10 BEST Solo Wargames + an 11th game sneak peek!

I list 10(11)of my favorite Solo Wargames. If you got a fav I didn’t list, tell me about it the comments.
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Thank you for watching.

[@kevinashley9105]

Finally, a best solo game list that includes my absolute favorite solo game, Ambush! and its subsequent modules and sister game, Battle Hymm.

[@HissyCat]

Hi Kevin, thank you for watching. Ambush was my first true solo game and I was amazed as a kid playing it. Still love it today! Next years list will have a few new entries that I picked up this year. =}

[@malcolmsleight9334]

Ambush is a great game, but have you tried Combat and Combat 2 from Compass Games?

[@barrymcnorton5194]

You’ve got a couple of John Butterfield games in there - quite right too! His two Enemy Action games (Ardennes and Kharkov) are also excellent. I’d also highly recommend Skies Above Britain - superb Battle of Britain game. I’m going to have to look at Silent Victory, though - looks really interesting!

[@HissyCat]

Hi Barry, thank you for watching. Mr. Butterfield's games are always a good choice. I have heard good things about Skies Above Britain, my 2024 buy list is expanding... lol

[@ASLAcademy]

I've always been intrigued by Ambush! Target for Today also looks neat. Thanks for the list!

[@HissyCat]

Hi Boss, thanks for watching. Ambush! is very unique, i would love to see someone mash ASL and Ambush! together, that could be a fun game. As i mentioned T4T is very table driven and some people don't like that style of game. I like the narrative aspect of it.

[@ronaldnickelson2130]

I was a playtester on the Silver Star expansion for Ambush! Ah, the 1980s--that takes me back!@@HissyCat

[@HissyCat]

@@ronaldnickelson2130 that is very cool!! The 80’s take me back as well =}

[@AbeBSea]

​@@ronaldnickelson2130 I like Battle Hymn, as well

[@EricTheMadviking]

Thanks for your list, several games I'd like to try. I personally recommend A Glorious Chance by Gina Willis from Legion Games. It's a taught, difficult to predict game of the battle for Lake Ontario in the summer of 1813. There are 2 campsigns with separate rule books and maps for playing as the U.S. or the British. Each plays differently due to differences in doctrine, and great narratives emerge.

[@HissyCat]

Hi Eric, thanks for watching and the suggestion. I have ZERO games from that time frame and need to change it. I like you can play both sides =}

[@seanmulroy6897]

great vid, can't get to buy silent victory, my Granduncle was killed 12 Sep 1944 • At Sea Rakuyo Maru - Sunk off East Hainan Island, Torpedoed and sunk on 12/09/1944 by US submarine Sealion off East Hainan island at around 5:00am. 1159 were lost.

[@HissyCat]

Hi Sean, thank you for watching. I can totally understand not wanting to play a game that might recreate a sad 😞 part of your own personal heritage. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@robertmoffitt1336]

I went with Crowbar and the US Rangers at Pointe du Hoc on D-Day, instead of In Magnificent Style.

[@HissyCat]

Hi Robert, thank you for watching, I have only heard good things about that game. That will be on my buy list for 2024!

[@NefariousKoel]

@@HissyCat I briefly looked around for it not long ago. Seems the core game is pretty scarce at the moment. Guessing there will be a reprint eventually.

[@HissyCat]

I hope so, i saw a copy of it on ebay awhile back that was crazy expensive.

[@2ManyHobbies16]

Thanks for the recommendation, enjoyed the video ty and subscribed!!!

[@HissyCat]

Hi boss, thanks for the visit and the subscription. =}

[@jumpmaster82nd.]

I can't get Silent War 2.0 to the table because I cant get Save South Vietnam off of it! IMO, its just that good of a game! Its got its hooks in me deep! It's easy to play but difficult to win. Im like 1 for 8 with it! It's fun to curse those pesky Political Cadres! Where's my napalm??...

[@HissyCat]

Hi Jumpmaster, thank you for the visit. I still need to get it on my table, my friend introduced me to Save South Vietnam and it will get to my table soon. Silent War 2.0 is a fun game, I played a patrol and really enjoined myself

[@farpointgamingdirect]

Combat and Combat Vol 2 from Compass Games are not to be missed. The A.I. is tough!

