyable, even if played without the narrative diary. Like all Historic Wings games, this is not a “roll and write” or a typical “book game”, it is a full-featured wargame – just one that happens to be presented in book form.

As you read and play, you will learn about the war in Ukraine and Russia. You will recognize the hardships and challenges faced by drone teams when carrying out missions. You will encounter the risks they face and suffer the consequences of any bad decisions you make. To win, you must operate boldly, yet with care. You are always one mistake from death.

We were able to post an interview with Thomas Van Hare on the blog that covered mainly Achtung Jabo! but that also had several references to Game of Drones and you can read that at the following link: https://theplayersaid.com/2024/09/09/interview-with-thomas-van-hare-designer-of-achtung-jabo-a-solitaire-air-war-game-from-historic-wings/

If you are interested in Game of Drones: Ukraine War 2024 – A Solitaire Drone War Game, you can order a copy for $29.95 from the Amazon website at the following link: https://www.amazon.com/Game-Drones-Ukraine-Solitaire-Historic/dp/B0DNWFSN83

4. Game of Drones: Ukraine War 2024 – A Solitaire Drone War Game Upgrade Kit from Blue Panther

If you enjoy improved components to upgrade and blink out a game and make it that much better, then you are in luck as you can order the Upgrade Kit for the previous entry on this list in Game of Drones: Ukraine War 2024 – A Solitaire Drone War Game from Blue Panther.

From the game page, we read the following:

The Upgrade Kit contains the following contents:

• 312 Counter Pieces on two sheets
• 17″ x 22″ inch Canvas Main Map
• Four 8.5 x 11 inch Forward Position Maps
• 8.5” x 11” Inch Drone Team Chart
• 8.5″ x 11″ Inch Player Aid and Daily Operations Table
• 8.5″ x 11″ Tables for Russian Fire, EW Jamming, & Artillery
• 8.5″ x 11″ Daily Rotatsiya Record

Just keep in mind that you will need to order the rule book off of Amazon. You can find that link in the previous entry.

If you are interested in the Game of Drones: Ukraine War 2024 – A Solitaire Drone War Game Upgrade Kit, you can order a copy for $45.00 from the Blue Panther website at the following link: : https://www.bluepantherllc.com/products/hw-game-of-drones

5. Unhappy King Charles from PHALANX

In mid 2023, we became aware of a new edition of a classic game called Unhappy King Charles being put together by PHALANX. In case you didn’t know, Unhappy King Charles is a 2-player game on the English Civil War covering 1642-1645 which pits the Royalists against the Parliamentarians. This new edition is very much upgraded and has some rules changes and updates to make it even more playable.

From the game page, we read the following:

Unhappy King Charles is a 2-player game on the English Civil War (1642-1645) that pits the Royalists against the Parliamentarians in a battle for control over England’s regions and economic centers.

The game is card-driven: play a card for a historic event, or use it to take a range of actions. These include recruiting, placing political influence, raiding and – most important – activating Generals such as King Charles and Oliver Cromwell to move around the map, battle enemies, siege fortresses, and take control of areas.

Unhappy King Charles is highly respected for the way in which it captures the unique aspects of the English Civil War: the high rate of desertions, the difficulties of controlling regional troops, and the growing strength of the Parliament forces over the course of the conflict.

We also reached out to the designer Charles Vasey and published an interview on the blog that you can read at the following link: https://theplayersaid.com/2023/12/25/interview-with-charles-vasey-designer-of-unhappy-king-charles-from-phalanx/

I am very excited about this one and really am looking forward to the aesthetic upgrades to the art and components and am sure they will make an already great play experience even better!

If you are interested in Unhappy King Charles, you can order a copy for €65,00 ($68.00 US Dollars) from the PHALANX website at the following link: https://phalanx.co.uk/games/unhappy-king-charles/

6. Mirages from VUCA Simulations

VUCA Simulations is a newer German publisher that is really destroying it with their graphics and production. Their games are also very good and we have really enjoyed several of their titles including Donnerschlag: Escape from Stalingrad and most recently Traces of War. This month, I noticed that they had a new game designed by Dirk Blennemann that looks to be in their Operational Scale sweet spot called Formation Series #1 – Mirages.

From the game page, we read the following:

Step into the harsh, unforgiving deserts of North Africa during World War II with Mirages, a deeply immersive, operational-level war game that recreates the pivotal battles from December 1940 to June 1941. It covers operations Compass, Brevity, Battleaxe and Skorpion.

