Time in the video, spot, game title, war [+ rounded time period] 1:59 Honorable Mentions (Axis&Allies, Sekigahara, A House Divided, Age of Napoleon, The American Civil War) (spoilers below, all 10 entries) 3:22 10. Washington's War (American CW, ~1860) 4:17 9. Fields of Despair (WW1) 5:38 8. Triumph & Tragedy (WW2) 6:48 7. Hannibal & Hamilcar (Rome vs Carthage, ~200BC) 8:12 6. Tide of Iron (WW2) 9:55 5. Undaunted: Normandy (WW2) 10:51 4. Napoleon: 4th Edition (Napoleonic Wars ~1800) 11:45 3. Commands & Colors: Napoleonics (Napoleonic Wars) 12:47 2. 1775: Rebellion (American Revolution) 14:06 *1. Friedrich* (The Seven Years War, 1756)
Nice list Cody, thanks for taking the time to post it. I've got 7 out of your 10 on my shelves so I can commend you on your impeccable taste! If I had to throw in a few of my own choices - Moscow '41 (cracking block game), Hands in the Sea (Rome vs Carthage again!), No Retreat (Barbarossa with few counters and some card play), Hearts and Minds (my fave Vietnam game), Hellenes (Peloponessian War block game goodness from GMT) and The Fires of Midway ( card and dice based carrier combat, great fun!). Hmm.. I could go on - don't know how you managed to whittle it down to ten! Doing a cracking job Cody, your vids are always much appreciated.
Hello from Austin, Tx. I have very fond memories of Axis and Allies as well. It was the first serious board game I played way back in middle school. As for recent favorites, big fan of Warfighter WWII from DVG and the American Revolution, a Command and Colors game from Compass games.
Thanks for making this list! Love seeing Tide of Iron in your list. Really a shame it does not get more recognition. Has enough tactical decisions to reward sound play but is more accessible than the heavier weight counterparts. Keep up the good work!
A great list (as always) -- I have a couple you mentioned (1775 from the Top 10, and a few of the honorable mentions), and this will help me to focus my purchases in the coming years as my son gets older and more interested in such games. We play Memoir 44 frequently (was surprised it wasn't an honorable mention, at least). Axis and Allies, will be appearing under the tree this Christmas. I seem to recall you having a very positive review of Hannibal & Hamilcar some time ago -- glad to see that it still is one of your favorites -- that'll probably be my next Historical Wargame purchase. I saw in the comments you will be graduating next summer -- congratulations.
Also was interested to see your praise for Undaunted -- I spotted that game a few weeks ago and have been curious about it. It might beat Hannibal & Hamilcar to my shelves.
Thank you. I'm hoping to graduate next summer. Hopefully I can get my dissertation finished by then and my committee likes it. I didn't include Memoir '44 because I put C&C Napoleonics on the list - which is my favorite of the Commands and Colors games, and in a sense is representative of all of them.
Could not agree more re Friedrich at the top. The Cards of Fate end game play is brilliant. Surprisingly easy to grasp for such a complex game. Lost my first game to my friend Matthew over at Gary's place but not by much. Immediately hooked. Re The Seven Years War, big fan of Volko Ruhnke's Wilderness War (GMT). Tight, clear rulebook, endless replay value. Friends with developer Rob Winslow, went to middle school with Volko. Small world.
Great list! I'm waiting for my copy of Hannibal and Hamilcar to arrive - I'm glad it made the cut. Keep up the great work, really hope your channel continues to grow.
You should come to the 2020 Axis and Allies Global 1940 Bloodbath Rules tournament in Laguna Hills, CA next September. It is a great set of rules that makes global 40 playable in eight hours and provides for more victory opportunities.
I so need to get a copy of Undaunted! It's one I've been eyeing for a while. Deckbuilding, WW2, and tactical combat... yes please! I haven't played any of the games on your list. I don't own many wargames but my top wargames would be Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear 2nd edition, Combat Commander: Europe (just played and it's amazing), and Thunderbolt: Apache Leader. Honorable mention would be Warfighter WW2 and Memoir' 44.
Personally Friedrich is my number one and a brilliant game.It has simple,easy rules which you don't need more than 5-10 minutes to explain or teach the rules and has so much strategy and tactics behind.
Loved your list! Great list! I have Washington's War, Hannibal, Tide of Iron & Undaunted. I would pick Memoir 44 as my Command and Colors choice, and I have 1812 as opposed to your 1775. Axis and Allies was/is always played over the years, the perennial classic in all it's versions. It'd be on my honorable mention list too. Fields of Disspair & Frederick look super interesting. Triumph & Tragedy and Columbia's Napoleon (Waterloo) game also are very cool looking...especially Columbia's Napoleon at Waterloo. 👍👍
First of your videos for me. I was a hardcore AH gamer from1970 through about 1985. My favorites are ASL and Hitler's War. The only game that I kept from back then is Up Front! It's a pretty fun card game from AH that's built in Modules like ASL and gets progressively more complicated but the base level is easy and fun.