[@HissyCat]

I have been in the fence with this title, I will have to put in on my 2024 buy list. Thanks for the recommendation

[@farpointgamingdirect]

​@HissyCatStudio I just placed my preorder for Vol3

[@HissyCat]

@@farpointgamingdirect Seems i have some catching up to do...lol

[@malcolmsleight9334]

@@HissyCat I consider Combat to be a much improved version of Ambush. With Combat, everything you need is on the cards, without the need to look up paragraphs in a book.

[@HissyCat]

​@@malcolmsleight9334 Hi Malcolm, thanks for watching. I picked up Combat and scanned the rules. I hope to get it on the table in 2025. =)

[@MiniWarMutt]

Very nice video. Keep at it, Hissy!

[@HissyCat]

Hi Mutt, thanks for the visit boss!

[@markc8401]

For me, SASL for sure (Solitaire ASL). I have played Ambush! and really enjoy that one as well.

[@HissyCat]

I want to try that out but I could not find a reasonably priced copy of it

[@SGrey-fk3zf]

San Juacinto? Carrier battles Philippine Sea counter shot. I only noticed because I knew a man who served on the San Jacinto.

[@HissyCat]

How very cool, and kind of random that counter was in the shot. =}

[@ParkeraNZ]

Really enjoyable top 10 thanks

[@HissyCat]

Thank you sir

[@befirmbefair6674]

Extremely well done video. Interesting to hear about games I’ve only seen the cover of. That said, the title is misleading as the list heavily leans on World War II games. Simply does not span the breath of possible solo games.

[@HissyCat]

Hi BefirmBefair, thanks for watching and the feedback. Fair point. I have acquired more solo games and next video will be most focused on a theme and I’ll try and cover a few different themes to expose more solo wargames and not just WW2. Again I appreciate the constructive feedback.

[@ronaldnickelson2130]

One game overlooked, which I would put as #1, is RAF: The Battle of Britain 1940 (Eagle: German solo). My primary criteria is the opportunity to make substantive decisions. Many solitaire games are little more than dice-rollers.

[@HissyCat]

Hi Ronald, thanks for watching. That is a game I have not played, but sounds like a good one, I mean a solo Battle of Britain game would be of interest to me. Also you make a fair point about dice rollers, but I think that style of game had its place.

[@robertthurman9866]

Great selections.

[@HissyCat]

Hi Robert, thanks for watching, I have a couple others that just missed the cut. =}

[@duffripley2440]

In college my best friend and I play all the add one to ambush Great game

[@HissyCat]

Hi Duff, thank you for watching. That sounds like a good time, did you each just control a few guys?

[@duffripley2440]

@@HissyCat yes it was a lot of smoke and fire A lot of fun had

[@steveoh9285]

Very nice presentation. Have you ever tried any of the States of Siege series solitaire games, or are they not your cup of tea?

[@HissyCat]

Hi Steve, thank you for watching. I have not played any States of Siege for no other reason than i do not own any. The wargaming budget only stretches so far...lol Do you suggest any specific game I should try for my first one?

[@steveoh9285]

@@HissyCat Mike, since the SOS games are narrative experience designs I would say go with the theme that interests you the most. There are a lot of choices out there.

[@HissyCat]

Good advice =}

[@charleslatora5750]

Well done. Great video.

[@charleslatora5750]

I can give you a list of some of the state of siege games that I own so you have some game titles to check on. That will have to be later as I'm waiting for my granddaughter to get out of school

[@kosterix123]

who needs a top solo wargame when what you actually need is a fun solo wargame, There's maquis, d day dice, and pocket landship. Much smaller footprint too. And for more military vibes, there is john lambo books tons of scenarios. I own memoir 44 with my own written AI, so I'm already set for life. Have a nice day ♪

[@HissyCat]

Hi Kosterix, great suggestions, the KDP book games on Amazon are awesome, I have a few videos on the channel for these types of wargames, including Lone Sherman a Mike Lambo game.

[@kosterix123]

@@HissyCat oh cool! Would like to see those! ♥

[@HissyCat]

@@kosterix123 here is a link to the gameplay of lone Sherman. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXnIdqBsd7utnaM

[@vincenzoberetta1085]

“Fire in the Lake” and its expansions should be somewhere in this list. It allows you to grasp the enormity (and, much more to the point, the futility) of the Vietnam War.

[@HissyCat]

Hi Vince, that is a great suggestion, I have only heard great things about that game but didn’t realize it was a solo game.