Designed for two players but also suitable for solitaire play, Mirages transports you to a theater where strategy, supply lines, and terrain are as crucial as firepower.

Mirages is the first game in the Formation Series which is based on our previous releases Crossing the Line, Across the Bug River and Operation Theseus. Further games will follow, all of which can be played using the same series rules.

This game appears to be a classic operational scale game with a hex representing 3.5 kms (2.2 miles) of terrain from side to side, a turn representing a period of one to six days and combat units are mostly infantry-type regiments/brigades, and armored-type battalions/regiments.

If you are interested in Mirages, you can order a copy for $86.00 from the VUCA Simulations website at the following link: https://vucasims.com/products/formation-series-1-mirages

7. One Hour World War II from Worthington Publishing

Bursting on the scene over the past couple of years, Clint Warren-Davey is a new designer who has jumped in with both feet. His first design is called Werwolf: Insurgency in Occupied Germany, 1945-1948 from Legion Wargames and is a COIN Series inspired card assisted game about a what if scenario where the Werwolf Insurgency wreaks havoc over the final few years of World War II and continues their struggle even after the surrender of the Third Reich into the Post WWII era. He has also dabbled with a few other designs but the one that is ready at this point is an interesting looking game called One Hour WWII from Worthington Publishing.

From the game page, we read the following:

One Hour World War II is intended to be what it says on the box – the whole Second World War crammed into an hour of play time. It is a strategic level game for 2 to 5 players.

Featuring a series of Actions and Responses from 2 to 5 players stay engaged with little or no down time.

Anyone who is a fan of Axis & Allies or Twilight Struggle or similar strategic level World War II games will definitely enjoy One Hour World War II.

We posted an interview with the designer and you can read that on the blog at the following link: https://theplayersaid.com/2024/06/04/interview-with-clint-warren-davey-designer-of-one-hour-wwii-from-worthington-publishing/

I worked with the designer to host a series of Strategy Guides for each of the various playable factions and you can read those at the following links:

United Kingdom

Germany

Soviet Union

Japan

United States of America

If you are interested in One Hour World War II, you can order a copy for $75.00 from the Worthington Publishing website at the following link: https://www.worthingtonpublishing.com/collection/one-hour-world-war-ii

8. Iwo Jima 1945 from Worthington Publishing

Over the past couple of years, we have seen Worthington Publishing grow and expand as they are not only putting out more games, but these games are getting better and better, both in their play and also in their production value. A few years ago we covered several of their Kickstarter games and posted interviews on our blog including with Darin Leviloff (Soviet Dawn), Maurice Suckling and Dorian Richard (Hidden Strike: American Revolution), Hermann Luttmann (In Magnificent Style), Maurice Suckling (Chancellorsville 1863), Dan Fournie (Battle of the Bulge 1944) and Mike Nagel (Dawn of Battle). We played their Tarawa 1943 solitaire game a few years ago and it is just fantastic. Hard to win, brutal with its dice rolling, but a good and interactive solitaire game. Earlier this year they did a Kickstarter for the 2nd game in the Island Fighting Series called Iwo Jima 1945 and it is now ready for purchase.

From the game page, we read the following:

Refight the bloody battle of Iwo Jima in 1945. Volume II in the Island Fighting Series designed for 1 player and plays in 1 hour.

You, as the player, in this solitaire game, will step into the shoes of the USMC commander leading the invasion of Iwo Jima, a pivotal battle in World War II. The game system, driven by cards, will simulate the strategies of the Japanese defenders,  often referred to as the Japanese AI, adding a layer of historical authenticity to your gaming experience. 

Iwo Jima was the only island assault during the Pacific war that the attacking US forces would suffer worse casualties than the Japanese defenders. 

On February 19, 1945 the USMC would land 30,000 marines on the island against a Japanese defensive force that numbered roughly 21,000 Japanese soldiers.  Facing a Japanese commander who had learned valuable lessons from the losses on other Japanese islands, the USMC would eventually land over 70,000 marines and suffer over 25,000 casualties during the 36 day campaign. 

If you have played Tarawa 1943 you will be familiar with the system.  Key changes to Iwo Jima 1945 are as follows:

• Iwo Jima’s play deck is larger than Tarawa’s.
• There are mountain positions on the island where the attacking USMC will roll 1 less attack dice. 
• The USMC player is allowed to play any number of the cards from their hand during their turn.

