What are the Top Introductory Wargames? - Best Beginner Wargames? - Review & List | Historical Games
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- Опубліковано 18 чер 2024
- I rank and review my top 6 introductory (beginner) tabletop wargames (historical simulations). What are my favorite beginner historical conflict simulations that I've played so far? I also explore ten other introductory wargames that I will be playing soon that I think have a chance to make it into our top introductory wargame list, and then list 5 more upcoming beginner wargames that I think have the potential to be on our top introductory wargame list.
If you'd like to support my work in creating more historical wargaming videos, I have a Patreon page. Support is greatly appreciated.
/ zillablitz
This review video and ranking list produced by Zilla Blitz.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:54 Criteria
02:24 Intro Game 6
04:05 Intro Game 5
05:17 Intro Game 4
07:10 Intro Game 3
08:27 Intro Game 2
10:35 Intro Game 1
13:17 Challenger 1
14:16 Challenger 2
15:32 Challenger 3
16:12 Challenger 4
17:11 Challenger 5
18:18 Challenger 6
19:24 Challenger 7
20:34 Challenger 8
21:53 Challenger 9
23:00 Upcoming 1
24:14 Upcoming 2
15:10 Upcoming 3
25:55 Upcoming 4
26:42 Upcoming 5
27:44 Upcoming 6
28:20 Upcoming 7
Games Mentioned, in random order:
Downfall of Empires - Do It Games (tinyurl.com/2bzhvwur)
Tank on Tank Eastfront - Lock 'n Load Games (tinyurl.com/2c8rddvu)
Tank Clash - Ameba Games (tinyurl.com/2f3qwpkd)
Freezing Inferno - Princeps Games (tinyurl.com/27jk5zhg)
Flashpoint South China Sea - GMT Games - Harold Buchanan (amzn.to/3V1C8Ms)
Votes for Women - Fort Circle Games (tinyurl.com/2d44892u)
Field Commander Alexander - Dan Verssen Games - DVG (amzn.to/3gaZXT2)
Nemo's War - Victory Point Games (amzn.to/3Edztbw)
Sherman Leader - Dan Verssen Games - DVG (amzn.to/3GoFZPs)
Undaunted North Africa - Osprey Games (amzn.to/3Gk4BJ7)
Hornet Leader - Dan Verssen Games DVG (amzn.to/3Gk4BJ7)
Downfall of the Third Reich - Do It Games (tinyurl.com/22zkdgyx)
1944 Battle of the Bulge - Worthington Publishing (tinyurl.com/2675x2vj)
By Stealth & Sea - Dan Verssen Games - DVG - David Thompson (amzn.to/3txdsj1)
Memoir '44 - Days of Wonder (amzn.to/3AeJB2L)
Lanzerath Ridge - Dan Verssen Games DVG - David Thompson (tinyurl.com/2a7k42ut)
Halls of Montezuma - Fort Circle Games (tinyurl.com/29694tve)
Tank on Tank Westfront - Lock 'n Load Games (tinyurl.com/25tmoxe8)
Resist! - Salt & Pepper Games - David Thompson (tinyurl.com/2xwhtyvo)
B-17 Leader - Dan Verssen Games (amzn.to/3GmmiYM)
Halls of Hegra - Tompet Games (tinyurl.com/2ga3c6m9)
300 Earth & Water - Nuts! Publishing - Yasushi Nakaguro (tinyurl.com/2yp4ffxa)
The Shores of Tripoli - Fort Circle Games (amzn.to/3TE99gn)
Antietam - Command Post Games (tinyurl.com/28eqkt8t)
The African Campaign - Compass Games (amzn.to/3hNsPkI)
Amazon links are affiliate links. If you’d like to help the channel, you can use those to purchase.
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#wargaming #topwargames #introductorywargames
What are the Top Introductory Wargames? - Best Beginner Wargames? - Review & List | Historical Games - Ігри
Thanks for all the thoughtful comments and suggestions, too! I'm working my way through these and hope to be all caught up in the next day or so. And I've got a bunch of good ideas for more challengers to the list. Much appreciated!
Tactics II by Avalon Hill.
A classic for sure! I'm not sure in the "visual appeal" category it holds up very well to newer games, but it's definitely an introductory game that can work well. :)
War at Sea 1976 by Avalon Hill. Great easy fun game.
Avalon Hill Guadalcanal "Smithsonian Institute edition. I want to say, 1984 ish? This one comes with Midway which is really cool. Again not very difficult, is alot of fun, even tho alot of time is searching lol.
Modern Naval Battles card based game very easy fast fun by. ƏW. Now Modern Naval Battles "Global Warfare. By Dan Verssen Games DVG.
Last and one of my favorite
Seas Of Thunder GMT games. Still really learning this one.
@@AnthonyPerzia War at Sea is a great suggestion, yes, but I generally shy away from older out-of-print games as I think newcomers aren't likely to hunt them down. I've not yet tried Modern Naval Battles. I've heard mixed things about it, at some point I'll have to try it for myself. :)
Oh man, you are too awesome, my friend. Thanks for the kind words!
Just callin' 'em like I see 'em. 😀 Very much enjoying the stuff you make.
You’ve got such a natural and authentic approach to delivering your vids Zilla - perfectly paced and produced ❤
Thanks for the compliments, Skinny Dog! Made my day! :)
This is the first video I have seen of yours and I subscribed right away. You have an energetic and well-paced approach talking about these games that many others doing wargaming videos lack. The content is so well thought out and researched as well. I can't wait to see other videos by you. Already looking for the top solitaire war games video right now.
Thanks for the kind words, Bob! I'm glad you enjoyed the video and hope you enjoy some of the others as well. Thanks for stopping in and subscribing. :)
Great video. Lots of choices or options for a new gamer to pick from.
I enjoyed the enthusiasm while you provided great details.
The timeline of the video helped in going back and recapping certain games.
Thanks for the kind words. It's about time I updated this. :)
While I have been playing wargames for decades, a few months ago I decided to introduce my hobby to an old friend of mine with no previous exposure to wargaming, but who is keenly interested in history and politics. I selected Brief Border Wars from Compass Games and chose the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus scenario. It is very easy ot learn and has all the elements of a good introductory game you mentioned at the beginning of your video. I began teaching him after supper and we were playing within half an hour. We had a great time with it until after midnight, playing the scenario twice as 2-player, then once cooperative solitaire. At that point I was the one who wanted to fo to bed while he wanted to stay up and try the China vs Vietnam scenario. So as an introduction, that worked out very well.
Thanks, Frank! I just checked those out. They remind me of the SPI quad system. :) But yes, I can definitely see how they could work well with their low counter density. I've added them to the list to consider, although I won't be able to get everything. :)
I was glad to see Memoir '44 make the extended list. It's one I specifically bought to introduce my grandsons (age 8 to 10) to wargaming. I also have Battle Cry, as another viewer mentioned, to showcase other than WW II. I am not sure that solo games are good introductions unless played cooperatively to keep the newbie engaged. I do have several of the games you showed and am looking forward to you getting them to the channel.
Yes, I feel like Memoir's Commands & Colors foundation makes it a great game to include in something like this. It's certainly very popular as well. Battle Cry I'll have to check out. Thanks!
Excellent list! Thanks! I’ve played several including Memoir 44 and B17 Flying Fortress Leader - both are excellent,
I play Memoir 44 every night via phone with my brother from another Mother and it’s always fun
Thanks, John, glad you liked it, and it sounds like you've got some overlap here. I'm looking forward to checking out Memoir '44.
Great material as always. My gateway game for wargaming was Memoir44. Now I also own Undaunted Normandy and Tiger leader. Great games. Thanks for your work and passion!
Memoir '44 seems to have quite the strong following, yes! I'm looking forward to testing it out. :)
First video of yours I’ve come across, nice list, I’m just dipping my toes into this niche. You’ve got a very Robin Williams type charisma!
