I have to put two on here that I was surprised you didn't list: 1. Enemy Coast Ahead--The Doolittle Raid: Simply put, the most rewarding experience you will ever have at a solo game. You control every decision of the Doolittle Raid (down to letting your pilots get some poon before the mission or not), and every decision has consequences and trade-offs. I'm not a veteran, but I have played this game, and that means I deserve a Medal of Honor for all the hell this one put me through. 2. D-Day at Tarawa/(at Omaha Beach): The most unique game engine out there, you have no dice. Commanding either the Marines on Tarawa, or the US V Corps landing on Omaha Beach, you will have the fate of the world hanging on your decisions. Omaha Beach gives you a better chance to win, but Tarawa is the perfect format for this engine. Also, Peleliu, Iwo Jima or Saipan also have the same engine and are very worthy additions to your library in their own right. 3. Skies Over Britain: (bonus) Command a squadron of 20 Spitfires or Hurricane pilots and become one of "The Few" as you fight to defend Britain in the summer of 1940. Flawless. When your pilots die, you will have PTSD. Thank you for mentioning 20th Air Force. Can't wait to try it out!
I understand what you mean when it comes to fatigue from video games and wanting to try an alternative. I had no idea that solitaire board games were a thing, and I'm definitely intrigued. It's a shame though that almost all of these have been out of print for awhile, hence the ridiculous prices. I've found a PC version of Pavlov's House and might check it out. These sound like incredibly fun games.
Yeah and it feels strange that there aren't really that many great AAA strategic titles out the last years, especially if we're talking RTS games. Large game companies focus on other genres where they can sell expensive DLC and micro transactions I guess.. One positive note on Pavlov's House is that it's published by DVG and they do reprint their games very often!
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel Your games are all solid choices and worthy of a top 5 list. The only one that I do not have is 20th Air force. For air games I go to Target for Today (a refreshing of B17 Queen of the Skies). I like Warfighter too, but tend to favor Fields of Fire because I feel like I and execute more tactics there. Pavlov's House was my favorite Valiant Defense game until I got Lanzerath Ridge. I think that you will really like it too. American Tank Ace is a streamlined Patton's Best. I predict that you will REALLY like it when it arrives. I recommend that you check out the Combat! games from Compass too. They are my absolute favorite solitaire WWII games. They are a modernized and simplified version of Ambush! (if you have played that one before). Keep up the great work. I really enjoy your channel.
@@CliftonFranklund Thank you very much for your kind and informative comment! Combat! looks really cool! But when games have reimplemented older ones, I usually want to try the oldies first 🙈 That often makes you appreciate the updated versions. Imagine playing QOTS after playing TFT! 😁
Totally agree Pavlov's is a masterpiece :) Inspired me!! :) Thanks for the shout out for Valiant Defense #5 (Guadalcanal - The Battle for Henderson Field) :)
1. Raid on St. Nazaire (AH), 2. D-Day: Omaha Beach (Decision Games), 3. Skies over the Reich (GMT), 4. RAF: The Battle of Britain (Decision Games), 5. B-17: Queen of the Sky (AH) Honorable Mentions: The Hunters, Silent Victory, Beneath the Med, The Hunted, Pattons Best and Enemy Coast Ahead Dam Busters
Some good games! B-17 is fun and iconic, but I would definetely dispute it as beeing in the top :P There are far better narrative bomber games out today.
I own every single one of these..and dozens, if not hundreds of others. I prefer Target for Today MUCH more than B-17..it uses many of the same systems, but far more fleshed out.
Don't have your first four. Would like Raid on St. N. but used ain't cheap. I agree on your other choices of special mention. All great. Not sure if I can pick a top five.
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel an idea for a great solo game would be the British raid in their mini submersibles did they call him x-craft or(?), that they try to go up that Norwegian fjord to sink all the German capital ships. My mind is blank on the specifics of the name of the raid and who all was involved-ships.
Great to see you doing well! Agree on the rules for Pattons Best. MANY years ago when I bought this, I got it all set up, action report ready, and thud. Brain freeze on what to do next. Back in the box it went. Fast forward to your videos and the game is out again and ready to give it a go. So your play throughs are invaluable to those of us with games that were difficult to get into a rhythm before the days of UA-cam! So glad I didn’t toss it or sell it on E-Bay. Again, best wishes and many, many thanks Daniel!
What that is seriously cool. How many years did you have that game now? I think the price will go up now, it usually does when I do many episodes on a game and if the game is OOP :D Thank you so much for your kind words Jim. It makes me so happy to know that it is appreciated, and that is what makes all of this work worth it!
I appreciate how you also showcase & talk about some older games. As much as I am intrested in new games coming out and seeing whats all cool its also great to just play and talk about some great older games. And I suppose I am glad to see Warfighter WW2 on here, I bought it like half a year ago and partly the reason were your video's. And for now its one of my favorate boardgames. Excited about the 2 new core games coming out and seeing what cards it will all include!
Can't forget about the oldies! That is what brought us here. Patton's Best is an amazing game, and I hope more people will with the help of my videos, buy it and be able to learn how to play it! It is worth the investment. WW2 is also great, I got the new core boxes backed on kickstarter and I am really looking forward to trying them out once they arrive! I heard they just finished printing in the Chinese factory.
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel I think what I will do is make a list all my solitaire games. My main game spreadsheet is by the manufacturing company IE GMT Compass etc. Thinking I will list game name and company and then in each following box would be sunk mission 11, sunk mission 6, 3 Missions. This way I can get an idea of what kind of average mission survival rate for all the games Now some I've only done one or two playthroughs so...need to do more.
Thanks for the interesting review. I would also like to mention Greg Smith's Nightfighter Ace. I believe that it's one of his best designs. It has a better survival rate than most.
I have been eying that for a long time. I finally bought "Interceptor Ace" and that is the next game that I am going to learn. Have you played that one? and if so, what do you think of it compared to Nightfighter Ace?
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel if you enjoy getting shot down a lot then you will have fun with Interceptor Ace. (Parachute skill mandatory). The survival rate is less as you will be tangling with American Escorts at some point as well as RAF fighter sweeps. In NFA you will be groping around in the dark attempting to find the bombers. I went almost two months before shooting down a bomber. It's especially difficult with no radar so contact isn't as risky as in IA. Hence the better survival rate.
