Most excellent and really helpful video - thank you! . Here's a timestamp to help revisit specific games mentioned: 0:07 Intro 0:55 What makes for a good solo game? 5:58 Depths of Courage 8:06 Rifles in the Ardennes 11:14 Target for Today 15:18 A Wing and a Prayer 17:30 Attack of the 50 ft Colossi 21:14 Thunderbolt / Apache Leader 23:15 Field Commander Napoleon 25:02 Sherman Leader 30:28 Enemy Coast Ahead - The Doolittle Raid 34:58 RAF - The Battle of Britain 40:13 Where There is Discord 42:20 D-Day at Tarawa 48:27 Ranger 53:28 Labyrinth & Empire of the Sun (opening remarks) 54:00 Labyrinth 55:47 Empire of the Sun 59:54 Pendragon (The COIN series) 1:02:00 Comancheria 1:07:10 Fields of Fire 1:11:21 Closing remarks and further solitaire games
I'm really liking the chemistry and enthusiasm between the two of you. Super props for sharing your love of wargames. The world needs to know how great this stuff is!
You prolly dont give a damn but does someone know a way to get back into an instagram account? I was dumb forgot the login password. I would appreciate any tips you can offer me
@Benson Jensen Thanks for your reply. I found the site through google and Im waiting for the hacking stuff now. Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
The one nice thing about solo wargaming is that you don't have to find another person to play! That's probably the joy in it. I play alot of solo more out of necessity, but I've always enjoyed it.
Excellent video. Great recommendations. The summary of each game was communicated in an efficient informative fashion. Hope to see more of your videos.
I really liked it when Grant said to try to enjoy the experience of a COIN game even though you only play solo. Because that's where i'm at. I only play solo and after everything you've said about that series of games, i had to try one, at least. So i bought Cuba Libre. Still on my shelf but i'm eager to try it. After that, we'll see, i'll have to check your videos again. 😂 Really helpful video as always. Thank you for sharing and have a Happy 2024, both you and yours.
Keep in mind, level of complexity is really just a measure of how much time a game will take to learn. Once you know a game, you seldom need the rules. 99% of all games are just a bunch of easy rules put together. Favorite of mine that you mention is Fields of Fire, which is a SQUAD level game, not a company level game. As an example Squad Leader is a squad level game, because most of the units are squads. I own 95% of the games you mention here, and the one that gets played year after year is Fields of Fire. Its the only one in the bunch where I know the rules enough to play it off the shelf. Empire of the Sun is also a must have. The Invaders from Dimension X series is also worth the money. I do most of my solo gaming with 2 player games, though. Simonitch games are my favorites.
Regarding Ranger: Bill told a bunch of us at a talk that he was asked to not sell the game to incoming Ranger students because it would give the incoming students a big leg up over other students and the school wanted everyone to start with equal footing. He executed his design was that well.
Nice work! Fields of Fire was my first wargame quite a few years ago. I did have to study the rules and period military tactics a lot. I really like the game. Joel's games I would like to get too! I like games that inspire to educate me. Through themselves and further study. Keep up the good work guys!
Labyrinth now has an extension featuring solo bots for both sides. As to COIN, I have only played them Solo and cannot comment on how better they are FTF. I have played both Distant plains (with Arponen's bot) and Falling sky: they provide an excellent solo experience which make you feel like you are fighting human opponents and not just a system (which is often a problem with solo games). They require the human player to devise a long term strategy with a constant need for adaptation to ever changing circumstances and make one actually relive a historic experience.(The only drawback being the terse wording used at times for the bot flowcharts).
The great thing with the jihadist bot in Labyrinth is that it cheats!! Most CDGs, including Labyrinth, you play either OPs, or the event. If you play OPs with an enemy event the enemy gets to run the event. Now the Islamist bot doesn't work that way...... sometimes it can do both, it rarely stabs itself in the foot, US events are null and void and are use to play bomb plots. The US player is playiong "by the rules" of a normal 2 player game. Frustration to a whole new degree!!
Nice videos on solitaire games. Thanks for the uploads. I Would love to see you have a playthrough. Navajo Wars, Comancheria, Labyrinth would be awesome to watch.
I will definitely be looking into Rifles in the Ardennes and Attack of the 50 foot Collosi. Sherman leader looks really cool too, but I cant swing 90 bucks for a solo game. I'm a budget gamer.
very nice video for me solo is only possible if it has a good narrative and a good streamlined set of rules because I can't remember all the little rules
Helpful list, thank you. John Company 2nd Ed has my favourite solo-bot. 'Where there is Discord' and 'D-day at Tarawa' are on my wishlist. Have but not solo'd any COIN, 'Labyrinth' or 'Empire of the Sun' (Gulp?!?). White Dog Games do great solo games (nicely scaled and very elegant mechanics): 'The Mission: Early Christianity' (2020) is my favourite solo-game of all time. 'Pavlov's House', 'Castle Itter', 'Maquis' and 'Nemo's War' deserve a mention
Great video guys, and I have the same thinking about solitaire game, I need to get involved and the game must provide that, immersion. When get too fiddly to just play every round, well, i'm off.