Thanks for the kind words, I really want to update this video soon, I've got revised list and this needs updating. :) And thanks on the Robin Williams. It is the comparison I've heard the most in my life, and I always take it as a high compliment. Thank you. :)
David Thomson is the GOAT for intro wargames, the mixture of RPG, wargames and historical/educational aspects is just excellent..Obviously Shores of Tripoli is also a milestone. I agree with your opinion, the use of euro-game mechanisms with CDG in wargames is the coolest. Imperial Struggle can lead to Paths of Glory and the mission is accomplished. Then comes my favorite rule heavy games: World in Flames or Empire in Arms (for those that like Diplomacy ie negotiation games). So you need to repeat the intro cycle at least 7 times so you have the players you need.
At some point way down the future I hope to make a "My Top Monster Games" video, but first I have to quit my job so I can play them. World in Flames is on the list. :)
Thanks for putting this out. I'm recently retired and have been wanting to revisit my youth when I played a lot. I'm a fan of Panzerblitz and some the older SPI games. Wish I still had them around to play again. But I think I'll pick up a copy of Sherman Leader and spend a few nights gaming. Thanks again.
That's a solid choice I think. I hope you enjoy it! I'd be curious to hear how it goes when you get it to the table. Good holiday time present!
Enjoyed the video, subscribed.
Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks!
Avalon Hill’s “1776” was my first war game. I learned to play it when I was 10 as the New England Campaign is pretty easy as it just has British and American Troops and none of the special units and rules.
Nice! I've never played that one, but have considered picking it up at some point. I've heard it holds up pretty well. :)
Fun list, thx for sharing!
Thanks! Glad you liked it, thanks for stopping in. :)
What an awesome channel and great production
Thanks kindly, Valor
Another great video Zilla! I love seeing the games you have done excellent playthroughs on too.
As other comments have mentioned - something in the Commands & Colors series would be very simple and quite quick and satisfying. I started with my son at Memoir 44 and then moved on to other titles in the series. Ancients probably being the next most simple.
I’d be tempted to recommend Academy games Vikings, Rebellion and French and Indian war block/card games too - really interesting games and easy to play
Thanks!
Totally agree on the Commands & Colors, and I talk about that somewhere in the middle of the video. :)
And thanks, I've noted the Academy games and will check them out. :)
@@ZillaBlitz - I am a bit bias on the Command and Colors front. I have games like Conflict of Heroes and Combat Commander Europe, but the most tabled game is always one of the C&C games due to working Dads or my son being the opponent. - Sometimes I even pre-bag the sides into a scenario so that setup time is reduced - love your content, one of my new favourite channels!
The Undaunted series is very easy for new players. My wife and I never played a war game before plating Undaunted:Normandy, and we picked up the rules within 10 minutes.
I’ve heard really good things about it, yes, and stumbled onto Reinforcements at a local game store this weekend. So I’m excited to dig in now. :)
Thats really awesome that the game designers are commenting
Yes, I always appreciate it when they watch and comment and interact. It's great to see designers supporting their games and interacting with people. :)
Some great games there for sure and I know you have recommended the Shores of Tripoli to me as a good starter one, also good to see a couple games you have featured on your channel on this list as well.
We should make a deal to play a game together before the end of the year. I'd be happy to lead you through a learning game of something. We can use Discord to chat as we play. :)
@@ZillaBlitz Defo! I think you gave me the link to Online where to play Shore of Tripoli so that could be a go. Though cant find where I saved the link ha ha.
Excellent and thorough video. I found your channel earlier this year as I've been getting into solitaire wargames. I had Memoir 44, and in the past few months I've bought Undaunted, The Africa Campaign, Field Commander Rommel, and Lanzerath Ridge. I had the Avalon Hill North Africa game in the '80s and have always been interested in books and films on those WWII battles, so that was my gateway into wargames.
As I get comfortable with different mechanics and levels of complexity I want to dive into the COIN series. Cuba Libre doesn't qualify as introductory, eh? ;-)
Thanks, Erik! It sounds like you've been adding some good games to your growing collection. I'd be curious in particular about how you like Field Commander Rommel. I've been looking at that one, as I too am a fan of the North African sphere of WW2.
I played Cuba Libre a couple of weeks ago. It was my first COIN game. I don't think it was incredibly hard, but I definitely wouldn't call it an introductory game. :)
Always enjoy your videos - you have a warm and generous style. Check out Worthington’s “Keep Up the Fire” - Boxer Rebellion solo game - very good introductory mechanics without being too simple.
Thanks, Alan! And I've added Keep Up the Fire to the list. I was just on their site a few days ago checking things out. The guidance is appreciated. :)
Well done! Thanks. On the Antietam theme, I recommend (and I like PubBattles very much too) the intro level Antietam game from White Dog games. 4 pages of rules, BDE level, hex and counter. Great map!
Thanks, and thanks for the suggestion on the White Dog. I'll add it to my list, much appreciated!
Another great video. I want to try “by stealth and sea”, looks fun!!!
Thanks! I think By Stealth and Sea is an underrated classic. Really fun game. There is a full series on the channel here if you want to watch gameplay. :)
Great list! Even as a non-wargamer, Shores of Tripoli and Resist are definitely two games that would get me to try them. I think I've said this 100 times now, but give me something shiny and colourful and I'm on board 😂
I think you would like Resist! It's puzzly, and the art design is top notch. Spanish company too, so readily available in Europe, I believe. :)
Great selection! Knew you were going to pull out Sherman Leader before you showed it ;) Can't wait for your play through of B-17 FFL! :) You opened my eyes up to a lot more games with this that I need to check out. Oh, my copies of Sherman Leader, Skies Above Britain, and American Tank Ace all arrived this week all in large part because of your videos ! Memoir '44 is a good choice for introductory wargame, and I used to own it along with a boatload of expansions back in the day. Eventually sold it off when I couldn't get it to the table anymore.
Still would like to see more wargame shelf tours all this video kind of touches on that a bit at the end.
Thank you, sir! It sounds like you've added some great games to your collection, and that's good to hear about Memoir '44. I'm looking forward to giving it a shot. And I have a stack of games beside the table for a shelf tour, just have to wedge in the time to create it. I've got a couple of gameplay videos to shoot first, then I should be on it. :) I want to do those more regularly. :)
@@ZillaBlitz I should note that once you add in all the expansions it's not so "introductory" because a lot more rules get layered onto the game. The base game is perfect though.
Makes sense. I just have the base game and would want to play that before contemplating expansion. :)
There's an awesome print and play game called Interspace which is a 4X space based light war game. It includes basic,intermediate, and advanced rules. And it's free to download. Several people on BGG, like myself, have created graphics upgrades for the pieces.
It's my favorite game.
Thanks for the info, looks like a great game. :)
Nice shout out for Rally the Troops. I only just discovered that site about two weeks ago and it really fills it's own niche, esp. in the pantheon of board game arena, tabletop simulator and vassal.
I've only played Shores of Tripoli and 300 on Rally the Troops so far, but I'm looking forward to playing more games. I like it because it takes the game management out of your hands, so it's super fast to make a move and then come back later and make another move. I've generally had 1-3 games going on there at a time over the last month or so now. Really fun. :)
@@ZillaBlitz I have played Pax Pamir, Richard III, and Wilderness War-all great versions and I agree it is a great experience.
I almost got Wilderness War in the P500 sale, and have seen a lot of people playing Pax Pamir on the site. It looks very popular.
@@ZillaBlitz I like Wilderness War, I have it in the real, but have only played online. Was on something of a French and IdiN War kick so backed Tomahawks and Bayonets on the P500. We shall see.
It does look good, but in the end I swapped it out for Next War: Vietnam, mainly because I have Tomahawks and Bayonets but haven't played it yet. :)
My first "wargame" was Axis and Allies. Still very fond of the whole series of that. After that I got on with the classics of Avalon Hill (D-day, Gettysburg, Afrika Korps, Stalingrad. More recent, I like many games of Worthington because they are easy to access. For example their "The American CIvil War" is an easy to learn and fun to play game.