That's a great list! The only one I don't have is Patton's Best (as we discussed on my channel), but I have to say your videos are convincing me I should try to pick it up. Love all the games you have on this list. Hope your American Tank Ace arrives soon - it's excellent as well.
Thank you! I played a few missions now of Armoured commander 1 now. Really big thanks for letting me know about that it was free! Anyway, if you like that, I promise that you will like Patton's Best because basically they are identical! I prefer die rolling to mouse clicking personally. Armoured commander will be perfect when traveling, but when I am home, Patton's Best will be the natural choice. I hope you manage to score a copy, the game is actually often sold very cheap, since few manage to learn how to play it.
Awesome list! When The Hunters came out at number one I was pleasantly surprised! I keep going back and forth on which game I need to get next and my heart keeps sending me to the Hunters series! As I’m getting used to solitaire board games I realize I’m moving towards those that represent you being in charge of a group of sailors or soldiers and getting through a campaign with them: Patton’s Best, The Hunters Series and Bomb Run too. I hope you do more patrols for us using The Hunters!! But I understand, so many cool war games and not enough time in the day 😂 I’m also a fan of PC, but your best graphics card is your brain! You can step out on the watch deck of your submarine, scan the horizon for ships and planes while the salty sea air fills your senses! Haha!
Cheers William! I actually finished recording a hunters episode yesterday and I am currently editing it. It should hit the tube soon! I love your analogy about your bain being the best graphics card :D That is so true! I think you should get the Hunters... It could be your weekend and vacation game, for when you're home!
+1 to the Hunters! This is the game that changed my whole perspective on solo gaming. I now prefer Silent Victory to Hunters. It just feels more thematic to me but you can't go wrong with any of his designs. American Tank Ace is on my table right now.
I got SIlent Victory as well but got to say I prefer The Hunters. It's just the theme which I can relate better to after watching Das Boot. I got ATA pre-ordered and hope to recieve it soon!
I agree on Pavlov's House. I own all of the Valiant Defense games, but PH is still the best, IMO. Thanks for making this video. Glad you're doing well.
I think that is the opinion of many gamers. I wonder why David Thompson don't go back to the original concept with operational level since it's so popular. Thank you Sir!
@@skirmishtactics243 I'll tell a secret, I've already seen it :D September 2021... But I have been very good at keeping my mouth shut :D It is going to be an awesome game!
I found your channel today which is great because I really like solitaire war games (specifically WW2). I've recently bought Lanzerath Ridge and want to get Castle Itter (maybe a Christmas present). I'm hoping I find a game on your channel that resonates with me. I don't have the interest in having to know real depth like "Patton's Best", but something that is fairly easy and yet compelling. Keep up the good work!
I’d have to agree with everything but Patton’s Best. It’s a game that just didn’t appeal to me but I guess it’s very popular. And where is an Enemy Action game in this list?!! Great video!
I think many people can't stand Patton's Best because of the horrible rules. Once they click, it is an amazing game! Remember, this is just a list of the best games I have played, and even though I played 100 ww2 solo games, there are still 250 games that I have not played! EA is one of them, so I can't include it on the list :P Maybe one day ;) Thanks Alan!
It's fun that you say that because I got ATA pre-ordered since 2,5 years back! Still waiting to recieve it. Once I've got it and have taken it out for a decent amount of spins, I'll do a "Patton's Best VS American Tank Ace" video where I will crown the best game.
I’m hoping to get The Hunters once they release it again because you can’t find a copy anywhere unless you wan5 to pay a silly price. Warfighters is a great game. It’s nice that you can get other options for various nations, but they can get pricey and frankly I think they priced the expansions a bit too high what they deliver. I think Compass Games’ Combat! Is still the best solo game to be had. It’s just a great experience. I’ve got my copy of American Tank Ace and that may end up on my top 5 list. Thanks for the video.
They should reprint it soon! I agree on the prices of the expansions, especially since you'll need several of them for the complete experience (for example 2x Finland and 2x Russia for winter war). I have yet to try Combat! But it looks really cool.
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel It would’ve been nice if they had released the Warfighter expansions in sets so you’d get friendlies and enemies in sort of a matched set. For a 56 card pack they’re just priced too high. By the time you buy 2 or 3 you could be around the price of the actual boxed game itself so it’s a pricing model I’m not thrilled with. But the game is super fun and fairly easy to learn.
Good idea for next years list! Unfortunately they would not be on the list, because I have not played them! Also Skies has been out of print for quite a while. There are about 350 WW2 games with solo mode and I got about 100 played in my 3 years of solo gaming. Give it another 12 years and I will hopefully have played them all!
I'm happy _(or sorry, depending on your enjoyment while making this video)_ to know that I also partly contributed to goad you into creating your "Top 5 solitaire WW2 games" 😄 Besides: ha! Just recently, I was wondering why you don't do more reviews and then this one comes up, which is basically five in one video ... I enjoyed it a lot, and you also managed to make me put Warfighter WW2 into my wishlist (where it might even stay for a long time, but at least now it's there)! 😉 If you started making some more, maybe publishers would be more willing to send you review copies of their games = win win. Anyway, I think the most important thing is that it definitely shows that you're feeling better, as you had some very long speaking intervals during this video and you didn't clear your throat even a single time. So, cheers for that, my friend, and on with solitaire WW2 gaming now more than ever! Oh, and lest I forget: I was really impressed by your supernatural speed! You managed to swap games in a fraction of a fraction of a split second...
Haha! Thank you, it was enjoyable and I have already over 1000 views so it seems like more people wanted the answer to this question 😁 Lol! Maybe I'll have to start reviewing. I got to admit, it's pretty fun. Thank you! I'm so glad that you can notice the difference. The inhuman speed is a side affect from the pills! 😆
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel Ha! I knew it was due to that, and not to video editing (the speed)! 🤣 Yes, please - I'd personally like to see you doing a couple more reviews, e.g. for games you feel are underappreciated. Is it also me, or does that moustache carry some serious Bernard Law Montgomery vibe to it? If intended, that would be very fitting to the channel 😉
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel I’m uk biased of course but yes. But, still fitting if you are the commander on a UBoat too! (Edit - is the companion book worth getting? I’m just ordering it)
@@lesliestevenson5261 Haha :D The companion book is ALWAYS avialable as a free PDF with each of the games in the Valiant Defense series! A really cool and generous feature. I settled with the PDF but would not mind owning the book. It is indeed the perfect way to get psyched up and in mood for the game!