Cody... Glad you made this video. Hmmm... yeah, your selections are on the "lighter" side of things. I've recently been part of a monthly war-game group and we simply don't have more than three hours or so to play any game... SO, I've developed a fondness for some easier games. In effect, I have two lists... one I can complete with my game group, and the other, I like to linger over... here it goes: Personal List: 10: Squad Leader (AH): gritty action, a good feel for how it's done. 9) Panzer Leader (AH): Yeah, Dudes on a Map, but Western Theater 8) Stalingrad (AH): Original "Coffin Box game"... but easy to set up and easy to play 7) Reds (GMT): Can the White Armies beat the Bolsheviks? Great mechanics! 6) Combat Infantry (West or East): Total sandbox! Love the Fog of War! Easy rule set! 5) Las Barracades (compass): Nothing like a Spanish Civil War game, squad level to get the blood rushing! 4) B-17, Queen of the Skies (AH): AH, the stories! I never get tired of this game. 3) Battle Cry(big box... Commands and Colors): Another sandbox game with easy rule set ups. 2) PanzerBlitz(AH): Big tanks, Big guns... a thoughtful level of complexity. 1) "Warfighter" by DVG: I own the Modern and WWII (and PMC) editions... options, and realism... the BEST!!!! "Cody List": (No particular order here, but all fun) 10) Gettysburg (Columbia): LOVE the blocks, fog of war, easy accounting . 9) C&C/Medieval (GMT): Great flow of movement, love the blocks. 8) C&C/Ancients (GMT): Let's mix this puppy up... Spartans versus Romans? Huns VS Carthage... YES! 7) Combat Infantry (Columbia): Easy set up, jump right in... lots of creative options. 6) Victory (Columbia): TOTAL sandbox! Pick your color, pick your map and create! 5) Crusaders (Columbia): Easy set up, easy rules... point to point movement... fast and fun! 4) **Any of Columbia's Civil War Block games: Lots of challenge here, easy entry point. 3) The Great War (and expansions)(PSC): Great Mini's, tanks, a real tactile feel for trench warfare. 2) Wings of Glory (Ares Games): Great mini's, great strategy. 1) Armageddon War (Flying Pig): Quality production, large counters, fantastic game board, options, options, options!!! *1) Warfighter (all renditions) (DVG): This game ROCKS!!!! Pick your squad, weapons, and missions... entrenched!!! Anyway... these are the games from the top of my head, as such. There are more that I love... including "Rifles in the Ardennes/Pacific" by Tiny Battle Publishing, "Gringo" by GMT, and Commanceria, but they are for a harder list. Have you tried "Warfighter"???? DVG is the best!!!!
It gets weird when Cody entrenched units in Catan. Well, it used to be a Euro until Cody played it. The Robber has no chance against Cody's strategic genius 😀
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer I knew it! All it takes is line of sight on the robber and the robber will be out of action. When Cody does this, a 7 roll results in reinforcements in the form of a new Knight, which also results in Cody getting EVERYONE's resources. Cody then goes off and builds fortress spaces that train even MORE Knight, and the game morphs into Lowerherz.
I was nervous when you mentioned light wargames as I prefer heavier ones, but this was a good list with some top games. Friedrich & Command & Colors are both excellent.
Most of my current wargames are either GMT or Compass. I think many of the games you mention aren't all that light, but then I don't have the tolerance or patience to play the hardcore games. While I used to play grognard level wargames, but those days are long gone. Btw, I've read somewhere Phalanx is going to issue a 2nd ed. of Age of Napoleon.
What an interesting list!!! Axis and Allies looks great, as does Tide of Iron! The closest I've probably come to playing historical Wargames is Risk. Gonna do some research on some of those other abstract games like Fields of Despair and Hannibal & Hamilcar, and try to see if you've done your other list of Sci-fi/fantasy Wargames. Totally worth the watch!
Here is my Fantastical Wargame list: ruclips.net/video/9f9gEdYc5tg/видео.html; and check out my review for War Room, my new #1 game of all time: ruclips.net/video/Dva1XGGEL8E/видео.html
I was glad to see that my favorite, A House Divided, at least got an honorable mention. A House Divided is a great game with no blocks and no cards. The system is very "clean." You can easily make your own scenarios.
Great list. I'm still waiting to get my copies of Fields of Despair and Hannibal to a table I submit for your consideration. War Room Quartermaster General:1914 Holdfast Atlantic: 1939-45
Glad to see Tide of Iron. Excellent balance of realism and ease of play. The decks of cards, while secondary, add a lot. I even adapted TOI to my GHQ miniatures and hexes. Sad that the company eased production. (I managed to get everything from dwindling supply out there.)
It would be really good if you did a video for "favorite war games for more than 2 players". I rarely have just one person over and would love to hear your thoughts on this.
As a relative newbe to this kind of board game except for Risk would you recommend the original Axis and Allies or one of the numerous new versions? Or maybe Tide of Iron? Looking for two ppl and not crazily complicated rules. Thanks
Perhaps the easiest entry level game into the hobby is Memoir '44, but it is pretty light. Axis and Allies is a lot of fun. I would recommend the anniversary edition, or Europe or Pacific. Tide of Iron is fantastic, but it is currently out of print. If you can track down a copy it is a lot of fun, but a little more complicated that AA. Also, AA is a strategic level look at the war, whereas TOI and M44 are tactical.
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer It's definitely worth a try. The way the troops you levy will go home after 40 days the become available to levy again is a really interesting mechanic.
This show is pure sugar, it's cheap and it crumbles in capable hands !! Scary thing is that I have 7/10 of those games I own. I met and played Richard who designed Friedrich, a lovely guy but turns into Mr.Hyde if you play against him in a Friedrich tournament.
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Richard apparently got the inspiration for the game from a documentary on Friedrich on German TV. He said it took him ages to design the layout on the board using really antiquated CAD software.
When can we expect the fantastic version of this list? I loved the recommendations here, and would love to see the similar for the more fantasy/sci-fi. 😁 Great list sir!
TY Cody! Happy to see my favorite (CCNapoleonics) in your third place and my beloved 1775 in second place! Luckily for you we do not live close because I would invade your home with my full CCN collection, armies, Epic and Grand Battle boards! About your #1 Friedrich and has you have good taste: I will study this game with interest for sure!