The other rules are almost all the same, and you can begin playing with just a brief read of them.  

If you are interested in Iwo Jima 1945, you can order a copy for $75.00 from the Worthington Publishing website at the following link: https://www.worthingtonpublishing.com/collection/iwo-jima-1945

9. 2024 Replacement Countersheet from GMT Games

Errata is a fact of life with all publishers and all games! No matter what, a mistake will always slip through and cause us gamers a bit of angst. This is where GMT Games stands head and shoulders above the competition though as they admit to their mistakes and more importantly try to make them right. We have seen this time and time again. So they have a solution for errata found on counters in their new games this year that makes a lot of sense and makes it economically very easy to acquire: a replacement countersheet.

From the P500 page, we read the following:

We are happy to announce today that we have created a “2024 Replacement Countersheet” that includes all of the counter updates that we and the designers know of as errata for games from 2023 and several from 2024. We’re setting this up as a P500 item like we did last year – except that it’s already approved to print. We just need to know how many of you want the item. Please get your order in over the coming few weeks so we can get these in your hands by year-end.

The price for this item will be $3 for US customers and $8 for non-US customers. Note that the cost INCLUDES shipping. Clearly, we’re supplementing most of the cost on these, which we think is only fair, in that these counters represent mostly errata that we missed when we produced the games the counters belong to.

The games with counters on the sheet are:

• Banish All Their Fears
• Downfall
• Great Battles of Alexander, Deluxe Edition
• Next War: Poland, 2nd Edition
• Norman Conquests
• Panzer North Africa
• Tanto Monta
• Under the Southern Cross 

If you are interested in the 2024 Replacement Countersheet, you can order a copy for $7.00 from the GMT Games website at the following link: https://www.gmtgames.com/p-1122-2024-replacement-countersheet.aspx

10. A Gest of Robin Hood, 2nd Printing from GMT Games

As you know, I love the COIN Series and anything associated with it. This new Irregular Conflicts Series is considered COIN adjacent and shares some of the same elements. The 2nd volume called A Gest of Robin Hood is a 2-player game that is set in the world of literature but based on actual events of the time as it covers the bandit known as Robin Hood as he patrolled the Sherwood Forest around Nottingham and attempted to relieve the evil Prince John of the money that he stole from the peasants and give it back to them. The game is very much asymmetric as each of the sides has different goals and objectives but also have different actions, called Plots and Deeds, that can be used to great effect to change the landscape of Nottinghamshire and plant the seeds of insurrection or pacify the locals and keep them paying those juicy taxes. We have played the game a few times now and have really enjoyed what is it that we are seeing and experiencing. The game is a great entry point into the world of asymmetric gaming and also teaches some of the basic principles of the COIN Series mainly focusing on the Sequence of Play, card assisted framework and diverging player sides with vastly different focus. The game is very approachable but also has a lot of meat to it and is really an interesting experience.

From the game page, we read the following:

A Gest of Robin Hood is the second game in the Irregular Conflicts Series, further adapting the COIN system to depict peasant revolts, feudal tax collection, and outlaw activities in late 12th century medieval England. Transposing one of GMT’s most popular systems into a simpler format and a more approachable setting makes A Gest of Robin Hood perfect for newcomers to wargaming. At the same time, it also offers a tight challenge for more experienced wargamers who can enjoy a tense asymmetric duel in under an hour.

We have played the game 4 times and I frankly love it! It is fun, fast playing and extremely interesting.

I have started writing a series of Action Point posts, and you can read those at the following links:

Action Point 1 – Game Board

Action Point 2 – the 2-player Initiative (Sequence of Play) Box

 Action Point 3 – menu of Plots & Deeds for the Sheriff

Action Point 4 – menu of Plots & Deeds for Robin Hood and his Merry Men

Action Point 5 – Different types of cards including Event Cards, Fortune Event Cards, Traveller Cards and Royal Inspection Cards

We also shot a video playthrough and you can watch that at the following link:

We also shared our thoughts in a video review and you can watch that at the following link:

If you are interested in A Gest of Robin Hood 2nd Printing, you can order a copy for $82.00 from the GMT Games website at the following link: https://www.gmtgames.com/p-1120-a-gest-of-robin-hood-2nd-printing.aspx

11. Congress of Vienna from GMT Games

I love the concept of negotiation in wargames and working to build your strategy for the ongoing conflict while also keeping one eye on the post war world. I really enjoyed this concept in the framework of Churchill by Mark Herman. Still one of my favorite games that I will never say no to playing. I also enjoy seeing how your actions in the political or negotiation stage play out on the board itself as you are fighting a war. It appears that this 3rd entry into the Great Statesmen Series is following in those same footsteps.

