Another month has passed and we are now into the beautiful days of spring with warm weather and a bit of rain! As you know, April showers bring May flowers and typcally spring brings a load new games ahead of the summer! This month for the Wargame Watch I was able to find 34 games (including the 11 games from our sponsor Neva Wargames and then 6 games in a single new series from High Flying Dice Games)! This is in fact the most games that we have highlighted in the Wargame Watch and I am interested in every single one of them. Of that total, 3 games were offered on Kickstarter or Gamefound.
Again this month, we have a sponsor for the Wargame Watch post in Neva Wargames. This is Neva’s 2nd time sponsoring this post and they are very busy as they have a ton of new games upcoming. Neva Wargames is a new publisher who appeared on the scene last year. When I started seeing their posts on Twitter and Facebook, I was immediately impressed with their interesting topic choices for their upcoming games as well as the fact that they are trying to make small footprint wargames that pack a punch. And the art is also very appealing and brings an aesthetically pleasing and attractive look to their games!
They have shared with me that they are excited to share crucial news about the pre-order launch of their two first titles: Iwo Jima: Hell on Earth and Sea & Steel: Columbus’ Voyages! To ensure a smooth and well-prepared experience for all their players worldwide, they will be opening pre-orders (upfront payment required).
Exclusive Pre-Order Benefits:
By joining the pre-order campaign, you’ll receive fantastic benefits:
• Discounted Prices: Secure these immersive wargames at a reduced price for a limited time! They’ll announce the final month of the discount in their newsletter and on social media, so stay vigilant! o Iwo Jima: Hell on Earth: €28.92 (VAT not included) o Sea & Steel: Columbus’ Voyages: €33.05 (VAT not included)
• Exclusive Bundle Offer: Don’t miss out on their special bundle deal, available only during the pre-order period and never again! o Bundle (Iwo Jima + Sea & Steel): €57,84 (VAT not included)
• First in Line for Shipping: Guarantee your place in the first shipping wave by pre-ordering now. Shipping estimated for Q3-Q4 2025.
A Note for Early Supporters: If you previously pre-ordered these games through their P-300 System, they say thank you! The P-300 helps Neva gauge interest during development. You will now be able to complete your pre-order at these final prices when the pre-order window opens for your specific region.
P300 SYSTEM While Iwo Jima and Sea & Steel move into production and won’t be in the P-300, Neva is thrilled to welcome new reinforcements to the P-300 System!
MEDIEVAL | Tactical | 2 Players | Duration 60-180 Minutes | Game Design: Joe Fernandez
The year is 1095. By order of the Pope, the armies of Christendom march on the Holy Land to reclaim Jerusalem. Deus Vult. Relive the brutal battles of the 10th and 11th centuries during the Crusades. Command Crusader or Islamic forces across the harsh deserts of Palestine and in pivotal sieges like the one at Acre. Cavalry dominate the open plains while infantry clash in fierce close-quarters combat. Use tactics, special orders, and deep knowledge of your units to outmaneuver and defeat your opponent in this grand tactical hex-and-counter wargame.
Echoes of War is an easy-to-learn tactical system that recreates key battles from the ancient and medieval worlds. It uses a streamlined 1d6 differential mechanic with modifiers—no complex charts. Leaders shape the battlefield by boosting command, attack, defense, and morale. Setup takes minutes. Scenarios run 1–3 hours. The compact board and concise rulebook let you focus on gameplay—not table space or constant rule-checking. “Spilt blood never sleeps.” — Saladin 4 different battles included.
Pre-order now! No upfront payment needed for developing games listed on our P-300 System.
There are 8 titles in development under the P-300 System:
Rebellion & Punishment: War of the Alpujarras Pekin: 55 Days of Fury Spartacus: Rome under Threat Cid Campeador: Warlord Crete: Death from the Sky Kursk: Rotmistrov’s Offensive Jarama: The Battle for Madrid Crusaders: Soldiers of the Cross
Prices listed for P-300 games are estimates to provide a general idea of cost, with shipping calculated at checkout. Once a pre-ordered game is ready for printing, you will be notified via email with the final price and shipping costs, and the game will be available on Neva’s website for purchase.
But now onto the games for May!
Pre-Order
1. Crusades from AF Games Currently on Kickstarter
A few months ago, I came across a very interesting looking card driven game set during the Crusades era and was immediately interested. I reached out to the Greek company that was publishing the game called AF Games and asked if they would be up for answering some questions. The game is designed by a trio named Harry Haralampidis, Lefteris Iroglidis and Charilaos Boucharelis and it looks to be very interesting. The game is currently on Kickstarter and is pretty close to funding.
