This month for the Wargame Watch I was able to find 26 games (including the game from our sponsor Draco Ideas that I highlighted in their section below and the 4 2GM Tactics Expansions)! Of that total, 3 games were offered on Crowdfunding.

If you missed the June Wargame Watch, you can read that here at the following link: https://theplayersaid.com/2025/06/02/wargame-watch-whats-new-upcoming-june-2025/

Again this month, we have a sponsor for the Wargame Watch post in Draco Ideas. Over the past several years, we have played their games including 1212 Las Navas de Tolosa and Tetrarchia 2nd Edition and had coverage on the blog for multiple other games including Normandy: The Beginning of the End and Help Arrives! both designed by Nicolás Eskubi, ONUS! Traianus and its expansion ONUS! Under the Eagle designed by Luis Álvaro Hernández, SCOPE Panzer designed by Juan Nácher and most recently HISPANIA designed by Miguel Marqués.

They currently have a new Gamefound campaign ongoing for a game called Castelnuovo 1539 designed by Francisco Ronco. If you are interested, we recently posted an interview with Francisco and you can read that at the following link: https://theplayersaid.com/2025/06/06/interview-with-francisco-ronco-designer-of-castelnuovo-1539-from-draco-ideas-coming-to-kickstarter-june-17th/

I also shot an unboxing video of the near final prototype version of the game and it is absolutely stunning! You can watch that video at the following link:

If you are interested in Castelnuovo 1539 you can back the project on the Kickstarter page at the following link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dracoideas/castelnuovo-1539-wargame

They have a lot of great looking games and you can check those out by visiting their website at the following link: https://dracoideas.com/editorial/en/home/

But now onto the games for July!

Pre-Order

1. Advanced Squad Leader: Drop Zone: Chef-du-Pont from Multi-Man Publishing

For those of you out there that are addicted to Advanced Squad Leader and building your collection, here is an opportunity to get a new module. The new module focuses on the 3 day battle for the important Norman bridge located at Chef-du-Pont and Hill 30 during the Normandy Invasion during World War II. This is a bagged product, not a boxed product.

From the game page, we read the following:

Drop-Zone: Chef-du-Pont (DZ: CdP) is a Historical Advanced Squad Leader (HASL) module covering the first three days of the battles around the important Norman bridge at Chef-du-Pont and the heights of Hill 30. It is the second in a series exploring Airborne operations on D-Day and shortly thereafter in Normandy as part of Operation OVERLORD. It focuses on the key actions to control the bridge across the Merderet River just west of the French village of Chef-du-Pont, whose capture was assigned to the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR). Matched against the Americans were the German infantry of Grenadier-Regiment 1057, Luftlande-Infanterie-Division 91, assisted at times by the re-purposed French armor of Panzer-Ersatz-Abteilung 100.

Drop-Zone: Chef-du-Pont comes with an historically accurate map of the town of Chef-du-Pont and its surrounding environs jointly crafted by designer Ken Dunn and artist Charlie Kibler. There are six individual scenarios each recreating a portion of the battle, as well as a Campaign Game of the full three-day battle.

DZ: CdP follows in the footsteps of the successful Drop-Zone: Sainte-Mère-Èglise (which is not required to play DZ: CdP), but it is a much different experience. It is much more compact, with only one mapsheet, one simplified Campaign Game, and no new counters (and no cows). It requires no box and is much easier to access. Slope rules (from earlier HASL modules) are introduced, but their use is limited, and a comprehensive LOS Example of how slopes interact with bocage on the historical map is included. The only other ASL modules needed to play are Beyond Valor and Yanks.

If you are interested in Advanced Squad Leader Module: Drop Zone Chef-du-Pont, you can pre-order a copy for $24.00 from the Multi-Man Publishing website at the following link: https://mmpgamers.com/drop-zone-chefdupont-p-433

2. Paths of Glory Deluxe Edition 3rd Printing from GMT Games

This game was solidly on our Shelf of Shame until a few years ago during our Guns of August Event! I know that it took us a while and that it was preposterous that we hadn’t played it but we had just not been able to get to it….until we were and we didn’t regret it at all!

Paths of Glory is widely thought to be a masterpiece on WWI and after just our initial play of the introductory scenario I can definitely see why people feel that way. Even though we just played the introductory scenario, it took us nearly 4 hours to get through 3 turns. This game is long and you generally are going to have to play this one over a long weekend to get it all in and enjoy it properly.

We are not done with this one and have plans to play it again but this time taking on the entire campaign game. But, after our play I really enjoyed the mix of historical events and the choices that I had to wage the war in a way that I felt was appropriate. But, my message to everyone who plays this game is beware of supply. Even in our short game, supply was an issue and we had to make sure we didn’t make a fatal mistake that would get us in trouble.

From the game page, we read the following:

Paths of Glory, designed by six-time Charles S. Roberts Award winner, Ted Raicer, allows players to step into the shoes of the monarchs and marshals who triumphed and bungled from 1914 to 1918. As the Central Powers you must use the advantage of interior lines and the fighting skill of the Imperial German Army to win your rightful “Place in the Sun.” As the Entente Powers (Allies) you must bring your greater numbers to bear to put an end to German militarism and ensure this is “The War to End All Wars.” Both players will find their generalship and strategic abilities put to the test as Paths of Glory‘s innovative game systems let you recreate all the dramatic events of World War I.