Great video! Cody im thinking of buying battle of britain and Heroes of Normandie. I think those two games are light, easy and i like ww2 board games. Whats your opinion on those two games? Greetinz from the Netherlands
Amazon will have many of them. Some are out of print. You could try Cool Stuff Inc or Miniature Market. There are several other online retailers. You may have a friendly neighborhood game store near you as well.
I'm curious whether you've tried any of GMT's COIN series, and they just haven't made your list, or if you haven't tried them yet. If you haven't, they bring an interesting added dimension to wargaming.
I was too at first but they turned out to click after a turn or two. The player aid cards are superb. Volumes 1,2,3,7, and 9 are particularly accessible.
Another great video. I only disagree with Undaunted. Bought it when it came out and hated it. Otherwise I can’t wait to try some of the others. Thanks again!
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Ouch Cody, ouch, if Friedrich is your top Wargame, gather 2 wargaming friends and dish out Maria (should take you 3-4 hours oppose to Friedrich 4-5 or so on average) I have played both Friedrich is a bit more simple, not that Maria is absurdly complex, but I think you will like it more. Two advantages regarding Friedrich Plays 4 and is easier to throw at people, but Maria I think is generally considered a better game and one of the best 3 player game, not to mention it has a great mechanic of a schizophrenic player. Go play get us a review before end of the year ;)
We played Fredrick many times then discovered Maria... the game play is similar but they have enhanced the rules to eliminate some of the quirks of Fredrick... plays a lot smoother...
Cool list. Washington's War... I have We the People (AH) I think the only difference is WW took away the Tactic Cards (Which I like), it did slow the game combat a little but to me it gave a little more flavor to combat. Fields Of Despair I would love to try this. Hannibal (AH) don't know what Hamilcar adds but enjoyed the AH version. Tide if Iron Luv this game it reminds me of Tractics WW2 miniatures game I played in my youth on a board game level. Only wish they did the Pacific Theater of Operations. Maybe if I use the Japanese minis from Memoir and make my own scenarios. Agree with C&C Nap for the same reasons. 1775 I was on the Kickstarter after playing 1812 .Freidrich Have always wanted to own or at least play. Luv ASL but I don't think I would tackle it at my age if I haven't been playing since 1985. As I get older I am being drawn into the quick faster play games.
ok, obviously as a random commenter on Internet I know better what should have been there, so: 1. It has to be top-50, as top-10 is definitely not enough and it would be hear more about all those other games... so maybe top-100? 2. It has to have Table Battles on it. Talking about Table Battles - this is what 'killed' C&C for me, especially since they cover so much with so little. Hollandspiele has more interesting stuff, like Brave Little Belgium and Supply Lines of American Revolution, but Table Battles is a must have light wargame, I think. They also have annual sale till 7th of Dec.
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Table Battles, it's from Hollandspiele - a tiny print-on-demand wargaming company somewhere in US. Each battle is played by rolling assigning dice to cards, with the catch that if your card can react to opponent - you react instead of making your turn. They have released a bunch of expansions, as this system allows to model surprising amounts of battles with surprising level of authenticity for such a tiny game. Marco formerly-known-as-wargamer has reviewed it before the game had any expansions, I think. I'm not sure if I can post links to the publisher or marco's review here as it's potentially a distraction from your channel ^^'
I’m surprised that I liked this list after you said you didn’t like the more complex games and mentioned axis and allies to start. But ya great list, I would have put Julius Ceasar #1. Only one I didn’t like was tide of iron.
Sir, Yes sir!! Great list Cody! I’ve been interested in 1775 now for a while. The digital version is on my wish list on Steam in fact, mainly because I’m a solo player. In fact, are any of these games playable Solo/have solo mechanics?
Great video. I would have included Dominate Species in the top ten. Evolutionary warfare. Have played the game over a dozen times. Still hungry. Damn dirty apes!
An excellent selection. It's DOMINANT SPECIES, btw. Superb area control game with an action selection mechanic. It's designer, well known for his Combat Commander series, died recently, much too young.
Empires in Arms acquired a certain following among those who want multi-player games, but many of us cannot get more than one opponent to commit to a game, especially a complex one requiring many sessions. It disappointed me that Empire in Arms did not have a two-player scenario to cover from, say, 1812 to 1814.
It's really too bad that Games Workshop™ decided to neglect Warhammer Historical and ultimately disassociate itself from that system. We still use it to field Mediaeval and Ancient armies to stage battles.
They really dropped the ball with that. Most kids these days and a great number of adults prefer that genre unfortunately 😢 I started playing war strategy games back in the early 70s and sci fi themes were the Polar opposite of the following they have today. Take care friend.
Oh just wanted to mention since you are a Addams Family Fan if you get the free Pluto TV app channel 310 is the Addams Family channel. Its free a whole ton of channels paid by commercials even the James Bond Channel & Classic Dr. Who
Great video as always. I don't have any of these games. Which is fine. It's all good. Block games just do not appeal to me. Games with too many cards, you might as well be playing hearts or Canasta or Yu-Gi-Oh. 1. Kingmaker, 2. P.B./P.L./AIW, 3. Air Assault Crete/Malta/Cyprus, 4. D-Day, 5. Just about everything else from Avalon Hill (tie). Honorable mention: Holland '44, Race to the Meuse, White Death, Lion of Ethiopia, Victory in the West(all 3 games). Also: 27 games I have not played yet.
It isn't strictly historical, it is a "cold war gone hot" game. It would probably be pretty hard to find all the expansions for it today to have everything, but I bet you would like "MegaSupremacy" a lot. Not Supremacy, "MegaSupremacy". It's like Axis & Allies on steroids with nuclear weapons.
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer It was a cult classic of the 1980's that was a one-man show game company called "Supremacy Games". Today you'd just have to try to find all the expansions on E-Bay. If you looked into it, there are a few of the expansions that many did not like to play with, like "Warlords & Pirates", that you don't really need. But it is very old and was only popular with a small cult of fans like me.
