Wargame Shelf Tour | Wargame Overview | Historical Games - Board Games - Wargaming | 6

[@thecustardprophet8434]

I'm amazed how many wargames you've picked up now! Alwayd enjoy pretty much whatever you decide to showcase on the channel.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks! Next up is Point Blank, then Chase of the Bismarck, to show some gameplay of both games. Then on to Song for War and Antietam. :)

[@SoloBattles]

First off, watching your Afrika Korps video was the one that made me say, "Man, I got to up my video skilz." It was your easy conversational style that I wish I could emulate. I do have fond memories of France 1940. I remember taking it with me while spending a summer away, with the goal of finding a perfect French defense. Alas, that was not to be. I think one of the cleverest design aspects was the German strength 7 versus the French strength 6. It was a subtle way of showing superior German Doctrine.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Oh, that's good to hear on the Afrika Korps, thanks! I did take a number of notes on that one, though, as things to work on going forward. I do think I want to tap back into the idea of short episodes, and I think that series did a better job of it compared to some of my more recent videos. That's good to hear about France 1940. I remember liking it when I played before, but I don't remember if I thought it was a good game or not. :)

[@ThymeKeeper]

I got four games from the Compass sale (and subsequently bought another than I COULD have gotten from the sale, but got elsewhere for about the same price), two from MMP (and another than wasn't on sale), four from GMT (three plus an expansion), and one that I ordered from GMT but which ended up sold out before my order was processed and which I picked up from Noble Knight. I'm pretty full up right now :).

[@ZillaBlitz]

That sounds like a pretty hefty haul of upcoming gaming, very nice! Enjoy! Be sure to share your progress, if you don't mind. :)

[@Phalanx11]

Its fun to have maybe 100 games. I used to have about 600 back when I was single 30 years ago. I stored them and gave some away, I have about 8 now...I'm really impressed with the Compass games redux of my old favorites Ala' Fortress Europa.

[@ZillaBlitz]

600! Wow, that's a LOT of games. At this point, I'm planning to turn inwards, to play what I have, instead of exploring what I don't have. I have probably a year's worth of games that I can play without adding anything new. Glad to hear that you like Fortress Europe, I picked up that one used for a solid price a while back, that Designer's Series is very promising, good mix of playability and quality.

[@richardbarker2928]

Excellent content again sir,I never thought so many people would still be interested military board games in 2022 but your channel and personal enthusiasm really helps this hobby no end. The battle of the bulge game looks good,I know time is always short but could you do more,even if its a quick run through of the basic rules would be helpful on your channel on these games. Like the bulge game ,looks good but is it for me???? Super channel well done

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks! I really found getting back into board games so enjoyable during the pandemic, and now I like both PC and board games equally. Something just nice to get away from technology to pick up real pieces and play. ~ I do hope to eventually bring a lot more games to the channel. At the moment I'm playing my way through a small stack of review copies. Once I get through those I'll start exploring other games.

[@whovian223]

Fond memories of Source of the Nile. My friend bought Heart of Darkness and it looks really intriguing! Hopefully I'll get to play it one of these days.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Good to know about Source of the Nile. :) I think Heart of Darkness might actually shine better as a solo game, really want to get that to the channel too. So many great games. :)

[@tdavart9233]

Thanks for the overview, someone's going to have a fun over the holidays. I'm just getting back into wargaming after decades of distractions, so appreciate all the helpful reviews and info. Like you, I seem to enjoy the tactical games the most with an emphasis on solo games, as my friends really don't play. If you are interested in exploration, the book "The Lost City of Z" is excellent. They also made a movie based on it that's good as well.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Welcome back to wargaming, I've only picked it up about a year and a half ago after decades away myself, so I can definitely relate. And I'm glad you're enjoying the content. :) That's good to know about Lost City of Z, I've put it on my Christmas wishlist. :)

[@raygun6271]

Wow, I just received & played the first game you picked (Battle of the Bulge by Compass). I can confirm it's worth the effort after 4 fun-filled plays! Also, great review!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Oh, that's good to hear! I literally don't know all that much about it, other than it was designed by John Butterfield and it gets good ratings. Really looking forward to it now. :)

[@HissyCat]

Great video and love where you are taking your channel. look forward to all of your videos. =)

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thank you, sir! Looking forward to your channel's future as well! Thanks for stopping in! :)

[@ReedCBowman]

Well, obviously, you need to add the OG Avalon Hill's Battle of the Bulge. One of their true classics.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yes, I think that any Bulge Off would have to have that one. I've come close to grabbing a copy on Ebay now and then, but for whatever reason that one tends to be a bit pricey on Ebay, for a good version/good edition.