From the game page, we read the following:
1099 A.D. Crusaders conquer Jerusalem, setting the worlds ablaze. This city, sacred to all, instead of becoming a symbol of unity it became a symbol of endless war. The armies of two Gods rally their strengths. The Christians hold the newly formed Crusader states but the Muslim warriors, fierce and unrelenting, are ready to reclaim their lands. But the outcome of the battles in the Holy Lands cannot be easily foreseen. Will you emerge victorious or will you be forgotten in the sands of time?
Crusades is a card-driven (semi cooperative) light wargame depicting the series of religious wars between Christians and Muslims to control the holy lands. Each player takes the roles of Christian and Muslim leaders with objective to siege, conquer cities and fight to control the Christian kingdoms of Cilician Armenia and Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantio). Also at the same time they must defend their imperial cities from their enemies. Τhe game lasts 7 rounds and in each round two historical event cards determine the conditions and the battles of the game.
As of May 1st, the Kickstarter campaign has raised $6,057 toward its $6,834 funding goal with 160 backers. The campaign will conclude on Thursday, May 8th at 12:06pm EDT.
2. The Last Success: Quadrigame of the War Against Austria, April-July, 1809 from Operational Studies Group
Large Napoleonic wargames are always interesting. Operational Studies Group does some big games on the subject and their newest offering is called The Last Success: Quadrigame of the War Against Austria, April-July, 1809 and deals with four different battles including Abensberg, Eckmühl, Apern-Essling and Wagram.
From the game page, we read the following:
These four games explore the major battles of 1809, where Napoleon and his Army of Germany met their first setback in the shadow of Vienna, against a modernized Austrian Army under Archduke Charles. Each game shows the approach to the battlefield on the day before battle. The Wagram and Aspern-Essling games share one and the same battlefield on one map. Set at the scale of Napoleon’s Last Battles — 525 yards per hex and one hour turns — the game retains the Command System of Commanders and Corps Officers.
The Last Success will be a reprint without major changes to the maps and counters. Its three maps were the first ones created by Charlie Kibler, and the style hasn’t changed since that time.
This is a very popular series of games amongst Grognards and I have heard many people recommend these titles to both of us. We have yet to take the plunge and get one but one day we will…one day!
3. Basic Training ASL Starter Kit Magazine: Issue One from Multi-Man Publishing
I have now finally played ASL! As you may have seen, I wrote my First Impressions post about the Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit #4: Pacific Theater of Operations after playing a scenario with a friend I had a very enjoyable time. I still have lots to learn and lots to experience but at least that first plunge is done. And I definitely want to play more! So this month, I saw that they are starting a new magazine that is geared towards people who are playing the various Starter Kits called Basic Training.
From the game page, we read the following:
Basic Training: Issue One is a 48-page magazine dedicated to ASL Starter Kit players. In addition to the nine articles, Basic Training: Issue One contains 12 scenarios, three player aid cards, and a half sheet of new counters.
The magazine also has the following articles:
Guides to Learning SK has tips for learning SK from Craig Renier.
S2 War of the Rats Scenario Replay by Andrew Maly, Greg Schmittgens, and Perry Cocke
In Behind the Numbers Andrew Maly looks at some statistics on dice rolls from the replay.
Run Away! is a quick primer on routing from Ken Dunn.
Basic Rout Training by Neal Ulen and Stephen Stewart provides some good options when routing.
In Two Halves Make a Hole Vincent Maresca gives tactical tips on using half squads.
If … Then … Est gives a tactical perspective on Decision at Elst by Neal Ulen and Scott Rowland.
Solo ASL Starter Kit provides some tips by Mark Stevens on playing SK by yourself.
The magazine also contains the following 12 Scenarios:
S104 Paratrooper’s Hell (Allied vs German, 20 May 1941)
S105 Steppe Toward Oblivion (Axis vs Russian, 20 November 1942)
S106 Storm Group Sedelnikov (German vs Russian, 4 December 1942)
S107 Von Arnim Unloads (Allied vs Axis, 26 February 1943)
S108 Panzerkeil at Prokhorovka (Russian vs German, 12 July 1943)
S109 Checking out of Gran Sasso (Italian vs German, 12 September 1943)
S110 Trapping Edelweiss (Russian vs Axis, 2 March 1944)
S111 Barfoot (American vs German, 23 May 1944)
S112 A Job for Commandos (German vs British, 11 June 1944)
S113 Lytle Too Much (German vs British, 18 July 1944)
S114 Blunting the Spearhead (American vs German, 19 December 1944)
S115 Task Force Sparks (German vs American, 28 April 1945)
4. Drachen: Reconnaissance at Verdun, 1916 from GMT Games
I think that every single wargamer knows the name Volko Ruhnke. He has designed several great series in the COIN Series, that has now stretched to a full 15 volumes, and then more recently Levy & Campaign Series, which has an astounding 4 released volumes with 3 others that are announced and about a dozen more in design. He can make a good game for sure! One of our first experiences in wargaming and the first Volko design we played was Wilderness War. He is now at it again with a new design in a continuing newer series called the Recon Series that uses hide and seek elements and hidden blocks to tell the story of the Allied intelligence efforts during World War I during the campaigns around Verdun in 1916. The game is called Drachen: Reconnaissance at Verdun, 1916 and looks to be very interesting.