Note on 3rd Printing: This product will be the same as the 2nd printing of the Deluxe Edition, with any known errata corrected.

Here is a link to our initial impressions video of the game:

If you are interested in Paths of Glory Deluxe Edition 3nd Printing, you can pre-order a copy for $57.00 from the GMT Games website at the following link: https://www.gmtgames.com/p-1182-paths-of-glory-deluxe-edition-3rd-printing.aspx

3. The Last Hundred Yards Volume 4: The Russian Front 2nd Printing from GMT Games

If you didn’t know we really enjoyed The Last Hundred Yards very much as well as Volume 2: Airborne Over Europe. The system is extremely interesting for a tactical game and uses some novel elements in regards to how victory points are scored including a focus on time and casualties. Really an excellent system! They are doing a 2nd Printing of Volume 4 in the series called The Russian Front, which sees fighting on the East Front.

From the game page, we read the following:

The Last Hundred Yards Volume 4: The Russian Front  is the fourth game in The Last Hundred Yards Series.  It covers major campaigns and missions from the second half of the war in the east, introducing the Russian army to the series for the first time. A series of missions simulates actions from the October 1943 fighting in the Ukraine near Krivoi Rog, while others feature fights during the Russian 1944 summer offensive, Operation Bagration. All major Russian armor from late 1942 onward is covered, plus some additional late war German armored vehicles.

In October 1943, elements of Konev’s Steppe Front (redesignated 2nd Ukrainian Front on 20 October) broke out of their bridgeheads across the Dnepr River toward the town of Krivoi Rog. Spearheaded by Rotmistrov’s 5th Guards Tank Army, the Red Army drove a salient 50 miles deep and 20 miles wide into the positions of the German 1st Panzer Army. A major German counterattack in panzer corps strength, including the rebuilt 14th and 24th Panzer divisions (whose originals had been destroyed at Stalingrad), stopped this penetration but not before its threat to neighboring positions to the southeast forced the abandonment of Dnepropetrovsk by the Germans. A series of module missions illustrates different phases of this fighting.

Operation Bagration was the Soviet main effort in the summer of 1944, with five fronts participating to eject the Germans from white Russia. Led by Stavka coordinators Marshal Zhukov and Marshal Vasilevsky, it destroyed much of Germany’s Army Group Center and advanced 400 hundred miles to the outskirts of Warsaw. Bagration enabled the follow-on Lvov-Sandomierz offensive to the south by Konev’s 1st Ukrainian Front, which pushed across the Vistula east of Krakow before the Russian summer offensive paused.  Portions of this fighting are also covered in module missions, showcasing some of the late war armor on both sides.

If you are already familiar with playing the Germans and the Allies in the previous LHY modules, you are on firm ground. However, be forewarned that the unique feature of this module is how Russian army behavior is modeled at the tactical level, particularly in its lack of local command-and-control flexibility and general indifference to casualties when fulfilling its missions. Make no mistake, playing the Russians will require a different mindset. The challenge will be in understanding the Russian behavior modeled in LHY and transitioning that into solid tactical applications. The Russians need numbers to make up for their lower tactical flexibility, but “quantity has a quality all its own,” and they generally do get those numbers.  While the period of the war covered by the module was one of overall Russian initiative, it still featured numerous German counterattacks, and module missions feature plenty of German attacks against Russian defenses as well as the reverse. Another set of new tactical challenges in the module stem from the frequently more open terrain found in the western Ukraine.

Note on 2nd Printing: This will be identical to the 1st Printing, except that any known errata will be corrected.

If you are interested in The Last Hundred Yards Vol. 4: The Russian Front 2nd Printing, you can pre-order a copy for $58.00 from the GMT Games website at the following link: https://www.gmtgames.com/p-1181-the-last-hundred-yards-volume-4-the-russian-front-2nd-printing.aspx

4. Mounted Map and 2″ Box for Italy ’43 from GMT Games

As you know, we have really enjoyed our plays of games designed by Mark Simonitch, including Holland ’44, Stalingrad ’42, Caesar: Rome vs. Gaul and most recently North Africa ’41. He has an amazing ability to boil down all the elements involved and come out with a very playable simulation of the historical event. A few years ago, his focus on the Italian campaigns of WWII started with his game called Salerno ’43, which covers the Allied invasion of mainland Italy in September 1943. Since that time, we had heard rumors of his plans with the game to include a few additional volumes as the Allies moved north up the peninsula towards Rome. The next volume in the series is called Italy ’43 and they are offering some upgraded components to buyers.

From the game page, we read the following:

Because so many of our customers bought mounted maps for Salerno ’43, we are also producing mounted maps (and a larger box) for the 2nd game in Mark’s Italy Series, Italy ’43. This item is At the Printer already. We offer it here so that you can all get the discounted price by ordering before we ship it.

If you are interested in the Mounted Map and 2″ Box for Italy ’43, you can pre-order a copy for $22.00 from the GMT Games website at the following link: https://www.gmtgames.com/p-1168-italy-43-mounted-map-2-box.aspx

5. Assault Sicily ’43 – Primosole Bridge Expansion from Assault Games

There are a bunch of different tactical systems out there, and most of them are very good, but some are much better than others. There is always a new designer that will add some new tricks to make a new experience. Such is the case with Assault Sicily ’43 from Assault Games that we played and really enjoyed. We have been looking forward to the planned expansions and future entries into the system as it was really that good. They are now launching a new expansion to the 2nd entry in the series Assault Sicily ’43 called Primosole Bridge Expansion that focuses on the east coast of Sicily in July 1943 and focuses on the British forces’ battle over several days to capture the strategically important bridge over the Simeto River.