[@ParkeraNZ]

So looking fwd to seeing some of these being showcased on the channel, especially the Bismarck one just based off your tweets and Inst pics. And here is a big yes to more Civil War content! Have to agree with your comments about Twilight Struggle on Steam. Another great video to watch during work.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks, Parkera! I'm looking forward to bring Bismarck to the channel as well. It's quite an interesting game! And more Civil War should be fun as well. So many games, so little time. :)

[@Stumptonian1]

Another interesting walkthrough. I have Point Blank: V is for Victory but probably won't get it to the table until February. So many games, so little time .... (and I'm retired now! 🙄)

[@ZillaBlitz]

I'd be very curious to hear your take on Point Blank, I'm really liking it now that I've gotten up to speed with it.

[@PatricksTacticsTutorials]

You won't be disappointed by trying the GCACW system, and Hood Strikes North is a fun starting point. Welcome! And Source of the Nile! One of my oldest AH loves. I love running teaching games, so let's get a game together and film it!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks! And I'd love to connect for a Source of the Nile game. That sounds like fun. Maybe in January sometime? I should be clear of my backlog by then. :)

[@PatricksTacticsTutorials]

@@ZillaBlitz sounds great!

[@ZillaBlitz]

We shall make it a thing! Looking forward to it. :)

[@whovian223]

@@ZillaBlitz This all just made me very happy.

[@ottervonbismarck6331]

Love this video-series ❤

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks Otter! Glad you're enjoying it.

[@coyi51]

I have a couple of Bulge games, but really would like the Worthington One. I enjoy ACW games, especially the older ones, Avlon Hill etc, but many a quite pricey due to limited availability. Loved Afrika Corp game, I believe I was given that at Xmas 67, is France 40 from GMT an update? Really want a coin game, I have played Falling Sky, but that is unavailable. Looking at All Bridges Burning & if P500 gets into gear maybe Liberty or Death & The British Way. Celles ($46) & Hood Strikes North ($147) are a tad expensive. Prices would be cost inc. p&p if sold in US. Look forward to some of the older games as well as the newer ones reaching your channel.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yeah, that Worthington one looks very playable, but the last time I saw it, it was over $100 on Noble Knight. :) ~ I think France '40 is just a Simonitch game, unrelated to the original AH game. I might be wrong though. ~ Fire in the Lake for a Coin game, perhaps? ~ Revolution Games just ended their holiday sale, so prices went back up. ~ Hood Strikes North went in and out of my basket even at the sale price, as it wasn't cheap on sale either. :)

[@fszarka]

I was a playtester for Heart of Darkness. However, I never played Source of the Nile and that would be interesting to see.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Very cool on Heart of Darkness! I'll have to try an adventure game on the channel and see if it's popular.

[@farpointgamingdirect]

Very nice selection! I just picked up American Tank Ace from Compass, and Old School Tactical Vol 1 From Flying Pig.

[@roberthoule2534]

I'm considering getting into one of the solo(able) tank games - can I ask why you chose Tank Ace? And if so why over the others (like GMT Tank Ace) - and if Zilla Blitz wants to throw his thoughts in here too on which he'd grab first I'd appreciate!

[@ZillaBlitz]

I'm happy to toss in some thoughts. I'd offer that choosing among the existing games is probably more a matter of what you're looking for than it is the quality of the game. American Tank Ace - the story of your one tank and crew as it works its way through a Western European campaign. GMT Tank Duel - I'm not very familiar with this one, to be honest, but my sense is that it's a more card-driven experience that focuses on the tactical dueling nature of tank vs. tank combat. Looks to me that the emphasis is more on 2-player, with bots added so that people can play solo. Sherman Leader / Tiger Leader - More at the platoon level than the individual tank level, it's a solitaire only game focused on the story of your unit as it fights through a multiple battle campaign.