From the game page, we read the following:
Trench warfare on the Western Front changed the manner of reconnaissance forever. Continuous fortifications, machineguns, and long-range artillery removed from the field the age-old mainstay of scouting—the horseman. Now an army knew of its enemy’s positions and preparations only what it could see just across no-man’s land, 100 meters or so in front of it. Beyond the next hill might be the massing of a great host or not much at all.
The remedy was to get up into the air. Whoever could get above the battlefield and deny that ability to the enemy would dominate. High-explosive shells were available at industrial scale, and indirect-fire guns could rain destruction deep into enemy territory—if directed to hit enemy positions. It was this hunger for reconnaissance that drove history’s first air campaign and that gave such importance to the famous knightly duels of aerial aces.
Secrecy being key to Germany’s great blow at Verdun, the attackers massed aircraft in the sector, flew continuous barrier patrols to shut French fliers out, and coordinated their Fokker Eindecker units, 2-seat observer planes, and even Zeppelins to ensure that only they had eyes over the battlefield. Dominant numbers of kite balloons (Drachenballon)—wind-stable and equipped with optics to see for miles—were essential. In the attack, the Germans pulled off a surprise artillery attack that downed French balloons anchored too far forward.
With the attack underway, the French reacted swiftly to the German bid for air superiority. Generalissimo Joffre approved dispatch of a countervailing concentration of French air machines to Verdun. There, French aviators developed new group patrol tactics and tested new technology such as balloon-busting rockets. Aces on both sides—Boelke and Immelmann, Guynemer, Navarre, and Nungesser—would seal their fame jousting over that small patch of front.
I really like the direction of this series and the way that it is addressing the lesser (or not) gamed side of wars.
Drachen—Reconnaissance at Verdun, 1916 is Volume II in Volko’s ReconSeries that began with Coast Watchers. Similar use of hidden position blocks and chit pull maximize secrecy. Over 2 to 4 turns, you can play out the reconnaissance struggle ahead of each historical offensive within this iconic trench battle.
Draw your hidden objectives for the coming push. Secretly set your fortifications and station your guns, troops, and supply depots. Assign barrier air patrols, Jagd missions to chase off enemy spotting planes, balloons, and anti-aircraft guns. How close to the enemy’s ground will you raise your balloons, and how many will you hold in reserve?
Next, send your fighters and observers out beyond the front: chase off enemy fighters protecting their positions and their balloons, then send in your balloon-busters and observers. Ground observation posts on the heights of Mort Homme, Cote 304, and Fort Douaumont play their role. As do daring trench raids: press your luck and you might just bring back the plans that give you a peek at your opponent’s objectives!
Massed infantry and artillery are vulnerable. It is a simple matter to suppress or destroy enemy troops—if your guns know where to shoot! If successful, your observation missions will “range” enemy targets for your guns. But beware that firing on the enemy’s batteries also reveals your own. Both sides will have some opportunity to adjust their deployments based on what their observers have learned—and what damage the enemy guns have done.
Opportunities for deception and signaling are many. Objective cards and position blocks begin hidden. But your opponent can see where your aerial photography and artillery cooperation missions fly. Did you concentrate balloons on the Left Bank of the Meuse because you intend to attack there, or is it a feint?
I think that this new series, and this game particularly, look really interesting and I am all in on the subject matter and the approach. I am going to reach out to Volko soon for another written interview. Also, the game offers 8 main scenarios and a solo learning situation spanning German and French offensives within the titanic 10-month Battle of Verdun. Asset cards add to the character of each stage of the battle and illustrate each side’s innovations in reconnaissance, aerial warfare, firepower, and protection. The game pits 2 players in a contest of planning, detection, and deception. It will also include instructions for solitaire play.
If you are interested in Drachen: Reconnaissance at Verdun, 1916, you can pre-order a copy for $79.00 from the GMT Games website at the following link: https://www.gmtgames.com/p-1162-drachen.aspx
5. The U.S. Civil War 3rd Printing from GMT Games
Want a large and grand strategic look at the United States Civil War? Well, you can get that from a Mark Simonitch designed called The U.S. Civil War as they are doing a 3rd Printing of the game. I have played this game with a friend (not Alexander) and we had a great time with it although it is deep and a bit involved and is not necessarily for the feint of heart.