From the game page, we read the following:

Primosole Bridge is an expansion which takes you into the heart of the fighting at the Simeto river in July 1943. Play a single battle or dive into its extensive dynamic campaign in an epic struggle between British Red Devils and German Green Devils for this key strategic target.

Primosole Bridge offers you the opportunity to fight tactical battles with historical units. Know the strengths and weaknesses of those units and use them to decide the battle in your favour. The unique dice system ensures action-packed gameplay. Combine this expansion with Gela Beachhead and no game will be the same.

I didn’t mention this but Assault Games is now partnering with Sound of Drums to do their publishing of their series games. This has been a great change as the production and art has been improved to match the great quality of the games.

If you are interested in Assault Sicily ’43 – Primosole Bridge Expansion, you can pre-order a copy for €59.00 ($67.89 in US Dollars) from the Sound of Drums website at the following link: https://soundofdrumsgames.com/shop/assault-sicily-43-primosole-bridge/

6. Bicocca (1522) – Pavia (1525): Second Expedition of François I to Italy from Serious Historical Games

A few years ago, I became aware of a new French publisher called Serious Historical Games and one of the games in particular caught my eye in Nagashino 1575 & Shizugatake 1583: Battles of the Sengoku Jidai. We purchased a copy and played it and really enjoyed the system, including the combat, the gorgeous cover and the fantastic counter graphics. That same publisher has ready for pre-order a new game in the Gold and Steel Series called Bicocca (1522) – Pavia (1525): Second Expedition of François I to Italy.

From the game page, we read the following:

To celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Pavia (February 24, 1525), this game features the entire 6th Italian War, beginning in 1521 and leading up to Pavia,. The strategic map will include part of southern France, invaded by the Imperials led by defector Charles de Bourbon, former constable of France, and notably the strategic city of Marseille, which has been under siege for 40 days.

For those who own Marignan 1515, la chevauchée de François 1er en Italie, the map will be twice as large (85 x 60cm), with the same number of counters (216 in 15mm format) and a thick rules and scenario booklet in English and French. The game will be available in a ziplock format.

If you are interested in Bicocca (1522) – Pavia (1525): Second Expedition of François I to Italy, you can pre-order a copy for 42,00 € ($48.53 in US Dollars) from the Serious Historical Games website at the following link: https://serioushistoricalgames.com/product/bicocca-1522-pavia-1525/

7. Old School Tactical V5: Battle for France 1940 from Flying Pig Games Coming to Kickstarter July 22nd

Old School Tactical from Flying Pig Games is a tactical combat system that focuses on World War II to date. The game focuses on the simulation of small unit combined arms engagements where historical units, weapons, armor and vehicles will duke it out on a beautifully crafted board full of hexes. During a turn, players will go back and forth using an Impulse Point System to activate units to either Move, Assault Move or Fire. The players will play through a predetermined amount of rounds and at the end, victory points and casualty points will determine which side is the victor.

The first volume in the series was Old School Tactical Volume 1 Eastern Front 1941/1942 and focused on battles between the Russians and Germans. Old School Tactical Volume 2 West Front 1944/1945 was a follow-up effort and focused on the titanic struggle in Europe following the D-Day landings in 1944 with battles between the Americans and Germans. Then came Old School Tactical Volume 3 Pacific 1942/1945 which includes battles between the Japanese and their Special Naval Landing Force and the American Marine Corps as well as Volume 4: The Italian Theater and now Volume 5 will cover the German invasion of France during 1940.

From the game page, we read the following:

Dive into the smoke and fury of early World War II with the extremely popular tactical WWII system— Old School Tactical, designed by Shayne Logan and published by the award-winning Flying Pig Games.

In Vol. 5: Battle for France 1940, you’re not pushing armies across maps—you’re fighting tooth and nail, squad by squad, hex by hex. Fast turns. Tight maps. Heart-pounding decisions. Every firefight matters. Every life counts.

Take command of the beleaguered French forces, from Regular Army troops to hardened Colonial units. Wield some of the finest armor of the early war—the Char B1 bis and Somua S35—in a desperate bid to stall the German onslaught.

Or lead the blitz with the German Wehrmacht, bringing lightning-fast motorcycle troops, armored cars, and early panzers crashing through the French lines.

This isn’t history from above. This is war at eye level—gritty, tense, and unforgettable.

If you are interested in Old School Tactical V5: Battle for France 1940, you can learn more about the project on the Kickstarter preview page at the following link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/markhwalker/old-school-tactical-v5-battle-for-france-1940

The campaign commences as of Tuesday, July 22nd.

8. British Tank Ace 1940-1945 from Compass Games Currently on Kickstarter

While attending WBC a few years ago, we got a quick look at some of the playtest components for the upcoming solitaire narrative-driven wargame designed by Gregory M. Smith called British Tank Ace: 1940-1945. As is usual with these games, it looks fun and interesting and is a continuation of the system used for American Tank Ace. It is important to note here that the game has other options for multi-player as well as cooperative play.

