Join Cody as he takes a look at his top ten introductory wargames. Cody Carlson, PhD: / @codycarlsonph.d.5591 Facebook: / thediscriminatinggamer Twitter: / codyk76 Galaxy of Games: galaxyof.games/
Cody's 'gateway' game list: Napoleon Returns 1:20 (interesting...) Hapsbug Eclipse 2:47 (my top pick) The Hunt 4:32 Bismark Solitaire DL 5:32 (highly recommended) Fighters of the Pacific 6:49 Stalingrad: Advance to the Volga 8:48 Memoir 44 10:10 Axis and Allies 11:38 1775 Rebellion 13:55 (highly recommended) Undaunted: Normandy 16:00 (highly recommended) Nice to have ideas at Xmas for how to introduce new people to the hobby.
I own Levee en Masse, and I'm gonna use it as my first introductory light war game to my still-too-young kids some day. I loved Axis & Allies during my teen years, maybe I should get that one to my collection. I don't own Memoir, but I have C&C: Ancients. And hopefully my kids play No Retreat: Eastern Front with me some day since I really like CDG and counterblow system of this game as well as low counter density. 😊
A great list Cody, well done. My goodness, reading some of the comments here is crazy - some people need to chill and be ok that opinions can differ. There is no right or wrong folks
Im a huge A&A fan and will say it is a lot more involved than people give it credit for. If you want to get into it, check out Board Game Nation, they have a lot of A&A content. My suggestion is this: 1942 2nd (soon to be rereleased with a lot of updates and errata) is a great entry point. Don't try Global or Anniversary until you figure out if you like it. Personally, the richest experience is A&A Revised (AKA The Blue Box), having a lot of the depth of the bigger versions (Anniversary/Global) with the shorter playtime of 42 2nd. It's older and out of print but if you find a copy, it's a great time. Avoid 1941. It's not good - oversimplified to the point of unplayable.
It's not a historical wargame, but D&D Conquest of Nerath is a great game similar to Axis & Allies. It might be a few steps beyond "Introductory" but if you are at least familiar with board games it's not that difficult. Out of print and somewhat pricey, but one of the absolute best light wargames ever made.
Undaunted and Memoir '44 are very fun board games, 2 of my favourites to be sure though personally I prefer Undaunted: North Africa to Undaunted: Normandy just for being a little more asymmetrical in terms of victory conditions.
Great video, if you count Academies 1812 for your 1775 American Revolution, I own your top 6 and 7 of your games in this list! I really love War Room too, and like you, I thought initially it might kill off Axis & Allies. However Axis & Allies is such a great introductory game, it still has a seat at the table!
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer I run the 878 Vikings tourney at WBC each year. I prefer it to 1775 (which is still a fun game), as the leaders add a litte extra depth and the two sides can play quite differently.
My recommendation is the very underlooked Airfix Battles Introductory Wargame by Modiphius. Its low budget price reminds me of Steve Jackson pocket box games of the 1980s. The game is a card deck and miniatures game (cardboard chit counters are included in the box) It has a not bad solo game matrix. Modiphius are also bringing out a boardgame based on the Homeworld video game what also uses the same mechanics as Airfix Battles
I've only played WWI. I don't know that it's a great start. It feels like more of a euro with a war theme than a true wargame. Just my opinion, of course. It's a great game, for sure.
Undaunted Normandy…yes!….best intro for my youngest sons other than Risk…Played all stock battles through with one son already...(I saw Imperial Assault on your shelf -a middle son game for me…thought you commented that you let it go due to not getting to the table)
Though presently out of print, within the C&C eco-system, I actually think Battle Cry (either edition) is the better "intro" game. Lower rules overhead and chrome than M'44, I've often used it as a gateway drug to wargaming. Then move on to M'44 because you get to play with tanks. And after all who doesn't like to play with tanks.
Wow. Was not expecting to see Axis & Allies on this list. I get why… it was certainly a gateway war game for me and many others as well I’m sure. It’s refreshing, considering how much snobbery there is amongst the community towards this game. It’s not as light and easy to grasp for the average non-gamer, though, at least compared to some of the others on this list. That and the playtime and dice-dependence give me pause. I also recall being quite confused about subs when learning the rules myself. I love 1775 on this list. That’s one I’m planning on trying with my 9 year old soon. But I’m most surprised that there are no block games on this list. Julius Caesar? Quebec or War of 1812? Hold Fast? Maybe I missed something where Cody mentioned explicitly excluding block games? Other thoughts I had… what about Maneuver? I was also wondering if Bonaparte at Marengo by Simmons Gam (or the new, reworked and actually available version Triumph at Marengo by Histogames). That one I would only suggest if someone who already knows the game well is teaching it to the newcomer, because it’s actually quite light and simple to understand, but not easy to learn by reading the rules. The downside I guess would be these games have novel systems that aren’t going to show up in other games, but the same could be said for States of Siege games. Would love a review of Triumph at Marengo, BTW. I’ve not seen any coverage anywhere else for some odd reason. Simmons has such a brilliant reputation by those who know, but so little representation from reviewers on You Tube… it’s sad.
