Five Wargames you SHOULD play

[IainMcNeil]

Posted at Sugar Free gamer.

Not bad that we get all 5 of them!

Following on from my round up of Indie games last Xmas, I thought I'd run a shorter article discussing the five wargames that gamers should consider. This isn't a list I think Wargamers should play, this is a list I think non-wargamers should try. In a vain hope of attracting more gamers to the genre.

Five Wargames you SHOULD play
http://sugarfreegamer.com/?p=988

[MarsRobert]

Thanks Ian for the excellent list. Here are some of my comments:

Battlefield Academy - I've actually had my eye on this series, and think I would probably enjoy it. Graphically it looks superior for a wargame, and I love the comic book images. This one is on my short list.

Field of Glory - I've had my eye on this one for a while as well. Love how the series covers everything from Antiquity to the Middle Ages. I was nearly there when Slitherine released the expansion on battles of the later Roman Empire (The Emperor Julian at the Battle of Strasbourg? How cool is that? What's holding me back though is that the game is basically a series of stand alone battles. I want campaigns. Also, I suspect that like the John Tiller games, the focus of this one is on multiplayer at the expense of single player.

Gary Grigsby's War in the East - I must admit that Gary's reputation precedes him. His 'Uncommon Valor - Campaign for the South Pacific' is one of my favorite games of all time; up there with Sid Meier's 'Civilization' and Blizzard's 'Starcarft'. ;o) Although I'm sort of adverse to huge monster games, I may have to break down and get this one at some point.

Decisive Campaigns - I really like the look of this one. The graphics are beautiful, and I love the special card play. Very cool. Although I'm not so much interested in Fall Gelb, I would definitely be on board if an Afrika Corps expansion was ever released.

[anguille]

My favs are missing though:

Spartan/Gates of Troy
Legion Arena Gold

[MarsRobert]

My favs are missing though:

Spartan/Gates of Troy
Legion Arena Gold

Yes anguille, I have Spartan. I played the Peloponnesian scenario once and generally enjoyed it. It's one of those games I keep meaning to revisit. I recall it had a very in-depth tech tree with lots of options, and I liked the diplomatic model. Just out of curiosity, does the Gates of Troy expansion have the apocryphal Amazon civilization? That would be tres cool if it did.

BTW, as long as we are doing lists, here's my favorite wargames:

Gary Grigsby's Uncommon Valor: The Campaign for the South Pacific - This game is incredible. There is no sensation quite like watching enemy dive/torpedo bombers attack your carriers (and vise versa). I hold my breath every time it happens.

Panzercorps - As someone noted in a forum, this game is an instant classic. Very satisfying and addicting game play with lots of replay value. Also, I love the campaigns where you buff up your forces and carry them over from battle to battle. It makes the game quite engaging. Would like to see this campaign idea used in other games.

Norm Koger's 'Operational Art of War' - Although some of the scenarios are sort of so-so, some are real gems. I especially liked the defense of the Philippines (1942), Case Blue (Russia 1942), Operation Crusader (1941), Operation Husky (1943), and the first Arab-Israeli War (1948). Gosh, I need to get OPART3.

Distant Guns: The Russo-Japanese War at Sea - This game is a blast to play, using as it does a real-time strategy system at both the strategic and tactical levels. The graphics are very appealing, and it is immensely satisfying watching an enemy ship get pounded and sink. I would also add that as the Japanese it's not easy pulling off the total victory Admiral Togo did at Tsushima.

Anyway, I think my next purchase is probably going to be Battlefield Academy. It looks like great fun.

[MarsRobert]

Thanks for the recommendation on Battlefield Academy Iain. I purchased it this evening. Wow! What a cool game. I'm definitely going to order the Fall Gelb expansion probably before the week is out.

[MrsWargamer]

I'd likely sell you my serial for Gary's War in the East for 75 bucks and consider myself lucky

It's a great game, it was simply a big mistake for me personally. A case of wanting games without putting in enough thought to the fact I just don't have the time for them.

Bought War in the Pacific for the same dumb impulsive reason

[MarsRobert]

I'd likely sell you my serial for Gary's War in the East for 75 bucks and consider myself lucky

It's a great game, it was simply a big mistake for me personally. A case of wanting games without putting in enough thought to the fact I just don't have the time for them.

Bought War in the Pacific for the same dumb impulsive reason

I hear you man. I've purchased a number of games rather impulsively that were quickly relegated to the dust bin. Sighs.

But seriously though, Gary Grigsby's 'Uncommon Valor' is one of the best Grognard games around. The scope of it is not too, too big, and it is highly playable and manageable. I came close but didn't buy War in the Pacific for exactly the reasons you've stated. I think it would be just too big. It seems to me that the Uncommon Valor system was just right for the Solomons Campaign, but my gut feeling is it's too, too small scale for the entire war. Having said that, the scale of Uncommon Valor is perfect. I highly recommend it.

BTW, not sure what my next purchase will be. I sort of have my eye on Slitherine's upcoming WW1 game, though I'm not sure I'm in the mood for WW1 at the moment. Also, I'm very curious about Slitherine's Ancient Egypt game. I may try the demo. One thing for sure though, in November I will definitely be purchasing Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The Elder Scrolls engine was also used in Fallout 3 and New Vegas, and IMHO is the best game engine around for RPG's.