From the game page, we read the following:

British Tank Ace: 1940-45 is a solitaire, tactical-level game by Gregory M. Smith that places you in command of a British tank during World War II in North Africa, Italy, and the European Theaters of Operation. You will make the tactical decisions a tank commander faces and control the actions of your crew while trying to survive.

You will be assigned missions to attack, defend, or conduct movement-to-contact, depending on the current tactical situation. As time progresses and players survive, they may use the experience gained to improve their odds of success by purchasing skills. As their prestige increases, they may request improved versions of tanks when they suffer the loss of their previous tank. Awards and promotions help to narrate the player’s eventual goal – to survive the war and help defeat Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany.

Players will find it challenging to survive an entire tour from June 1940 to April 1945, although shorter games may be played involving just one theater of operations. You will start with one of the tank models available to the British Army at the start of the game, but as your fame and prestige rise, more advanced tanks will be available to choose from.

Game play moves quickly. Once you have your initial tank and commander, play proceeds by rolling for a mission and then conducting it. Enemy forces range from Penal units to SS or Fallschirmjäeger, all randomly generated, ensuring no two careers will ever be the same. Combat is swift and sometimes deadly, as many of the Axis tanks, SPGs, and AT guns can destroy your tank. Terrain and weather also have an impact on operations, as well as smoke. Players must pay attention to hull down status, the orientation of their hull and turret, and decide when it is prudent to “button up.” Artillery and mortar fire can sometimes support either side, and random events will add to the uncertainty of combat. Due to its streamlined play, a single mission can be completed in as little as 10 minutes.

When a mission is completed, assuming you have survived, you will ascertain if any awards have been earned or experience points gained. Promotion is also possible, which has the advantage of allowing for artillery and mortar support. You may also upgrade your tank if you have sufficient Prestige to get a better model; otherwise, you continue to fight in your starting tank until it is knocked out.

While British Tank Ace is designed as a solitaire gaming experience, additional options for play are provided for both multi-player cooperative and competitive gaming sessions.

We also published an interview with the designer Greg Smith and you can read that at the following link: https://theplayersaid.com/2024/01/23/interview-with-gregory-m-smith-designer-of-british-tank-ace-1940-1945-from-compass-games/

If you are interested in British Tank Ace 1940-1945, you can back the project on the Kickstarter page at the following link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/compassgames/british-tank-ace

As of July 1st, the Kickstarter campaign has funded and raised $25,241 toward its $2,500 funding goal with 198 backers. The campaign will conclude on Monday, July 7th at 11:39am EDT.

9. 1806: The Elbe Campaign from Neva Wargames

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! Recently, they placed a new game on pre-order through their Incoming! Pre-Order System called 1806: The Elbe Campaign. This game looks interesting and as is usual with them just well done.

From the game page, we read the following:

The year is 1806. The War of the Fourth Coalition has erupted, drawing Prussia into a desperate alliance with Russia, Saxony, Sweden, and the United Kingdom against Napoleon’s formidable First French Empire.

At this point, Napoleon’s Imperial Army was arguably at its peak. Forged in the fires of Ulm and Austerlitz, his veteran soldiers were a perfectly integrated and highly trained force. On the other side, the Prussian army, once legendary under Frederick the Great, was a shadow of its former self. Their soldiers were largely inexperienced, and even their commanders hadn’t seen battle in over a decade.

It’s said that during his visit to Frederick the Great’s tomb in Potsdam after Berlin fell, Napoleon remarked, “If this man were alive, I would not be here now.” This perfectly encapsulates how Bonaparte masterfully exploited the severe lack of effective leadership plaguing the Prussian forces.

1806: The Elbe Campaign plunges you into the initial, critical weeks of October 1806, culminating in the fall of Berlin. This operational-level game is designed for contained duration, offering a dynamic and succinct depiction of this pivotal conflict.

What makes this game truly exciting are its asymmetrical, sudden-death victory conditions. Every decision is critical, ensuring a consistently tense and vibrant experience:

• As the French, you must be aggressive, leveraging your superior mobility and leadership. But beware, early setbacks can crush your morale and decisively impact your campaign.
• As the Prussians, you command a numerically larger force with advantageous terrain, but you’re hampered by slowness and a lack of coordination. Your task is to maneuver wisely, delaying the French long enough for uncertain Russian reinforcements to arrive.
The game’s system emphasizes maneuverability and coordination over mere troop numbers, opening up a wide array of strategic options and providing excellent replayability. Plus, the crucial fog of war, vital for any Napoleonic game of this scale, is represented through simple, clear rules that deliver just the right amount of uncertainty about your enemy’s true intentions, especially in the crucial opening turns.

Can you avoid Prussia’s devastating debacle and the fall of Berlin? Or will you emulate Napoleon’s military genius and bring Prussia to its knees?

1806: The Elbe Campaign is Volume I of our upcoming Operational Duels Series, which will transport you through the most iconic campaigns of the Napoleonic Wars.

If you are interested in 1806: The Elbe Campaign, you can pre-order a copy for 38.00€ ($44.52 in US Dollars) from the Neva Wargames website at the following link: https://nevawargames.com/product/1806-the-elbe-campaign/

New Release

1. A Useless Fight: The Battle of Trent’s Reach, January 23-24, 1865 from High Flying Dice Games

Small format wargames on lesser gamed subjects are always welcome at my table. High Flying Dice Games seems to specialize in these type of games and this month have a very interesting looking game on an ungamed subject called A Useless Fight: The Battle of Trent’s Reach, January 23-24, 1865. I mean, how many games have you actually played that pits ironclads against each other from the American Civil War?