[@farpointgamingdirect]

@@roberthoule2534 I actually own all of those games and all are very enjoyable. I just have a weakness for solo tank games (and solo submarine games too!) I have been buying games from Mark Walker since he owned Lock n Load; I own many of his published games from both LnL and Flying Pig because he just puts out fantastic games. I have known Mark since I first met him at Historicon many years ago and he's one of the nicest guys you'll ever want to meet; I generally run into him at the WBCs these days. I'm sure you'll enjoy any of the games I chose, or any of the games in Zilla's collection, his taste in games seems to coincide with mine in many ways, so any recommendation from him is a good one!

[@farpointgamingdirect]

@@ZillaBlitz I enjoy both Tiger and Panzer Leader, and I really enjoy your playthroughs; they are outstanding ways to learn a new game

[@ZillaBlitz]

@@farpointgamingdirect Thanks farpoint, sounds like you've had a lot of fun with tank and sub games, for sure. I want to get American Tank Ace to the channel soon. :)

[@charleslatora5750]

Throw Plexi over the Source of the Nile board n use dry erase markers

[@ZillaBlitz]

It's ideas like this that make it clear to me why everyone calls you the Ultimate Wargame General. This is a really good idea, thanks!

[@nordicmaelstrom4714]

The only Bulge game I have is Hitler's Last Gamble from like 1989. Haven't gotten it to the table yet. I am slow in getting my games on the table. I have Victory in the West from GMT back in 93. I got both of those old games cheap and unpunched off of ebay and was happy about that. They averaged about $45 a piece after taxes and shipping so not bad at all. I still want to see Target for Today and don't forget I want to be part of the crew! I am about to go set up the table to set up Napoleon's Last Gamble from OSG. I have to read the rules and I am hoping setting up the game will give me that motivation to get the rules read.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Wow, another Bulge game I haven't heard of, interesting. My Bulge Rating was much lower than I realized. :) I still have a decent selection of review games to play through, and I expect it will take me most of December. But as January beckons, new stuff. :) Good luck with Napoleon's Last Gamble!

[@nordicmaelstrom4714]

@@ZillaBlitz I just have the one and that will probably be all I need because it is battalion scale which I like. I would really love to get The Last Blitzkrieg from MMP but that will wait a while. I set the table up earlier for the battle of Ligny. Its a small battle and I thought it would be a good learning battle before I tackle something like the whole campaign. I think the OSG games are really lovely and you get what you pay for that is for sure. I want to get some more of their games going forward. Id like to stick to series of games so I don't have to learn new rules all the time.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks for sharing, sounds like good thinking all around. And I'm with you on liking the series with core rules to cut down on learning time. I think my learning/playing ratio has been way out of whack lately. :)

[@nordicmaelstrom4714]

@@ZillaBlitz I especially like the BCS rules. I have just Brazen Chariots but in my solo gaming all the scenarios for it have been really fun and make for a good game. I will tell you that I need to go with some more solitaire games that are narrative driven. Games like that are a lot of fun.

[@stephenspackman5573]

I think Sleeping Gods has pushed 7th Continent off the top of the hill in our house, though … I still really love 7th Continent.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Interesting, now I'll have to check out Sleeping Gods too. I had it on my Amazon wishlist but I think it went out of print recently. Or at least out of stock on Amazon, so I didn't go much further exploring it at that point.

[@stephenspackman5573]

@@ZillaBlitz Yeah, it was a Kickstarter that delivered not so very long ago, so the first printing may have just about run dry. There's certainly a reprint coming, though, because there was a crowdfunding campaign for a sequel (Distant Skies) on Gamefound, and they were offering copies of the original game there. I think it may still be accepting late pledges (not that I'm specifically trying to tempt anyone).