[@vincenzoberetta1085]

You can play both solo and with 2-4 other players. However, GMT released a "purely solo" expansion, called "Fire in the Lake - Tru'ng" which expands and refines the concept (you still must have the original game). It is one of the best solo games I ever played. If you are curious, here is a playlist by a guy who recorded his solo grand campaign: kzbin.info/aero/PLs4diox0o3bP_qgWk2x0bwqIsZ_9a9lHB @@HissyCat

[@HissyCat]

Awesome, thanks for the info

[@desktopgrenadiers4321]

A somewhat bizzare list with some glaring omissions (RAF, Skies Above Britain, TAL, Empire of the Sun, Nightfighter Ace to name but a few). It’s tough to choose any one title of a series but to see Rommel chosen over Napoleon in the Field Commander series was a real wtf moment for me. Even Nimitz and Alexander are better titles than Rommel. Is this a top ten of games you’ve played, or own? I know any top ten is always going to be subjective and it’s not a criticism, or please take it as constructive if you deem it to be - but this is far off any kind of definitive top 10 solitaire war game list.

[@HissyCat]

Hi Desktop, thanks for watching and the comments, they are very much appreciated. The list is of games I have played and own. I can’t judge a game otherwise. I could make an argument that every John Butterfield game should be top of any list, he is truly a master wargame designer. Sorry to have missed so badly with my list, as I play more games and expand my collection, I am sure my list will change. =} I also dont own any of David Thompsons solo designs and he designs wonderful games as well.

[@iantaylor3393]

Desktop, what a silly comment! Do you really think someones top ten list on you tube could ever be 'definitive'? How could that be done? Who decides and how? Silly man! Youre confusing YOUR top ten, with HIS top ten. Why not go away and do yours and share it, or even just be quiet.

[@michaelrinella6384]

Hoping to see Manila shipping in February 2024!

[@HissyCat]

Hi Michael, thank you for watching. I will be doing a play through Manila and posting it in January.

[@farpointgamingdirect]

Ambush! also has a 2-player game called Shell Shock

[@HissyCat]

Hi Farpoint, yep, I have never played it, is it any good?

[@farpointgamingdirect]

​@@HissyCatIt's a lot of fun, but you can play the same way with Ambush by splitting the squad into two fire teams, one for each player

[@Tombonzo]

Great Games here!

[@HissyCat]

Hi TomBonzo, thanks for the visit and nice comment. There are many more than 10 top solo wargames, but these are ones I own and a few I have played. =}

[@farpointgamingdirect]

I own the first edition of Silent War; how does the second edition compare?

[@HissyCat]

To start with it has IJN in the box, not a separate add on, and I believe all of the know errata. i own the first edition and bought the second, I like the IJN which I didn’t own, so the second edition made sense to me.

[@farpointgamingdirect]

​@HissyCatStudio I'll put it on my list!

[@paulcooverjr.6947]

Target for today looks really fun, is it still in production?

[@HissyCat]

Hi Paul, thank you for watching. I enjoyed the game a lot. here is a link to the game @ Legion Wargames. khybergames.com/legionwargames/legion_TFT.html

[@paulcooverjr.6947]

@HissyCat thank you, I'm a die hard axis and allies player. But love the solitaire games in-between axis and allies games. That one stood out as a challenge.

[@HissyCat]

@@paulcooverjr.6947 you are very welcome. If you pick it up, let me know what you thing of it. Some people (like me) love this style of game, some don't.

[@67icebowl]

You appear to have two #4 picks. The first one you don't actually identify.

[@HissyCat]

Hi 67icebowl… wtf??? I’ll have to review the video. Not sure how I did that. Thanks for the heads up

[@67icebowl]

​@@HissyCatyou also have two # 5 picks.

[@HissyCat]

@@67icebowl I'll have to check that.

[@HissyCat]

So i rewatched the video, there is only 1 #4 and 1 #5 games, i just mention them twice, once at the beginning and then at the end (the BGG Screen is the end) that was an experiment i changed in the later list style videos.

[@67icebowl]

@@HissyCat I guess I got confused

[@dogtags2010]

Great list, one thing i need to say, please say the name of the game and designer etc at the start of the segment instead of the end.

[@dogtags2010]

P.s as others have said. Combat volume 1 and 2. Best game ever. Close in feels too ambush.

[@HissyCat]

I did that in the 5 BEST Beginner Wargames. I tried to add a little mystery… fail =}

[@HissyCat]

Got it, will have to get copies!

