Great Video. Mr President I am waiting on Delivery for as well. I also love the COIN series of games. The learning curve on your first COIN game is tough unless you have someone teach it too you. After you have learned one game the rest are pretty easy to pick up. My favorite COIN game is an easy one CUBA LIBRE.
My top 9: 1. Here I Stand 2. Virgin Queen 3. Sekigahara 4. Twilight Struggle 5. Successors 6. Fire in the Lake 7. Commands & Colors: Ancients 8. Space Empires 4X 9. Unconditional Surrender!
@@LegendaryTactics the card system, and how it works for both movement and combat. Similar to Twilight Struggle. Obviously very different mechanics, but the same kind of “tension” in how you have to budget and spend what’s in your hand. Agonizing decisions, in the best sense. Gahhh…so good!
Sekigahara is a great 2-player strategy game. Aside from the interesting card play, not knowing how powerful an enemy army will be in a fight due to what's in their hand, the hidden forces, and the possibility of a unit defecting to the other side in a battle provides a great fog of war. There's also a little asymmetry between the two sides but not so much that you're each using different mechanics. Not too heavy, either. Good stuff!
I discovered gmt last christmas. I was buying some memoir 44 expansions and discovered richard borg wrote many commands and colors games. Which led me down the gmt p500 rabbit hole.
Great video! I love Battle Line! You had so many interesting-sounding games on your list. I've wanted to play Twilight Struggle for a while and I'm glad there are some less intimidating options.
You guys are awesome. I think your overviews of games are often better then others in depth reviews. Kind of a Siskel and Ebert of games except you are a trio each with different areas of expertise that compliment each other.
First experience with the channel and I like it! Too many great games from GMT, but favorites are: The Hunters, Fields of Fire, Liberty or Death, Normandy '44, Mr. President. Just got The British Way and it's excellent, so pre-ordered the same designer's The Guerrilla Generation, which has a campaign with the maps of El Salvador and Nicaragua being played simultaneously to rep what was going on in those regions during the Reagan admin. Very intriguing. People Power looks great, too! Can't really go wrong with GMT. Subscribed!
Your #1 pick Paths of Glory is a great game! Played it a lot while deployed. It has a card driven solo expansion out. Nato’s Space Empires also has a Solo A.I. in the second 2nd expansion. The final expansion at the printers includes two new groups which will enable up to a seven player game!
Yes, I found the solo option on the GMT website as a print and play, and I'll be trying that one out. Also, I have been waiting for the 2nd and 3rd expansions for Space Empires 4X to be in print - can't wait!
GMT has diversified their line very well, especially in recent years. "Charioteer", "Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East/Inner Seas", "Versailles 1919", "1846", and "SpaceCorp", as well as evergreens like "Battle Line", offer excellent choices to those for whom 'wargames' are not a draw-indeed, GMT seems to have a surprisingly small proportion of traditional hex-and-counter games in their product line. Perhaps the biggest problem with GMT is their limited print runs, so that one has to wait years for a desired game to be reprinted, or go to press at all. "Mr. President" was put on the P500 during the Obama administration. PS. As I wrote this comment, I browsed GMT's current stock. I see that Chad Jensen's chaotic but interesting "Urban Sprawl" is on clearance at the moment (end of July 2023) for only $20. At that price, it might be worth a look.
Great video. You should definitely table Commands and Colors. There's something special about physically moving the beautiful blocks on the board and playing with the components, that you simply dont get at all with the digital app. I personally wouldn't play it digital, but on the table it is my number 1 series of boardgames. Also tried Mr President, it is currently on my table. Man, I can see the work that went in there... But hell is it fiddly. I've had much frustration learning this thing and I'm not sure yet if it will pay off. Not giving up yet though...
Stay with it! I found that the game system guides you along once you have it down. As for Commands and Colors - I'm open to it, but it seems especially random and too simple for my tastes. It's ok on digital, but perhaps, as you say, it would be better in wood and cardboard. I'm open to giving it a try that way!