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer The basic Supremacy game is easy to find, that is more like Risk with nuclear weapons. MegaSupremacy is a different rulebook with a bunch of expansions to Supremacy.
You might hate ASL (we all do, as it is too complicated) but to not even know of the Basic Squad Leader only shows you are ignorant of the older good wargames. All your selections say that you were born too late to really know many good old war games from the "golden age of war-games" Only thing I see about your selections of "newer" GMT war games is they include card luck , which throws games more than dice luck 3 games, no excuse not to know the first 2 1. Squad Leader by Avalon Hill, is the best historic wargame ever made of tactical WWII combat, (screw ASL it is the tombstone of a great earlier game) , Squad Leader with the first expansion (Cross of Iron ) - I will tell you this-, no better wargame has been made ASL? LOL a byzantine mess of rules(a totality of the original SL 4 expansions-over 300 pages of rules/errata /changes by then) compared to the original, shoot anybody who thinks ASL was an improvement or even close to the original great war-game. 2, Gettysburg by Avalon Hill (the intermediate level is great,), the advanced level is way too involved (like ASL) and something that complicated was done much better in Sid Meyers Civil War computer game), which I still think has the best AI too. But try Intermediate rules AH -Gettysburg. Awesome game 3. I suggest Richtofen's War as well, simple air war combat, but very intricate, try it My top 3 , I am much more "old school" obviously Honorable mentions Ironclads by Yaquinto. Panzer Leader, Alexander and Midway all by AH deserve some mention too. Yea, I am not upset, I am much more sad that so many new people really don't know the good real wargames.
Looks great, but the Sekigahara should be part of the top 10 in my opinion as I prefer the card driven battle instead of dice much more. Hannibal is also good with the card driven battle but the length is way too long for me.....
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer I also have Undaunted Normandy in my collection. It is good to see we have the same taste in some games. Do you suggest any other card driven war games like Sekigahara and Hannibal? My game group just doesn't like dice....
Cody has already made it pretty clear he does not care for the "heavier" wargames. I'm with you, in that I prefer the old school Avalon Hill games. His preferences are more toward the abstract games with far fewer counters. But I can respect his opinions. As he says, "Different strokes..."
Time in the video, spot, game title, war [+ rounded time period]
1:59 Honorable Mentions (Axis&Allies, Sekigahara, A House Divided, Age of Napoleon, The American Civil War)
(spoilers below, all 10 entries)
3:22 10. Washington's War (American CW, ~1860)
4:17 9. Fields of Despair (WW1)
5:38 8. Triumph & Tragedy (WW2)
6:48 7. Hannibal & Hamilcar (Rome vs Carthage, ~200BC)
8:12 6. Tide of Iron (WW2)
9:55 5. Undaunted: Normandy (WW2)
10:51 4. Napoleon: 4th Edition (Napoleonic Wars ~1800)
11:45 3. Commands & Colors: Napoleonics (Napoleonic Wars)
12:47 2. 1775: Rebellion (American Revolution)
14:06 *1. Friedrich* (The Seven Years War, 1756)
Thank you. How is this not in the video description??
Your number ten isn’t circa 1860 or the ACW
Nice list Cody, thanks for taking the time to post it. I've got 7 out of your 10 on my shelves so I can commend you on your impeccable taste! If I had to throw in a few of my own choices - Moscow '41 (cracking block game), Hands in the Sea (Rome vs Carthage again!), No Retreat (Barbarossa with few counters and some card play), Hearts and Minds (my fave Vietnam game), Hellenes (Peloponessian War block game goodness from GMT) and The Fires of Midway ( card and dice based carrier combat, great fun!). Hmm.. I could go on - don't know how you managed to whittle it down to ten! Doing a cracking job Cody, your vids are always much appreciated.
Thank you, sir.
Hello from Austin, Tx. I have very fond memories of Axis and Allies as well. It was the first serious board game I played way back in middle school. As for recent favorites, big fan of Warfighter WWII from DVG and the American Revolution, a Command and Colors game from Compass games.
Fantastic!
Thanks for making this list! Love seeing Tide of Iron in your list. Really a shame it does not get more recognition. Has enough tactical decisions to reward sound play but is more accessible than the heavier weight counterparts. Keep up the good work!
DaisyMazeGames Thanks!
A great list (as always) -- I have a couple you mentioned (1775 from the Top 10, and a few of the honorable mentions), and this will help me to focus my purchases in the coming years as my son gets older and more interested in such games. We play Memoir 44 frequently (was surprised it wasn't an honorable mention, at least). Axis and Allies, will be appearing under the tree this Christmas. I seem to recall you having a very positive review of Hannibal & Hamilcar some time ago -- glad to see that it still is one of your favorites -- that'll probably be my next Historical Wargame purchase. I saw in the comments you will be graduating next summer -- congratulations.
Also was interested to see your praise for Undaunted -- I spotted that game a few weeks ago and have been curious about it. It might beat Hannibal & Hamilcar to my shelves.
Thank you. I'm hoping to graduate next summer. Hopefully I can get my dissertation finished by then and my committee likes it. I didn't include Memoir '44 because I put C&C Napoleonics on the list - which is my favorite of the Commands and Colors games, and in a sense is representative of all of them.
Could not agree more re Friedrich at the top. The Cards of Fate end game play is brilliant. Surprisingly easy to grasp for such a complex game. Lost my first game to my friend Matthew over at Gary's place but not by much. Immediately hooked. Re The Seven Years War, big fan of Volko Ruhnke's Wilderness War (GMT). Tight, clear rulebook, endless replay value. Friends with developer Rob Winslow, went to middle school with Volko. Small world.