Hunters was my first Wargames and Solo… and my first English game… it’s great and still one of my favourite … All your emotion about the game I have too … a another favourite WW II is B-17 FF Leader … and still Warfighter ..
@@davidduncan5982 I looked now and it seems like it's been deleted? I am not sure why they would remove it. I am currently far from home and won't be home until October I'm afraid.. The file should be on my PC at home. Sorry, I'll have a look on my Google drive and see if it's possibly there
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I haven't had the time to play any of his games. I kind of prefer lighter to medium complex games. Putting in the work for really complex games is rarely worth it as a content creator as viewers expect videos on new games. Anyway, maybe I'll learn and play them one day, and if I like them, they will be on the next video. I'll try to do this annually
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel Yes, I can see you like narrative driven games. Butterfield is really the Granddad of solitaire wargaming. If you can get a copy of Ambush you would love it - it's like Warfighter but in a hex and counter form with a great storyline behind it. Also, RAF - The Battle of Britain, perhaps a bit easier to get hold of as it was reprinted by Decision Games fairly recently. Then if you want to go a bit more complex look at the Enemy Action series by Compass
@@billdurrant9085 I've been eyeing Ambush for a while! I like old games and know well about Butterfield and all of his games. I've made a complete list of every (346) WW2 solo game which exists, you'll find it here: boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/295039/solitaire-world-war-2-games
You are not wrong, The Hunters is a terrific game and I have it and The Hunted. I like them so much that I am tempted to get Silent Victory and Beneath the Med, but I don't know if they are different enough to warrant spending cash from a limited budget. Have you played either? What do you think of them?
I've played Silent Victory and if you search my channel you'll find a playthrough video which should illustrate the difference between The Hunters. It is more of a skin change, and it feels more like a stand alone expansion. But that is good enough for me! It's much easier to survive than it is in the hunters
@@chrissteadman4614 That one should be cool! I wonder if it's going to be vastly different since it's not published by GMT but rather by Compass Games!
Already done! You find it on my channel, it is in 3 parts because the game takes rather long to play! (All of the videos featured on this list are played on the channel)
Yes, not my kind of game. Seems untested and unbalanced. It's basically impossible to win several scenarios. Also, you barely can afford the over priced tanks, so you will mainly use infantry and weapon teams... Could as well have been called "M1 Garand Leader"
Your number #1 is pretty much what got me back into boardgames around 2016. Played Silent Hunter 3 on the PC for years which led to learning a great deal about U-boat history. I spotted Open Fire on your shelf, have you played it yet? I grabbed a copy a couple years ago in perfect condition but have yet to try it.
Pretty much what really pulled me in! I have nostalgic memories of my father playing Silent Hunter 2 on PC when I was a kid :D No not yet, the rules are.... ehhh.... Not good... :P
The Lighthouse of Stalingrad: The Hidden Truth at the Centre of WWII's Greatest Battle is the Book of Pavlov´s House. I Love this Games all. Greets from Germany
Only one I've played is Patton's Best which I didn't get along with, felt like a much more fiddly version of B-17 which in itself was just about rolling lucky. Both games long gone from my collection.
I felt similair untill I really got in to Patton's Best and learned how everything connects. It is without any doubt a narrative game similair to B-17 but the big difference is that there are lots of meaningful choices to make!
Totally agree about The Hunters. It is an excellent game. You can feel the stress when your submarine is under attack. Like you, I have watched a lot of submarine movies and tv series since I got the game.
1. Patton's Best, 2. D-day Omaha, 3. Castle Itter, 4. Errrr.. I haven't really warmed to any others...😕 Midway Solitaire arrives next week so hopefully...
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel I didn't - because DT told me Itter is more tactical combat whereas Pavlov is more resource management, which is of less interest to me. Lanzerath looks good but watching a vid for it the other day left me wondering whether I really need any more in the series...
what's the easiest war game a beginner should try? I've only tried storms over the Reich (still counts as wargame?) and every die roll was so bad, right from the setup.. i couldn't go back to try out even for the second time and sold the game :( what's an easy game where i won't get super overwhelmed and i don't get completely destroyed in the game? 😅 Oh I also tried resist. not a fan, found that to be on the hard side, as well.
Pavlov's House is pretty easy. But there are options to increase the difficulty. Airborne commander is also easy. A fun card game. D-Day dice another easy wargames, at least the first missions! Then it gets harder. But there is nothing forcing you to play those late missions. Good luck!
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannelI'm following your path from PC to boardgames I think Daniel! Tank Ace and Patton look good. Any suggestions on games from the wehrmacht perspective?
@@iainsneddon3010 Just hold out for a few years and Compass games will release "German Panzer Ace" (it's been confirmed). Patton's best also has several fan made German expansions.
I would love to play it! It is on my top 3 most wanted list! I love old Avalon Hill games (which might be obvious if you check my latest videos hehe). But Raid on St. Nazaire is very hard to find for a decent price here in Europe, and shipping from the US or GB is just way too high... :( Hopefully one day I'll find it!
Great video, thanks so much for doing it. With all of the games in your list it's pretty easy to imagine what expansions could be done, but what would an expansion of Pavlov's House be? The engagement was so unique and the game covers all aspects of it so well I really can't think of any kind of expansion for it. Have you tried Castle Itter or Soldiers in Postmen's Uniforms? Different situations but somewhat similar in play.
I would think that not adding but rather expanding on the existing ideas would be cool. For example a tactical expansion that lets the player play out the different raids on a tactical level rather than just rolling for result. Wouldn't it be fun to storm the milk house and actually be in control? That would also make the choice of who and what to bring, more interesting. I have tried Castle Itter and Soldiers in Postmen's Uniforms. I have done playthroughs of them found on my channel. I like them but they feel like a big step down from Pavlov's House as they miss the strategical and operational levels.
To be honest, it’s hard to get behind any list that does not include a John Butterfield game (which is strange considering D Day at Omaha is sitting on the shelf right behind you). The D Day Series (Omaha Beach, Tarawa, Peleliu), RAF Battle of Britain 1940, and Enemy Action Series (Ardennes and Kharkov) are all amazing WWII solo games that come packed with great content and well-written rule books. And while I haven’t played all the games in your list, I just have to completely disagree with Pavlovs House being on there…. Should be replaced with any Butterfield game mentioned above. Just my opinion, of course….