@@LegendaryTactics For Commands and Colors I see what you mean. It really depends on if you're looking for the more sophisticated, simulatory-level kind of wargames, then CnC might not be for you. It is more of an elegant abstraction of what happens on the battlefield, but every single rules are well weighted and have its reason to be. There is not an ounce of bloat, it is balanced sharply like a razor. Sure there is randomness, but that makes it accessible, and the more tactics savvy player will always win; Skill in this game is about making the best of whatever hand you are dealt and reacting properly to unforeseen consequences, it is NOT about waiting for the "right" cards to show up in your hands. You can always find a way to win, and there is depth in that, in my opinion much more than those super complex and mechanical euros. Take that from a High Frontier player; I'm not shy to complex games! The sum of its parts is a game that tells a cinematic story, with lines moving forwards, valiant last stands, catastrophic cavalry charges, etc. If you take that approach, rather than seeing it as a simulation, or a competitive game where you play to win, then you probably will enjoy the ride a bit more
@@LegendaryTactics - Definitely agree with Polyfission. C&C is quite enjoyable and should be viewed more as a cinematic style rather than a simulation. Yet it still provides & rewards good tactical decisions. I first played the original C&C version, 'Battle Cry' way back in the early 2Ks against a buddy, with some beers. We played numerous battles in one sitting, back-to-back. It was a blast once we got going.
I started on Twilight Struggle, but play 1960 more now (it's easier to introduce to my less gamer-y friends). I want to get Imperial Struggle to the table more, personally
I am also on the Mr President waiting-for-delivery list. That should be a hoot! Favorite GMT games: 1862 (18xx game), Imperial Struggle, Conquest of Paradise, and Liberty or Death. I recently acquired Wing Leader: Victories and am wrestling with the rules. Looks great so far! Also acquired Empire of the Sun but have yet to dive in.
Virgin Queen is one of my all-time favorites. That's one I'd play any time, anywhere. I also would always play Here I Stand if given the chance, but I do prefer VQ. I really like the Musket and Pike series. I'd play any scenario from any of the entries in that series. Same goes for the Great Battles of History series. (And I prefer the full rules to the simple rules.) I'm well over the "3" limit already, but I won't turn down any COIN game, or any of the Simonitch 4X series-that-is-not-a-series. From there, there are so many that I enjoy. Battle for Normandy (a monster to be sure), Wellington, Crown of Roses, Thirty Years War, Imperial Struggle, Silver Bayonet, Pericles, Nevsky, Gallipoli 1915, THe US Civil War, Wilderness War... these are all on the list of things I'd always play...
I feel like I'm 200 years old. My favourite GMT games are all 'old-fashioned' hex and counter wargames involving Ancient Romans and Panzers, with rule books that are about as easy to digest as the Space Shuttle flight manual. Old habits die hard!
I prefer ancients, so my favourite Commands and Colors game is Ancients... The multiplayer wargame I like from GMT is Sword of Rome, it fits the ancients narrative for me, and is heck good fun.
Wonderful theme. Historically very accurate yet random setup up provides a lot of variability. Cards in hand have multiple functions, making for interesting, complicated decisions. Combat system is very unique. Since it’s a block game, you don’t know exactly what you’re up against. Using cards from your hand, you slowly reveal units, alternating plays, until one of you cannot or chooses not to exceed the others strength. As part of the theme, it’s fundamentally asymmetric. Straightforward rules, relatively few components, yet a lot of strategic depth arises from the relatively simple, but unique, mechanisms. Beautiful board and components. Special connection for me since I lived in Japan in the 60s as a teenager. Boardgame geek has a good video simply titled Video Review in HD.
We have not, actually. We have only been to GenCon once before, 7 years ago, and we are attending it again this year. For some reason, we have not been to any conventions over the years... Hopefully that is all to change now
@@LegendaryTactics Well the World Boardgaming Championship is a great one to visit. Lots of tournament and large open gaming area. WBC is about 1500ish people and is held at the end of July at Seven Springs Ski Resort in Pennsylvania.