I have purchased Fields of Fire; but never had chance yet to get into it. IT sounds a lot like DVG's Warfighter. I don't own the original; but was on Warfighter WWII (west/east fronts) Kickstarter and have played it about ~ 5 times. Very playable, similar sounding system to FoF, but where FoF Sounds like it's perhaps a "bit too deep" / complex. Warfighter WWII is certainly a Squad + support elements/members based level game where FoF sounds like step up to Company level. Can't wait to find time to play FoF for sure. I like depth and detail. Esp in my tactical level games. :D
Thank you so much for these videos guys. I suggest you try the coin series, they are very interesting history wise and you can play them solo with the bots.
I noticed several of the boxes had what looks like the same chit tray with a lid. Are those custom inserts that you guys added? Would love to have those instead of a pile of bags.
They’re not custom per se, but they are bought separately. GMT sells packs on their website, another option that’s a bit roomier is Aegis trays (search on Amazon) or if you want to splash a bit more: cube4me in Poland does custom sets for games and they’re excellent.
My favorite method for solo play is to play a 2 player game, both sides. I find it more satisfying, because I can see how the game plays out. That way when I do find an opponent, I've already got a practice run in. I do play solo games, too. Those story driven solo games like B17? I buy em. Not sure why LOL. My favorite solo game is hands down Fields of Fire, though. That game is masterful.
Well that's the exact opposite of my favorites. I prefer a game designed primarily for solo. I'd never want to play both sides. Inmersion would be impossible, and victory would be hollow.
neeleyfolk honestly even longer, because you don't have an opponent to make choices between turns. You have to play with the matrix over and over to figure out the detailed nuances of each turn.
Really nice food for thoughts! I have a little question: is Tarawa so much better than Omaha? I’m tryin to choose a single title to add to my collection to have a solitaire but I can wrap my head on why Omaha is so high rated and quoted on BGG/forums/etc and still is absent in quite every ranking of solitaire wargames. Does makes sense the idea of picking Omaha as a gold game and my preference on the theme, or Tarawa is really so much better?
newbie to wargames here. What % of wargames would you say have a random part (dice/bag pull) compared to those that are deterministic where it is 100% player decision on strategy, allocation of resources, and battle? And which do you like? Just curious as I am designing a board game that crosses over into war gaming so I want the battles to feel authentic and enjoyable.
Honestly very few are *purely* deterministic, and many that are feel like abstracts like Chess. I think most gamers want some element of chance, to keep it feeling at least a little like a game.
Great video chaps. Where do you get your component trays they are awesome. And as a UK resident I cannot find a Wing and a Prayer anywhere....any tips on locating this game?
@@christiantimothyjohn9615 Those ridges sometimes make all the difference. I often try to stay low for as long as possible, then I go to high altitude, drop a ton of GBUs and stuff, then I get out of there with my F-16, before enemies pop up.
Hi guys, I think I saw a wargame on UA-cam a couple of months ago, perhaps on your channel. It contained a rulebook for two players and a different rulebook for solitaire play, but was not part of the Enemy Action Series or another Butterfield design like SpaceCorp. Do you have any idea what it could have been? Thanks for an answer and for all your efforts with this channel!
@@ThePlayersAid It was quite modern. I think, I saw it in a "most wanted"-video. But meanwhile, I think, it was just an illusion, I put together myself. But it was Players Aid, Rob, Zilla Blitz or Homo Ludens. Please do not put much research into it, because I think, the game is not there in the real world. (I even do not recall the simulated conflict, but in my mist of memories, I only know "2 different rulebooks".) Sorry for the 'alarm'.
Hi guys! I enjoy a lot your videos, because i love war games. I'm amazed of the number of publishers of war games that exist. It is in your plans to do a overview of this publishers/top X of publisher Y? Thanks!
It wasn't, but that is a great idea, there's a lot of smaller publishers that have small catalogues we're trying to get played, but I could definitely see something like this in the future!
Great stuff as always guys! If you enjoy an unpredictable AI (human like?) did you ever try Conflict of Heroes Awakening the bear with the solo deck. I think that´s the best AI I ever seen! By the way, I also preordered Mr. President :D
Ah, I see. Same fate as Fields of Fire and Comancheria has with me. But seriously it is great, I recently made my own firefight scenario and played through it Solo.
Hi Gents: FABULOUS REVIEW> Thx much! Re/ Empire of the Sun, There is the c3i (rel 3 coming out main game will have it too) South Pacific only subgame ver. of EoTS. Have you guys played that? Just wondering if it's a simpler inroad into the EoTS System. Thx!
Yes we have played South Pacific and do feel it is s great gateway into the EotS monster system. Here is a link to our written review where we say just that: theplayersaid.com/2017/03/21/review-south-pacific-breaking-the-bismarck-barrier-1942-1943-from-c3i-magazine-nr-30-by-rbm-studio/
Koolness! didn't realize you guys had reviewed it. Will have to chk it out. I own the c3i ed for SP of EotS; so will be looking to play that while waiting for EotS 3rd ed to be released. Cheers Gents!
Tried War at Sea, my first wargame. Not really that fun in a solitaire setting. Looking for more games that are truly solitaire for the beginner/novice going to medium level
Great games. Fields of Fire is my favorite. You missed my second top game - Enemy Action Ardennes. The best game Butterfield ever designed. The AI is a perfect mix of random surprise, clever intelligent play and historical deployment and movement. And the gradual change in AI strategy attack/defense as the battle progress when reinforcement arrives.. Really sitting on the edge of the chair in each step. Just forget those u boat games on your wishlist. Pick any other game to play.