[@ZillaBlitz]

Oh, I just read the description again and really had mis-categorized this game. This looks really interesting as a discovery/exploration game. I might have mistakenly put if off to the side thinking it was a solo-unfriendly campaign game, but that doesn't seem to be the case either. Definitely will keep an eye on this as it comes back into circulation. Thanks. :)

[@stephenspackman5573]

@@ZillaBlitz It's actually interesting how it works. There are nine fixed “player characters” in the game and they are to some extent actually scripted into the evolving story. At the start of the session you distribute the characters among the players present, and there's a physical mechanism to regulate the extent to which players intervene in each others' turns-not too much, not too little. I haven't played much more than the intro strict solo, though the way we play co-op is so … aggressively … cooperative (to the extent of gaming out moves before making them) that I'm confident it will be superb. It's always a _team_ effort. As to its campaigniness-it's a long, multisession, game, with thematically-supported replayability and enough openness and material in the base box for several almost non-overlapping playthroughs. But the short term state is saved with deck order and well thought out baggies, while long term state is saved on a single photocopiable sheet. So … altogether impressive. It's also tonally wonderful. You can be a bit of a bastard if you want, but niceness is rewarded with niceness. You can be cautious if you want, but boldness is rewarded. The choices tend to be meaningful, but you're never left feeling stupid and rarely frustrated. There's a lot of art and a lot of prose-and that prose is really good. It's a bit of a table hog towards the end of the game (you can get a lot of cards with action spaces on them) and takes a few minutes to get out, but if you've played The 7th Continent with its cards and EA: Kharkov with its map and chits you won't find it a burden at all.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Cough cough. I cannot deny or confirm that I may have ordered Sleeping Gods and its two expansions.

[@billyriley492]

Point Blank V is for Victory is a great game. The manual seems ok at first pass, but it soon shows up as having some rule organisation and rule omission/ambiguity issues. Get on the forums for some clarity...but it is a great game. It's been on my table now for about 6 weeks.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Good to hear you're enjoying it over a substantial length of time. I'm not that far along but it's been great so far. And I'll be sure to check out the forums as issues come up. Most that have come up so far I've been able to resolve, but I'm sure there are more to come as I play more. :)

[@lilesindiecorner]

A Bulge-off, huh? Sorry, everything else you said was interesting too, but that will be stuck in my brain for days now

[@ZillaBlitz]

Haha! It sounds like some sort of new weight loss challenge. :)

[@brentanderson5021]

If you are into retro Avalon Hill and tactical WW2 then you must play the original version of Squad Leader. It's one of the best designs in gaming and has maybe more value in replay in one box than almost anything out there. And then you should play ATS. Not the truck simulator but the Squad Leader clone by Critical Hit. This game gets a lot of bad press, not all of it unjustified, but it is actually a really great game that hits a sweet spot between the original SL and the overblown complexity of ASL. You can pick up the basic Stalingrad version for not too much.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Interesting, thanks! You'd recommend the original Squad Leader and not the newer version? And I've not heard of the ATS/Critical Hit system before this, looks interesting, thanks!

[@brentanderson5021]

I'm not saying anything against the new Advanced Squad Leader, just that the old 1977 original is a classic wonderful game well worth playing.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Good to know, thanks! I have that one, got it from my brother. I'll have to revisit it.

[@johnwalsh4857]

yah my only Bulge game is Brian Train's Autumn mist bought when it first came out in 2008...with a unique combat system. got the original 1st ed. from Fiery Dragon publishing. it was reprinted by Tiny battles as Winter Thunder

[@ZillaBlitz]

I haven't heard of that one yet or its reprint, I've added it to my list to check out, thanks!

[@johnwalsh4857]

@@ZillaBlitz small ardennes game but packs a huge punch.

[@johnwalsh4857]

yah got Cuba Libre havent played yet, Twilight struggle great game,

[@cardboardgeek]

Isn't Lanzareth Ridge set at the start of the Battle of the Bulge? Also Sherman Leader has a BotB campaign. :) (Edit: just got to the bit you refer to LR) Would thoroughly love to see a "Bulge" off

[@ZillaBlitz]

I'm going to think about something like a "Bulge off" with a subset of wargames. I think December would have been the month for a Bulge off, to be honest, and I probably need some of the more iconic Bulge games that are out there. Even AH's Battle of the Bulge would be a good one, too. Maybe next year for this, but I do like the idea of a set of games to explore.