Friedrich is great, for sure.
Useful info on the games, thanks. I'm new to most of these so appreciate the previews.
Thanks. Happy to help.
Great list! I'm waiting for my copy of Hannibal and Hamilcar to arrive - I'm glad it made the cut. Keep up the great work, really hope your channel continues to grow.
Thank you, sir. I appreciate it.
So excited that Undaunted made the list!
So excited that more Undaunted titles are on the way!
You should come to the 2020 Axis and Allies Global 1940 Bloodbath Rules tournament in Laguna Hills, CA next September. It is a great set of rules that makes global 40 playable in eight hours and provides for more victory opportunities.
Sounds like fun. I have no idea where I'll be or what I'll be doing at that time however. Hopefully I will graduate next summer.
I so need to get a copy of Undaunted! It's one I've been eyeing for a while. Deckbuilding, WW2, and tactical combat... yes please! I haven't played any of the games on your list. I don't own many wargames but my top wargames would be Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear 2nd edition, Combat Commander: Europe (just played and it's amazing), and Thunderbolt: Apache Leader. Honorable mention would be Warfighter WW2 and Memoir' 44.
I think you'll really like Undaunted. Great game.
Personally Friedrich is my number one and a brilliant game.It has simple,easy rules which you don't need more than 5-10 minutes to explain or teach the rules and has so much strategy and tactics behind.
Indeed. Great game.
Loved your list! Great list! I have Washington's War, Hannibal, Tide of Iron & Undaunted. I would pick Memoir 44 as my Command and Colors choice, and I have 1812 as opposed to your 1775. Axis and Allies was/is always played over the years, the perennial classic in all it's versions. It'd be on my honorable mention list too. Fields of Disspair & Frederick look super interesting. Triumph & Tragedy and Columbia's Napoleon (Waterloo) game also are very cool looking...especially Columbia's Napoleon at Waterloo. 👍👍
Great games all, for sure!
Friedrich sounds amazing. Will check it out.
Thank you.
Thank you. Happy to help.
First of your videos for me. I was a hardcore AH gamer from1970 through about 1985. My favorites are ASL and Hitler's War. The only game that I kept from back then is Up Front! It's a pretty fun card game from AH that's built in Modules like ASL and gets progressively more complicated but the base level is easy and fun.
They sound like great games.
Another old man like me!
Well at least by numbers in theroy👍
Cody... Glad you made this video. Hmmm... yeah, your selections are on the "lighter" side of things. I've recently been part of a monthly war-game group and we simply don't have more than three hours or so to play any game... SO, I've developed a fondness for some easier games. In effect, I have two lists... one I can complete with my game group, and the other, I like to linger over... here it goes:
Personal List:
10: Squad Leader (AH): gritty action, a good feel for how it's done.
9) Panzer Leader (AH): Yeah, Dudes on a Map, but Western Theater
8) Stalingrad (AH): Original "Coffin Box game"... but easy to set up and easy to play
7) Reds (GMT): Can the White Armies beat the Bolsheviks? Great mechanics!
6) Combat Infantry (West or East): Total sandbox! Love the Fog of War! Easy rule set!
5) Las Barracades (compass): Nothing like a Spanish Civil War game, squad level to get the blood rushing!
4) B-17, Queen of the Skies (AH): AH, the stories! I never get tired of this game.
3) Battle Cry(big box... Commands and Colors): Another sandbox game with easy rule set ups.
2) PanzerBlitz(AH): Big tanks, Big guns... a thoughtful level of complexity.
1) "Warfighter" by DVG: I own the Modern and WWII (and PMC) editions... options, and realism... the BEST!!!!
"Cody List":
(No particular order here, but all fun)
10) Gettysburg (Columbia): LOVE the blocks, fog of war, easy accounting .
9) C&C/Medieval (GMT): Great flow of movement, love the blocks.
8) C&C/Ancients (GMT): Let's mix this puppy up... Spartans versus Romans? Huns VS Carthage... YES!
7) Combat Infantry (Columbia): Easy set up, jump right in... lots of creative options.
6) Victory (Columbia): TOTAL sandbox! Pick your color, pick your map and create!
5) Crusaders (Columbia): Easy set up, easy rules... point to point movement... fast and fun!
4) **Any of Columbia's Civil War Block games: Lots of challenge here, easy entry point.
3) The Great War (and expansions)(PSC): Great Mini's, tanks, a real tactile feel for trench warfare.
2) Wings of Glory (Ares Games): Great mini's, great strategy.
1) Armageddon War (Flying Pig): Quality production, large counters, fantastic game board, options, options, options!!!
*1) Warfighter (all renditions) (DVG): This game ROCKS!!!! Pick your squad, weapons, and missions... entrenched!!!
Anyway... these are the games from the top of my head, as such. There are more that I love... including "Rifles in the Ardennes/Pacific" by Tiny Battle Publishing, "Gringo" by GMT, and Commanceria, but they are for a harder list.
Have you tried "Warfighter"???? DVG is the best!!!!
Both lists look interesting. I haven't played warfighter but I've heard good things.
It gets weird when Cody entrenched units in Catan. Well, it used to be a Euro until Cody played it. The Robber has no chance against Cody's strategic genius 😀
Catan has hexes. It is a wargame!
Ha!
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer I knew it! All it takes is line of sight on the robber and the robber will be out of action. When Cody does this, a 7 roll results in reinforcements in the form of a new Knight, which also results in Cody getting EVERYONE's resources. Cody then goes off and builds fortress spaces that train even MORE Knight, and the game morphs into Lowerherz.
@@richhutnik2477 Who shared with you my self-authored "Optimal Rules to Catan" playbook?