EA:A is that one game I just haven't been able to pony up for. I've heard mixed reviews, and it's a hell of price tag. One day I'll get a raise at work and get in on that action.
Really enjoyed FoF game until it got to employing tanks--then I think the rules break down too much for me (and a lot of others according to the websites I went on). Have you guys thought about doing a scenario in FoF employing tanks?
You didn't include Enemy Action: Ardennes! Like RAF, you can play that from either side or two player. And the mother of all complex solitaire games would be Victory Games' Carrier which unfortunately is only available in the secondary market.
Let's imagine you have no space for more than one game. Which one would you choose, and which one is the most challenging? 1. Thunderbolt/Apache Leader DVG - In stock 2. B17 Flying Fortress Leader DVG - Limited stock 3. Either interceptor or nightfighter ace - In stock but way more expensive than the other two 4. RAF: Battle of Britain - Butterfield - Limited and more expensive than all the above
Great episode! Thank you. Do you know where you can find Ranger today? I've emailed the web site but have had no replies. It appears they may no longer be actively running the business.
Omega Games is in somewhat of transitional period. The owner (and designer of Ranger) passed away a couple of years ago. The website is still run by his widow I believe. Apparently emails take a while to get responded to just because of the nature of the situation. I did here that someone ordered, and received a copy of the game plus the expansions recently from the site, took about 2 weeks to get it.
Anything's relevant possible, but card powered games like CC are a challenge because so much of the game is hiding what you're capabale (or not) of doing from your opponent. Games like conflict of heroes where there's a dedicated solo module might be better for that.
I've got boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/176146/lamps-are-going-out on the table atm, not a solitaire game, but easy to play both sides (no hidden info, event cards, tech cards), very good game imo. Other great solo games I haven't seen you mention: boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/175230/crete-1941 boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/57073/fires-midway (2 player game with solo mode) boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/192858/mrs-thatchers-war-falklands-1982
I know you guys have played and liked GMT’s Time of Crisis so you should check out the solitaire variant posted at BGG. It simulates a 4 player game for one player. The AI ruleset uses the cards in a quick and easy method that really keeps you on your toes. Now you can have a “knife fight in a phone booth” by yourself!
I have actually already downloaded those rules but haven't had a chance yet to try them out. Really neat looking system though. Should be fun. And you are right, we really liked that game. Thanks for watching.
Thanks Grant and Alexander. Really cool. Which are your 2 or 3 favorite solo games? Like Grant, I am a reluctant solo gamer. Really enjoy live opponents. Looking for that title which will inspire me to put effort into solo wargaming.
Hard to say with RAF, I think it still would be, just because the overall campaign is such a great story, and the crescendo that builds is very rewarding. You can also play it solo as the Germans, which is great too, although a very different way of thinking, and then there's the two player game if you have a dedicated opponent. Those other two are a bit more involved, yes. My other favourite is the '65 solo module, it has around 8 or so missions, and it is a total blast.
Grant's top three would be 1. Comancheria, 2. DDay at Tarawa and 3. Sherman Leader. I also really love Attack of the 50 Foot Colossi when I am in the mood for a trashy sci-fi experience.
Would the solo games mentioned by High Flying Dice games here be a good place to start for a beginner? I like the cheaper games for now cause of budget
fehner27 high flying dice are typically very simple and easy to learn. They're cheap because the counters are printed on paper and you have to cut them out yourself. So just know that going in to it.
I think both their games would hit the same spot. VPG has some really good titles like Mound Builders, Remember the Alamo and others. HFDG have very affordable games with some neat components and great art that are very simple such as Depths of Courage. Can't go wrong with either I don't think.
Sorry I don’t remember your name, but you have a blue shirt, most of the games you recommended and the most solitaire games I find are air operations related….why that? I think it’s because it’s more easier to make the AI??
Stupidly, Empire of the sun was one of the earliest games I tried to learn, so from an experience stand point that was much harder to learn - I'd never played a game with a zone of control before, for example. FoF is big, and very detailed, and sometimes the jargon can be overwhelming, but I've played enough wargames where I was understood the concepts the game was trying to convey at least.
Hi Guys! I'm a solo game player, not always by choice, and I''m ALWAYS intrigued by any great solo games. As you can image I play a ton of DVG games. I also love "Ambush", "B-17, Queen of the Skies", and many others (Hostage Negotiator why not ... "Warfighter"??? I know both of you guys would LOVE this game. Have you tried it yet? I hope you will... love your reviews.b....
Conflict of Heroes the Eastern Front solo expansion is the VERY high standard for AI bots these days. The fact it is already 3 years on the market shows how much GMT dominates this market. I think I have played hundreds of solo games, not only wargames but not one came close in terms of fluidity, ease, smooth, fast playing with an incredible deep, changing and tough AI bot. If GMT would have published it, it would have been THE standard of solo games over the past 3 years. Its card driven AI with emergent behaviour could be used in much more designs. I hate AI based on die rolls btw, almost every DVG, B17 are very inferior to real solo games or intelligent bots. It is soooo easy to put up random tables and throw dice for your next AI action. After 40 years of B17 clones you would think people stopped buying these... Butterfield is the key designer of innovative solo wargames. From Ambush to DDay series to Enemy Action Ardennes, but apparently his co op work with the young Gunter Eickert resulted in a playable breakthrough in that CoH solo expansion.