I debated about including Axis and Allies here, but, well, I'm not sure. I think some of the older AH games could make it, but I'm not sure of those either because of their availability and visual appeal. I should check out some more Worthington stuff. At the moment I only have the Bismarck solitaire book. Thanks for stopping in!
Great stuff...scribed up...thanks my man...
Thanks, Chris, glad you are enjoying the content! :)
awesome list
Thanks, but you're not a beginner! ;)
Academy Games has the Conflict of Heroes series. The series is billed as an introduction to hex and counter wargames. Back in the day, I used it as an introduction for my 12 year old. Shortly after we moved on to MMP's Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit. That lead into Advanced Squad Leader and Flying Pig's Old School Tactical series - and there was no looking back after that!
Others you might want to consider:
-Steve Jackson Games offers Ogre.
-I'm sure there are more titles that GMT Games offers, but right now, only Washington's War comes to mind.
I see you recommended Halls of Montezuma. I have the 2009 edition by GMT, and it most certainly is not an introductory wargame. It will be interesting to see what it evolves into with this new edition.
Good suggestions! I have picked up one Conflict of Heroes game, Awakening the Bear. I haven't started in on it yet, but I like the programmed instruction it has. I'll definitely be taking a look at that one.
Another viewer suggested Ogre as well. I was a huge fan of the original version, and wasn't really up to speed on the newest version. I've got a good backlog of things to play now, but I think I'll check that out after I make some progress with games I've got now.
The Halls of Montezuma from Fort Circle is a brand new design, so other than the name there shouldn't be any design similarity. :)
Thanks for stopping in!
1. Blitzkrieg/ Caesar/ Total Domination
2. 300*
3. States of siege games eg. Hapsburg eclipse, Ottoman sunset, Cuba, Siege of Malta, The Mission, Reconquista, First Jihad (White Dog Games or VPG)
4. Resist*/ Maquis
5. Iron, Blood and snow/ Russian campaign
6. Halls of Hegara*
7. Race to the Rhine/ Race to Moscow 41
8. Europe divided / Twilight Struggle/ 1989
9. Endeavor: Age of sail (or any of several similar. May not qualify as 'war' games)
10. Shores of Tripoli*
11. Hollandspiele games eg. Charlemagne, Aurelian, District Commander, Stilicho, Supply lines
Your list is good (love DVG and Worthington) and well presented. I have few overlap* because the genre is huge and very varied. Ultimately every theatre of operations and period of history will have its own 'best' introductory game(s).
Great list, thanks! It's about time I updated this with a new video, too. I think it would be a lot different for me now.
Good list! 300 Earth and Water is a great one to to show people what wargames are about. I've used that game to get a lot of friends beaks wet.
I have two other games I would throw out there: 1) Watergate, which not a wargame does show great CDG mechanics and great tension. Its good starter for the larger CDGs 2) Brotherhood and Unity. B&U may be more lower moderate complexity, but it has great card play, simpler rules, few unit types and can be played in 3-4 hours.
Thanks, and thanks for the suggestions! B&U I have, and will look at with a beginner mindset. Offhand, I tend to think of it more as lower intermediate, as you hint at as well. Watergate I'm not familiar with, added to the list. :) Thanks!
Nemo’s War is absolutely brilliant. My number one solo game and definitely a war game. I think however that the The Hunters/Silent Victory are pretty beginner friendly. And you can scale, making it more complex if you want to.
That's great to hear about Nemo, and a good number of people have mentioned it. Somehow I have to clone myself so I can play everything. ~ I think a determined beginner could play The Hunters/Silent Victory, for sure, and I waffled on those two for quite a while. In the end, I think the lack of visual presence nudged them off the list for me.
Thank you for sharing this the games look fun
For sure, great fun to make! :)
Good list Zilla! I would suggest Target For Today as a good introduction to narrative style solo war games.
I’m playing Target for Today in the 509th Virtual Bomber Group and it’s easy to learn and always offers a good game
Good thought! I have that one and am hoping to play it soon. What do you think about its visual appeal for a newcomer to wargaming? To me it looks a bit "charty". Not that it's not a great game, for sure, but I'm not sure that the visual appeal was there for a newcomer.
@@ZillaBlitz yes, there are quite a few forms involved in the game and a ton of charts, but the rulebooks give off an authentic feel, as if they could have been issued in the 1940's. For me that added to the allure of the game. I should add that the board and the counters are very attractive.
If you like a narrative game with tons of details and dice rolling, I highly suggest it!
Target for Today has been near the top of my "Get to the Table" list for a while now. It's just been pushed back a bit by review copies. Soon! :)
@@ZillaBlitz once you’ve played TFT you get into a kind of rhythm with the charts.
Love Nemo’s War! One of my favorite solo board games.
So many people keep telling me this, I'm excited to play it. I really think I'm going to have to bump this one up some.
Happy to see Antietam! One interesting thing with this game is that non wargamers seem to pick it up more easily because they don't have to unlearn all the sin qua non rules of standard wargames.
Ah, that makes sense, yes. It'll be impossible for me to experience it through that lens, but I think I can keep telling myself: "Forget what you think you know." :)
@@ZillaBlitz The rules are short but very dense. Every word that is not absolutely necessary has been eliminated. This makes skimming the rules fraught. Nevertheless, I clued you in on some of the big misses that I hear about.
The game works best as a "Gentleman's game," not as in the old patriarchal meaning, but as in "don't be a dick." Measure "close enough" with movement. Pieces get jostled, if you can get close enough to attack, don't sweat the last 1/4". This is the difference between having a good time, and floundering on the shoals of nitpickery.
Thanks! I need to go back and reread some of your notes. I really appreciate the guidance. :)
Oh yeah Red Flag Over Paris too! Might work for someone coming from Euro side too. Much more abstract. Solo bots for each side that are pretty tough too!
I looked at getting Red Flag a number of times, but for whatever reason it didn't quite grab me enough to pick it up. At some point I really should play it, that's most definitely a solid suggestion, for sure. :)
Thanks for the info;)
My pleasure!
Zilla! Great video: hex and counter if you haven’t checked out 1944 Battle of the Bulge from worthington that’s a good place to start. also Celles from Revolution would be great too. Cheap, ziplock but looks great and has great mechanics low counter density without a ton of rules. Played this weekend and it was fantastic!
Thanks, Russ! Yep, 1944 Battle of the Bulge is in the "Challenger games", just have to find a copy. :) I was familiar with Celles, but have added that to the list of games to check out. Thanks!
I ordered Celles, thanks! :)
Quartermaster General World War II (or Quartermaster General World War 1) is one of the all time best intro war games.
I'll have to check that out at some point, thanks. :)
@@ZillaBlitz I hope that you enjoy the game system! ; )
Thanks. :)
Great list! I would recommend Battle Cry as the entry point for C&C System. It’s easier than Memoir 44, no expansions, ni difference between armies, only four type of units… and a very engaging theme, of course.
I went back on forth on older and/or long out-of-print games and for this series I've mostly decided to leave them off, at least for now. I'd ultimately like this series to be something that for the most part someone can use to start in with wargaming. Battle Cry is a great suggestion I think, based on what you and other have said, but it's so long out of print.
Yes. Battle Cry would be a great starter.
Off the bat after watching your intro but not yet seeing any games I am recommending Undaunted: Normandy. A card driven deck building game. Perfect for beginners and connects with more advanced concepts of wargames. Such as command structures, planning and combined arms if you include expansions.