From the game page, we read the following:

Congress of Vienna is a diplomatic Strategy CDG for one to four players. It is based on Churchill, the superb, award-winning Mark Herman design, and was well received during GMT’s Spring 2019 Weekend at the Warehouse and June’s CSW Expo in Tempe, Arizona. It is the third game after Churchill and Pericles in GMT’s “Great Statesmen” series.

CoV creates an enthralling gaming arena. It allows players to become the main characters of the dramatic, titanic struggle between the struggling Napoleonic Empire and the coalition of Russia, Austria, and Great Britain (with their Prussian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Swedish allies).

The game starts after Napoleon’s disastrous 1812 retreat from Moscow, covering the decisive years of 1813 and 1814. The abstract game map involves a strategic theatre portraying Europe from the Iberian Peninsula to the boundaries of Poland and Prussia. It also includes the secondary front of Italy, an area for depicting maritime warfare and the British/American War of 1812. This game by designer Frank Esparrago and developer Dick Sauer (with much appreciated input from Mark Herman) has been created to be played as both a diplomatic and strategic military conflict without losing the taste of the Napoleonic era’s great battles.

The other element that I thought was really smart from Churchill was the use of historical figures, staff and aides to carry out the actions at the table through the play of cards. From the game page we get this further insight into this mechanic:

A CoV game turn is divided into three different Phases: Diplomacy, Government, and War; each divided into segments that facilitate interaction between players. In the Diplomacy Phase, the leaders of each Major Power and associated minor countries use their best statesmen to interact on the European diplomatic board to improve their economic and military resources and to prioritize efforts in different military fronts. During the Government Phase, the issues gained during Diplomacy are implemented. These take into account the limitations of each Major Power in terms of manpower, economic resources, political impact, and the military situation on the map. In the War Phase, in addition to recruiting new forces and moving them to campaigning armies, military operations are undertaken which on many occasions lead to huge and dramatic battles. CoV‘s system of Victory Points (VP) reward military, diplomatic, political, and economic achievements, so situationally balancing these factors usually prevails over giving sole attention to the game’s military aspects.

We posted an interview with the designer Frank Esparrago and you can read that at the following link: https://theplayersaid.com/2020/08/17/interview-with-frank-esparrago-designer-of-congress-of-vienna-from-gmt-games/

If you are interested in Congress of Vienna, you can order a copy for $85.00 from the GMT Games website at the following link: https://www.gmtgames.com/p-850-congress-of-vienna.aspx

12. Alliance: Multiplayer Napoleonic Wargame from Columbia Games

We love large multi-player wargames! They are always a blast as you have a bunch of friends over and get after it for many hours yelling, negotiating, laughing and rolling dice. There is nothing better! And there are a few periods that really fit well with this format and one of those is the Napoleonic Era where many nations fought together and against the mighty Napoleon Bonaparte of France. Earlier last year, Columbia Games had a Kickstarter campaign for such a game called Alliance. That game is now on the market and available for purchase.

From the game page, we read the following:

Alliance is a game of diplomacy and conflict set in the Napoleonic Era using the esteemed Columbia Block System. Up to seven players vie for supremacy by negotiating deals in the battle before the battle and, if talks break down…war! The map itself is enough to make any bystander want to jump into the action. A larger neoprene map is also be available to give your game a feel of equal epicness of the conflict itself.

The Diplomatic Phase has up to seven players forming alliances as the storms of battle sway. Battles are rarely won quickly, making the threat of shifting treaties and re-negotiations something to contend with in each parlay. Unlike most grand strategic games of these wars, the game includes naval units and battles and the effect of blockades. Countries with surplus gold can finance actions by their allies.

If you are interested in Alliance: Multiplayer Napoleonic Wargame, you can order a copy for $89.98 from the Columbia Games website at the following link: https://secure.columbiagames.com/ec/process-order.pl?ec_m=cg&ec_c=default&ec_cb=b3ed6770a4c1000dc417

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.

Finally, thanks once again to this month’s sponsor Wharf Rat Games!

-Grant