From the game page, we read the following:
The U.S. Civil War is a 2-player strategic-level war game of the American Civil War. The game covers the entire war from 1861-65 on a large 30” x 44” map area (2 mounted maps) of the Southeastern United States. Turns represent 3 months during the winter and 2 months during the summer, with four Action Phases to each turn.
Military forces are represented by generals and strength-points (SPs). Each SP represents approximately 5,000 soldiers. Game mechanics stress strategy, maneuver and leadership but details like ironclads, naval battles, leader promotions, forts, and commerce raiders are included.
Shorter scenarios are included that cover just 1861, 1862, and 1863.
Players of Eric Lee Smith’s The Civil War (VG) and Mark Herman’s For the People (AH and GMT) will see many similarities between this game and those two benchmark games. Those two wonderful games inspired many of the rules and concepts used in this game.
Note on 3rd Printing: This edition will be identical to the 2nd Printing except that any known errata will be corrected.
6. This War of Mine: The Board Game 2nd Edition from Awaken Realms Currently on Gamefound
I have heard a lot of good comments about this game for years now but have never ever got a chance to play it. The game is This War of Mine, which is a cooperative game that provides the chance for players to take on the roles of those who are caught behind the lines in a war zone and trying desperately just to survive. The new 2nd Edition is really pimped out and has lots of upgraded components as well as access to really fine looking miniatures. You can also get access to the games now out of print expansions to expand the experience and in this case it appears that more is better. The Gamefound campaign has already funded and there is a major charge ahead for some of the remaining stretch goals and add-ons.
From the game page, we read the following:
This cooperative experience of This War of Mine immerses players into the harrowing lives of civilians trapped in a war-torn city, facing relentless challenges that test the limits of human resilience. They must navigate a series of morally complex decisions, manage scarce resources, and confront the stark realities of survival in a besieged environment.
The Second Edition elevates the acclaimed experience with improved miniatures, double-layered character boards, and a redesigned rulebook. Along with a NEW expansion introducing a set of heart-wrenching stories of survival woven into scenarios with a more dynamic, shortened playtime. With refined gameplay mechanics, the 2nd Edition offers the most immersive and polished version of the game.
There are a ton of options for backing including things like a 1st Edition update pack, several expansions to choose from, and standard and special editions.
This game is just huge and has so many options and different components. I think that this is going to be a table hog so just be aware of that before you back. But by all accounts, this game is great and I am very much looking forward to experiencing it for myself!
As of May 1st, the Gamefound campaign has funded and raised €1,184,777 ($1,350,350 in US Dollars) toward its €20,000 ($22,825 in US Dollars) funding goal with 5,774 backers. The campaign will conclude on Thursday, May 15th at 2:00pm EDT.
7. War Stories: A World War II RPG from Firelock Games Currently on Kickstarter
There are a few good historical RPG’s out there that we have played with my personal favorite being Nations & Cannons from Flagbearer Games which is set during the American Revolutionary War. But I have had my eye on this WWII RPG called War Stories: A World War II RPG for some time now and Firelock Games are having a new PTO expansion as well as a base game crowdfunding campaign going on right now. I discussed with Alexander and we have decided to back this project so we can run sessions at future conventions.
From the game page, we read the following:
War Stories is a roleplaying game set during the Second World War. With it, you and your friends may play the roles of heroic soldiers parachuting into Normandy during Operation Overlord in June of 1944, or as a harried tank crew grinding their way through France in the breakout that followed. You may even explore history as an intrepid war correspondent or an underground resistance fighter. The campaign game will allow players to tell the tale of their stalwart band as they collectively liberate France and drive onward toward victory. Above all, players will create moments of valor and courage, ultimately weaving their personal tales into the fabric of history, from D-Day and beyond. These will be their War Stories.
The Year Zero Engine (YZE) is a flexible, story-driven tabletop RPG system developed by Fria Ligan. Known for its accessibility and fast-paced gameplay, it balances quick mechanics with meaningful choices. Players create characters with attributes, skills, and specialties, and navigate the narrative through a mix of roleplay and decisive dice rolls. Its hallmark mechanic—“pushing your roll”—adds risk and reward, emphasizing survival and drama. Whether using dice pools or step dice, YZE adapts easily to diverse genres and themes, from gritty realistic to cinematic story telling. At its core, YZE empowers players to shape compelling, character-focused stories together with the Gamemaster.
I do also like that this one has a lot of options for backers as well including the new Pacific Expansion, the ability to get the base game RPG, special decks, custom dice as well as upgrades to include special miniatures.
As of May 1st, the Kickstarter campaign has funded and raised $26,258 toward its $12,000 funding goal with 172 backers. The campaign will conclude on Friday, May 16th at 1:59pm EDT.
8. Armored Knights Case Blue – Don Bend from Grognard Simulations
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. Grognard Simulations makes monster wargames. Big games with 1,000’s of counters, multiple maps. Just big! This month, there was a new offering put up on their site (that I was only able to access from Consimworld’s site) for a game called Armored Knights Case Blue – Don Bend.