That's a great suggestion, for sure. :)
Now you need top introductory solitaire wargames. :)
Yes, that'd be a good one to make. I want to upgrade this video with a new version too. :)
An interesting take & a lot of quality games. Either of the first two undaunted games would be a good place to start, currently reading the rules for reinforcements. The Worthington bulge game is easy to learn and a really enjoyable affair, one of my friends has a copy. I went with field commander Rommell, yet another North Africa game. The Worthington siege series are really good as well & DVG do some real quality solo games. I bought Pacific Tide (Compass) as it is supposed to be an excellent game, still in the shrink wrap. Brave Little Belgium (Hollandspiele) has been on my wish list for an age, also looking at Irish Freedom (White Dog Games)
Really good take on solo games and looking forward to future uploads on the subject. Excellent. Thank you.
Some really good suggestions in here, Coyi, thanks for sharing your knowledge! How do you like Rommel?
@@ZillaBlitz Love the game, Normandy is tough but achievable, North Africa for me at least is a real tough cookie. Win or lose a very playable and enjoyable game.
Thanks, I want to try Alexander first, but I've been curious about Rommel. :)
Well said. I am a big fan of Warfighter World War II. Not complicated but a lot of fun..
Good suggestion! I was looking at the when I was making this and had it in the pile at one point. Then I looked some more and thought... maybe a bit too tricky for the average newcomer? The videos I've seen on it struck me as a bit more intermediate as well. But I'm going to play it for my revised solo wargames list at some point, so I'll definitely think on it as a beginner game too.
@@ZillaBlitz The thing that made it easy to teach is any exception to the rules is on the card right in front of you. Something else to consider is the support. DVG knocks it out of the park. When I was learning any of their games one question on FB had answers in 5-10 minutes. and no snarky BS either. Just a thought.
Thanks! I definitely want to check out Warfighter as a solo game in its own right, so I can definitely consider it for this too. I have the base WW2 version. :)
I don't know if it's still in print, but Avalon Hill put out a series of games starting with Squad Leader that introduced progressively more complex rules for each scenario. the rules for the first one were easily digested and the game itself lasted about 6 turns, so very quick. I thought it very accessible. It had several sequels, so I guess it was also popular.
Oh, that's very interesting! I've never heard of that before, but I can imagine it would be incredibly helpful. I'm a big fan of games that introduce gameplay through a series of mini/simpler scenarios. Especially with Squad Leader, that could be huge. :)
@@ZillaBlitz I think it was 4 games altogether. Squad Leader, Cross of Iron, Crescendo of Doom, and GI: Anvil of Victory.
Advanced Squad leader was basically the same game without the programmed instruction; you had to gulp the whole ruleset down at once. Doable but difficult if you didn't play the basic system first and definitely not introductory.
I concur, the Squad Leader games were great and they became steadily more involved.
Yes. Squad Leader was very well designed. Start off with the basics in the first scenerio. Subsequent scenerios add more complexity. A bit at a time.
I also played "Up Front"
A great WW 2 tactical card game Unique. The only AH game I still own.
Any monstergame. It's tough, but if you train your friends right from the beginning, there will be no complaining later, when it takes 4 weekends to finish a game.
You are a funny man. :) Welcome!
Id throw this in for those interested in miniature games.
I've played 9 miniature games over my life. Ive found X-Wing 2.0 is the easiest for me to teach and get new players into.
The rules are simple. Most things are written on cards for quick reference. Everything is also prepainted. Additionally, its fast. A full size game takes 1hr 15mins.
Thanks for sharing, that's a great tip!
My suggestions that haven't been mentioned are:
1. "Freeman's Farm 1777." Published by Worthington, this is game is designed for either two players or solitaire. The Battle of Freeman's Farm was one of the earliest in the American Revolutionary War. This game has a good bit of tactical decision-making, while limiting the number of units and locations. It has an interesting push-you-luck mechanic in which a unit can spend morale for more offensive capability, but in so doing, makes the unit closer to routing. Historically, the British achieved a Pyrrhic victory in which they controlled the field after the battle, but were stalled in their march towards Bemis Heights.
2. "Nubia: Egypt's Black Heirs." Published by White Dog Games and designed by Ben Madison for solitaire only play, this game is a good introduction to the "States of Siege" family of games. It also deals with a rather overlooked piece of history - the decline of the Christian Nubian kingdom in the face of the advance of Islam.
3. Another solitaire White Dog Game by Ben Madison that I would recommend is "Mrs. Thatcher's War." It covers the Falklands War - another bit of history often overlooked. Both this game as well as "Nubia" are actually quite simple once one learns the game, but the rulebooks could be better. However, learning how to read wargame rulebooks is a skill in and of itself, and everyone needs to start somewhere.
4. "Quebec 1759" by Columbia Games (not to be confused with "1759 Siege of Quebec" by Worthington - another good choice). This game is the granddaddy of the "block wargame" which simulates fog of war by representing units by upright blocks so that only the controller knows exactly which units are present and how strong they are while the opponent gets a general idea based upon how many blocks are at a location. Units are only revealed in battle, and the rotating of the block simulates casualties. "Quebec 1759" has simultaneous action selection, but other good introductory block wargames from Columbia without simultaneous action selection might be "Richard III," "Julius Caesar" and/or "Hammer of the Scots."
These are great suggestions, Han, thanks so much for typing them up. I've added them to my list of games to check out. I have looked at Freeman's Farm a bit previously, so thanks for the suggestion on that one. And I've not explore White Dog Games much yet, so I'll have to check them out. Thanks again!
My 1st wargame was a Civil War game published in Life Magazine in 1960(I was in Jr high) for the centenary of the Civil War. You had to cut the playing pieces out and mount the on card stock and take the map out of the magazine.
Wow, I've not heard of that one at all. Must have been shortly after Tactics II. That's got to be one of the earliest ones ever.
The old SPI game 'Strike Force One' was specifically designed to serve as an introductory tool to teach newcomers about hex-n-counter wargaming. Initially it was included as a bonus "welcome to the hobby" give-away in the first issue of anyone subscribing to S&T magazine, but now the files are available online and you can simply download and print your own copy. It's not really intended to be a "game" in the classic competitive sense, but for teaching complete n00bs (as young as even 4 or 5 years old) the most basic wargaming concepts it's unparalleled. It takes maybe 5 minutes to learn and another 5 to play, and then you put it aside and play some other wargame - only a masochist would want to play it a second time. But in my experience (based on 15 years of using it to teach wargaming to high school freshmen), using it for the very first forray into hex-n-counter wargaming typically cuts the learning time for one of the intro games discussed here by at least half.
Aha! I remember this, and used it to introduce my brother-in-law to wargaming. It worked great. I had actually forgotten about the game until you mentioned it and had totally forgotten the name, but looking it up on BGG, it was the game you are talking about. Yes, this was great. :)
Hi Zilla. Lanzerath Ridge looks great!
Yes! Definitely one of the most gorgeous games I've played. It might be my favorite map. :)
@@ZillaBlitz quite beautifully done for sure.
Big fan of DvG. I don't have Hornet Leader but I do have Phantom Leader (Deluxe edition and expansion #1). Its brilliant, fairly easy to grasp and I love the way you have to consider how the optics politically during Vietnam can effect your missions. It adds a good point of difference from Hornet. I'd heavily recommend it. I personally think you'd like it too Zilla.
As a side GMT's Submarine games are worth mentioning. Easy to follow, good footprint and can be absorbed in chunks. I tend to have a Leader series or Silent Victory/Beneath the Med with me if I go places to fill time as they are quite mobile for me.
Good points, thanks! I do hope to eventually play most of the Leader games, but it's going to take a while for sure. They keep multiplying. :) Phantom Leader does sound interesting with its political element. I wasn't aware of that.
I thought long and hard about The Hunters, really went back and forth on that one. I just felt that it was a bit trickier to learn than the rest, and the visual appeal is a little low. But I can most definitely understand the argument for putting them in a list like this.
@@ZillaBlitz Phantom Leader is also a great reflection of the early days of electronic warfare. With inclusion of the Electric Intruder and Wild Weasels.