Not too keen on Conquest and Consequence, think thats my limit for some reason, also own Twilight Struggle, Churchill and Time of Crisis, although Age of Iron and Rust is a pain to acquire in the UK still awaiting that and also pre-ordered Mr President. Pinched myself not to order from US and pay the shipping. Patience is a virtue :)
I play a lot of Ancients. Got the #1 expansion pack. Started on Napoleonics. Bought the Austrian Army expansion. Really enjoying it. . I can't imagine playing the computer version. Board game visuals are far more attractive. Steam reviews of the Computer version are pretty bad.
I see a Tardis. So my question is: what is a good Doctor Who game? I have the card game but have never played it. Bought it for the artwork. You wore the shirt, so you cannot say that this is off topic.
Dr Who is always a welcome topic of discussion, especially with sharp-eyed viewers like yourself. To be honest, though, other than a role playing game I designed myself back in the 80s, the only Dr Who games I have are Dr Who Monopoly and Dr Who Yahtzee... Embarrassing, I know
Very a-typical GMT. My list is completely different. I found the above shown games really really mediocre and underwhelming btw… Here is my list: - Panzer series with an incredible superb France 40 expansion (4th exp) with solo rules. - Atlantic Chase (incredible really, a perfect game of legendary status). - Wing Leader series (unique) - The Russian Campaign (of course ! What is a collection of wargames without this classic). - Tank Duel (I mix that up with miniatures on a table) - Unconditional Surrender (a WW2 game you should play and put it on a table for a few months) - Hitler’s Reich (a SOLO Bot playable WW2 game that HAS to be the most underrated game ever due to present day generations of gamers who can no longer read rules..). My all time favorites besides Atlantic Chase and Panzer but not from GMT: Enemy Action series, DDay at series, Ambush and Up Front…
Dominant species is definitely a good pick. It seems complicated, but it’s not. Lots of decisions and tells a great story. Don’t play marine though, it’s not half as good.
@@LegendaryTactics personally I found marine much less fun because I like the action programming of the first game. There are a few other things that I also didn’t like. That said, marine is not a bad game, especially at lower player counts. Give it a go, I’d love to see a comparison video from you guys one day in the future maybe.
Great Video. Mr President I am waiting on Delivery for as well. I also love the COIN series of games. The learning curve on your first COIN game is tough unless you have someone teach it too you. After you have learned one game the rest are pretty easy to pick up. My favorite COIN game is an easy one CUBA LIBRE.
Yes, I prefer Andean Abyss for solo play and Fire in the Lake or A Distant Plain for multiplayer, but really any of them are good!
On list also for Mr P … got it for son. I learned COIN playing Root with my kids. Looking for Cuba Libre.
We play Cuba Libre and Andean Abyss as our favourites too, but have you looked at the British Way?
My top 9:
1. Here I Stand
2. Virgin Queen
3. Sekigahara
4. Twilight Struggle
5. Successors
6. Fire in the Lake
7. Commands & Colors: Ancients
8. Space Empires 4X
9. Unconditional Surrender!
I have four of those, and I have tried another two of them digitally. Nice list!
You should also try Sekigahara. That’s fairly light on the GMT scale, and you might like it!
Yes, it is on my GMT Games Wish list. What do you like best about it?
@@LegendaryTactics the card system, and how it works for both movement and combat. Similar to Twilight Struggle. Obviously very different mechanics, but the same kind of “tension” in how you have to budget and spend what’s in your hand. Agonizing decisions, in the best sense. Gahhh…so good!
Sekigahara is a great 2-player strategy game. Aside from the interesting card play, not knowing how powerful an enemy army will be in a fight due to what's in their hand, the hidden forces, and the possibility of a unit defecting to the other side in a battle provides a great fog of war. There's also a little asymmetry between the two sides but not so much that you're each using different mechanics. Not too heavy, either. Good stuff!