From the game page, we read the following:
This is the BASE GAME for Grognard Simulations updated Armored Knights Series on the eastern front. An Operational Level combat game with units at Battalion and Company size. Full price is estimated to be ~$300.
That is it. That is all of the information that I have access to so check this one out. They did say that there would be new information in the near future.
1. The Coorg War: The Campaign to Depose Chikka Revera Rajendra, Last Raja of the Kingdom of Kodagu, April 1-April, 1834 from Red Sash Games
Red Sash Games have a reputation for very large, very long playing games that are focused in interesting historical events. This month, they announced their newest offering with their printing partner Blue Panther and it is focused on the The Coorg War in 1834. The game is called The Coorg War: The Campaign to Depose Chikka Revera Rajendra, Last Raja of the Kingdom of Kodagu, April 1-April, 1834 and really looks to be pretty interesting. The game is designed for 1-2 players and really has some very interesting looking mechanics.
From the game page, we read the following:
The Coorg War is an asymmetrical wargame that examines a very brief colonial campaign against the southern Indian Kingdom of Coorg, or Kodagu.
The goal of the campaign, conducted in April of 1834, was to depose the Raja of Coorg, Chikka Vira Rajendra Wodeyar of the Haleri dynasty. Supercially, this sounds like the usual dull colonial campaign of annexation — it was conducted by the Honourable East India Company, after all — but things were not that simple. For one thing, the Company was no longer a trading concern. Notionally the executive branch of the decaying Mughal Empire, it was in reality an organ of the British Crown. The reason for removing the Raja was not economic exploitation, which could be had with much less effort, but something far worse: Progress and Westernization. Those responsible for establishing and executing Company policy were not traders, but senior officials and soldiers of the British Government, of the same generation who toppled Napoleon. Coorg was invaded in response to the perception that its Raja was a tyrannical despot. Whether that judgement was fair or not has been hotly debated, but the game is not concerned with justice, only with the events.
In any case, the only one who may or may not have received ill treatment was the Raja. After three days of intense fighting he threw in the towel, but the British were only too happy to come to terms. Coorg was home to the fiercest guerrilla fighters in Southern India, men who could give the Sikhs, Marathas, and Gurkhas a run for their money. The Company allowed them to continue ruling themselves, just without the Raja, and considered itself lucky.
As The Expedition, you will send your Columns of troops deep into the jungles of mountainous Coorg on a hunt for the Raja, trying to avoid becoming so Fatigued that you have to Retreat (which will boost the Raja’s Morale). The Columns contain Indian sepoys and detachments of British regulars (rented from the Crown), rifle-armed skirmishers, sappers and pioneers, and what the Coorgs dread most, cannon, howitzers, and mortars. Given time your men can bull their way through any obstacle, but time is what you do not have. The paths are hard, the Coorgs are everywhere, and there are a number of incipient revolts to deal with elsewhere.
As the Coorgs, you will allocate your War Bands against your opponent’s Columns, seeking to ambush them, resisting them at your stockades, or conducting night attacks so they cannot recover from Fatigue; if you can just hold long enough your enemy will run out of time. Your tribesmen know the country. They can swiftly redeploy to meet a threat, or rush to batten on a stricken Column like vultures. In the end, while your men probably have no chance against the full might of the Sirkar — the Supreme Authority — they can exact a high price for victory; the higher the price the better the deal.
Will Coorg become a vacation spot for Company executives, will the Raja’s rule be secure until Partition in 1947, or will a compromise be struck?
If you are interested in The Coorg War: The Campaign to Depose Chikka Revera Rajendra, Last Raja of the Kingdom of Kodagu, April 1-April, 1834, you can order a copy for $92.00 from the Blue Panther website at the following link: https://www.bluepantherllc.com/products/coorg-war
2. Lines in the Sand: Six Battles in WWII North Africa (Volume 1 – Operation Compass, Volume 2 – The Assault on Bardia, Volume 3 – Operation Brevity, Volume 4 – The Battle of Bir Hakeim, Volume 5 – The 1st Battle of El Alamein and Volume 6 – Battle of Kasserine Pass) from High Flying Dice Games
Wow! 6 games in one single entry. Now that is efficient. This month, High Flying Dice Games announced the release of their Lines in the Sand Series that focuses on operational level combat in the North African Theater of World War II.
From the game page, we read the following:
Lines in the Sand: Six Battles in WWII North Africa is a series of six minigames that portray famous WWII battles fought in North Africa.