I find myself considering load outs a lot more than other Leader games as weapon weight limits are often very tight. The Phantoms multi role facility stands out as does the Intruders excellence at AtG.
Btw I love that you put Nemo's War where you did. It's not your typical War Game but I do really like it.
Thanks for the info on Phantom Leader, good to know. And yes, so many people recommended Nemo's War that I feel like I really should check it out. It does look great, too. :)
Hornet Leader is a great game
Nemo's WAR its marvellous, a diamond, correct put in your list
I've heard so many good things about it, really want to make some time to explore it. :)
Should have waited to the end to comment! Lol, 1944 BoB’s brother should be coming soon on Normandy. Still check out Celles, especially at the price, and chit draw mechanic makes for easy two hand solo.
Ha! No worries at all! :) I did see that there Normandy game upcoming in the same vein, yes. At the time I thought BoB might appeal to me a bit more, but at some point I hope to pick at least one of them up. :)
Hi Zilla, great idea for a video. I know that you mentioned visual appeal as a criteria, but I'd definitely put The Hunters on the list (rather than Silent Victory, which I think has a little too much chrome, or The Hunted, which appears to be for masochists only.). If you can get people to buy into the idea of being in a sub, then the push-your-luck Kapitan mechanisms and the idea of 30 minute patrols should be something to attract people. Probably the same goes for Target for Tonight/Today as well - but they are really not visually appealing, and people have to be in that 'story-telling' mindset or at least pointed towards that being the core concept, else TfT really is like a series of charts where you are constructing your own narrative.
I've seen a video of Undaunted Stalingrad on Paul Grogan's channel (Gaming Rules!), and it looks reasonably straightforward, and has legacy elements which the previous ones in the series didn't. Might not be totally one to start with though - I can pick up all 3 of the earlier games from Amazon in the UK for about £80, whereas Stalingrad is looking like that sort of price on its own, which might be a difficult sell to someone who isn't sure about the whole concept.
Hornet Leader is definitely the most straightforward of the Air Leader games, but they all have tons of replayability and different scenarios etc. I'm waiting on my Kickstarter copy of Stuka Leader to drop at the moment.
I've got Nemo's War, but personally found it a little fiddly, although that might be just me. I do think it might be a little overwhelming for someone totally new to wargaming, as seeing what you should be doing I found slightly opaque.
I think one final criteria on your list should be 'can I get hold of this anywhere, and preferably without selling a kidney'. I know it's difficult to get a lot of these games (even here in the UK) without making a considerable outlay, and the print runs are so small that even if you find them on eBay, you are often paying close to RRP for them. That's where something like the Undaunted series might be a good start, rather than me telling people to get The Hunters and them not being able to find it for much under £60.
Thanks for all the input, Davet! I went back and forth on The Hunters so much. In, out, in, out. I finally shifted it out because of the rules and the visual appeal, but I certainly think it can work as an intro, and could understand why someone would want it in their list.
Yes, as fascinating as Undaunted Stalingrad looks, I suspect Normandy or North Africa would be easier starting points.
Stuka Leader sounds really fun, so many good leader games, for sure. :)
Interesting thoughts on Nemo's War. I'm looking forward to checking it out, and I'm sure some of the challenger and upcoming games will drop out of contention because of complexity.
Yeah, that's a good point on "availability", and that's something I tried to consider. Sometimes it's tricky with wargames, as they can be super expensive when out of print, and then very reasonable while in supply, and that can change quickly. I think it's definitely something I can mention in the future. Undaunted is extremely reasonably priced when in stock (although Reinforcements has been out of supply and expensive lately), and Sherman Leader for whatever reason has been marked up a lot on Amazon. But yes, I think I can take this into mind, at least to the degree of mentioning it when talking about games that have that reasonable price level.
Thanks!
@@ZillaBlitz I think another good tip for a video would be to explore the various purchasing options available. For example, when I purchased The Hunters (my first experience with ordering from GMT Games), I learned about their P500 system -- which I had never heard of -- cause, yeah, I live under a rock. :-) Essentially, pre-ordering and waiting for enough purchase commitments to come into GMT to make a print run worthwhile for them. The discounted P500 pricing is pretty dramatic, and a great option for the price-sensitive purchaser. Doesn't have to be solely a GMT-focused video, as I'd guess that other publishers operate in much the same way.
When Avalon Hill's Kriegspiel first came, it was a great beginner's introduction game for beginners.
Nice! Sounds like you had fun with it?
Started my research for solo games on your channel. Finding it difficult to scratch that itch with gaming since covid plus 2 kids under age 4. A lot of solo games in general board gaming aren't heavy enough and I'm sure wargaming is going to do it for me.
I'm glad the channel has been helpful, and I can totally relate to the depth of wargames scratching an itch that many other games can't. I think a lot depends on our personalities, for sure, but I do love the richness of narrative and thinking that good wargames can create. Thanks for stopping in!
Endorsement for Pub Battles Antietam: I volunteer at Antietam National Battlefield, and to date IMO the simplest tactical Antietam game with reasonable historical accuracy given the simplicity is Pub Battles Antietam. I (1) had the small map scanned and printed double-sized on vinyl, (2) cut and spray painted, clear coated, and labeled my own double-size blocks, and (3) created general cards printable on pre-perforated Avery business cardstock; each has the general's image and birthplace to add an extra bit of light education. This created a game large enough for 6-8 players to play with elbow room. I have even run this in a pub, and intend to do so again.
Thanks for sharing, those general cards sound awesome! I'm not sure if you've seen the two videos that I just put up featuring gameplay from the game? Here's a link to the first one:
ua-cam.com/video/zwzznzvaOQU/v-deo.html
And playing Pub Battles in a pub sounds spectacular. Thanks for stopping in and sharing your experience!
As the Heroes of Normandie series has already been mentioned in the comments I will add a different game. A House Divided is a great intro wargame depicting the whole of the American Civil War and has been available in multiple versions over decades so is easy to pick-up cheap.
Thanks, I'm getting a copy of Heroes of Normandie, and I've heard of A House Divided, but am only familiar with the name. I'll add it to the list to check out, thanks!
I recommend Airfix Battles Introduction to Wargames by Modiphius. Simple rules what are a joy to play, plus can picked rather cheap
Looks interesting, thanks Ginsoaked!
Good job, though I think a few of your recommendations wouldn't be introductory for a person who's never played war games. While I agree Memoir '44 (or even Battlecry 150th Anniversary if the player prefers the American Civil War) and the Leader series are excellent choices (though the Leader series is more fun game that historical), Lanzerath Ridge would be a bit too complex for me to recommend it to a complete noob. It's an excellent game, uses the line of sight that Tannhauser used (which IMO is one of the best ways to depict LOS), and is great in introducing players to more complex concepts found in other wargames. I just think a new gamer would find the game about as easy to learn as one faction from Root (which is an excellent game to bring players into COIN).
Worthington published Stalingrad Besieged which plays 1 to 2 and has 3 ways to play (blocks, counters, or cards). Unit count is low, game doesn't take long, and rules are simple. It does teach some concepts (not ZOC, but reinforcements, overrun) and is themed around a historical battle. While the map isn't a Barber or Kibler, it isn't bad and does a decent job of showing Stalingrad (though it is really just a background). Still, creatives could use the map with other counters to run skirmish games in the city if they wanted. LOL
Worthington also make their gamebook series which are very easy to learn for someone completely new to wargaming. Although they don't use counters, they do teach the player some important concepts for more in-depth games. Some give a basic understanding of tactical formations (Waterloo), Point-to-point (On To Moscow), and artillery and elevation (Gettysburg). Bismarck certainly doesn't have complexity, but it may give the player the desire to search out more naval wargames because it's fun to play (and it's kind of a square encounter game).
Thanks for all the input! I was thinking to grade the games that I've played, on a 1, 2, 3 sort of scale of difficulty, as I totally agree that some are more introductory than others. I might add that in the sequel.
