As a solo gamer, who never plays wargames, but certainly has an interest in them, this is the video I was looking for. I really like the look of the Valiant Defence series, and I have backed Soldiers in Postmen's Uniforms (perhaps, because I was a Postman for 6 years), largely based on your overview/tutorial of the game. I am currently on the fence whether to go all in on the three-game-bundle, and I think this video may well have convinced me :) Thanks for more great content Liz!
Non-war gamer here 🙋🏾♀️ First war game and solo only game I purchased was Comancheria. Also my longest shelf of shame game. 😕 I can wrap my head around mid/heavy euros, but not around this one. I will try to learn it again one day. Thanks for these intro war game suggestions!
Any of the Field Commander titles are superb - especially Field Commander Napoleon. Freeman's Farm and Chancellorsville 1863 are quite frankly awesome solitaire as is Pavlov's House Thanks for a great video and great recommendations!
I've been grok'ing Freeman's Farm and Chancellorsville for solo play, but haven't watched any examples of how the solitaire plays for them. Guess it's time to dig.
Got Shores of Tripoli. love it. I've been playing games on n off 40+ years. Rec'd Panzer Blitz when I was early 20 something. sometimes simple games are great. especially if you don't have time for a 3+ hour game. Castle Itter and the other two david T. interest me.
Super list, and exactly what I wish I had access to a few months ago! Pavlov's House and Days of Ire were my first two, and I recently picked up Shores of Tripoli. I find the DVG games to *look* intimidating, so when they said By Stealth and Sea was meant to be a little lighter than some, I jumped at it. I haven't yet busted that one out, though, since it still looks intimidating! (also, I keep reading that the first mission is brutally hard...) Still, now I'm looking at Field Commander Alexander. Thanks for the great list!
Pavlov’s House and Thunderbolt Apache Leader will be my first war games thanks to you in previous videos and podcasts. Hopefully they won’t be too hard to get into 😬 lol
@@shrekage - You are correct. Reactive rolls, for the most part, but great if you don't want to put on your thinking cap. TAL and the other leader series are more thought provoking.
Thanks, Liz. I'm really interested in all of the Valiant Defense series (partially from having watched you play Pavlov's). Itter may be the first I get, due to the strangeness of the castle's defenders. I'd been on the fence about Tripoli, and worried about its solo play. You answered my question. Stay well and keep up the great work
I've played through Shores of Tripoli a few times now, and it's really well done. I'm far from an experienced gamer, war or otherwise, an I can figure it out. I imagine that the solo mode might get a little same-y eventually, once you learn the cards, but for now I like it a lot. Also, it's really a beautiful game, in a very minimalist way, with high quality components, too. I recommend it!
Great list, great games! I had the same experience with FC Napoleon as you had with Alexander. Played through the campaign five times in a row. At some point I felt the battles were missing tactical depth, so I used the player made module with flanks and terrain, but got tired of the game nonetheless. I need to get back to my playthrough series, though...! 😅 Shores of Tripoli is also really good. I served as playtester. The US player has a bit of a harder time in the first games, but once you know how to prepare your deck, it's a hard fight for both sides. Haven't played the solo version, yet, as it wasn't ready when I playtested.
I don't know if I didn't set the right places, but I can't really find any of these games for purchase -- are they still available somewhere (at a "normal" price)? Thanks.
They're always a bit on the pricey side, but I'd recommend checking out some game stores on the internet. Noble Knight probably has the widest selection, even quite a lot of out-of-print stuff. Not huge savings but it's a good place to find stuff. Others like Miniature Market, Cool Stuff Inc, Funagain Games, and Game Nerdz carry some wargames too, when you can find them in stock (after release, before being bought up). You can still get a few dollars off MSRP, though.
Great range of games covering different time periods. Beginning wargamers may also want to check out the Mini Game Series at Decision Games. They offer several solitaire games covering topics such as Lawrence of Arabia, Vikings, and the Congo. They are relatively inexpensive for those wanting to start wargaming without making a larger initial investment.
100% play DDay at Omaha Beach. It's that perfect blend of heavy wargaming. Without going too heavy. Plus developed as a solo only game. So no BS fake player AI. If you like it, it serves as a nice gateway to the wargaming genre.
@@crushingit5128 - Isn't RAF designed by the same guy? While the subject is different, there seems to be some similarities with the card-driven aspect. Just less map symbology to learn. Perhaps RAF would be a good introduction to that type? If it's still available anyway; got that newer edition years ago.
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.
Maybe Maquis? There is a very light wargame from Catastrophe that is hitting KS at the end of the month called "Rule the Waves" that might be the right speed.
i lplay a system tacked onto 40k . The AI has 4 roles for units...ie support (devestators , close combat. (Berzerkers)..Each unit roll a D6 each turn to see what it does......move/stationary/ charge. THe AI make stupid descions but its a bigger army..my army is 1700....the AI is 2000....its bloody good.....should have done it years ago.
I know it's more of a war themed game but I just wanted to put a shout out for Maquis by Side Room Games. I only have a PnP version which is great but there will be a new Kickstarter for the 2nd edition soon. Woohoo!
