March 2024 Edition
Re-writing this list, four years since the prior one, I’m both surprised at what found itself on the list, and also surprised at what I couldn’t squeeze on. I think the most notable omission was Empire of the Sun. It’s an all time great, and it’s definitely #11. This list also isn’t an objective ranking – like Commands & Colors: Napoleonics isn’t a better game than Empire of the Sun, necessarily – it’s just, I find my enjoyment, play-ability, and love for C&C Napoleonics to be at an all time high right now comparatively. Next year those roles might well be reversed etc. All that to say, take this list with a pinch of salt. Even tomorrow I might flip-flop spots four and five etc.
10. Commands & Colors: Napoleonics
GMT Games (2010), Designed by Richard Borg
Commands & Colors is a lighter wargame system for two players that is playable in a much shorter time than many of the other games on this list. That being said, Napoleonics is both the most complex of the series (relatively speaking), as well as one of the broadest, with all the expansions. I enjoy the additional layer of crunch in this one, I feel it elevates it from a very light game to having something a little more involved and satisfying. Also, it’s a great entry point to Napoleonic battles and history, with the history of each battle in the scenario description. With all the different unit compositions, nationalities and cavalry rules, there’s just more to consider and a better experience in the box compared to the other C&C titles
9. Warfighter: WWII
DVG (2016), Designed By Dan Verssen
Warfighter WWII is a solo game, but we play it almost entirely co-op, which makes a nice change from our normal wargaming. Very different from everything else on this list Warfighter WWII is a game that is just: fun. It’s a side scrolling, pulpy, run-and-gun romp that elicits the feeling of a 1950s comic book. There’s been several iterations, providing you with different theatres, weapons, nationalities but any of the core games will do you well, so pick the one you like the theme of most. Yes, there’s a trillion expansions you could get, but in reality, you don’t need any of them. Again, is it very realistic? No. Is it a blast to play on a relaxing evening with a friend or on your own? Absolutely! The stories that come out of the game are heroic, bombastic, and exciting. Something a lot of other wargames cannot claim.
Video Review Warfighter WWII Pacific
Video Review Warfighter WWII North Africa
8. Ranger
Omega Games (1984), Designed by Bill Gibbs
Ranger is nothing like anything else you’ve ever played. A cross between Choose-Your-Own-Adventure and Bootcamp mission planning, Ranger gives you a level of freedom in mission planning and execution that you cannot find anywhere else. You’ll use pen, square, ruler to draw out patrol routes on a map, and then as you follow those read through a paragraph based narrative book. The execution of missions and journey your patrols go on are about as well written as you can find in this style of wargame. I found myself at the mercy of my own decisions during travel-based parts of the missions, and then during tactical deployments your command choices can often totally change the dimensions of that mission. Getting hold of this game is very difficult, but if you can it’s well worth it. You’ll never see anything like it.
7. Unconditional Surrender! World War 2 In Europe
GMT Games (2014), Designed by Sal Vasta
‘USE’ (Unconditional Surrender – Europe) is a low counter density grand strategic WWII game. It’s very, very long, but a true sandbox of a game. You can play the game historically to try and replay history or you can do any iterations of alternate politics, military operations etc as what-ifs? I find the combat system elegant such that it is quick and prevents the game from bogging down – an issue which many grand strategic games suffer from. The lack of large stacks also makes playing the game far more manageable. The opportunities available in this game make it so versatile that it’s a desert island title and every ETO game will have to be compared to this for a spot in my collection.
6. On To Richmond II
MMP (2023), Designed by Joe Balkoski
This might be the surprise pick on the list for a few readers, but I wanted to make it apparent just how much that I love this game, and the wider series. GCACW has been around for a good number of years now, but for me it raced on the scene in 2023 and carved out a space in my heart and collection with On To Richmond II. The campaign is sweeping, complex, and beautiful. With the off-map organizers, the counter density isn’t all the bad and your focus on the operational maneuvering is stunning. There are many details to pay attention to, wider considerations beyond combat modifiers and defensive terrain that it really forces you to view the game from a larger command standpoint. I find this very satisfying and GCACW has become a staple, and effectively an auto-buy for me when new ones are released.