Your comments on Lanzerath were interesting, as once I played two waves, I don't think I ended up needing to look up anything in the rulebook. I felt that outside of some of the nuances to Inspire, Assist, and Command, it was straightforward.
I've made a note to check out Stalingrad Besieged, and I'm kicking myself about the Worthington game books, as I have Bismarck and wanted to include it in this video. That's a great idea, and was an oversight on my part. I'll be sure to bring it into the next version, when I create the sequel to this in a few months.
Thanks!
About the leader series, I started with Israeli Air Force Leader for the multi era and it basically feels like a pocket version of red storm. It is a game I like to take out, play a couple of missions over lunch or something abd put it back again. The only thing I dislike about the game is that they ruined the mig 15 (making it worse than vampires and other late world war 2 type jets). That led me to make a set of rules where the game now plays more akin to corsair leader or zero leader (dogfighting mechanics). But it is an excellent introductory wargame. Great list!
Thanks for sharing about Israeli Air Force Leader. I forgot about that one, there are so many Leader games. :) Glad to hear that you like it, and I do agree, especially if you can leave a game set up, it's really easy to jump in and play a quick mission with many of the Leader games. :)
Great recommendations.
Some other ones:
13 Days a Cuban missile Crisis.
Blitzkrieg!: World War Two in 20 Minutes.
Brave Little Belgium.
Celles: The Ardennes, December 23-27, 1944.
Conflict of heroes Series.
Heroes of Normandie Series or Heroes of Blackreach.
Flights of the Pacific.
Julius Caesar: Caesar, Pompey, and the Roman Civil War - Columbia Block wars games are great!
Napoléon 1806 - any of series.
1775: Rebellion - 2v2 dice chucker but great 1v1 and lots of good strategies.
Washington's War.
Wild Blue Yonder.
Twilight Struggle: Red Sea.
Lincoln - Same designer as Brass Birmingham.
Great suggestions, thanks for posing these! :)
I think the "Tank on Tank" games are great for learning wargaming. Both have simple rules you can learn very fast. It has very nice counters. It is also good for two new players entering the hobby together. Because although the rules are simple it can be very tactical and two new players can "grow together", not only mastering the mechanics but bringing their ideas, how the fight could be won, to the map.
Definitely agree on this. I've played them a good bit, and while I generally like games with more meat on them, these are perfect for the things you describe, and that's a good point about both players being new to wargaming.
What are your thoughts on naval war games? Do you have a biginners list for them? What would you recommend?. Excellent video!! And by the looks are one serious Boardgamer. I have several naval wargames. Keep up the great work! Thanks again. Tony
This is a great question! Almost deserving of a video on its own. Added to the list. Offhand, The Hunt, from Salt & Pepper games is a great two-player, beginner friendly naval game. But I'm not coming up with any others at the moment. I'll add more if I think of them. :)
@@ZillaBlitz yes that did raise my interest. I will have to pick that one up.
Thanks for the video. Interesting list and agree with most, but I would add one more criteria, affordability. Intro games need to be something people are will to spend a small amount of money, large outlays will be a turn off. With that said, unfortunately Pub Battles cannot be an intro. The basic cost is somewhat affordable, but then you have to assemble, which newbies are not going to want to do. The game needs to be all there for a good price, which most of your others hit the mark. I would also elevate Richard Borg games for two player play. Ancients can be taught very quickly and have them playing in an evening as well as it give basics of hex and counter games, despite having blocks and cards too. By Stealth and Sea was interesting but though would be a turnoff as there is just so much chance to lose crews that I think newbies would be turned off as well. But this was a great start for a video on the subject. Keep up the good work.
Thanks, Camp! I do think I will tweak future videos a bit to consider affordability, or at least make mention of it. And I'm going to have to play/learn Ancients to see how hard it is. I looked through the rules the other day and it seemed to be more intermediate to me, but I'll have to see. A couple of other people have mentioned it, so perhaps it's one of those games that looks harder than it is. ~ And I should have mentioned that the first mission in By Stealth and Sea in particular is a bear. After that there are only 1 or 2 super hard ones in the campaign, but that first mission can be a real downer if you're not expecting it. :)
Avalon Hill is long gone but their stuff can be found on eBay. The best beginner game I remember is called Tactics 2.
Yep, I have Tactics 2 in my small pile of old Avalon Hill games. :)
I would have put in Gettysburg from Avalon Hill but I do understand it’s out of print now and it’s near impossible to get it. It’s a good introduction to a more older style of war gaming, the rules are simple, the mechanics are easy and it’s a game that can be played in a couple of hours. It’s one of my favourite quick game ever even leaving aside the basic rules and the little weirdness of the combat mechanics. I actually own three different version of this game, really enjoy it even now almost 40 years later.
So I actually had Gettysburg out about a month ago and was considering to play it on the channel, but gosh, those rules! I wonder if I have one of the versions that struggled rule-wise, because they seemed pretty ambiguous in a key places. I decided in the end to scrap the idea. Are their better versions than others?
@@ZillaBlitz the 1988 135th anniversary of the battle release as some changes but the main trouble was always the combat mechanics. It’s a game where a cavalry unit or an artillery piece can actually defeat and remove a infantry division from the board :-) you just got to love that strangeness of it all. I enjoy because well I am a huge fan (probably not the best choice of words) of the ACW. I’ve been to Gettysburg five times, the first when I was 9 years old way back in the 70’s. I’ve read so many books and seen some many documentaries on this battle, I known the battle order by heart and can place the regiments at their correct location on a map blind folded. This game mostly just get’s me right in the soul so to speak
I'd second this. Even if you don't think it's a perfect game, the original 1958 edition is so classic, and so important to the launching of the modern hobby of wargaming, that it deserves a video. It looks to me like that's what you've got on your shelf. Square grid, wide infantry-line style infantry counters with facing arrows and simple strengths like 3I (for 3 Infantry). It's the first wargame I ever played (the second was Midway). It is also a fascinating bit of crossover, because Roberts assumed it would be played miniatures-style like Little Wars, but included the grid and rules for simplified play on the grid. He then waffled back and forth, as I understand it, on hexes vs squares. Then Avalon Hill went mostly for hex grids with discrete space-by-space movement for the entire run of the company, and miniatures style wargaming - with rulers and off the grid - took a long time to come back into vogue.
I definitely want to look at more of the older Avalon Hill classics, and play them, on the channel. I read the rules on the Gettysburg version I had a few months ago but there were a number of places where they seemed ambiguous, and then squirrel and I was off playing something else. I'll have to take another look once I get caught up on some recent games that have come in. :)
I just picked up a copy of Bitskrieg to play with my granddaughter. Fantastic game for grognards (and their grogkids!)
Thanks for the idea! I've looked at the one a few times but wasn't sure if it was something I would enjoy. It seemed a bit abstract for what I tend to enjoy, but that's just from visual observation. I'll add it to the future list, see if I can get a game of it in at some point. :)
In your big list you should add the three napoleon 1806, napoleon 1807 and napoleon 1815 from Shakos. A French editor but English version exists. It's a block game, point to point and card driven. 3 level of difficulty, novice to "light expert" you should have a lot on them.
Thanks for the suggestions, pascale, much appreciated. I've added them to my (getting longer) list. :)
@@ZillaBlitz with pleisure.
My personal thoughts on starter wargames, I think M'44 is a bit less interesting than Ancients is, for the Commands & Colors system. Ancients is just more... well-rounded I guess you could say, with a ton of games in it. Napoleonics is the next step up, as it calls for vastly different tactics than Ancients does yet uses the familiar card system.
For pure hex and counter, what are your opinions on the Great Battles of History and Men of Iron series from GMT? Both are fairly similar, with leaders who activate their troops and keeping the leaders in command range so they can effectively manage their forces is an interesting strategic decision. They're both Richard Berg designs so there's lots of history (and the manuals are a joy to read through, since Berg had a very amusing style in the way he introduced rules and concepts at times). Other possibility would be the recent Musket & Pike dual pack, which introduces players to the English Civil War period of history and the unique way in which armies were both constructed and utilized in that era.