It would be very hard for me to feature any John Butterfield game on this list since I haven't played any of them. The video is called "MY top 5" not "The top 5". There are approximately 370 WW2 solo games out there (including multiplayer games with solo modes/expansion). I've played well over 120 of them so about 1/3. But I'm working myself up towards the highest complexity games and those include most of Butterfield's games. I think many people would disagree about Pavlov's House, at 7,9 from 1300 votes it stands as rank 64 and is the third highest ranking solo WW2 on boardgamegeek.
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel Butterfield’s games are not that complex. You really do need to play some of them, as then I think it will become apparent at just how amazing they are. I get it’s your top 5, but I’m merely disagreeing with Pavlov’s House being on there. There’s really not a ton a replay ability, and my sense is it’s highly rated because people play it a couple times, consider it good, but never go back to it.
@@Krakhauer I mean according to the complexity ratings on bgg they are some of the highest complexity ww2 solo games out there. Regarding Pavlov's I don't agree, the optional game modules together with the difficulty levels and so many different viable strategies has made it one of my most played games. Anyway disagreeing is ok, we're different people with different experiences. Cheers
I would suggest starting with D Day at Omaha Beach or RAF 1940. They play very easy and following the AI process is very logical and clear. EA Kharkov is definitely easier than EA Ardennes, but again, they really aren't that complex. John Butterfield has also posted Learn to Play videos for EA Kharkov.@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel
Already got SV and actually got a couple of videos on it, which you can find on my channel :D Byt yeah the duds are crazy... I do like the increased survival ods :P I am hoping to get a review copy of the Hunted, so I can continue with the careers I made in the hunters! When I got that, it's only The med left to get so ofc I will get that one too :D
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel sorry my comment was out of order, it was for the person asking about SV and Beneath The Med being different enough to justify a purchase if on a tight budget
Did you have a chance to get in to it? We're all different and we can't all like the same games! That would be rather boring :D I know many people HATE narrative games. I love them!
@@MrKato84 yeah I mean if the video was named "THE BEST 5 GAMES" we could definitely argue about it being at the top 😁 Fun fact, if you sort WW2 solo games on BGG rank, #1 is Blitzkrieg which I would highly dispute 😅😅😅
Very very weak list. Enemy Action Ardennes, Atlantic Chase, Panzer series (solo mode too), DDay at Omaha, DDay at Tarawa all dwarf the list you mentioned. Why? Because the games I mention are actually military simulations and not just boardgames with a war theme and “adventure like dice rolling” or with done to death mechanics of “Tower Defense” games. For instance Pavlov’s House does NOT show you at all what happened, it just is a nice game of abstract tower defence mechanics you can “win”. The problem with almost every Smith game: you roll dice to see what happens but the things you play are not showing a real true story. Of course everyone has his/her own preferences, … but when I play a wargame I want to see what happeded OR could have happened and certainly why did it happen or not… Else I might just play great games like Arkham Horror or Dune Imperium, but that was never why I wanted to start playing wargames and their historical simulation value. Try one of these above and you’ll notice what I wanted to say 😀
You have to remember, this is a list of games that I HAVE PLAYED! Not a list of EVERY 450 WW2 solo titles! Big difference! I'll get to those games one day, but saving the heavy complex games to a day that I have more time on my hands.
I have to put two on here that I was surprised you didn't list:
1. Enemy Coast Ahead--The Doolittle Raid:
Simply put, the most rewarding experience you will ever have at a solo game. You control every decision of the Doolittle Raid (down to letting your pilots get some poon before the mission or not), and every decision has consequences and trade-offs. I'm not a veteran, but I have played this game, and that means I deserve a Medal of Honor for all the hell this one put me through.
2. D-Day at Tarawa/(at Omaha Beach):
The most unique game engine out there, you have no dice. Commanding either the Marines on Tarawa, or the US V Corps landing on Omaha Beach, you will have the fate of the world hanging on your decisions. Omaha Beach gives you a better chance to win, but Tarawa is the perfect format for this engine. Also, Peleliu, Iwo Jima or Saipan also have the same engine and are very worthy additions to your library in their own right.
3. Skies Over Britain: (bonus)
Command a squadron of 20 Spitfires or Hurricane pilots and become one of "The Few" as you fight to defend Britain in the summer of 1940. Flawless. When your pilots die, you will have PTSD.
Thank you for mentioning 20th Air Force. Can't wait to try it out!
I understand what you mean when it comes to fatigue from video games and wanting to try an alternative. I had no idea that solitaire board games were a thing, and I'm definitely intrigued. It's a shame though that almost all of these have been out of print for awhile, hence the ridiculous prices. I've found a PC version of Pavlov's House and might check it out. These sound like incredibly fun games.
Yeah and it feels strange that there aren't really that many great AAA strategic titles out the last years, especially if we're talking RTS games. Large game companies focus on other genres where they can sell expensive DLC and micro transactions I guess..
One positive note on Pavlov's House is that it's published by DVG and they do reprint their games very often!
1. Combat!, 2. American Tank Ace, 3. Fields of Fire, 4. Target for Today, 5. Lanzerath Ridge
I got both American Tank Ace and Lanzerath Ridge pre-ordered but I am still waiting for them :'(
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel Your games are all solid choices and worthy of a top 5 list. The only one that I do not have is 20th Air force. For air games I go to Target for Today (a refreshing of B17 Queen of the Skies). I like Warfighter too, but tend to favor Fields of Fire because I feel like I and execute more tactics there. Pavlov's House was my favorite Valiant Defense game until I got Lanzerath Ridge. I think that you will really like it too. American Tank Ace is a streamlined Patton's Best. I predict that you will REALLY like it when it arrives. I recommend that you check out the Combat! games from Compass too. They are my absolute favorite solitaire WWII games. They are a modernized and simplified version of Ambush! (if you have played that one before). Keep up the great work. I really enjoy your channel.
@@CliftonFranklund Thank you very much for your kind and informative comment! Combat! looks really cool! But when games have reimplemented older ones, I usually want to try the oldies first 🙈 That often makes you appreciate the updated versions. Imagine playing QOTS after playing TFT! 😁
Totally agree Pavlov's is a masterpiece :) Inspired me!! :) Thanks for the shout out for Valiant Defense #5 (Guadalcanal - The Battle for Henderson Field) :)
Can't wait man!!! 🤯
Good to see the camera pointed at you for a change.