Lines in the Sand Vol. 1: Operation Compass, December 9-11, 1940
Lines in the Sand Vol. 2: The Assault on Bardia, January 3-5, 1941
Lines in the Sand Vol. 3: Operation Brevity, May 15-16, 1941
Lines in the Sand Vol. 4: The Battle of Bir Hakeim, June 8-11, 1942
Lines in the Sand Vol. 5: The First Battle of El Alamein, July 1-5, 1942
Lines in the Sand Vol. 6: Battle of Kasserine Pass, February 19-20, 1943
Each game in the series sell for $10.95 each plus shipping. Mounted counters can be had for $8.00 each. The Lines in the Sand custom card set, that can be used with all of the games in the series, is $11.00 plus shipping, or can be had as a free bonus for those who purchase the entire series.
SPECIAL: You can also purchase the entire series, with mounted counters and the series custom card set in a special boxed set, for $105.00 plus shipping (a savings of 20%!).
If you are interested in the Lines in the Sand Series, you can order the entire set or each volume singly at the High Flying Dice Games website at the following link: https://www.hfdgames.com/lits.html
3. Chaco: Bolivia vs. Paraguay, 1932-35 from Compass Games
A rarely gamed wargame topic and Frank Chadwick found all together in one beautiful package? Sign me up as Compass Games has put Chaco: Bolivia vs. Paraguay, 1932-25 up for pre-order this month.
From the game page, we read the following:
Chaco is an updated yet faithful remake of the Game Designers’ Workshop game released in 1973. Covering the Chaco War fought between Bolivia and Paraguay at the Strategic/Operational level, the game gives players an insight into a costly, pre-WWII conflict that helped shape the present-day borders in South America.
The game map represents part of the Gran Chaco region of South America, a semi-arid lowland region thought to contain oil and disputed by the nations it spans. 2-3 players simulate the latest territorial disputes in six-month turns over ten-mile hexes of wild terrain.
The basic game primarily uses infantry forces in historical dispositions to portray the conflict accurately. However, as a technologically advanced war (the first to include large-scale aerial warfare in the Americas), the game also includes a set of optional rules called Gran Chaco that highlight some of these innovations and the strategic choices players may have faced. Though historically, many of these innovations were not used to any actual effect, they were available to the belligerents and are now available to you. With several historical and hypothetical scenarios and many optional rules players can choose to implement, Chaco promises hours of unique gameplay and customizability.
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.
I loved playing games on interesting historical topics as I have a good time but also learn something new. Particularly if those topics have never before been gamed. Well, this month Hollandspiele has a brand new title that takes us to the secret back room negotiations between the British and French over the partition of the Ottoman Empire during World War I. The game is Sykes-Picot and is designed by Brooks Barber and looks very interesting.
From the game page, we read the following:
During the First World War, the British and French made a secret agreement to carve up the Ottoman Empire – literally drawing on a map in red and blue ink – without respect to the peoples, culture, or history of the region. This would have devastating effects over the next century.
In this game, two players take on the roles of infamous diplomats Mark Sykes and Francois Georges-Picot, using red and blue markers to carve out territories to control and to influence on a dry-erase map. Trick-taking card play and table-talk negotiations drive the proceedings, with the winner of each trick choosing one of the two cards to implement, and the loser consoling themselves with the remaining card. Each player has a set of hidden objectives they’re trying to achieve. Players may be as cooperative or as competitive as they wish in pursuit of these goals.
Tonally, the game is light, reflecting the distance and cavalier attitude of these imperialist powers. We feel there’s something horrifying in that, and this approach captures some of that horror.
This one definitely is unique and focuses on trick taking and uses a dry erase board so you know it fits right into the other eclectic games that Hollandspiele has produced over the years that end up being really, really good! I am going to pick up a copy of this one while attending Buckeye Game Fest this week!
6. A Most Fearful Sacrifice: The Three Days of Gettysburg 4th Printing from Flying Pig Games
Over the past few years, Hermann Luttmann has released a new series of games using a new system similar to his famous Blind Swords System to model combat in the American Civil War. The first game with this new focus was The Devil’s to Pay!: The First Day at Gettysburg from Tiny Battle Publishing. Then, a big game was released which took a look at the entire 3 days of the Battle of Gettysburg called A Most Fearful Sacrifice. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Printings sold out and Flying Pig Games is now ready to do a 4th Printing. That should tell you all you need to know about the game!
From the game page, we read the following:
A Most Fearful Sacrifice is an epic two-player wargame with over 15 square feet of playing area and 526 playing pieces depicting the fighting that occurred during all three days of this decisive clash. The game utilizes a new ACW operating system called the Black Swan System, which is closely related to the popular Blind Swords System first introduced in the game The Devil’s To Pay! by Tiny Battle Publishing. This version of the system is specifically designed to handle larger-scale battles yet keep rules overhead low.
One of the reasons for the development of the system was to allow for larger scale games with lots of units to be more playable and to cut down on the time it takes to play. I know that some of you are groaning at this but to me this is a good innovation that will get larger games back to the table for additional plays. How is this shortening of the game done with out taking out units and formations? The elimination of chit pull.