Other ideas I would contribute would be in the "block wargame" group. Fields of Despair France 1914-1918, Triumph & Tragedy / Conquest & Consequence, and possibly Prussia's Defiant Stand.
Time of Crisis is one that's been a bit of a hit among my local game group, as it combines wargame with deckbuilder but allows you to make some interesting strategic decisions since your hand is not random, you get to choose which cards you'll pull to your hand at the end of your turn.
I just started learning C&C Ancients, and while I agree that it's a strong game, I do think the rules are a bit beyond the beginner/introductory level.
I am just starting to check out GBoH but Men of Iron I absolutely adore. I do think there is enough complexity in there that it would create challenges for a beginner, though, as with Musket & Pike. I think Men or Iron is on the lower end of intermediate, though. At some point I should make a "Top Intermediate Games" list. :)
The very first hex and counter game I played was the old Avalon hill Tobruk game. The first game I bought and played was Brazen Chariots Battles for Tobruk. I really love the BCS and want to get all the games in that series. I think another good place to start is The Hunters series of submarine games. Very easy to learn to play and fun for multiple players.
Those are some high level starting games, for sure! My first was Avalon Hill's Midway. Gosh, I played that game probably 50 times. :)
@@ZillaBlitz While the guy who was trying to teach me Tobruk was explaining to someone else how his moves were a great move I waltzed in with my panzers and took Tobruk without a fight and the poor guy was beside himself. I haven't had any games on the table in a bit because of being sick, surgery and just not feeling the mood. I am thinking of breaking out The Hunters/The Hunted and playing to get the mood back.
Haha! Funny story re: Tobruk. Good humor. 😀
@@ZillaBlitz He left me just enough of a gap in the defensive positions to run my panzers through. I don't think he realized that I am not a slouch when it comes to tactics lol.
I was sad there were no science fiction games on your list. With that in mind, I would suggest OGRE / GEV by Steve Jackson Games. Easy rules and super fun.
Warm regards, Rick
Thanks, Rick! That's a good point about SF games. So far, at least, I'm not sure that I've come across one that might work well. I think OGRE/GEV is a great suggestion, and I have the older versions. But aren't they all out of print now?
@@ZillaBlitz
Hi Zilla Blitz,
No I believe that the Designer's Edition is still in print.
Warm regards, Rick.
Oh, I'll add it to the list, thanks! That Designer's Edition looks like a BIG game. :)
As you have a few David Thompson and DVG games in this video I am sure Castle Itter and Pavlovs House you would enjoy. Both easy to play, have a fascinating historical background and the gameplay is not that complex.
Yes, that's a good idea. I have played a good bit of Lanzerath Ridge the past couple of months, and that game will definitely be on the next list. I've heard good things about the other Valiant Defense games too. Thanks!
@@ZillaBlitz Although as David Thompson is a Brit I am sure he would like Defence and not Defense! 👀
Haha! :)
Great video! Have you played Pavlov's House? It's a great solitaire game. Not sure if it would fit 100% wargame style, but it is worth the while. New subscriber. Greetings from Spain!
I've not played Pavlov's House yet, but have played Lanzerath Ridge, which is in the same line of games. I like Lanzerath quite a bit at the Veteran level of play, that is a sweet spot for me with that game. At some point I'd like to try Pavlov's House, that'd be fun. Thanks for subbing and stopping in!
For 1v1 intro wargames, I've often recommended two:
Sekigahara (GMT) for a point-to-point hidden army/info game with very light card-driven mechanics. You have a vague idea of enemy strengths, so strategic risks and estimating your opponent's moves & concentrations is a big factor. It was straightforward enough for me to teach a 9-year old how to play, mostly with the movement rules bullet-pointed on an index card for reference. The rest is easy enough. Big draw is the hidden force strengths and the card play in battles, although it does have pretty simple castle sieges on occasion too. I've seen very positive reviews from non-wargamers' first experience.
For Commands & Colors, there's no better intro than Battle Cry (AH/Hasbro), the original and most basic of the C&C rules. Boiled down to the three unit types and terrain. Very fast with relatively little referencing required, especially regarding units. If only the dolts at Hasbro would regularly reprint it after their runs sell out. It can be hard/expensive to find right now. I've introduced a couple people to C&C via Battle Cry over the years and it's definitely the preferred one to do so, IMO. No big charts needed.
Sekigahara sounds interesting, thanks. I've seen the game a number of times but never explored it to any depth. I'll add it to the list. Battle Cry looks like a definite candidate, but I do want to consider availability as a factor. As you mention, it seems like it's out of print and not that easy to find at the moment, and not something that Hasbro seems to have any inclination to reprint.
@@ZillaBlitz - "Granada: Last Stand Of The Moors" from Compass uses the same system as Sekigahara, but it looks to have some more complicated stuff added to the rules for the Reconquista setting. So it may not be as ideal for a beginner game (and probably more expensive to boot, being Compass). I think GMT is on it's 5th reprint P500, but there may be extras floating around retail.
Anyway, thanks for the vid!
Good to know, thanks so much! I'm going to at the very least do some research on Sekigahara. :)
I would add any Napoleonic 20 game from victory point games but they are out of bussiness if I remember. Also the holdfast games from worthington but I think most of them are out of print. Their new civil war brigade series looks good. From Academy games I recommend 878 Vikings, If I'm not mistaken you can still get this one. So grab your combat results table and let the enemy have it. "Charge"
Thanks for the suggestions, James. I just looked for the Napoleonic 20 ones, but yeah, they seem to be out of print. I'll check out the others, though, thanks! Charge!
@@ZillaBlitz I recently saw some napoleonic 20's on knobleknight games but they were expensive. I have almost the entire collection except for Austerlitz 20 but knoble wanted 150 dollars for it.
Thanks for the info! :)
Good video, I'm not into more specific or hardcore war games as they don't have enough replayability for me (like 1775 rebellion or the Shores of Tripoli). However I do like combat focused games like Spheres of Influence, Memoir 44, Undaunted, Star Wars Armada/X-wing. Nearly all of popular games focus on land combat with some air combat and the very rare sea combat. Do you know of any good titles that emphasize airplane and/or especially naval combat? Undaunted Battle of Britain is one I grabbed and Memoir 44 had the new air pack but that's all. Axis and Allies has a lot more interesting naval combat + positioning but it's still way too long for a game + it feels a little cheap/antiquated. Sorry for the long comment but would love to check out these neglected areas of more accessible war/fighting games in the sea and air.
Ha! As soon as I saw your question and the types of games you like I was going to suggest Undaunted Battle of Britain for the air game. :) As for sea games like the ones you mention, the ones I can think of are more complex than what it appears you are looking for. It's a great question though and I'll keep it in mind as I explore the hobby more. Thanks for stopping in!
@@ZillaBlitz Haha yeah my request feels a little particular at first but I am fairly deep into this hobby but am surprised at the lack of accessible military games. There are hundreds of fantasy/sci-fi themed kickstarters or hardcore 5 hour+ historical experiences with many rules, cubes, and charts. I think what Memoir 44, Spheres of Influence, or even Armada/X-wing did was excellent. Good strategy and complexity but light enough to get done in 2-3 hours MAX. I'm a huge fan of games that can pull of the RISK feel but without the unnecessary long hours and shallow gameplay. I actually loved RISK till I discovered those other titles and haven't looked back since. I did come across one title called Company of Heroes.
Yes, that makes sense. Best of luck in your search! :)
THANK YOU!!!!!!
Glad you liked it, my pleasure. :)
My Favorite is Zeppelin Raider from Compass Games. Easy to Learn and many ways to Win or Loose.