But it feels so weird xD
1. Raid on St. Nazaire (AH), 2. D-Day: Omaha Beach (Decision Games), 3. Skies over the Reich (GMT), 4. RAF: The Battle of Britain (Decision Games), 5. B-17: Queen of the Sky (AH) Honorable Mentions: The Hunters, Silent Victory, Beneath the Med, The Hunted, Pattons Best and Enemy Coast Ahead Dam Busters
Some good games! B-17 is fun and iconic, but I would definetely dispute it as beeing in the top :P There are far better narrative bomber games out today.
I own every single one of these..and dozens, if not hundreds of others. I prefer Target for Today MUCH more than B-17..it uses many of the same systems, but far more fleshed out.
Don't have your first four. Would like Raid on St. N. but used ain't cheap. I agree on your other choices of special mention. All great. Not sure if I can pick a top five.
@@charleslatora5750 I would also like to find Raid on St. N. but its too expensive
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel an idea for a great solo game would be the British raid in their mini submersibles did they call him x-craft or(?), that they try to go up that Norwegian fjord to sink all the German capital ships. My mind is blank on the specifics of the name of the raid and who all was involved-ships.
Great to see you doing well! Agree on the rules for Pattons Best. MANY years ago when I bought this, I got it all set up, action report ready, and thud. Brain freeze on what to do next. Back in the box it went. Fast forward to your videos and the game is out again and ready to give it a go. So your play throughs are invaluable to those of us with games that were difficult to get into a rhythm before the days of UA-cam! So glad I didn’t toss it or sell it on E-Bay. Again, best wishes and many, many thanks Daniel!
What that is seriously cool. How many years did you have that game now? I think the price will go up now, it usually does when I do many episodes on a game and if the game is OOP :D Thank you so much for your kind words Jim. It makes me so happy to know that it is appreciated, and that is what makes all of this work worth it!
I appreciate how you also showcase & talk about some older games. As much as I am intrested in new games coming out and seeing whats all cool its also great to just play and talk about some great older games.
And I suppose I am glad to see Warfighter WW2 on here, I bought it like half a year ago and partly the reason were your video's. And for now its one of my favorate boardgames. Excited about the 2 new core games coming out and seeing what cards it will all include!
Can't forget about the oldies! That is what brought us here. Patton's Best is an amazing game, and I hope more people will with the help of my videos, buy it and be able to learn how to play it! It is worth the investment.
WW2 is also great, I got the new core boxes backed on kickstarter and I am really looking forward to trying them out once they arrive! I heard they just finished printing in the Chinese factory.
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel for now I'm going with Compass n American Tank Ace.
@@charleslatora5750 Still waiting for my copy..
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel I think what I will do is make a list all my solitaire games. My main game spreadsheet is by the manufacturing company IE GMT Compass etc.
Thinking I will list game name and company and then in each following box would be sunk mission 11, sunk mission 6, 3 Missions. This way I can get an idea of what kind of average mission survival rate for all the games Now some I've only done one or two playthroughs so...need to do more.
Thanks for the interesting review. I would also like to mention Greg Smith's Nightfighter Ace. I believe that it's one of his best designs. It has a better survival rate than most.
I have been eying that for a long time. I finally bought "Interceptor Ace" and that is the next game that I am going to learn. Have you played that one? and if so, what do you think of it compared to Nightfighter Ace?
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel if you enjoy getting shot down a lot then you will have fun with Interceptor Ace. (Parachute skill mandatory). The survival rate is less as you will be tangling with American Escorts at some point as well as RAF fighter sweeps. In NFA you will be groping around in the dark attempting to find the bombers. I went almost two months before shooting down a bomber. It's especially difficult with no radar so contact isn't as risky as in IA. Hence the better survival rate.
That's a great list! The only one I don't have is Patton's Best (as we discussed on my channel), but I have to say your videos are convincing me I should try to pick it up. Love all the games you have on this list. Hope your American Tank Ace arrives soon - it's excellent as well.
Thank you! I played a few missions now of Armoured commander 1 now. Really big thanks for letting me know about that it was free! Anyway, if you like that, I promise that you will like Patton's Best because basically they are identical! I prefer die rolling to mouse clicking personally. Armoured commander will be perfect when traveling, but when I am home, Patton's Best will be the natural choice. I hope you manage to score a copy, the game is actually often sold very cheap, since few manage to learn how to play it.
Awesome list! When The Hunters came out at number one I was pleasantly surprised!
I keep going back and forth on which game I need to get next and my heart keeps sending me to the Hunters series!
As I’m getting used to solitaire board games I realize I’m moving towards those that represent you being in charge of a group of sailors or soldiers and getting through a campaign with them: Patton’s Best, The Hunters Series and Bomb Run too.
I hope you do more patrols for us using The Hunters!! But I understand, so many cool war games and not enough time in the day 😂
I’m also a fan of PC, but your best graphics card is your brain! You can step out on the watch deck of your submarine, scan the horizon for ships and planes while the salty sea air fills your senses! Haha!
Cheers William! I actually finished recording a hunters episode yesterday and I am currently editing it. It should hit the tube soon!
I love your analogy about your bain being the best graphics card :D That is so true!
I think you should get the Hunters... It could be your weekend and vacation game, for when you're home!
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel Agreed! Possibly using Vassal and IRL charts which seem space efficient! I’ve been planning…haha!!
+1 to the Hunters! This is the game that changed my whole perspective on solo gaming. I now prefer Silent Victory to Hunters. It just feels more thematic to me but you can't go wrong with any of his designs. American Tank Ace is on my table right now.
I got SIlent Victory as well but got to say I prefer The Hunters. It's just the theme which I can relate better to after watching Das Boot. I got ATA pre-ordered and hope to recieve it soon!
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel I'm waiting on mine as well. It's the lot of the European gamer, the waiting...🙂
@@garytwinem5275 Well it could we worse, we could be Australians :D (Shipping to them is so crazy they can barely get any games)
Came here to ask how he thought The Hunters compared to Silent Victory.
@@SPAMsammiches Hunters hunters hunters! :D
Another great video! Another great list! This guy doesn't stop.
Enjoying the last days of vacation!! So I am trying to cramp in as much as possible xD
I agree on Pavlov's House. I own all of the Valiant Defense games, but PH is still the best, IMO. Thanks for making this video. Glad you're doing well.