[@HissyCat]

And thank you for watching Dogtags =}

[@dogtags2010]

@HissyCatStudio no worries mate loved your picks, I have a few of em but haven't played em. I'll pick the rest up now. Subbed too as I only discovered you today. Loved the quality. Oh and its definitely not a "fail" just that while I was watching you'd mention something about the game that I'd be like ooo I want this, but then I was a bit confused cause I'd heard you same the last games name. So mostly my fault but yeah it helps to know what it is incase I instantly stop video and go searching for a purchase 😊

[@dotista2008]

bad video realisation but good informations. Why zooming so much on the games ?

[@HissyCat]

Hi Dotista2008, thank you for watching. I am still learning how to produce and edit videos and in that process I try various techniques and suggestions I pick up watching videos on how to make videos. Some work, others I don’t execute correctly or use incorrectly and some don’t work. Thank you for the feedback, I’ll keep that in mind when I create future videos.

[@dotista2008]

@@HissyCat I like the fact you show BGG, because the first thing I need to know is the game rank and release date

[@HissyCat]

That is good to know, i felt it was useful info. =)

[@johncameron6357]

Just heard about you thro ZILLA BLITZ!

[@HissyCat]

Hi John, Zilla is an awesome guy. Thanks for the visit. =}

[@johncameron6357]

I either already have or am in the process of getting 6 of your top 10! That’s the most I’ve seen on any top ten - GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE!

[@HissyCat]

@@johncameron6357 Yes we do!!! That is awesome. I did pickup Enemy Action Ardennes which would make the list. =)

[@johnnybakblast457]

January 3rd? Gettysburg?

[@HissyCat]

Hi Johnny, thanks for watching... yea... embarrassing verbal typo on my part.. and I missed it in editing. lol

[@Bede0881]

Gettysburg was July 1-3, 1863, not 1963!

[@HissyCat]

Hi Bede, thanks for watching… LOL you are correct. =}

[@JayDesrochers]

Those union fighter jets would have strafed that long Pickett's charge line on July 3rd if it was 1963😂😂

[@charlesl21]

Field commander Napoleon is 5x the game Field commander Rommel is. Strange Pick....

[@HissyCat]

Hi Charles, I’ll have to check FC Napoleon. I was gifted FC Rommel =}

[@charlesl21]

@@HissyCat FC Rommel has 4 scenarios(?) FC napoleon has 14, 14 sets of counters..LOL

[@HissyCat]

@@charlesl21 FC Rommel has 3, WOW 14 counter sets and campaigns, that sounds like a lot of replay value. Looks like i know where some of my money will be going...lol

[@farpointgamingdirect]

​@HissyCatStudio Field Commander Alexander is my favorite in the series, so far

[@HissyCat]

@@farpointgamingdirect I'll have to dive deeper into the series. =)

[@Jackdaw5]

Please turn the music down. Or off, preferably. I gave up watching, as trying to concentrate on what you were saying above the background racket was impossible.

[@HissyCat]

Hi Ian, thanks for the feedback. I am sorry the music was off putting. That’s a fail on my part.

[@chrisperrien7055]

No mention of "Zulu" in the list? I am somewhat dismayed.

[@HissyCat]

Hi Chris, thanks for watching. I don’t own a copy… yet =}

[@chrisperrien7055]

"Zulus on the Ramparts"

[@HissyCat]

@chrisperrien7055 I price checked it, on BGG i found it for like $60, just have to wait till after xmas. =)

[@chrisperrien7055]

@@HissyCat Yea, its a little high. , It is also on TableTop SImulator

[@samhavoc1066]

January 3rd Gettysburg? Editing.

[@HissyCat]

Lol

[@HissyCat]

Hi Scott, Oh man, how did i miss that. That’s a bit embarrassing. 😳

[@HissyCat]

It from the little know second battle of Gettysburg… lol

[@jeffzlatkin469]

Civil War in 1963..lol...

[@HissyCat]

Did I say 1963… ugh and mentioned January 3, man I really flubbed that one. =}

[@chrisperrien7055]

algo

[@HissyCat]

?

[@vstar7196]

You obviously haven’t had enough exposure to the best solitaire games to be able to effectively rate them.

[@HissyCat]

Hi V Star, thank you for watching the video. You are correct there are literally 1000’s of solo Wargames and I have only been exposed to a very small number of them. I would love to know what your list looks like to help me expand my exposure. Your feed back is appreciated and I learn and grow. =}

[@dimetronome]

I'm just starting to get into solitaire wargames. What would you recommend? I ordered Field Commander Rommel and Cruel Necessity, but haven't played them yet