From the game page, we read the following:

A Useless Fight details the last major naval battle fought between ironclads during the Civil War. The Confederate vessels of the James River Squadron had been confined by their Union opponents to headwaters above Drewry’s Bluff the previous year. In January the squadron was under growing pressure to do something to help drive off the Yankees that were besieging the Confederate capital. In mid-January such an opportunity seemed to present itself when all but one of the Federal ironclads guarding the James River were withdrawn for their attack on Fort Fisher, and the winter’s rising waters had submerged much of their enemy’s defenses.

If you are interested in A Useless Fight: The Battle of Trent’s Reach, January 23-24, 1865, you can order a copy for $18.95 from the High Flying Dice Games website at the following link: https://www.hfdgames.com/trent.html

2. WWII Commander: Volume Two Market-Garden from Compass Games

Anytime I see a Market-Garden game, I sit up and take notice. There is just something to be said for the objectives, the terrain and the issues with the roads and then add in elite paratroopers and it gets really interesting. Then also, any game that John Butterfield designs is noteworthy as well. This one has both of these and I am very interested in the game. I have not played the WWII Commander Series Volume One (called Battle of the Bulge) but have heard good things about the system and its playability.

From the game page, we read the following:

WWII Commander: Volume Two Market-Garden is the second in a series of fast two-player area-based games on key campaigns of the Second World War. Market-Garden recreates the Allied airborne and ground offensive against the German Army in Holland in September 1944. Allied airborne divisions dropped behind German lines to hold a highway corridor across rivers and canals until ground forces could link up to cross into the industrial heart of Germany. Each player commands the opposing Allied or German forces.

The simple elegance and constant player interaction of the WWII Commander games capture the tension of WWII strategy. The game system is a fast-playing introduction to war games, but mastering its tactics is a true challenge as the players take turns deciding which units to activate and where to attack and defend.

As the Allied player, your airborne forces must seize and hold key objectives while your armored ground forces break though the German front and advance aggressively without getting cut off by German infantry and armor coming from all sides. As the German player, you must delay the Allied ground advance, trading space for time as you attempt to destroy the airborne forces behind your lines. The rules are simple, gameplay is fast and furious, and can be completed in one sitting, and either side can win at different stages of the game.

If you are interested in WWII Commander: Market-Garden, you can order a copy for $69.00 from the Compass Games website at the following link: https://www.compassgames.com/product/wwii-commander-market-garden/

3.  Barbarossa: Army Group North, 1941 2nd Edition from GMT Games

The East Front Series from GMT Games is very well thought of and covers the beginning of the invasion of the USSR with units as battalions through divisions (basic units are divisions), hexes are about 5 miles, and turns are two days.
The system encompasses Crimea (2010), Kiev to Rostov (2008), Barbarossa: Army Group North (2000), Barbarossa: Army Group Center (1998), and Barbarossa: Army Group South (1996). Typhoon! (1995) is the progenitor of these games. Over the past couple of years, they have been offering reprints of these series games and now the 3rd volume is ready for sale.

From the game page, we read the following:

On June 22, 1941, Army Group North, the smallest of the three German army groups, drives forward into the Baltic states. Its objective is Leningrad. Once the crown jewel of Czarist Russia, Leningrad is now the second most important city in the Soviet Union. Its array of ordnance factories includes the massive Kirov Tank Works that turns out most of the heavy KV-1 and KV-2 production for the Soviet Army. Loss of Leningrad would deprive the Soviets of a major population and industrial center and give the Germans the advantage of position in any drive against Moscow from the northwest.

Army Group North, short of Luftwaffe support and motorized forces, is the only army group that fails to achieve a significant encirclement at any stage of its campaign. Skillfully utilizing terrain and ruthlessly exploiting the civilian population, the Soviets construct a fortified line along the Luga River that stalls the Germans for a month until massive Luftwaffe and motorized reinforcements from Army Group Center allow a decisive breakthrough and dash for Leningrad itself. In a furious September battle, the Germans fall just short of taking Leningrad when time runs out. Operation Typhoon, the final push against Moscow, is imminent. Army Group North must give up almost all of its Luftwaffe and motorized formations. With no strike force remaining, the Germans dig in. Leningrad survives capture only to endure a brutal, epic 900 day siege.

Can you, as the Axis commander, succeed where German High Command failed? As the Soviet commander, can you repeat history and halt the Axis invaders short of Leningrad?

If you are interested in Barbarossa: Army Group North, 1941 2nd Edition, you can order a copy for $112.00 from the GMT Games website at the following link: https://www.gmtgames.com/p-83-barbarossa-army-group-north-1941-2nd-edition.aspx

4. Space Empires 4X: All Good Things Expansion from GMT Games

We love Space Empires and have had a great time playing that one, especially when adding in the various expansions that have been published. Each of the expansions to date have added new content that has deepened the game play, and frankly added time to the overall play experience as well, but have been good improvements. This expansion is the third and final entry in the Space Empires Series and is designed to complete the game while adding in even more options that add to the game’s replayability. This expansion will contain no board and you will have to own the original game to able to play. Ownership of Close Encounters and Replicators Expansions is not required but is recommended. 