If you want to include sci-fi games, I'd include Ogre to introduce to new players. :-) It's super simple and a ton of fun. It's actually the first hex and chit wargame I ever played back in the day... and I'll still happily play it.
Thanks for the video. I've been looking into gaming but what I'm noticing is that when a game is released (limited production), it's not at all uncommon for the game to sell out. Even if it's a really enjoyable game reprints don't always/often happen. If that's the case, good luck finding a copy to play. For example (Stalingrad: Advance to the Vulga 1942). I fully understand game makers can't print copies they can't sell. I'm not whining... just an observation. Typically these games don't always come up for sale second hand, but if they do they are certainly not near the original retail price.
I like your list. The Hunt I like the Art Work. A lot on the list I have never played but have wanted to. Memoir 44 I love the Command and Colors series Ancients & Napoleonics are not for the beginer as where 44 is. When you can get a woman to play a war game that is special and rare.
My favorite is Europe and Pacific 1940 put together into the global version. However, I started with 1942 and my brother and I played it several times throughout our childhood. It's great, arguably the most balanced and probably the best one to introduce someone to the game. I don't recommend 1941.
Memoir '44 is my favorite. I have many of the expansions (Pacific Theater, Mediterranean Theater, Eastern Front, Winter Wars, Flight Plan, Terrain Pack) which add to the variety and complexity.
I’ve been playing Memoir ‘44 with my 8 yr old daughter. She grasps the game pretty well and it’s still engaging enough that I have fun with it. My one grip is that it feels like there’s maneuver compared to C&C Ancients… more about cards in your hand and dice rolls than break throughs and flanking. Do the expansions change any of that? Or just add in units and terrain?
Do you know or ever considered to play the war games "Friedrich" (Seven years war) or "Maria" (earlier wars with prussia)? And please start already with the addons ;o) I think you are missing these games in your collection...
Me thinks, Total Domination is very interesting, ! , Though the USA gets rudely shoved into Britain's field of influence ,viceaversa , ,, Have u tried Eagle Games ,Attack yet , ? ? ,Similar to axis and allies, ! Ok bye ,✍️🌿
Axis & Allies, "introductory"?!... It has so many national rules and exceptions we need to check the poorly written guidebook to clarify a myriad multi-step rules... You must be kiddin' that this is "simple" or "gateway"....
Memoir 44 isnt the most accesible of the C&C line, its just the worst (by far) A far better pick would have been C&C Ancients, which is not only better in every way, it also offers a way smoother introduction to grown up wargaming concepts The only reason to pick memoir 44 is the toy factor, really
I don't like any of these, to be honest. The first wargame a person plays might be the most important wargame of their life. It has to be... 1. A wargame - most of the stuff on your list is not even that. Undaunted is NOT a consim. It is a game with a theme. 2. Highly interesting to the new player. 3. Available 4. A good game. Many on your list are just not that good. Mediocre at best. You want to start a person with a bad game? Fighters in the Pacific is just chess on steroids. Chess is not a wargame. Its a game with war theme. Recommendations: * WW2: Anything Simonitch. The best entry is Salerno '43. If you want tactical then try Band of Brothers series. * Napoleonic's: Fading Glory * Sci Fi: Space Empires 4x. Its a little heavy, but you can crack that nut. * Solo: Atlantic Chase, or any of the Skies Above series, like Skies Above the Reich. Both these are on reprint preorder now. * US Civil War: Herman's Rebel Yell. Can be preordered now.
While I think you list some great games, much will depend upon a person's interest in the topic, ability to grasp the concepts, attention span, etc. If a person is really into history and depth, than yes these light games might turn them off, and cause them not to continue in the genre. But if they don't already have the avid interest, and ability to grasp complex things quickly, then a light game to show them the possibilities could be perfect. I think Cody's list tends towards those who may play simpler games and are not necessarily avid history buffs. Toy factor may be a hook for some, and a turn off for others. I could go on. I'd make a few changes, but it's not a bad list. I've played four of the games, and even though I consider myself a grognard, I don't think any of the ones I've played are bad. I admit I looked down on Undaunted before I played it, but now would consider using it as a gateway game for some people. It can teach tactics (use your MGs, Snipers and Mortars to suppress and attack the enemy while your rifleman and scouts advance. Use cover where you can., etc). I'd replace 1775 with 878 Vikings (preference), and Memoir with Battle Cry or C&C Napoleonics, but overall, it's a decent list.
1. The music audio and your voice need to be levelled out more, the music is too loud right now. 2. Undaunted is another attempt at liberal blackwashing of history, so it will not enter my collection.