Does the CoH AI feel authenic? Does it mimic a human player well enough? I got Scythe, its not a war game though. In solo mode, it also uses cards for AI movements. But, it just doesn't feel real enough. I'm worried the AI just do random things in CoH. Which is why I haven't bought it yet
AlphaCentauri CoH ai is trash. The two player rules are great and they neutered them to make the ai fit. The game is constantly a game of chicken. Whoever approaches first loses.
Labyrinth is the first solitaire game I bought and now I'm not feeling so bad for putting it on the backburner. I have no local players to help me learn this beast.
Honestly, Labyrinth is a two player game. The solo module is to scratch that itch only when you don't have an opponent. It will never compare to having a live player.
Man even after 40 hours Fields of Fire was just too fiddly to play. I like the idea of it, but I feel like literally every move, every action, required very specific rules that led to unnecessary rules. Plus the rule book is of zero help. Every turn requires a constant look up in the rulebook or a search on boardgamegeek. The fanmade rules summary booklet (yes booklet) actually contains more pages than the rule book. Just goes to show there is no summarization to the extensive list of rules to remember. I totally respect everyone's opinion on gaming preference. But It honestly feels like the creator just wrote up a bunch of random rules for a game he himself only intended to play and the sold it to the public. Its just a poorly designed final product. Cones of dunshire made more sense.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Most excellent and really helpful video - thank you!
.
Here's a timestamp to help revisit specific games mentioned:
0:07 Intro
0:55 What makes for a good solo game?
5:58 Depths of Courage
8:06 Rifles in the Ardennes
11:14 Target for Today
15:18 A Wing and a Prayer
17:30 Attack of the 50 ft Colossi
21:14 Thunderbolt / Apache Leader
23:15 Field Commander Napoleon
25:02 Sherman Leader
30:28 Enemy Coast Ahead - The Doolittle Raid
34:58 RAF - The Battle of Britain
40:13 Where There is Discord
42:20 D-Day at Tarawa
48:27 Ranger
53:28 Labyrinth & Empire of the Sun (opening remarks)
54:00 Labyrinth
55:47 Empire of the Sun
59:54 Pendragon (The COIN series)
1:02:00 Comancheria
1:07:10 Fields of Fire
1:11:21 Closing remarks and further solitaire games
I'm really liking the chemistry and enthusiasm between the two of you. Super props for sharing your love of wargames. The world needs to know how great this stuff is!
You prolly dont give a damn but does someone know a way to get back into an instagram account?
I was dumb forgot the login password. I would appreciate any tips you can offer me
@Harlem Erik instablaster =)
@Benson Jensen Thanks for your reply. I found the site through google and Im waiting for the hacking stuff now.
Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
@Benson Jensen it worked and I now got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D
Thanks so much, you saved my account !
@Harlem Erik Happy to help :D
Guys any chance of an updated video on this topic?
Seconded.
Damn fine work, gentlemen. Enjoy the channel.
Euripides' Ghost thanks! I agree, narrative is a bug part or solo gaming.
The one nice thing about solo wargaming is that you don't have to find another person to play! That's probably the joy in it. I play alot of solo more out of necessity, but I've always enjoyed it.
Excellent video. Great recommendations. The summary of each game was communicated in an efficient informative fashion. Hope to see more of your videos.
I really liked it when Grant said to try to enjoy the experience of a COIN game even though you only play solo. Because that's where i'm at. I only play solo and after everything you've said about that series of games, i had to try one, at least. So i bought Cuba Libre. Still on my shelf but i'm eager to try it. After that, we'll see, i'll have to check your videos again. 😂
Really helpful video as always. Thank you for sharing and have a Happy 2024, both you and yours.
Nicely done! Always nice to listen about solo games
Keep in mind, level of complexity is really just a measure of how much time a game will take to learn. Once you know a game, you seldom need the rules. 99% of all games are just a bunch of easy rules put together. Favorite of mine that you mention is Fields of Fire, which is a SQUAD level game, not a company level game. As an example Squad Leader is a squad level game, because most of the units are squads. I own 95% of the games you mention here, and the one that gets played year after year is Fields of Fire. Its the only one in the bunch where I know the rules enough to play it off the shelf. Empire of the Sun is also a must have. The Invaders from Dimension X series is also worth the money. I do most of my solo gaming with 2 player games, though. Simonitch games are my favorites.
This works if you have a few. Most enthusiasts go into hundreds, having years break between plays. Then complexity becomes a huge issue.
Regarding Ranger: Bill told a bunch of us at a talk that he was asked to not sell the game to incoming Ranger students because it would give the incoming students a big leg up over other students and the school wanted everyone to start with equal footing. He executed his design was that well.
Ranger is a very fun game
Nice work! Fields of Fire was my first wargame quite a few years ago. I did have to study the rules and period military tactics a lot. I really like the game. Joel's games I would like to get too! I like games that inspire to educate me. Through themselves and further study. Keep up the good work guys!
Yall are my new favorite series!
Great video which has added about six games to my wishlist!