I think that is the opinion of many gamers. I wonder why David Thompson don't go back to the original concept with operational level since it's so popular. Thank you Sir!
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel, just wait for Vince Cooper's work on volume 5! :)
@@skirmishtactics243 I'll tell a secret, I've already seen it :D September 2021... But I have been very good at keeping my mouth shut :D It is going to be an awesome game!
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel, yes! I'm so excited! :)
Nice video, I must take a look on Pavlov House! 👍🏻 +1 to Warfighter
Thank you Pablo! Pavlov's House is amazing. I got a video on it if you're interested in the flow of the game!
I found your channel today which is great because I really like solitaire war games (specifically WW2). I've recently bought Lanzerath Ridge and want to get Castle Itter (maybe a Christmas present). I'm hoping I find a game on your channel that resonates with me. I don't have the interest in having to know real depth like "Patton's Best", but something that is fairly easy and yet compelling. Keep up the good work!
Thank you! I would higly recommend Pavlov's House if you enjoy Lanzerath Ridge!
I like your assessment of each game.
Thank you Kurt!
Oh man, thank you so, so much, Dan! I hugely appreciate the kind words.
Thank you for not only designing a master piece but for your continuous support on BGG and FB on all of those titles!
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel, of course! The community is the best part of our hobby. :)
@@davidthompson7233 I agree!
Raid on St Nazaire for me…with Carrier and RAF close behind.
Good games, no doubt! Haven't played them but seen them in action
Great list! Love your picks
Thank you Matt!
Good idea for a video!
I also own & really enjoy Pavlov's House and almost bought Warfighter the other day but it was sold out:(
That sucks! Can't you find it online or used on bgg? Make sure you get the 2nd edition though!
Yup, I'm going on-line as Plan B. Just disappointed because they said it was in stock but were wrong when I got there. 2nd Ed. is good to know.
I’d have to agree with everything but Patton’s Best. It’s a game that just didn’t appeal to me but I guess it’s very popular. And where is an Enemy Action game in this list?!! Great video!
I think many people can't stand Patton's Best because of the horrible rules. Once they click, it is an amazing game!
Remember, this is just a list of the best games I have played, and even though I played 100 ww2 solo games, there are still 250 games that I have not played! EA is one of them, so I can't include it on the list :P Maybe one day ;)
Thanks Alan!
Would live to see you do a comparison of Patton’s best, Sherman leader and the new American tank ace!
It's fun that you say that because I got ATA pre-ordered since 2,5 years back! Still waiting to recieve it. Once I've got it and have taken it out for a decent amount of spins, I'll do a "Patton's Best VS American Tank Ace" video where I will crown the best game.
I’m hoping to get The Hunters once they release it again because you can’t find a copy anywhere unless you wan5 to pay a silly price. Warfighters is a great game. It’s nice that you can get other options for various nations, but they can get pricey and frankly I think they priced the expansions a bit too high what they deliver. I think Compass Games’ Combat! Is still the best solo game to be had. It’s just a great experience. I’ve got my copy of American Tank Ace and that may end up on my top 5 list. Thanks for the video.
They should reprint it soon! I agree on the prices of the expansions, especially since you'll need several of them for the complete experience (for example 2x Finland and 2x Russia for winter war). I have yet to try Combat! But it looks really cool.
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel It would’ve been nice if they had released the Warfighter expansions in sets so you’d get friendlies and enemies in sort of a matched set. For a 56 card pack they’re just priced too high. By the time you buy 2 or 3 you could be around the price of the actual boxed game itself so it’s a pricing model I’m not thrilled with. But the game is super fun and fairly easy to learn.
@@petethehawk5186 Good idea!
Curious to see an "hon mentions" list to hear where you think Skies (and Storm) Above the Reich falls!
Good idea for next years list! Unfortunately they would not be on the list, because I have not played them! Also Skies has been out of print for quite a while. There are about 350 WW2 games with solo mode and I got about 100 played in my 3 years of solo gaming. Give it another 12 years and I will hopefully have played them all!
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel LOL. Perfect answer.
I'm happy _(or sorry, depending on your enjoyment while making this video)_ to know that I also partly contributed to goad you into creating your "Top 5 solitaire WW2 games" 😄
Besides: ha! Just recently, I was wondering why you don't do more reviews and then this one comes up, which is basically five in one video ... I enjoyed it a lot, and you also managed to make me put Warfighter WW2 into my wishlist (where it might even stay for a long time, but at least now it's there)! 😉
If you started making some more, maybe publishers would be more willing to send you review copies of their games = win win.
Anyway, I think the most important thing is that it definitely shows that you're feeling better, as you had some very long speaking intervals during this video and you didn't clear your throat even a single time. So, cheers for that, my friend, and on with solitaire WW2 gaming now more than ever!
Oh, and lest I forget: I was really impressed by your supernatural speed! You managed to swap games in a fraction of a fraction of a split second...
Haha! Thank you, it was enjoyable and I have already over 1000 views so it seems like more people wanted the answer to this question 😁
Lol! Maybe I'll have to start reviewing. I got to admit, it's pretty fun.
Thank you! I'm so glad that you can notice the difference. The inhuman speed is a side affect from the pills! 😆
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel Ha! I knew it was due to that, and not to video editing (the speed)! 🤣
Yes, please - I'd personally like to see you doing a couple more reviews, e.g. for games you feel are underappreciated.
Is it also me, or does that moustache carry some serious Bernard Law Montgomery vibe to it? If intended, that would be very fitting to the channel 😉
@@micheleb1421 I'll see what I can do!
LOL!! 😆
Agreed!
I’ve always fancied that pavlovs house. The company make good games for sure. You’re looking very 1940s with your tache by the way mate!
It's a great game! Thanks mate :D I hope I look UK 1940 and not German 1940! :P
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel I’m uk biased of course but yes. But, still fitting if you are the commander on a UBoat too! (Edit - is the companion book worth getting? I’m just ordering it)
@@lesliestevenson5261 Haha :D The companion book is ALWAYS avialable as a free PDF with each of the games in the Valiant Defense series! A really cool and generous feature. I settled with the PDF but would not mind owning the book. It is indeed the perfect way to get psyched up and in mood for the game!
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel cool thanks…just pressed “order”. Looking forward to it.