I discovered gmt last christmas. I was buying some memoir 44 expansions and discovered richard borg wrote many commands and colors games. Which led me down the gmt p500 rabbit hole.
Nice! It's a nice place to be stuck
Great video! I love Battle Line! You had so many interesting-sounding games on your list. I've wanted to play Twilight Struggle for a while and I'm glad there are some less intimidating options.
Thank you so much for your kind words, and for watching!
You guys are awesome. I think your overviews of games are often better then others in depth reviews. Kind of a Siskel and Ebert of games except you are a trio each with different areas of expertise that compliment each other.
Thank you so much for saying so! I think it's a combination of playing a lot of games and knowing each other for years... Glad it comes across well!
First experience with the channel and I like it! Too many great games from GMT, but favorites are:
The Hunters, Fields of Fire, Liberty or Death, Normandy '44, Mr. President. Just got The British Way and it's excellent, so pre-ordered the same designer's The Guerrilla Generation, which has a campaign with the maps of El Salvador and Nicaragua being played simultaneously to rep what was going on in those regions during the Reagan admin. Very intriguing. People Power looks great, too! Can't really go wrong with GMT. Subscribed!
Welcome! I think you will be happy with the amount of GMT content here. Let us know if you have any suggestions!
@@LegendaryTactics I do, actually! How about, "Top 10 P500 games you should back"?
If you like narrative, Combat Commander might be the best choice. iykyk.
I recently got Combat Commander Pacific - I'll let you know how it goes!
Your #1 pick Paths of Glory is a great game! Played it a lot while deployed. It has a card driven solo expansion out. Nato’s Space Empires also has a Solo A.I. in the second 2nd expansion. The final expansion at the printers includes two new groups which will enable up to a seven player game!
Yes, I found the solo option on the GMT website as a print and play, and I'll be trying that one out. Also, I have been waiting for the 2nd and 3rd expansions for Space Empires 4X to be in print - can't wait!
GMT has diversified their line very well, especially in recent years. "Charioteer", "Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East/Inner Seas", "Versailles 1919", "1846", and "SpaceCorp", as well as evergreens like "Battle Line", offer excellent choices to those for whom 'wargames' are not a draw-indeed, GMT seems to have a surprisingly small proportion of traditional hex-and-counter games in their product line.
Perhaps the biggest problem with GMT is their limited print runs, so that one has to wait years for a desired game to be reprinted, or go to press at all. "Mr. President" was put on the P500 during the Obama administration.
PS. As I wrote this comment, I browsed GMT's current stock. I see that Chad Jensen's chaotic but interesting "Urban Sprawl" is on clearance at the moment (end of July 2023) for only $20. At that price, it might be worth a look.
Great video. You should definitely table Commands and Colors. There's something special about physically moving the beautiful blocks on the board and playing with the components, that you simply dont get at all with the digital app. I personally wouldn't play it digital, but on the table it is my number 1 series of boardgames.
Also tried Mr President, it is currently on my table. Man, I can see the work that went in there... But hell is it fiddly. I've had much frustration learning this thing and I'm not sure yet if it will pay off. Not giving up yet though...
Stay with it! I found that the game system guides you along once you have it down.
As for Commands and Colors - I'm open to it, but it seems especially random and too simple for my tastes. It's ok on digital, but perhaps, as you say, it would be better in wood and cardboard. I'm open to giving it a try that way!
@@LegendaryTactics For Commands and Colors I see what you mean. It really depends on if you're looking for the more sophisticated, simulatory-level kind of wargames, then CnC might not be for you. It is more of an elegant abstraction of what happens on the battlefield, but every single rules are well weighted and have its reason to be. There is not an ounce of bloat, it is balanced sharply like a razor. Sure there is randomness, but that makes it accessible, and the more tactics savvy player will always win; Skill in this game is about making the best of whatever hand you are dealt and reacting properly to unforeseen consequences, it is NOT about waiting for the "right" cards to show up in your hands. You can always find a way to win, and there is depth in that, in my opinion much more than those super complex and mechanical euros. Take that from a High Frontier player; I'm not shy to complex games!