Oh, that's a good point! I forgot about that one because when I tried to get it it was out of print. I'll have to keep an eye on that one for round 2. Thanks!
@@ZillaBlitz hey Zilla if you want a copy of Zeppelin Raider, I have a new copy I can sell to you.
Hi Pambos - Thanks for the kind offer. I'd love to play it, but I've got soooo many things to play in the backlog at the moment that I want to play first, and I'm hoping to get through the contenders in this video before playing others. Maybe we can explore the idea if the game is still unavailable in a few months, and you still have it, of course. I know there is a second printing run up on Compass Games, so I suspect it might be available there by the time I get around to it. Thank you, though!
I'm curious if you have played any of the games that Academy Games has published. Like 1775: Rebellion or
Mare Nostrum: Empires.
Hi Dan - I haven't played them yet, no. I just learned of Academy Games a little while ago, and have picked Conflict of Heroes, but I don't think that would qualify as an introductory game. I'll add both of these to the list to check out, thank you!
Memoir '44 can be hit or miss. Have had several games where all my cards are for actions on the right flank while all the action is on the left flank or middle. You basically spend the game drawing cards and watching your opponent play.
That can be one of the issues with card-driven games, yes. There isn't a "change hands" option?
Great list! Could you please make a video about gateway war games for 10-14 yr olds that will teach them about History + War Strategies.
Thanks! It'd be a good bit of work to make a video that narrow, but depending the 10-14 year old, I think these could work really well for what you're looking for:
By Stealth & Sea - Dan Verssen Games - DVG - David Thompson (amzn.to/3txdsj1)
The Shores of Tripoli - Fort Circle Games (amzn.to/3TE99gn)
Downfall of Empires - Do It Games (tinyurl.com/2bzhvwur) (coming soon)
Downfall of the Third Reich - Do It Games (tinyurl.com/22zkdgyx) (coming soon)
@@ZillaBlitz Thanks! I’ll start with stealth and sea and add one every couple of months. :)
Sounds good, I'd be curious to hear how they like it. I think Stealth and Sea is a great starting choice. Feel free to reach out for more ideas, and I'll have more suggestions as I play more stuff. :) Happy Holidays!
Well you ask for "help" or something like that? I have 2 suggestions for you. Introductory war game. The best of it, it cost less than a cup of coffee. You download and play. It is from Jorge A Aroga and the name of those two little jewels are: Panzer dice and B17 twenty-five missions. You can find them at Wargame vault. You will find some video on UA-cam. B17 has won some prize for imaginative structure of play.
Thank you, Sylvain! I am planning to get the ASL rules from Wargame vault, and I will check these two out as well. Much appreciated! :)
Great!
Thanks, Helmut!
A special game very very good "By Stealth and Sea" on the Italian Marina Militare special operations by X MAS
The custom campaign is my favorite way to play this one. Adds a lot more agency to the game.
If you want to include OOP games - Mustangs by Avalon Hill is a game for beginners.
Wow, I've never heard of that one. I'll check it out, thanks. :) I've not 100% made up my mind about OOP games, I'm leaning towards including them if they are 1) affordable and 2) easy to get or 3) coming back into print. :)
My suggestion for a very easy to learn introductory war game would first be Avalon Hill's card game "Naval War." It's rules are basic, and it's fast paced and enjoyable.
For an simple board game, I'd suggest Game Designers Workshop "Attack in the Ardennes" published in 1982. The rules can be described to a new player in a couple minutes (the rule book itself is only a couple pages long) and it's quite entertaining to play.
For somewhat higher level introductory game, I'd suggest AH's final revision of the old Gettysburg board game released in the early 1990s. A great game, simple to learn, fast paced and fun.
I'd also add, for really basic war games, the old Milton Bradley military board games from the sixties such as Dogfight!, Broadside, and Tank Battle. These games are all very enjoyable and simple enough for a five year old to learn. The only problem would be finding decent surviving copies.
Thanks for all the great suggestions. I'm debating whether to include older, out-of-print games on the list, but will definitely take a look at these. Ideally, I'd like to make the beginner series videos point to games that people can get with a reasonably easy purchase.
@@ZillaBlitz Yeah, you could do a "classic" list to include older titles but, as I mentioned, availability would be a problem.
Hmmm. *thinking* That might be a good idea, to have one that is a classics list. That'll take some research and time, but I'll add it to the list of possible video ideas. :) Thanks!
@@ZillaBlitz 👍
Thank you. Some are a bit complicated for a beginner…
Thanks, and yes, I think for the sequel in a few months I'm going to add a 1-3 complexity rating. Most definitely, some are borderline "intermediate". :)
I really enjoy Nemo's War, but I find it loses me when the challenge is making die rolls. Sure, you can try and modify the dice, but eventually you're gonna roll bad at the wrong moment, and there goes a whe game over one bad roll.
I get around this by playing what I call "7 or luck!" Basically, you can always call a die roll 7, which usually means you have to expend some resources. If you need more than 7, then you roll the dice. There are plenty points when you have to roll, no matter what you do, and those times get super tense, because it does all hang on a die roll. The rest of the time you are trying to figure out how to succeed without needing to roll.
Interesting, thanks. This sounds like an interesting house rule, for sure. I'll make a note of it for when I get into the game. I'm generally okay with "Death by Die Roll" so I'm curious to see how this plays out. :)
I think heroes of Normandy is a good start to introduce new players. Hi Zilla just wanted to know if you like games from John Tiller software, a wide range available cheers
Heroes of Normandie looks quite cool, yes, that's a great suggestion! Added to the list for the future! ~ I thought I had played some John Tiller games, but looking through Steam, I'm not sure I've actually done that. But PC Wargames is a dimension I want to add to the channel as soon as I make my way through the review games I've got in now. Any one in particular you'd recommend?
Also you might want to check out Shrapnel games as well, the ones I recommend from them are 1: win SPWW2 combined arms tactical combat 1930-1946. 2: winSPMBT combined arms tactical combat 1946-2020 recently they even put in the invasion of Ukraine by Putin, it’s the Steel Panther series, I have the disc versions for improved graphics, and additional units etc… but they do have a free version of both games, they get updated every year round February-March, as I have been playing them since 2012, highly recommended
Will do, thanks! I'm familiar with Steel Panthers, I bought the campaigns on disc way back in the day. :)
The African Campaign has been off n on my want list. Darn. Guess I'm buying that today. Thanks...
I really like the design and look of it, and the rules seem very crisp and efficient. A little high for a novice, perhaps, but I want to test it as such. :)
@@ZillaBlitz well you can always go very old school. Avalon Hill Afrika Korps.
Definitely thought about that one, and the map is really good. But I think the counters are dated, and the rules kind of wonky enough in places that I decided to leave it out.
Thanks!
Thank you very much Chuck! That's very kind of you and much appreciated! Made my day!
Your channel is such a refreshing change from the usual content providers.
Thanks, Chuck! I'm happy to hear that you're enjoying it. :)
New sub here. Bravo vids.
Hi Mark! Welcome aboard, happy to hear that you are enjoying the content. :)
How about the “conflict of hero’s” series of games by Academy games…..very good mechanics and gameplay
I just got a used copy of Awakening the Bear. I like the way the teach some of the game then have you play a scenario and keep adding rules like that. But I felt like it goes beyond an introductory game with the amount of rules. I'll play it at some point though, and can see how it feels as an introductory game then. :) Thanks!
Good list, my only comment, is this is a list of current games mainly. But I suppose there is little point mentioning a game long out of print to a point.
Yes, I think this is a good point. I did some thinking about that and looked at some older games. In many ways I felt the design just lacked a certain appeal that could bring in a newcomer, or the game was out-of-print with no chance to be reprinted. I'm not against older games, for sure, but it'd be nice if there were at least some hope that the game will get printed/published again. I might be inclined to include some of the older Avalon Hill games because they often can be picked up super cheap on Ebay.