Hunters was my first Wargames and Solo… and my first English game… it’s great and still one of my favourite … All your emotion about the game I have too … a another favourite WW II is B-17 FF Leader … and still Warfighter ..
I still got to try B17 leader, it seems like a great game!
Great video!! Do you have a link for the page at BoardGameGeek that you did for Warfighter with the card corrections.
@@davidduncan5982 Thank you Sir! Check Warfighter EUROPE WW2 and should be right there in the files section!
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel I'm still struggling to find it.
@@davidduncan5982 I looked now and it seems like it's been deleted? I am not sure why they would remove it. I am currently far from home and won't be home until October I'm afraid.. The file should be on my PC at home. Sorry, I'll have a look on my Google drive and see if it's possibly there
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel ok, thanks so much!
Hi everyone! If you enjoyed this video, please subscribe to my channel and click the "bell icon"! You can also support the channel by liking the video! Have a great day!
No John Butterfield games! I see you have D-Day at Omaha
I haven't had the time to play any of his games. I kind of prefer lighter to medium complex games. Putting in the work for really complex games is rarely worth it as a content creator as viewers expect videos on new games. Anyway, maybe I'll learn and play them one day, and if I like them, they will be on the next video. I'll try to do this annually
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel Yes, I can see you like narrative driven games. Butterfield is really the Granddad of solitaire wargaming. If you can get a copy of Ambush you would love it - it's like Warfighter but in a hex and counter form with a great storyline behind it. Also, RAF - The Battle of Britain, perhaps a bit easier to get hold of as it was reprinted by Decision Games fairly recently. Then if you want to go a bit more complex look at the Enemy Action series by Compass
@@billdurrant9085 I've been eyeing Ambush for a while! I like old games and know well about Butterfield and all of his games. I've made a complete list of every (346) WW2 solo game which exists, you'll find it here: boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/295039/solitaire-world-war-2-games
very good choices
I am glad someone agrees haha :D
Cool list bro, totally agree with your no1, bravo
Thank you, glad you agree! Happy holidays mate
You are not wrong, The Hunters is a terrific game and I have it and The Hunted. I like them so much that I am tempted to get Silent Victory and Beneath the Med, but I don't know if they are different enough to warrant spending cash from a limited budget. Have you played either? What do you think of them?
I've played Silent Victory and if you search my channel you'll find a playthrough video which should illustrate the difference between The Hunters. It is more of a skin change, and it feels more like a stand alone expansion. But that is good enough for me! It's much easier to survive than it is in the hunters
Thanks Daniel I'll take a look. I'll also be checking out Sensuikan when it is published.
@@chrissteadman4614 That one should be cool! I wonder if it's going to be vastly different since it's not published by GMT but rather by Compass Games!
Well done! I saw that Historic Wings (also in Sweden and on UA-cam) is a launching a series of solitaire games. Will you review those?
Thank you! I thought I knew all about ww2 solo wargaming, but aparantly I dont :P I have never heard of "Historic Wings"? Do you have a link?
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel Yes, I just clicked it and copied the address. Hope this works:
ua-cam.com/users/HistoricWings
I am waiting for the reprint of "Skies above the Reich" (GMT).
Looks like an awesome game!
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel It's actually a must have for me, too - when the 2nd printing gets out, I'm going to grab a copy ASAP!
Could you do a play through of 20th Air Force?
Already done! You find it on my channel, it is in 3 parts because the game takes rather long to play! (All of the videos featured on this list are played on the channel)
Great list. Have you played Sherman Leader, if so what do you think of it?
Yes, not my kind of game. Seems untested and unbalanced. It's basically impossible to win several scenarios. Also, you barely can afford the over priced tanks, so you will mainly use infantry and weapon teams... Could as well have been called "M1 Garand Leader"
Your number #1 is pretty much what got me back into boardgames around 2016. Played Silent Hunter 3 on the PC for years which led to learning a great deal about U-boat history. I spotted Open Fire on your shelf, have you played it yet? I grabbed a copy a couple years ago in perfect condition but have yet to try it.
Pretty much what really pulled me in! I have nostalgic memories of my father playing Silent Hunter 2 on PC when I was a kid :D No not yet, the rules are.... ehhh.... Not good... :P
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel Uh oh, so maybe it should have been called "Open for interpretation, Fire the writer"? :)
@@AdamH75 LOL xD Maybe.. Check out the bgg page and look at the comments (and ratings), and you'll understand :P
The Lighthouse of Stalingrad: The Hidden Truth at the Centre of WWII's Greatest Battle is the Book of Pavlov´s House. I Love this Games all. Greets from Germany
I haven't read it! Will check it out
Only one I've played is Patton's Best which I didn't get along with, felt like a much more fiddly version of B-17 which in itself was just about rolling lucky. Both games long gone from my collection.
I felt similair untill I really got in to Patton's Best and learned how everything connects. It is without any doubt a narrative game similair to B-17 but the big difference is that there are lots of meaningful choices to make!
"...maybe a little bit of autism in there..." LOL
LOL :D
Only DVG I have: By Stealth and Sea. It can be brutal.
I have it to! I played a few sessions. Need to get more fluent in my plays before I do a playthrough video!
Totally agree about The Hunters. It is an excellent game. You can feel the stress when your submarine is under attack. Like you, I have watched a lot of submarine movies and tv series since I got the game.
It's an awesome game. I just got the hunted delivered and I'm eager to try it out!
Excellent video!
Thank you Sir!
1. Patton's Best, 2. D-day Omaha, 3. Castle Itter, 4. Errrr.. I haven't really warmed to any others...😕 Midway Solitaire arrives next week so hopefully...
Did you try Pavlov's House? I think it's superior to castle itter because of the Operational level
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel I didn't - because DT told me Itter is more tactical combat whereas Pavlov is more resource management, which is of less interest to me. Lanzerath looks good but watching a vid for it the other day left me wondering whether I really need any more in the series...
You will love Ambush! as well I am sure.
I wish I could get my hands on it! It's so hard to find those old wargames here in Scandinavia..
what's the easiest war game a beginner should try? I've only tried storms over the Reich (still counts as wargame?) and every die roll was so bad, right from the setup.. i couldn't go back to try out even for the second time and sold the game :(
what's an easy game where i won't get super overwhelmed and i don't get completely destroyed in the game? 😅
Oh I also tried resist. not a fan, found that to be on the hard side, as well.