The sum of its parts is a game that tells a cinematic story, with lines moving forwards, valiant last stands, catastrophic cavalry charges, etc. If you take that approach, rather than seeing it as a simulation, or a competitive game where you play to win, then you probably will enjoy the ride a bit more
@@LegendaryTactics - Definitely agree with Polyfission. C&C is quite enjoyable and should be viewed more as a cinematic style rather than a simulation. Yet it still provides & rewards good tactical decisions. I first played the original C&C version, 'Battle Cry' way back in the early 2Ks against a buddy, with some beers. We played numerous battles in one sitting, back-to-back. It was a blast once we got going.
I started on Twilight Struggle, but play 1960 more now (it's easier to introduce to my less gamer-y friends). I want to get Imperial Struggle to the table more, personally
I am also on the Mr President waiting-for-delivery list. That should be a hoot! Favorite GMT games: 1862 (18xx game), Imperial Struggle, Conquest of Paradise, and Liberty or Death. I recently acquired Wing Leader: Victories and am wrestling with the rules. Looks great so far! Also acquired Empire of the Sun but have yet to dive in.
Awesome! Good luck with Empire of the Sun - I find that game so intimidating
Virgin Queen is one of my all-time favorites. That's one I'd play any time, anywhere. I also would always play Here I Stand if given the chance, but I do prefer VQ.
I really like the Musket and Pike series. I'd play any scenario from any of the entries in that series.
Same goes for the Great Battles of History series. (And I prefer the full rules to the simple rules.)
I'm well over the "3" limit already, but I won't turn down any COIN game, or any of the Simonitch 4X series-that-is-not-a-series.
From there, there are so many that I enjoy. Battle for Normandy (a monster to be sure), Wellington, Crown of Roses, Thirty Years War, Imperial Struggle, Silver Bayonet, Pericles, Nevsky, Gallipoli 1915, THe US Civil War, Wilderness War... these are all on the list of things I'd always play...
Wow, it seems like you'd be fine with basically playing any game by GMT! I don't blame you though!
I feel like I'm 200 years old. My favourite GMT games are all 'old-fashioned' hex and counter wargames involving Ancient Romans and Panzers, with rule books that are about as easy to digest as the Space Shuttle flight manual. Old habits die hard!
I really like Dominant Species Marine. Better than the original IMO.
If that is the case - stay tuned! Dominant Species Marine content is coming soon!
I prefer ancients, so my favourite Commands and Colors game is Ancients... The multiplayer wargame I like from GMT is Sword of Rome, it fits the ancients narrative for me, and is heck good fun.
Interesting! I will check those out! Thanks for sharing
Twilight Struggle is simply the best. For something a little unusual and unique, Sekigahara is a very cool design.
Sekigahara keeps popping up as a recommendation - I really have to try that one. What do you like best about it?
Wonderful theme. Historically very accurate yet random setup up provides a lot of variability. Cards in hand have multiple functions, making for interesting, complicated decisions. Combat system is very unique. Since it’s a block game, you don’t know exactly what you’re up against. Using cards from your hand, you slowly reveal units, alternating plays, until one of you cannot or chooses not to exceed the others strength. As part of the theme, it’s fundamentally asymmetric. Straightforward rules, relatively few components, yet a lot of strategic depth arises from the relatively simple, but unique, mechanisms. Beautiful board and components. Special connection for me since I lived in Japan in the 60s as a teenager. Boardgame geek has a good video simply titled Video Review in HD.
To table? "To postpone or suspend consideration". Bring to the table.
LOL, yes!
Ordered Mr President 2nd edition today after months of drooling while watching it...