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Subtitled: With an Iron Fist, Dragons, and Dad Jokes. 😛
I was nervous when you mentioned light wargames as I prefer heavier ones, but this was a good list with some top games. Friedrich & Command & Colors are both excellent.
Indeed. Thank you, sir.
Most of my current wargames are either GMT or Compass. I think many of the games you mention aren't all that light, but then I don't have the tolerance or patience to play the hardcore games. While I used to play grognard level wargames, but those days are long gone. Btw, I've read somewhere Phalanx is going to issue a 2nd ed. of Age of Napoleon.
I hadn't heard that about Age of Napoleon. Pretty cool if true.
What an interesting list!!! Axis and Allies looks great, as does Tide of Iron! The closest I've probably come to playing historical Wargames is Risk. Gonna do some research on some of those other abstract games like Fields of Despair and Hannibal & Hamilcar, and try to see if you've done your other list of Sci-fi/fantasy Wargames. Totally worth the watch!
Here is my Fantastical Wargame list: ruclips.net/video/9f9gEdYc5tg/видео.html; and check out my review for War Room, my new #1 game of all time: ruclips.net/video/Dva1XGGEL8E/видео.html
Great video! I love 878 Vikings. Great historical war game.
Yes it is.
I'm also in Texas. We just moved to a small town near Abilene.
I'm in the DFW area.
I was glad to see that my favorite, A House Divided, at least got an honorable mention. A House Divided is a great game with no blocks and no cards. The system is very "clean." You can easily make your own scenarios.
Great game.
You are the best, good sir; the absolute best.
Renaissance Gamer You are too kind.
Thank you! Thank you! Cody 2020!
Ha! I'll be announcing my candidacy shortly.
Great list. I'm still waiting to get my copies of Fields of Despair and Hannibal to a table
I submit for your consideration.
War Room
Quartermaster General:1914
Holdfast Atlantic: 1939-45
Roland Bruno Id like to try all of them, but really hope I can try War Room before too long.
Glad to see Tide of Iron. Excellent balance of realism and ease of play. The decks of cards, while secondary, add a lot. I even adapted TOI to my GHQ miniatures and hexes. Sad that the company eased production. (I managed to get everything from dwindling supply out there.)
Indeed.
It would be really good if you did a video for "favorite war games for more than 2 players". I rarely have just one person over and would love to hear your thoughts on this.
As a relative newbe to this kind of board game except for Risk would you recommend the original Axis and Allies or one of the numerous new versions? Or maybe Tide of Iron? Looking for two ppl and not crazily complicated rules. Thanks
Perhaps the easiest entry level game into the hobby is Memoir '44, but it is pretty light. Axis and Allies is a lot of fun. I would recommend the anniversary edition, or Europe or Pacific. Tide of Iron is fantastic, but it is currently out of print. If you can track down a copy it is a lot of fun, but a little more complicated that AA. Also, AA is a strategic level look at the war, whereas TOI and M44 are tactical.
Whaaaaat? #1 is NOT "War Room"!!!???? I am floored. LOL
Made this list before I played War Room.
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer
Pax in nomine Domini.
You are forgiven! 🙂
BTW" Hopefully you will made an updated video when War Room Version II becomes available.
I purchased it cannot wait for it to arrive!
Great list Cody ! There is a bit of sound noise at the beginning but audible, just fyi
A lot parents and squares only hear "noise" when I talk. They just don't understand us!
If you are into the logistics thing, have you tried Nevsky: Teutons and Rus in Collision?
No, but I've heard good things about it.
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer It's definitely worth a try. The way the troops you levy will go home after 40 days the become available to levy again is a really interesting mechanic.
This show is pure sugar, it's cheap and it crumbles in capable hands !! Scary thing is that I have 7/10 of those games I own. I met and played Richard who designed Friedrich, a lovely guy but turns into Mr.Hyde if you play against him in a Friedrich tournament.
Ha! That's awesome!
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Richard apparently got the inspiration for the game from a documentary on Friedrich on German TV. He said it took him ages to design the layout on the board using really antiquated CAD software.
When can we expect the fantastic version of this list? I loved the recommendations here, and would love to see the similar for the more fantasy/sci-fi. 😁
Great list sir!
Thank you. Did it a few months ago: ruclips.net/video/9f9gEdYc5tg/видео.html
Keep an eye out for an Age of Napoleon reprint with refined rules in the next year
Will do.
TY Cody!
Happy to see my favorite (CCNapoleonics) in your third place and my beloved 1775 in second place!
Luckily for you we do not live close because I would invade your home with my full CCN collection, armies, Epic and Grand Battle boards!
About your #1 Friedrich and has you have good taste: I will study this game with interest for sure!
I think you'd get a kick out of Friedrich!
Good set of recommendations!
Thank you!
Are there any more or less recent wargames about Ancient China?
I'm sure there are, but I don't know of any off the top of my head.
I’m just a teeny bit concerned about that shelf. Watch out, Fort Sumter!
Ha!
Great video! Cody im thinking of buying battle of britain and Heroes of Normandie. I think those two games are light, easy and i like ww2 board games. Whats your opinion on those two games? Greetinz from the Netherlands
I haven't played HoN, but here's my review for Battle of Britain: ruclips.net/video/TeLfbRJI0eM/видео.html
Both great games mate!
Hi Cody, May I ask where you could find these games? I guess amazon and the like yes?
Amazon will have many of them. Some are out of print. You could try Cool Stuff Inc or Miniature Market. There are several other online retailers. You may have a friendly neighborhood game store near you as well.
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Thanks Cody!! I really want to get some of these.Love your channel by the way.
@@briancampbell6038 Thanks!
If you like Friedrich, you have to check out Maria by the same author. It’s a very similar game but tighter and balanced in a really neat way
Yeah - I've got it, but have not played it yet.