Pavlov's House is pretty easy. But there are options to increase the difficulty. Airborne commander is also easy. A fun card game. D-Day dice another easy wargames, at least the first missions! Then it gets harder. But there is nothing forcing you to play those late missions. Good luck!
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel thanks a lot for the suggestions! I'll look into them all :)
Stalingrad: Advance to the Volga (Revolution Games).
Looks good for sure. I've requested a review copy. I love the game it's based on.
Great video, thank you
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannelI'm following your path from PC to boardgames I think Daniel! Tank Ace and Patton look good. Any suggestions on games from the wehrmacht perspective?
@@iainsneddon3010 Just hold out for a few years and Compass games will release "German Panzer Ace" (it's been confirmed). Patton's best also has several fan made German expansions.
What?!? No "Raid On St. Nazaire"?! You must have never tried it. All-time greatest solo wargame ever.
I would love to play it! It is on my top 3 most wanted list! I love old Avalon Hill games (which might be obvious if you check my latest videos hehe). But Raid on St. Nazaire is very hard to find for a decent price here in Europe, and shipping from the US or GB is just way too high... :( Hopefully one day I'll find it!
Great video, thanks so much for doing it. With all of the games in your list it's pretty easy to imagine what expansions could be done, but what would an expansion of Pavlov's House be? The engagement was so unique and the game covers all aspects of it so well I really can't think of any kind of expansion for it. Have you tried Castle Itter or Soldiers in Postmen's Uniforms? Different situations but somewhat similar in play.
I would think that not adding but rather expanding on the existing ideas would be cool. For example a tactical expansion that lets the player play out the different raids on a tactical level rather than just rolling for result. Wouldn't it be fun to storm the milk house and actually be in control? That would also make the choice of who and what to bring, more interesting.
I have tried Castle Itter and Soldiers in Postmen's Uniforms. I have done playthroughs of them found on my channel. I like them but they feel like a big step down from Pavlov's House as they miss the strategical and operational levels.
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel Some good ideas!
B-17
QOTS
To be honest, it’s hard to get behind any list that does not include a John Butterfield game (which is strange considering D Day at Omaha is sitting on the shelf right behind you). The D Day Series (Omaha Beach, Tarawa, Peleliu), RAF Battle of Britain 1940, and Enemy Action Series (Ardennes and Kharkov) are all amazing WWII solo games that come packed with great content and well-written rule books. And while I haven’t played all the games in your list, I just have to completely disagree with Pavlovs House being on there…. Should be replaced with any Butterfield game mentioned above. Just my opinion, of course….
It would be very hard for me to feature any John Butterfield game on this list since I haven't played any of them. The video is called "MY top 5" not "The top 5". There are approximately 370 WW2 solo games out there (including multiplayer games with solo modes/expansion). I've played well over 120 of them so about 1/3. But I'm working myself up towards the highest complexity games and those include most of Butterfield's games. I think many people would disagree about Pavlov's House, at 7,9 from 1300 votes it stands as rank 64 and is the third highest ranking solo WW2 on boardgamegeek.
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel Butterfield’s games are not that complex. You really do need to play some of them, as then I think it will become apparent at just how amazing they are. I get it’s your top 5, but I’m merely disagreeing with Pavlov’s House being on there. There’s really not a ton a replay ability, and my sense is it’s highly rated because people play it a couple times, consider it good, but never go back to it.
@@Krakhauer I mean according to the complexity ratings on bgg they are some of the highest complexity ww2 solo games out there. Regarding Pavlov's I don't agree, the optional game modules together with the difficulty levels and so many different viable strategies has made it one of my most played games. Anyway disagreeing is ok, we're different people with different experiences. Cheers
I would suggest starting with D Day at Omaha Beach or RAF 1940. They play very easy and following the AI process is very logical and clear. EA Kharkov is definitely easier than EA Ardennes, but again, they really aren't that complex. John Butterfield has also posted Learn to Play videos for EA Kharkov.@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel
I don't care for John Butterfield games so not one is even in my top 50.
Skip SV but get Beneath The Med. Too many dud and small targets for me to find SV satisfying
Already got SV and actually got a couple of videos on it, which you can find on my channel :D Byt yeah the duds are crazy... I do like the increased survival ods :P
I am hoping to get a review copy of the Hunted, so I can continue with the careers I made in the hunters! When I got that, it's only The med left to get so ofc I will get that one too :D
@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel sorry my comment was out of order, it was for the person asking about SV and Beneath The Med being different enough to justify a purchase if on a tight budget
RAF?
Haven't played it so surely can't rate it!
I bought Warfighter and sold it the next week. Didn’t like that one at all
Did you have a chance to get in to it? We're all different and we can't all like the same games! That would be rather boring :D I know many people HATE narrative games. I love them!
nice list but the Hunters on 1 ? good game but a dice festival.... the game plays u not u play the game because so much dice rolls....
Why its on 1? Because it's my favorite game and this is a list of my favorite games.
You're right, I must have missed that, it's your list
@@MrKato84 yeah I mean if the video was named "THE BEST 5 GAMES" we could definitely argue about it being at the top 😁 Fun fact, if you sort WW2 solo games on BGG rank, #1 is Blitzkrieg which I would highly dispute 😅😅😅
Very very weak list.
Enemy Action Ardennes, Atlantic Chase, Panzer series (solo mode too), DDay at Omaha, DDay at Tarawa all dwarf the list you mentioned.
Why? Because the games I mention are actually military simulations and not just boardgames with a war theme and “adventure like dice rolling” or with done to death mechanics of “Tower Defense” games.
For instance Pavlov’s House does NOT show you
at all what happened, it just is a nice game of abstract tower defence mechanics you can “win”.
The problem with almost every Smith game: you roll dice to see what happens but the things you play are not showing a real true story.
Of course everyone has his/her own preferences, … but when I play a wargame I want to see what happeded OR could have happened and certainly why did it happen or not…
Else I might just play great games like Arkham Horror or Dune Imperium, but that was never why I wanted to start playing wargames and their historical simulation value.
Try one of these above and you’ll notice what I wanted to say 😀
You have to remember, this is a list of games that I HAVE PLAYED! Not a list of EVERY 450 WW2 solo titles! Big difference! I'll get to those games one day, but saving the heavy complex games to a day that I have more time on my hands.