It's so good! Take your time with it and you'll enjoy it!
Nice picks. I'm waiting on that final expansion for Space Empires 4X. :-)
I still need the replicators expansion. It's been out of print for a while
Another great video.
Do you guys ever make the trip to the World Boardgaming Championship?
We have not, actually. We have only been to GenCon once before, 7 years ago, and we are attending it again this year. For some reason, we have not been to any conventions over the years... Hopefully that is all to change now
@@LegendaryTactics Well the World Boardgaming Championship is a great one to visit. Lots of tournament and large open gaming area. WBC is about 1500ish people and is held at the end of July at Seven Springs Ski Resort in Pennsylvania.
Battleline
Dominant Species
Time of Crisis
Twilight Struggle
All great!
The only one there that I haven't played is Time of Crisis. I've heard good things, and I've thought about covering it for the channel.
Not too keen on Conquest and Consequence, think thats my limit for some reason, also own Twilight Struggle, Churchill and Time of Crisis, although Age of Iron and Rust is a pain to acquire in the UK still awaiting that and also pre-ordered Mr President. Pinched myself not to order from US and pay the shipping. Patience is a virtue :)
Yes, the shipping is bad enough to Canada, I can't imagine what it would be to the UK. But it seems you have some good meaty games to tide you over
The clip of command and colors looked similar to memoir 44? Is it?
Yes, they use the same system
👍
Thanks! Just ordered command and color ancients. Looking forward to playing with my sons.
I play a lot of Ancients. Got the #1 expansion pack.
Started on Napoleonics. Bought the Austrian Army expansion. Really enjoying it. .
I can't imagine playing the computer version. Board game visuals are far more attractive.
Steam reviews of the Computer version are pretty bad.
I see a Tardis. So my question is: what is a good Doctor Who game?
I have the card game but have never played it. Bought it for the artwork.
You wore the shirt, so you cannot say that this is off topic.
Dr Who is always a welcome topic of discussion, especially with sharp-eyed viewers like yourself. To be honest, though, other than a role playing game I designed myself back in the 80s, the only Dr Who games I have are Dr Who Monopoly and Dr Who Yahtzee... Embarrassing, I know
game titles on chapter markers please
But we gave you such great clues!
Very a-typical GMT.
My list is completely different.
I found the above shown games really really mediocre and underwhelming btw…
Here is my list:
- Panzer series with an incredible superb France 40 expansion (4th exp) with solo rules.
- Atlantic Chase (incredible really, a perfect game of legendary status).
- Wing Leader series (unique)
- The Russian Campaign (of course ! What is a collection of wargames without this classic).
- Tank Duel (I mix that up with miniatures on a table)
- Unconditional Surrender (a WW2 game you should play and put it on a table for a few months)
- Hitler’s Reich (a SOLO Bot playable WW2 game that HAS to be the most underrated game ever due to present day generations of gamers who can no longer read rules..).
My all time favorites besides Atlantic Chase and Panzer but not from GMT: Enemy Action series, DDay at series, Ambush and Up Front…
Dominant species is definitely a good pick. It seems complicated, but it’s not. Lots of decisions and tells a great story. Don’t play marine though, it’s not half as good.
I've heard great things about Marine - hmmm, maybe we could start with Marine and graduate to the reall thing?
@@LegendaryTactics personally I found marine much less fun because I like the action programming of the first game. There are a few other things that I also didn’t like. That said, marine is not a bad game, especially at lower player counts. Give it a go, I’d love to see a comparison video from you guys one day in the future maybe.
Personally prefer marine.
COIN series?
Flash has tried a couple of COIN games, but they weren't to his taste. So they may be somewhere on the list but much further down
This is very much the GMT games you should try not me 😊. I'm more 18XX and strategic wargames.
That's great! It's good that GMT has a wide range of games for all tastes!
Cuba Libre!!
Not my favorite COIN game, but I'll still play it! It's fun with the right group, and I do like it as an intro to the system