Halfway through, loving your recommendations so far.
Labyrinth now has an extension featuring solo bots for both sides. As to COIN,
I have only played them Solo and cannot comment on how better they are FTF. I have played both Distant plains (with Arponen's bot) and Falling sky: they provide an excellent solo experience which make you feel like you are fighting human opponents and not just a system (which is often a problem with solo games). They require the human player to devise a long term strategy with a constant need for adaptation to ever changing circumstances and make one actually relive a historic experience.(The only drawback being the terse wording used at times for the bot flowcharts).
The great thing with the jihadist bot in Labyrinth is that it cheats!! Most CDGs, including Labyrinth, you play either OPs, or the event. If you play OPs with an enemy event the enemy gets to run the event. Now the Islamist bot doesn't work that way...... sometimes it can do both, it rarely stabs itself in the foot, US events are null and void and are use to play bomb plots. The US player is playiong "by the rules" of a normal 2 player game. Frustration to a whole new degree!!
If you can find it, I heartily recommend the Ambush series from Victory Games.
Nice videos on solitaire games. Thanks for the uploads. I Would love to see you have a playthrough. Navajo Wars, Comancheria, Labyrinth would be awesome to watch.
Skidd Wister have they ever done a playthrough?
I will definitely be looking into Rifles in the Ardennes and Attack of the 50 foot Collosi. Sherman leader looks really cool too, but I cant swing 90 bucks for a solo game. I'm a budget gamer.
thanks for the review. more games to check out!
I think you guys should do this video again, as so many good solitaire games have come out in the last 5 years.
Comancheria is awesome! I wish I knew about these games with Navajo Wars.
very nice video
for me solo is only possible if it has a good narrative and a good streamlined set of rules because I can't remember all the little rules
It's the first time I've come across Ranger; looks great. Thanks for the vid!
Good video. Adding Comancheria to my list of games to be purchased.
Helpful list, thank you. John Company 2nd Ed has my favourite solo-bot. 'Where there is Discord' and 'D-day at Tarawa' are on my wishlist. Have but not solo'd any COIN, 'Labyrinth' or 'Empire of the Sun' (Gulp?!?). White Dog Games do great solo games (nicely scaled and very elegant mechanics): 'The Mission: Early Christianity' (2020) is my favourite solo-game of all time. 'Pavlov's House', 'Castle Itter', 'Maquis' and 'Nemo's War' deserve a mention
Great video guys, and I have the same thinking about solitaire game, I need to get involved and the game must provide that, immersion. When get too fiddly to just play every round, well, i'm off.
thank you so much for this video, help me a lot. Begginer solitarie wargamer here
boratotube I did a beginner one too a while back!
I have purchased Fields of Fire; but never had chance yet to get into it. IT sounds a lot like DVG's Warfighter. I don't own the original; but was on Warfighter WWII (west/east fronts) Kickstarter and have played it about ~ 5 times. Very playable, similar sounding system to FoF, but where FoF Sounds like it's perhaps a "bit too deep" / complex. Warfighter WWII is certainly a Squad + support elements/members based level game where FoF sounds like step up to Company level. Can't wait to find time to play FoF for sure. I like depth and detail. Esp in my tactical level games. :D
You’ve got me looking at some new games now!
Please keep pumping more videos about your favourite systems, series, games that play well for different playcounts etc. Amazing work!!
What a great video. A lot of games I didn't even know were solo games. Subscribed! :)
Is it stated anywhere in the Sherman Leader rules how many battles per week you have to fight? Or is it just up to player?
Thank you so much for these videos guys. I suggest you try the coin series, they are very interesting history wise and you can play them solo with the bots.
Davide Pessach lol
Great vid! I forgot all about your tilted house after a few minutes. But shoot me a text - I know some good contractors.
I keep losing, but Sherman Leader is my current favorite. It's all I want to play, it's keeping me from jumping into Target For Today and Picket Duty!
I noticed several of the boxes had what looks like the same chit tray with a lid. Are those custom inserts that you guys added? Would love to have those instead of a pile of bags.
They’re not custom per se, but they are bought separately. GMT sells packs on their website, another option that’s a bit roomier is Aegis trays (search on Amazon) or if you want to splash a bit more: cube4me in Poland does custom sets for games and they’re excellent.
@@ThePlayersAid Awesome! Thank you!
Thanks guys, a really enjoyable and informative video.
My favorite method for solo play is to play a 2 player game, both sides. I find it more satisfying, because I can see how the game plays out. That way when I do find an opponent, I've already got a practice run in. I do play solo games, too. Those story driven solo games like B17? I buy em. Not sure why LOL. My favorite solo game is hands down Fields of Fire, though. That game is masterful.
Well that's the exact opposite of my favorites. I prefer a game designed primarily for solo. I'd never want to play both sides. Inmersion would be impossible, and victory would be hollow.
Playing with yourself … don’t tell your wife that.
I’m surprised Skies Above Britain didn’t make the list. Great game and fantastic rule book.
This list was made a loooong time before Skies Over Britain was even conceived!
This was great! Thank you. wow 12hr for two player Empire of the Sun. How long would a solo run? Will need to cat proof the pacific.
neeleyfolk honestly even longer, because you don't have an opponent to make choices between turns. You have to play with the matrix over and over to figure out the detailed nuances of each turn.