5. RAF: The Battle of Britain, 1940
Decision Games (2009), Designed by John Butterfield
As solitaire games go, you won’t find a better campaign arc than this one. Butterfield is a master of the solitaire game, and this (to me) is his finest. Effectively a tower defense style game, you’re charged with maintaining, deploying, and organizing Fighter Command during the defense of Great Britain in 1940. You’ll face wave after wave of Luftwaffe fighters and bombers who will whittle away your fighters and their pilots. An individual day can be very stressful and feel like disaster, but the course of those days and weeks over the campaign, as you gain reinforcements, and the Luftwaffe dwindles is peak wargaming. The theme is very, very close to my heart and The Battle of Britain is one of my favourite WWII films, so it’s no real surprise this will continue to appear in the Top 10 for me.
I don’t have a video review of this game. I will rectify this shortly. Haha, sorry.
4. Fire In The Lake
GMT Games (2014), Designed by Volko Ruhnke & Mark Herman
My favourite of the COIN (COunter INsurgency) series titles, this is also a game that many find intimidating. It’s on the longer and more complex end of the COIN scale, but it’s such a great experience and one of very unkind alliances. The moments the game provides, and the oppressive board states make the play experience palpable. I love this one, and there’s nothing quite like slapping on a 60s-70s soundtrack and sitting down for a few hours. You’ll quote all your favourite Vietnam films and watch as the land is carved up and ravaged. The horror, the tragedy, the bravery, the betrayal, the heartless conniving are all in display in this one. If you want to play it, just ask and we’ll always say yes!
Video Preview of Fall of Saigon, the forthcoming expansion to Fire in the Lake
3. Fields of Fire (Vol. 1)
GMT Games (2008), Designed by Ben Hull
I’m writing this in early 2024, desperately waiting for the print version of the new/updated rulebook. Fields of Fire is an incredibly rich solo game of command and control, that also gives you surprising, colourful, and tantalizing narrative elements. Many feel the rules to be a barrier of entry, which isn’t an unfair criticism, but it’s well worth the effort. However, the new rules promise to make that much easier, and I hope that many open the door using those new rules. The freedom with which you can issue orders and move your units within the command limits are daunting but exhilarating. The hidden information of the enemies, and their events throw you into situations that are more than just ‘shoot them until they’re gone’ which many other games fall foul of. I don’t expect to convert many people to this, but once the new rules are out, pleas give it a chance!
2. Here I Stand
GMT Games (2006), Designed by Ed Beach
Here I Stand, one of the grandest of wargames, pits six players against each other during the Wars of the Reformation. I have a deep love of this period of history, from a political, religious, social, and military standpoint. There’s so much going on that we still live today. And now, we get to slide into those roles and embroil ourselves in the intrigue, campaigning, and diplomacy of the age. Once the players have a handle on the mechanics, and the factional ‘roles’ within the game, there’s nothing quite like this. It sings, almost literally, as six players ally, backstab, march, siege, and destroy each other. The best 8 hours you’ll spend with friends.
Battle Report Can be seen here
1. Labyrinth: The War on Terror 2001-?
GMT Games (2010), Designed by Volko Ruhnke
Labyrinth, a two-player game of cat and mouse has a theme that is deeply polarizing. The gameplay itself, however, is exquisite. More than many other games that we play this one has a quality level directly proportional to the player input. The Jihad player must set the tempo, must bluff and feint and set traps, must course through the game and impose themselves upon it. As such Labyrinth is not dissimilar to chess. You’re playing the other player as much as you’re playing the game, and it becomes more and more mouth wateringly good the more you play with the same opponent and learn their style. On top of that you have challenging hand management, knife edge dice rolling, and cascading effects of control, alignment, and stability. All of these make for the most rewarding, dynamic, and engaging of wargames.
Video Review can be seen here (includes bonus lack of auto focus, my apologies)
The Players' Aid 