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer You definitely should :)
Why do you prefer over 1775 over 1812 or 878? Is is the theme or is there something better about the gameplay? ty
Firstly, I do like the theme the best. However, I like how area control works in this one the best out of all the others.
I'm curious whether you've tried any of GMT's COIN series, and they just haven't made your list, or if you haven't tried them yet. If you haven't, they bring an interesting added dimension to wargaming.
No. I've addressed this in the past. I haven't played any COIN games. I'm sure I will at some point, but frankly, I'm a little intimidated by them.
I was too at first but they turned out to click after a turn or two. The player aid cards are superb. Volumes 1,2,3,7, and 9 are particularly accessible.
@@MadUncleAndy Perhaps I will hit one at some point.
Great list. Thanks.
Thank you!
Great video!
Thanks!
My first impression seeing Axis and Allies - why Warsaw is in Lithuania? :)
I don't know.
Another great video. I only disagree with Undaunted. Bought it when it came out and hated it. Otherwise I can’t wait to try some of the others. Thanks again!
Love me some Undaunted. To each their own.
So no The Campaign for North Africa: The Desert War 1940-43?
Ha!
Yes, ad blockers are AWESOME ;)
2 questions.
What about Maria? And Why Friedrich >>> Maria?
I own Maria. I have not yet played Maria. I keep hearing that.
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Ouch Cody, ouch, if Friedrich is your top Wargame, gather 2 wargaming friends and dish out Maria (should take you 3-4 hours oppose to Friedrich 4-5 or so on average)
I have played both Friedrich is a bit more simple, not that Maria is absurdly complex, but I think you will like it more.
Two advantages regarding Friedrich
Plays 4 and is easier to throw at people, but Maria I think is generally considered a better game and one of the best 3 player game, not to mention it has a great mechanic of a schizophrenic player. Go play get us a review before end of the year ;)
@@lokihve6591 I don't think you'll see one before the end of the year! Ha!
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Maybe, but you got the hint ;)
We played Fredrick many times then discovered Maria... the game play is similar but they have enhanced the rules to eliminate some of the quirks of Fredrick... plays a lot smoother...
Cool list. Washington's War... I have We the People (AH) I think the only difference is WW took away the Tactic Cards (Which I like), it did slow the game combat a little but to me it gave a little more flavor to combat. Fields Of Despair I would love to try this. Hannibal (AH) don't know what Hamilcar adds but enjoyed the AH version. Tide if Iron Luv this game it reminds me of Tractics WW2 miniatures game I played in my youth on a board game level. Only wish they did the Pacific Theater of Operations. Maybe if I use the Japanese minis from Memoir and make my own scenarios. Agree with C&C Nap for the same reasons. 1775 I was on the Kickstarter after playing 1812 .Freidrich Have always wanted to own or at least play. Luv ASL but I don't think I would tackle it at my age if I haven't been playing since 1985. As I get older I am being drawn into the quick faster play games.
Thanks!
ok, obviously as a random commenter on Internet I know better what should have been there, so:
1. It has to be top-50, as top-10 is definitely not enough and it would be hear more about all those other games... so maybe top-100?
2. It has to have Table Battles on it.
Talking about Table Battles - this is what 'killed' C&C for me, especially since they cover so much with so little. Hollandspiele has more interesting stuff, like Brave Little Belgium and Supply Lines of American Revolution, but Table Battles is a must have light wargame, I think. They also have annual sale till 7th of Dec.
I've not heard of this game.
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Table Battles, it's from Hollandspiele - a tiny print-on-demand wargaming company somewhere in US. Each battle is played by rolling assigning dice to cards, with the catch that if your card can react to opponent - you react instead of making your turn. They have released a bunch of expansions, as this system allows to model surprising amounts of battles with surprising level of authenticity for such a tiny game. Marco formerly-known-as-wargamer has reviewed it before the game had any expansions, I think.
I'm not sure if I can post links to the publisher or marco's review here as it's potentially a distraction from your channel ^^'
Axis and Allies best all time ever. Totally started me on boardgames. It's simplicity still holds up today.
I hope you get a chance to play War Room by the same designer. Like AA on steroids and not much more complicated.
I’m surprised that I liked this list after you said you didn’t like the more complex games and mentioned axis and allies to start. But ya great list, I would have put Julius Ceasar #1. Only one I didn’t like was tide of iron.
Thanks. No love for TOI?
Sir, Yes sir!! Great list Cody! I’ve been interested in 1775 now for a while. The digital version is on my wish list on Steam in fact, mainly because I’m a solo player. In fact, are any of these games playable Solo/have solo mechanics?
I'm not sure that any of them do. I could be wrong, however. I have never played any of them solo.
I don't have the GMT games that made TDG's list here, but I am pretty sure most of the ones I have include solo variants.
Great video. I would have included Dominate Species in the top ten. Evolutionary warfare. Have played the game over a dozen times. Still hungry. Damn dirty apes!
Ha! I've heard good things about that one, but alas, it has not crossed my tabletop.
An excellent selection. It's DOMINANT SPECIES, btw. Superb area control game with an action selection mechanic. It's designer, well known for his Combat Commander series, died recently, much too young.
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Well worth seeking out.
Why not Combat Commander: Europe? Not light enough?
I haven't played it.
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer I think you should, you could have a blast!
@@trentaraggi Perhaps I will at some point.
I agree with your choices that I've played, but Combat Commander: Europe is by far my favorite wargame. I can't recommend it enough.
Cody, Keep it up!
Will do. Thank you, sir.
Why are these games so expensive and hard to get
That is a question for philosophers, not board game reviewers.
No love for Empires in Arms? Best Napoleonic era wargame EVAH!
Haven't played that one.