Really nice food for thoughts! I have a little question: is Tarawa so much better than Omaha? I’m tryin to choose a single title to add to my collection to have a solitaire but I can wrap my head on why Omaha is so high rated and quoted on BGG/forums/etc and still is absent in quite every ranking of solitaire wargames. Does makes sense the idea of picking Omaha as a gold game and my preference on the theme, or Tarawa is really so much better?
With these two titles go with theme. I think they're equally as good.
White Dog Games has an excellent Falklands War game by Ben Madison, "Mrs. Thatcher's War".
Yes they do, it's excellent! I actually played and reviewed it in 2022!
I own so many of these and have played so few....
I still have Lock N Load tactical, conflict of heroes and a few other solo games that have shamefully not played.
My life story...
curious if you could give a spin to COH: AtB with the Eastern Front solo expansion ? very keen on hearing out your opinion :)
newbie to wargames here. What % of wargames would you say have a random part (dice/bag pull) compared to those that are deterministic where it is 100% player decision on strategy, allocation of resources, and battle? And which do you like? Just curious as I am designing a board game that crosses over into war gaming so I want the battles to feel authentic and enjoyable.
Honestly very few are *purely* deterministic, and many that are feel like abstracts like Chess. I think most gamers want some element of chance, to keep it feeling at least a little like a game.
@@ThePlayersAid Thank you! Good to know.
For some reason Comancheria sounds very appealing to me.
Grant did a full review of it, you should check it out.
A really good review. Thanks my friends
Great job, guys.
Great video chaps. Where do you get your component trays they are awesome. And as a UK resident I cannot find a Wing and a Prayer anywhere....any tips on locating this game?
Have any of you tried Stuka Joes solo method for CDGs, originally developed for Paths of Glory, but usable also for other CDGs?
I have eight of these games. Nice list.
Any thoughts on Carrier or Tokyo Express? I just got em both and am working through Carrier now.
I don't believe that either of us have played those games. I will definitely give them a look though. Thanks for sharing.
Fascinating video, thanks gents.
Love Comancheria! Let's get it reprinted!
Great now I don't know if I want Hornet Leader or Thunderbolt Apache Leader. Great video!
RayLancer Thunderbolt Apache Leader have more tactical decisions flying around the canyons ( the terrain changes every time during setups).
@@christiantimothyjohn9615 I really enjoy that part.
@@amundbisgaard7295 me too!
@@christiantimothyjohn9615 Those ridges sometimes make all the difference. I often try to stay low for as long as possible, then I go to high altitude, drop a ton of GBUs and stuff, then I get out of there with my F-16, before enemies pop up.
Hi guys, I think I saw a wargame on UA-cam a couple of months ago, perhaps on your channel. It contained a rulebook for two players and a different rulebook for solitaire play, but was not part of the Enemy Action Series or another Butterfield design like SpaceCorp. Do you have any idea what it could have been? Thanks for an answer and for all your efforts with this channel!
Was it RAF 1940 from decision games? (I know that's a Butterfield design)
@@ThePlayersAid It was quite modern. I think, I saw it in a "most wanted"-video. But meanwhile, I think, it was just an illusion, I put together myself. But it was Players Aid, Rob, Zilla Blitz or Homo Ludens. Please do not put much research into it, because I think, the game is not there in the real world. (I even do not recall the simulated conflict, but in my mist of memories, I only know "2 different rulebooks".) Sorry for the 'alarm'.
Look at the wrinkles on that Empire of the Sun rule book. That sucker's seen some action. Looks like my ASL.
Hi guys! I enjoy a lot your videos, because i love war games. I'm amazed of the number of publishers of war games that exist. It is in your plans to do a overview of this publishers/top X of publisher Y? Thanks!
It wasn't, but that is a great idea, there's a lot of smaller publishers that have small catalogues we're trying to get played, but I could definitely see something like this in the future!
Great stuff as always guys! If you enjoy an unpredictable AI (human like?) did you ever try Conflict of Heroes Awakening the bear with the solo deck. I think that´s the best AI I ever seen! By the way, I also preordered Mr. President :D
Haven't tried Conflict of heroes solo, shamefully. I say that because I own it and it's on my shelf in the 'to-play' pile.
Ah, I see. Same fate as Fields of Fire and Comancheria has with me. But seriously it is great, I recently made my own firefight scenario and played through it Solo.
The Players Aid
Hmm, I don’t know anything about a “to be played pile”. Yeah, nothing....🤥
Late to the discussion, but is that AI deck compatible with the first edition of CoH:AtB?
Excellent video, thanks gents!
This video is really awesome, thank you so much for doing this video, I really love your channel, Thanks again 👍
I love this video👍 thank you so much for for doing it, really excellent
nice overview of games i do not have. thanks i will look into these.
Hi Gents: FABULOUS REVIEW> Thx much! Re/ Empire of the Sun, There is the c3i (rel 3 coming out main game will have it too) South Pacific only subgame ver. of EoTS. Have you guys played that? Just wondering if it's a simpler inroad into the EoTS System. Thx!