From the game page, we read the following about the contents of the expansion:

Combined Rule Book, Combined Competitive Scenario Book, and Combined Solo/Co-op Scenario Book: Since this is the final expansion, all the rules and scenarios over the four different games will be compiled in one place.

Solo and Co-Op: Refined solo and co-op rules.

A New, Alternate Empire (two copies): Not as different as the Replicators, it has the same economics as a base empire, but some of the ship classes have different stats and abilities. Some of the ship classes are also completely replaced with new classes. This will:

Allow you to play Space Empires as a 6-player game without Replicators or a 7-player game with them.

Even in a 2-player game, you can now play it 5 different ways.  

Variable, but balanced home systems: Everyone has the same home system for balance reasons. However, you will never know for sure exactly what will be in your home system from game to game.

Scenario Cards: 30 or so cards, and 1 or 2 could be flipped to change the overall galaxy conditions for the game. A couple of these are from the scenario book, but most are new.

Missions: Missions are Resource Cards that can’t just be played but require you to complete something on the map to gain a larger benefit. More work, but more reward.

Deep Space Planetary Attributes: The NPA planets in deep space will now have a bit of personality. Some will be harder or easier to take. Some will really be worth fighting over as they will have different abilities and bonuses.

Crew Cards: Notable crewmen that bring bonuses will be on some of your ships. Sometimes they benefit just one ship, sometimes a group, and sometimes a fleet.

Facilities Game: Two new facilities will be added to complete the facilities game.

Much, Much More: Extra cards of every type, Starbases, Defense Satellites, Cyber Armor, New Terrain types, additional terrain to support larger scenarios, a 4″ box to give you more storage options, and more! 

This looks to be stuffed to the gills with interesting content and surely earns the name All Good Things.

If you are interested in Space Empires 4X: All Good Things Expansion, you can order a copy for $104.00 from the GMT Games website at the following link: https://www.gmtgames.com/p-898-space-empires-all-good-things.aspx

5. Line of Fire: Burnt Moon from Osprey Games

We love anything designed by David Thompson and Trevor Benjamin. They just know how to make a good game and his newest game is right up my alley. Line of Fire: Burnt Moon is a game set in the same universes as Undaunted 2200: Callisto but is its own game which is a 2-player card game that includes both deck-building and the concept of lane battling. Lane Battling is a new mechanic for me but has been used in lots of games. The concept here is that there are 5 lanes that each have a victors point value and players will fight to control them and the one who has the most VP’s at game’s end will win.

From the game page, we read the following:

Line of Fire: Burnt Moon is a two-player deck-building card game of machines warring across the volcanic surface of Io.

A group of black-hat hackers known as POSIWID plots to hijack the moon, Io, and hold the entire Jovian power grid to ransom. Standing in their way are the ultra-corporate LFA, the constructors of the lunar energy facilities. Both sides have engaged a fleet of ROV – advanced remotely operated robots to battle across the treacherous landscape.

The machines are activated. Initiate combat sequence. The battle for Io has begun.

Line of Fire: Burnt Moon is a standalone two-player card game that fuses the lean deck-building of the award-winning Undaunted series with fast-paced lane-battling. Sharp decision-making and clever positioning combine in a nail-bitingly tense, endlessly replayable, and tactical experience.

The art for this one is gorgeous and the packaging is also very nifty. I actually pre-ordered the game right after I was able to take a look at the game recently while attending Buckeye Game Fest. Part of that was because of the fact that this is a David Thompson and Trevor Benjamin design but also because I very much enjoy the Undaunted Series.

Here is a recent interview we did with David Thompson while attending Buckeye Game Fest where he talks about the game (Line of Fire: Burnt Moon discussion starts at 12:59):

If you are interested in Line of Fire: Burnt Moon, you can order a copy for $35.00 from the Osprey Games website at the following link: https://www.ospreypublishing.com/us/line-of-fire-burnt-moon-9781472867186/

6. Black Skin Black Shirt: Ethiopia vs. Fascist Italy 1935-1937 from White Dog Games

I have really enjoyed my plays of several 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 always. His newest offering called Black Skin Black Shirt: Ethiopia vs. Fascist Italy 1935-1937 from White Dog Games uses the States of Siege Series System and looks really interesting as it delves in pre-WWII conflict in Africa.

From the game page, we read the following:

Black Skin Black Shirt: Ethiopia vs Fascist Italy 1935-1937 is an historical board game from Ben Madison, designer of Byzantium, Global War, The Mission, N, Kaiserkrieg, Don’t Tread on Me, and other popular games. The game simulates the 1935 – 1937 war between Ethiopia and Fascist Italy that presaged the titanic conflict we know as World War Two. Take charge of Ethiopia’s defenses and call up troops as Mussolini’s Italy attempts to enlarge its empire at your expense. Turn the tide of history against Fascism in this exciting, easy-to-play, solitaire board game.