Empires in Arms acquired a certain following among those who want multi-player games, but many of us cannot get more than one opponent to commit to a game, especially a complex one requiring many sessions. It disappointed me that Empire in Arms did not have a two-player scenario to cover from, say, 1812 to 1814.
It's really too bad that Games Workshop™ decided to neglect Warhammer Historical and ultimately disassociate itself from that system.
We still use it to field Mediaeval and Ancient armies to stage battles.
They really dropped the ball with that.
Most kids these days and a great number of adults prefer that genre unfortunately 😢
I started playing war strategy games back in the early 70s and sci fi themes were the Polar opposite of the following they have today.
Take care friend.
@@easyaussietarget3355,
You too. And, may you pass all your _Break Tests._
Oh just wanted to mention since you are a Addams Family Fan if you get the free Pluto TV app channel 310 is the Addams Family channel. Its free a whole ton of channels paid by commercials even the James Bond Channel & Classic Dr. Who
Great video, but I was disappointed not to see you wearing the hat from the thumbnail.
What can I say - I am the king of deceptive advertising practices.
Great video as always.
I don't have any of these games.
Which is fine. It's all good.
Block games just do not appeal to me. Games with too many cards, you might as well be playing hearts or Canasta or Yu-Gi-Oh.
1. Kingmaker, 2. P.B./P.L./AIW, 3. Air Assault Crete/Malta/Cyprus, 4. D-Day, 5. Just about everything else from Avalon Hill (tie).
Honorable mention: Holland '44, Race to the Meuse, White Death, Lion of Ethiopia, Victory in the West(all 3 games). Also: 27 games I have not played yet.
Fantastic!
Where do you live in Texas? I live in Austin and would love to meet and/or throw some dice with you. Whitney Milam
I'm in the DFW area.
No Memoir 44? So sad…
Great game. But not top ten. I’ve got C&C Napoleonics in this list, which is the same system, but better game.
You're the fucking best Cody!
Thanks!
Thank you!
It isn't strictly historical, it is a "cold war gone hot" game. It would probably be pretty hard to find all the expansions for it today to have everything, but I bet you would like "MegaSupremacy" a lot. Not Supremacy, "MegaSupremacy". It's like Axis & Allies on steroids with nuclear weapons.
That sounds like fun. Who published it?
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer It was a cult classic of the 1980's that was a one-man show game company called "Supremacy Games". Today you'd just have to try to find all the expansions on E-Bay. If you looked into it, there are a few of the expansions that many did not like to play with, like "Warlords & Pirates", that you don't really need. But it is very old and was only popular with a small cult of fans like me.
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer The basic Supremacy game is easy to find, that is more like Risk with nuclear weapons. MegaSupremacy is a different rulebook with a bunch of expansions to Supremacy.
Which city in TX.
Frederich also looks beautiful!
Love Undaunted North Africa
Great game!
You might hate ASL (we all do, as it is too complicated) but to not even know of the Basic Squad Leader only shows you are ignorant of the older good wargames.
All your selections say that you were born too late to really know many good old war games from the "golden age of war-games"
Only thing I see about your selections of "newer" GMT war games is they include card luck , which throws games more than dice luck
3 games, no excuse not to know the first 2
1. Squad Leader by Avalon Hill, is the best historic wargame ever made of tactical WWII combat, (screw ASL it is the tombstone of a great earlier game) , Squad Leader with the first expansion (Cross of Iron ) - I will tell you this-, no better wargame has been made ASL? LOL a byzantine mess of rules(a totality of the original SL 4 expansions-over 300 pages of rules/errata /changes by then) compared to the original, shoot anybody who thinks ASL was an improvement or even close to the original great war-game.
2, Gettysburg by Avalon Hill (the intermediate level is great,), the advanced level is way too involved (like ASL) and something that complicated was done much better in Sid Meyers Civil War computer game), which I still think has the best AI too. But try Intermediate rules AH -Gettysburg. Awesome game
3. I suggest Richtofen's War as well, simple air war combat, but very intricate, try it
My top 3 , I am much more "old school" obviously
Honorable mentions
Ironclads by Yaquinto. Panzer Leader, Alexander and Midway all by AH deserve some mention too.
Yea, I am not upset, I am much more sad that so many new people really don't know the good real wargames.
Chris Perrien I suppose the overwhelming number of games out there provides an excuse as to my unfamiliarity.
Conflict of Heroes???? No?
I've only played Guadalcanal. I should have given it an HM, but not top ten.
Not to late am I
Late you are.
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Oh no
Nice games, but I only own one of them - 1775
So - own more! Do I have to think of everything! ;)
I have my priorities on other games, some with a sport theme instead.
Looks great, but the Sekigahara should be part of the top 10 in my opinion as I prefer the card driven battle instead of dice much more.
Hannibal is also good with the card driven battle but the length is way too long for me.....
It is a great game.
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer I also have Undaunted Normandy in my collection. It is good to see we have the same taste in some games.
Do you suggest any other card driven war games like Sekigahara and Hannibal? My game group just doesn't like dice....
@@lonely_gamer_jonathan Washington's War is good. As are the Command and Colors games. I recently played Lincoln, which I enjoyed.
To me Hannibal was the pinnacle of elegance for CDGs. One of my all-time favorites too.
these arent wargames wargames are panzerblitz. squad leader he might have just listed monoply as awar game what joke
Cody has already made it pretty clear he does not care for the "heavier" wargames. I'm with you, in that I prefer the old school Avalon Hill games. His preferences are more toward the abstract games with far fewer counters. But I can respect his opinions. As he says, "Different strokes..."
yaaaaawwwwww
Dolt.
No memoir 44? You are studying ww2 history and you love command and colors and you dont have memoir44 on the list?
I own and love Memoir '44. There are just better games out there.