Players can simulate huge encounters in a reasonable amount of playing time. This is accomplished in one way through the use of card draws rather than chit pulls. Also, players will trigger activations by Corps instead of by lower-level formations but they still have tactical decision-making choices by needing to determine which Divisions get activation priority. Though at a grander scale, this system maintains a tactical feel about it and still emphasizes the three “FOW’s” of war … the Fortunes of War, the Friction of War and the Fog of War. Players will be challenged to deal with a constantly developing battle situation, never quite sure of what the Gods of War will throw at them, and thus they must always be prepared to deal with historically realistic “Black Swan” events.
There are some new elements added to the game with this 4th Printing and you can read more about those as follows:
We wanted to make this Kickstarter unique for those faithful who have backed it. Accordingly, we have come up with three EXCITING additions to the game that will only be offered to backers of this Kickstarter.
1. A BRAND NEW full-length scenario. Titled Around The Left, this “what if” scenario postulates that Hood’s Division outflanked the Union left instead of smashing futilely into Sickle’s corps on the 2nd day. It’s a tense, enjoyable battle that will add hours to your game.
2. Three really cool Mini Scenarios. These are perfect for a lunch break, or just when you don’t have much time. The scenarios are, The Bloody Wheatfield—follow the Irish Brigade into the bloody wheatfield as the Union tries to stem Longstreet’s attack on July 2nd, A Rock and a Hard Place—charge with Hood’s Division into the wicked boulders of Devil’s Den, and It’s not Easy Being Greene—make a last stand with Greene’s valiant wall of blue as they face the flanking Confederate horde.
3. Finally we will be adding 5 new command cards to the game. These cards focus on General “Fighting Joe” Hooker. What if Lincoln and Halleck hadn’t accepted his resignation and replaced him with Meade? The cards will include three Commander in Chief Cards for Hooker. (Poor, Average, Superior), a Corps Commander card for Meade (V Corps), and a Division Activation Card for Sykes. You can use these for any on the scenarios in the game, including the new additions in this Kickstarter.
We played the game and absolutely loved it. It was engaging, very interesting with how the chit pull activation works in tandem with the cards and also beautiful to look at. We also shot a first impressions video and you can watch that the following link:
If you are interested in A Most Fearful Sacrifice: The Three Days of Gettysburg4th Printing, you can order a copy from the Flying Pig Games website soon. They have sent out emails that the Kickstarter is fulfilling and I would expect that you can pick the game up in May.
7. Order of the Day: Normandy from The Dietz Foundation
Last summer, I came across a pretty interesting looking little design on Kickstarter from Philip duBarry the designer who did Black Orchestra. The game is called Order of the Day: Normandy and deals with the D-Day Landings on June 6, 1944 during World War II. A fitting game and timing for the celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the largest amphibious assault in history. The game is marketed as an introductory level wargame that is playable by new wargamers but also those who are more experienced. As is the case with most of the games from The Dietz Foundation, the game is designed as an educational tool.
From the game page, we read the following:
Order of the Day: Normandy is designed by Philip duBarry, designer of Black Orchestra. It is a two-player game meant to take 60-90 minutes, playable by children or adults (or together!)
To get Order of the Day: Normandy through publication, the Foundation is looking to raise a total of $6,644. This will pay for the art, printing, and shipping costs. If we go past the project’s goal, it will permit us to make copies available for teachers at a lower cost (since the Dietz Foundation exists to promote education through game play).
The great thing about this game is that it does not require knowledge of the D-Day invasion to play nor does it require someone to be familiar with wargames. It was designed for those curious about D-Day and wanting to explore history in boardgames. This means it is easy to learn and easy to play.
So why another game about June 6th?
There are a lot of games covering the big events of World War II, whether that is Midway, Guadalcanal, or Stalingrad and the Battle of Britain, but there are a limited number of games that can be played by younger gamers or children against an adult on relatively even footing. Order of the Day: Normandy fits this niche. The game covers the build-up and the hide-and-seek over where the Allies intend to invade, the invasion itself, and then the Allied campaign to breakout from the beaches towards the Rhein and Nazi defeat. Players have the flexibility to try different beaches or even risk landing at multiple sites simultaneously.
One of the things that I do like about Nuts! Publishing is that they take on interesting projects but also foster new and emerging designers and their games. Take for example, Saigon 75 from 2023. The designer Pascal Toupy had dome some smaller magazine style games previously but they gave him a shot with his first big game and it was very good. They have done this with several other games including Co-Ops and Here We Come, Nineveh! and I truly appreciate this approach. Co-Ops is a very interesting looking game and I look forward to giving it a try.