If you are interested in Black Skin Black Shirt: Ethiopia vs. Fascist Italy 1935-1937, you can order a copy for $56.00 from the White Dog Games website at the following link: https://www.whitedoggames.com/ethiopia

7. Stalin’s Lost Chance: The Soviet Attack on Finland Through Karelia-Ladoga 1939-1940 from Three Crowns Games

Three Crowns Games puts out some really interesting games and this month I am sharing Stalin’s Lost Chance: The Soviet Attack on Finland Through Karelia-Ladoga 1939-1940 designed by Magnus Nordlöf. I just love the art that they use for these games! I am not sure if it is original or commissioned by Three Crowns Games or in the public domain but it is just so evocative and I love the style!

From the game page, we read the following:

Stalin’s Lost Chance depicts the Winter War between 30th November 1939 to 13th March 1940. The Finnish defense plan was made on the belief that the Soviet army would target its primary offensive on the Karelian isthmus. An offensive was also expected on the north-western and northern side of Lake Ladoga, where the road network was relatively good. This is the area upon which Stalin’s Lost Chance focuses. Two divisions of the Finnish IV Army Corps were located there. North of Ilomantsi, the entire long eastern frontier was manned only with detached battalions and border companies, when the war broke.

The Soviet Union’s 8th Army, comprising six divisions and a tank brigade, had grouped a division or two on every road up north leading from east to west. Its mission was to execute a flanking maneuver around the northern shore of Lake Ladoga to strike at the rear of the Mannerheim Line.

This is the 9th game in Three Crowns Games WWII Battle Series.

If you are interested in Stalin’s Lost Chance: The Soviet Attack on Finland Through Karelia-Ladoga 1939-1940, you can order a copy for 48,00 € ($56.24 in US Dollars) from the Three Crowns Games website at the following link: https://www.threecrownsgames.com/product-page/stalin-s-lost-chance

8. Allenby’s Gamble: The Third Battle of Gaza, 1917 from Three Crowns Games

The 2nd game from Three Crowns Games that I am highlighting here this month is a very interesting one called Allenby’s Gamble set during World War I in the Near East.

From the game page, we read the following:

Allenby’s Gamble covers the start of the Southern Palestinian Offensive of November 1917. The EEF, having failed taking Gaza twice, replaced their Commander who brought a new approach to the matter. Allenby’s strategic objective was the defeat of the Ottoman army in Southern Palestine, decisive enough to ensure Ottoman reinforcements being diverted to Palestine. The offensive started with a joint attack on Beersheba at the eastern end of the Gaza – Beersheba line. The following day, the Battle of Tel el Khuweilfe began, with an advance into the Judean foothills. This move up the road from Beersheba towards Jerusalem not only threatened Hebron and Bethlehem but also forced the Ottoman commanders to deploy their reserves, to hold the EEF threat. The Third Battle of Gaza then took place on the Mediterranean coast, starting with the largest barrage during WW1, outside the European Theatre. The Battles of Hareira and Sheria was then launched on the center to bind as many enemy troops as possible. Allenby’s Gamble simulates the first 10 days of this Campaign. Rules and mechanics are developed from the Tannenberg 1914 game released in 2010 now forming the Standard Rule System for Collision of Empires with chit-pull mechanics.

If you are interested in Allenby’s Gamble: The Third Battle of Gaza, 1917, you can order a copy for 38,00 € ($44.52 in US Dollars) from the Three Crowns Games website at the following link: https://www.threecrownsgames.com/product-page/allenby-s-gamble

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 is 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. Earlier this year, they announced and placed on pre-order a new volume called Inflection Point that takes the action to the East Front of WWII. That volume is now shipping to the pre-orders and will be available for retail sale soon.

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.

If you are interested in BCS Inflection Point: Battle for Kalach, July 1942 and Battle of Chir, December 1942, you can order a copy for $112.00 from the Multi-Man Publishing website at the following link: https://mmpgamers.com/inflection-point-p-418

10. 2GM Tactics Expansions (Germany, Italy, United Kingdom and USSR) from Draco Ideas

A few months ago, I finally got around to trying out the 2GM Tactics Series with a play of the base game with a friend. I very much enjoyed the card based game and the simplicity of the rule set meant we could play a few games in an evening. I really got an enjoyable tactical feel from the game and very much liked how I had freedom to choose what units I would deploy. They have reprinted the various expansions to the game and you can now acquire them after being out of print for a while. These 4 expansions include Germany, Italy, United Kingdom and USSR.

From the game page, we read the following:

2GM Tactics is a strategic game set in World War II in which we will deploy different types of units on the battlefield represented by cards and equipment tokens. The management of the terrain, resources and the different support cards in our favor will be vital to achieve victory.

The 2GM Tactics Series has been growing over time since its publication in 2015, with the addition of the standalone game 2GM Pacific, and 6 expansions loaded with new cards. Through this reservation system, we are once again making the first 4 expansions available to you, with a redesigned box set, similar to the last 2 expansions released.

2GM Tactics includes a Solitaire game mode, as well as 12 Special Scenarios and 24 Historical Scenarios, divided into 4 complete campaigns.

On your turn, you will get a number of “Action Points” that you can use to deploy new units on the battlefield and play support cards. These Action Points will increase in various ways as the game evolves. The goals to achieve victory in a game are very diverse: from destroying the opponent’s headquarters to capturing the battlefield or inflicting a specific number of casualties on the enemy. Taking or bombarding a building, capturing enemy supplies, rescuing a flag or holding a position for several turns are other ways to achieve victory. Each side’s deck is composed of cards representing unique types of units and support cards. Different types of units (infantry, vehicles, armor, aircraft and transports) have specific capabilities and additional equipment to deploy.