Yes we have played South Pacific and do feel it is s great gateway into the EotS monster system. Here is a link to our written review where we say just that: theplayersaid.com/2017/03/21/review-south-pacific-breaking-the-bismarck-barrier-1942-1943-from-c3i-magazine-nr-30-by-rbm-studio/
Koolness! didn't realize you guys had reviewed it. Will have to chk it out. I own the c3i ed for SP of EotS; so will be looking to play that while waiting for EotS 3rd ed to be released. Cheers Gents!
Tried War at Sea, my first wargame. Not really that fun in a solitaire setting. Looking for more games that are truly solitaire for the beginner/novice going to medium level
Great games. Fields of Fire is my favorite. You missed my second top game - Enemy Action Ardennes. The best game Butterfield ever designed.
The AI is a perfect mix of random surprise, clever intelligent play and historical deployment and movement. And the gradual change in AI strategy attack/defense as the battle progress when reinforcement arrives.. Really sitting on the edge of the chair in each step.
Just forget those u boat games on your wishlist. Pick any other game to play.
EA:A is that one game I just haven't been able to pony up for. I've heard mixed reviews, and it's a hell of price tag. One day I'll get a raise at work and get in on that action.
Field Commander Napoleon: Last good DVG first-party title?
Fields of fire is great, but lots to learn.
Really enjoyed FoF game until it got to employing tanks--then I think the rules break down too much for me (and a lot of others according to the websites I went on). Have you guys thought about doing a scenario in FoF employing tanks?
P500'd that 3rd edition of Empire of the Sun...terrifies me but also intrigues me lol
Noel Dillabough worth every penny. It's a classic.
Congrats. Such as good game!
Did Enemy Action: Ardennes not make this list?
Have not played it.
Target for today it’s pretty but is a bit just throwing dice. Bit few decisions taking
You didn't include Enemy Action: Ardennes! Like RAF, you can play that from either side or two player. And the mother of all complex solitaire games would be Victory Games' Carrier which unfortunately is only available in the secondary market.
Because, shamefully, I have not played EA:A. I really want to but the price tag is hard to swallow. One day I'll get my hands on it though.
Agree about the price. It's about $85 new now. It used to be north of $100
Let's imagine you have no space for more than one game. Which one would you choose, and which one is the most challenging?
1. Thunderbolt/Apache Leader DVG - In stock
2. B17 Flying Fortress Leader DVG - Limited stock
3. Either interceptor or nightfighter ace - In stock but way more expensive than the other two
4. RAF: Battle of Britain - Butterfield - Limited and more expensive than all the above
RAF, and no question. Out of those it's probably the most challenging (Thunderbolt Apache Leader is second).
@@ThePlayersAid Impressed by your swift response. Thank you. I kind of expected you would suggest to make room for both!
Have you tried Reconquista?
why the dutch angle
Was trying to recreate 1980s Batman. (camera stand broke)
Lock'N'Load seems an interesting war game.
Fields of Fire - "don't make this your first solo game"
Oops! This was indeed an absolute mission to learn but so cool!
I'm about to learn it as my first game; wish me luck!
Either of you 2 have the Solitaire Advanced Squad Leader module?
No, It's very expensive and I don't yet have all the requisite parts to be able to use it anyways. Maybe one day!
Great episode! Thank you.
Do you know where you can find Ranger today? I've emailed the web site but have had no replies. It appears they may no longer be actively running the business.
Omega Games is in somewhat of transitional period. The owner (and designer of Ranger) passed away a couple of years ago. The website is still run by his widow I believe. Apparently emails take a while to get responded to just because of the nature of the situation. I did here that someone ordered, and received a copy of the game plus the expansions recently from the site, took about 2 weeks to get it.
How did you two meet?
We are brother in laws. I married the oldest daughter in the family and Alexander the youngest.
We are brother in laws. I married the oldest daughter in the family and Alexander the youngest.
We are brother in laws. I married the oldest daughter in the family and Alexander the youngest.
We are brother in laws. I married the oldest daughter in the family and Alexander the youngest.
That’s a nice arrangement.
What's your opinion both about play Combat Commander solo?
Anything's relevant possible, but card powered games like CC are a challenge because so much of the game is hiding what you're capabale (or not) of doing from your opponent. Games like conflict of heroes where there's a dedicated solo module might be better for that.
That's a little what i thought...I will probably go to Lock'n Load Tactics..There is a solo module too. Thx again for your good job.
Good video.
I've got boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/176146/lamps-are-going-out on the table atm, not a solitaire game, but easy to play both sides (no hidden info, event cards, tech cards), very good game imo.
Other great solo games I haven't seen you mention:
boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/175230/crete-1941
boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/57073/fires-midway (2 player game with solo mode)
boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/192858/mrs-thatchers-war-falklands-1982
I know you guys have played and liked GMT’s Time of Crisis so you should check out the solitaire variant posted at BGG. It simulates a 4 player game for one player. The AI ruleset uses the cards in a quick and easy method that really keeps you on your toes. Now you can have a “knife fight in a phone booth” by yourself!
I have actually already downloaded those rules but haven't had a chance yet to try them out. Really neat looking system though. Should be fun. And you are right, we really liked that game. Thanks for watching.
Thanks Grant and Alexander. Really cool. Which are your 2 or 3 favorite solo games? Like Grant, I am a reluctant solo gamer. Really enjoy live opponents. Looking for that title which will inspire me to put effort into solo wargaming.