From the game page, we read the following:
CO-OPS was imagined by three graduates of the special military school of Saint-Cyr (General Saint-Hillier Class, 2015-2018). Designed as part of the simulation courses to provide a training tool for future section leaders, the game emphasizes cooperation between players against an enemy played by the game itself. Each player takes the lead of an infantry platoon, a tank platoon or a helicopter squadron of the French Army and you will all need to cooperate to win the battle against armed terrorist groups; close coordination between the different arms is the key to victory.
CO-OPS is based on simple mechanisms that can be explained in a few minutes, the depth of the game lies in the interactions between players. All players will have to get along and coordinate to conduct a complex joint operation, first to overcome the inevitable friction of battle and penetrate the fog of war… and then to triumph over the enemy.
Start by choosing one of the 10 scenarios, which can be played alone or as part of the campaigns, but you may as well invent one from scratch thanks to the wide variety of units provided in the game box and the modular terrain tiles that allow you to compose an infinite number of geographical situations. Then, each player chooses the section they will command (infantry, cavalry, helicopters) and composes it at their convenience, thanks to a very simple budget system. Time for action, now!
Every turn (about 15 minutes of real time), enemy units leave their bases and move automatically, via the squares of the game board (about 100 meters of real terrain), towards their objectives… or towards your closest units. When combat occurs, and it will, several parameters determine the chances of success for each side: detection capacity, weapon range, firepower, ability to take fire and of course the nature of the terrain. A simple dice roll determines the outcome of the battle, with fortune often smiling to the player who has given themselves the best chances. Each weapon has its own strengths and weaknesses, and by smartly combining them, you can increase the former while reducing the latter. The battle lasts for a long time, as a scenario can last up to 15 turns. Also, each player will have to regularly resupply their units, reinforce them to make up for losses, while keeping an eye on their morale level.
They now have an English language version that can be purchased but that will cost a few bucks more as they have an update kit. Co-Ops being originally a French-only version, a language kit will be added to all English version. Language kit charged 14 euros extra. It will include the rulebook, all cards and 2 player aids. We decided not to include everything to keep prices and weight as low as possible.
9. Nightfighter Command from War Diary Publications
As I was trolling the internet this month, I came across a gorgeous cover illustration that I just couldn’t take my eyes off of. Upon first seeing it, I immediately got a VUCA Simulations vibe as it appears to mimic their style and art, which in my opinion is a good thing! The game is called Nighfighter Command and is a boxed game being released by the folks over at War Diary Magazine.
From the game page, we read the following:
Nightfighter Command is a World War Two solitaire narrative game in which the player defends Southern England against incoming German bombers. Based at Middle Wallop or West Mailing RAF base, you will be directed to fly against German bombing raids to protect various naval bases, towns, and cities. At first you may struggle with unreliable equipment and inexperienced ground controllers, but as you gain experience, your skills and eventually the equipment at your disposal will also improve — if you live that long!
This game contains: one 17″ x 22″ Mapsheet, 20-page Rulebook, 1 Player Aid Card, 1 Area Map, 12 Bomber Cards, 108 .75″ laser-cut counters; 1 twenty-sided die and 4 six-sided dice.
The game is supposed to begin shipping as of May 5th.
10. SPQR: The Battle of Alesia52 BC from Art of Wargames
Solitaires games are plentiful this month and another one that I found the very last day of April was SPQR: The Battle of Alesia52 BC from Art of Wargames. This one looks pretty interesting and has some really interesting mechanics to it. Plus, it is a solitaire game on one of Caesar’s greatest battles.
From the game page, we read the following:
In SPQR: The Battle of Alesia 52 BC, you recreate the historical final battle of Alesia which took place in the year 52 B.C., during Caesar’s Conquest of Gaul. In the heart of the Gaul region, a battle unfolded that would reshape history. Julius Caesar had been carving a bloody path through the Gaul lands.
Vercingetorix, the famed and confident Celtic warrior-king, rallied the scattered tribes of Gaul into a desperate stand on a fortified hilltop in Alesia. From within the encircled settlement, he watched as a vast Gaul relief army of some 250,000 men gathered to finally crush the brutally outnumbered Romans, a storm cloud promising a final, glorious clash.
Will you lead the Roman Legions to glorious victory? Or will you face annihilation in the muddy fields of Alesia? The choice is yours…
The game is supposed to begin shipping of of May 16th.
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 Neva Wargames!
Kudos to you! Please keep doing this. I was searching for newsletters on latest wargame releases, and I didn’t know the player’s aid has exactly what I wanted until I made a deep dive.
The Players' Aid 
Kudos to you! Please keep doing this. I was searching for newsletters on latest wargame releases, and I didn’t know the player’s aid has exactly what I wanted until I made a deep dive.
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Thank you for highlighting “SPQR Battle of Alesia 52 BC”.
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