If you are interested in the 2GM Tactics Expansions (Germany, Italy, United Kingdom and USSR), you can order them from the Draco Ideas website at the following link: https://dracoideas.com/editorial/en/2gm-tactics-expansions/

11. Tarqui: An Honorable Peace? from SNAFU Design

Over the past several years, I have become acquainted with a new wargame publisher called SNAFU Design. I first interviewed one of their partners and designer Marc Fiqueras in early 2021 on his new game called Ambon: Burning Sun & Little Seagulls. We next interviewed the incomparable Javier Romero for his design with SNAFU called Santander ’37 and have since interviewed several of their designers. These games are very cool and cover lesser gamed subjects so these are right up my alley. Recently, I saw where Marc was back at it designing a game on the Battle of Tarqui, fought in the Southern Provinces of Colombia called Tarqui: An Honorable Peace?.

From the game page, we read the following:

Tarqui. An Honorable Peace? is a faithful recreation, or representation, of the Battle of Tarqui, fought in the Southern Provinces of Colombia, now known as Ecuador, which was contested on the 27th day of February, in the Year of 1829.

If you are interested in Tarqui: An Honorable Peace?, you can order a copy for 24,95 € ($29.35 in US Dollars) from the SNAFU Design website at the following link: https://snafustore.com/en/victorian-age/1938-tarqui-an-honorable-peace.html

12. Limits of Glory Campaign II: Maida, 1806 and Limits of Glory Campaign III & IV: Santa Maura & Capri from Form Square Games

A few years ago, we became acquainted with Andrew Rourke through his Coalitions design from PHALANX that went on to a successful crowdfunding campaign. He has since been a busy guy with starting his own publishing company called Form Square Games and also publishing the first design is a new series called Limits of Glory that will take a look at the campaigns of Napoleon. The first game in the series was called Bonaparte’s Eastern Empire and takes the action to Egypt with a very interesting and engaging system that we had a great time playing and would like to explore more of. Now, after a successful Kickstarter campaign for the initial game, Andrew has drawn up the next few games in the series called Maida 1806 and Santa Maura & Capri. These final 2 games mentioned are both in the same box so with these you get a total of 3 new games in the series and he has actually showcased the next few volumes on their website if you are interested in checking those out as they look really interesting and take the system to other wars including the French Revolution and the American Revolutionary War (you know I am a happy man about that!).

One final thing about these games. All the illustrations and artwork used throughout the game on all components, tables, charts, the map and the box, are taken from contemporary political satirical cartoons. Their creators’ work brought to life events of the time to a public who had no access to photos, videos, films or social media. Many of the images depicted would never have been seen by the artist. Their imagination of often written accounts, constructed a critical and at the same time ludicrous view of the great and the good from all sides of the political divide, friend or foe.

You can find more information and further reading on all three cartoonists by following these links:

George Cruikshank

James Gillray

Isaac Cruikshank

From the game page, we read the following:

By the close of 1805 the Third Coalition, which had been orchestrated by William Pitt, was in tatters following their catastrophic defeat at Austerlitz. However, in late 1805 a tiny Anglo-Russian army, sent by Pitt and paid for by the British government, disembarks in the Bay of Naples to support Ferdinand IV, King of the Two Sicilies. This army, commanded by the Russian General Lacy supported by the British commanded by General Craig, approximately 15,000 men strong, is now the only Coalition force on mainland Europe. Will they be able to defend Naples, or will they evacuate leaving the wretched Neapolitan army to its fate? Will Marshal Massena secure the Two Sicilies for his Emperor, or will the Coalition be able to save Ferdinand’s last stronghold, the island of Sicily itself? The second game in the Limits of Glory Series explores the British campaign in Naples in 1806.

The third and forth campaigns in our Limits of Glory Series are two games in one box. Each game is designed to be a stand-alone shorter game, playable in approximately one hour. The games use the same unique Limits of Glory System, with the same Event Clock and Combat system but on a smaller scale. One game covers the campaign in 1808 by the Neapolitans and French to recover the island of Capri from the British, while the other game recreates the British invasion of the island of Santa Maura just off the Greek mainland to capture it from the French in 1810.

Campaign III in the Limits of Glory Series looks at the attempt by the French and Neapolitans under their new King, Joachim Murat, to re-capture the island of Capri just off the Bay of Naples in 1808.

During the 1806 Maida campaign Sir Sydney Smith, the British admiral supporting the Allies attempt to invade mainland Italy, landed his Marines on Capri and quickly captured it from the unsuspecting and surprised French garrison.

For two years, Capri remained in British hands and became a hotspot for Sicilian resistance and espionage. The island was governed by Colonel Hudson Lowe and garrisoned by 700 men of his regiment, the Corsican Rangers. Having heard numerous rumours of Murat’s intended invasion, Lowe asked General Stuart on Sicily for reinforcements and received another 700 men of the newly raised Malta regiment just weeks before the invasion started. These Maltese recruits were sent in an attempt to stop them deserting, which had been all too easy on Sicily itself.

If you are interested in Limits of Glory Campaign II: Maida, 1806 and Limits of Glory Campaign III & IV: Santa Maura & Capri, you can order copies from the Form Square Games website at the following link: https://www.formsquaregames.com/

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 Draco Ideas!

-Grant