Alexander: Fields of Fire, RAF, Ranger. I can't speak for Grant though.
FoF and Ranger are probably beyond my abilities. Is RAF mid-weight? Do you think it would be top 3 if you were born elsewhere? Thanks Alexander.
Hard to say with RAF, I think it still would be, just because the overall campaign is such a great story, and the crescendo that builds is very rewarding. You can also play it solo as the Germans, which is great too, although a very different way of thinking, and then there's the two player game if you have a dedicated opponent. Those other two are a bit more involved, yes. My other favourite is the '65 solo module, it has around 8 or so missions, and it is a total blast.
Grant's top three would be 1. Comancheria, 2. DDay at Tarawa and 3. Sherman Leader. I also really love Attack of the 50 Foot Colossi when I am in the mood for a trashy sci-fi experience.
Would the solo games mentioned by High Flying Dice games here be a good place to start for a beginner? I like the cheaper games for now cause of budget
fehner27 high flying dice are typically very simple and easy to learn. They're cheap because the counters are printed on paper and you have to cut them out yourself. So just know that going in to it.
The Players Aid would you say a beginner hex and counter game is best from them or victory point games?
I think both their games would hit the same spot. VPG has some really good titles like Mound Builders, Remember the Alamo and others. HFDG have very affordable games with some neat components and great art that are very simple such as Depths of Courage. Can't go wrong with either I don't think.
The Players Aid With HFC Games you can spend $5 more for mounted counters, but still must cut them out yourself .
Sorry I don’t remember your name, but you have a blue shirt, most of the games you recommended and the most solitaire games I find are air operations related….why that? I think it’s because it’s more easier to make the AI??
Rly interesting video, thx :)
Which was tougher to learn Fields of Fire or Empire of the Sun? Great video by the way guys, keep up the great work.
Stupidly, Empire of the sun was one of the earliest games I tried to learn, so from an experience stand point that was much harder to learn - I'd never played a game with a zone of control before, for example. FoF is big, and very detailed, and sometimes the jargon can be overwhelming, but I've played enough wargames where I was understood the concepts the game was trying to convey at least.
Hi Guys! I'm a solo game player, not always by choice, and I''m ALWAYS intrigued by any great solo games. As you can image I play a ton of DVG games. I also love "Ambush", "B-17, Queen of the Skies", and many others (Hostage Negotiator why not ... "Warfighter"??? I know both of you guys would LOVE this game. Have you tried it yet? I hope you will... love your reviews.b....
I haven't tried warfighter quite yet, but that one is in the works. I know it's a popular one and people want to see it reviewed.
I think that we would both love Warfighter and will have to add that to the list.
Sherman .......it seems interesting
Conflict of Heroes the Eastern Front solo expansion is the VERY high standard for AI bots these days.
The fact it is already 3 years on the market shows how much GMT dominates this market.
I think I have played hundreds of solo games, not only wargames but not one came close in terms of fluidity, ease, smooth, fast playing with an incredible deep, changing and tough AI bot.
If GMT would have published it, it would have been THE standard of solo games over the past 3 years. Its card driven AI with emergent behaviour could be used in much more designs.
I hate AI based on die rolls btw, almost every DVG, B17 are very inferior to real solo games or intelligent bots. It is soooo easy to put up random tables and throw dice for your next AI action. After 40 years of B17 clones you would think people stopped buying these...
Butterfield is the key designer of innovative solo wargames. From Ambush to DDay series to Enemy Action Ardennes, but apparently his co op work with the young Gunter Eickert resulted in a playable breakthrough in that CoH solo expansion.
Yes, I still have Butterfield's original RAF for West End Games on my shelf.
Does the CoH AI feel authenic? Does it mimic a human player well enough? I got Scythe, its not a war game though. In solo mode, it also uses cards for AI movements. But, it just doesn't feel real enough. I'm worried the AI just do random things in CoH. Which is why I haven't bought it yet
AlphaCentauri CoH ai is trash. The two player rules are great and they neutered them to make the ai fit. The game is constantly a game of chicken. Whoever approaches first loses.
Dday at omaha played 7 times never won 😂😂
As a good solo should be!
Labyrinth is the first solitaire game I bought and now I'm not feeling so bad for putting it on the backburner. I have no local players to help me learn this beast.
Honestly, Labyrinth is a two player game. The solo module is to scratch that itch only when you don't have an opponent. It will never compare to having a live player.
"And the target is..." "Bremen" "This is where we go."
I'm kind of concerned that you guy play bombing my ass :/
Did I see a deck of cards with a rubber band around them? Please don't do that. It breaks my heart to see that.
Err, why?
Man even after 40 hours Fields of Fire was just too fiddly to play. I like the idea of it, but I feel like literally every move, every action, required very specific rules that led to unnecessary rules. Plus the rule book is of zero help. Every turn requires a constant look up in the rulebook or a search on boardgamegeek. The fanmade rules summary booklet (yes booklet) actually contains more pages than the rule book. Just goes to show there is no summarization to the extensive list of rules to remember.
I totally respect everyone's opinion on gaming preference. But It honestly feels like the creator just wrote up a bunch of random rules for a game he himself only intended to play and the sold it to the public. Its just a poorly designed final product. Cones of dunshire made more sense.