[@ThymeKeeper]

So you own at least 60 games. Cuba Libre is a great entry into COIN and honestly a great entry into wargaming for eurogamers. Mechanically, COIN games are really euro in design. They are inherently confrontational and steeped in thematic elements, so they aren't euro through and through, but if I knew a modern hobby gamer who was interested in dipping a toe, I'd not hesitate to teach them Cuba Libre. Particularly if they had played Root or any similar asymmetric games. I love the old wargames, but honestly most of the are mostly interesting as artifacts. Never tried France 1940, but I have played a lot of AH classics over the past few years and most of them don't hold up that well. Still fun, still interesting, but limited. Although I didn't care for the new African Campaign and actually enjoyed the vintage Afrika Korps more. Shrug. I have given up on Point Blank. It's got a passionate fanbase, but I just couldn't wrap my head around it. It's too big and complex for the type of game I wanted it to be. No biggie and probably more reflective of me than of the game. Although I do enjoy complex games and Point Blank is comparatively not that complex. It was just more than I wanted from that type of game.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I can make a good number more of these counting war games I already owned, and I really want to focus on getting the games I have to the table. I was thinking of a "12 Games of Christmas" thing where I try to play 12 games in the last 12 day of December. Not sure that's possible or healthy, but I'm thinking. :) I tend to agree with you on the older games, if some of my experiences dabbling in the older games are any indication of what most of them are like. But I do want to revisit them, if only for the nostalgia factor. Sorry to hear that on Point Blank. I can understand, as there is definitely a lift involved. I've found the fun has escalated as I've gotten faster and more fluent at the system, but I've still a ways to go still.

[@Demy1970]

Good video Zilla

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks, Demy, happy to hear that you like it. :)

[@johnwalsh4857]

Love source of the nile played it once in the early 1980s, played it again just 10 years ago, from a dinged copy I bought in Ebay. for like 10 USD. Another game like this recently bought from Legion wargames called Heart of Darkness, havent played it yet.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I've played Heart of Darkness, I think it's quite different in execution than Source of the Nile.

[@johnwalsh4857]

@@ZillaBlitz True no crayons for one, but a similiar theme.

[@strelnikoff1632]

How about Fields of Fire, especially now w a new rules rewrite ? High learning curve and still deciding if I want to invest more time but you may like it

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yes, most definitely. I'll actually be mentioning that one in an upcoming episode of Upcoming Wargames. :)

[@strelnikoff1632]

Becoming a real fan. Have you tried Conquest of Paradise as an exploration game?

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks, Strelnikoff! I've heard of that one, but haven't really explored it much yet. I see it's out of print at the moment. You like it?

[@Joaquim.Oliveira]

Do you live around New England? I have seen you with a Red Sox hat a couple of times , I’m from Massachusetts, that’s why I’m asking .

[@ZillaBlitz]

I don't live there now, but I grew up in Massachusetts, hence the Red Sox fan. Some things stick with you. :) Glad to see another person from Mass! :)

[@j_atkinson]

Highly anticipated video! You sir are not going to be kind to my wallet. You've turned me onto the Point Blank game :) Speaking of adventure games, I assume you heard about John Butterfield's "Away Team" that just crushed the P500 this month?? BTW, I've been learning Skies Above Britain, and I think you could make a good video series on it once you get the systems down.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Point Blank definitely takes a "both feet in" approach to get up to speed with it, but I'm really liking it now. It's too early for me to render final judgement, but I'm liking what I've seen so far. And I was #50 on the Away Team P500 order. Took me about 10 seconds to place my order. It' sounds so good. :) I do think the Skies series as a whole would make for good video, although it would be tricky to film and probably be a long series, with the lengths of the campaigns. I definitely want to try at some point though. :)

[@j_atkinson]

@@ZillaBlitz For Skies, if you did one chapter, smallest campaign option, that's only six patrols. So I'd figure 7 videos with one for intro + six patrols.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Oh, that's very reasonable, yes. Would the story have a good arc at that short of a timespan? I also felt like some of the missions might take more than 1 episode, but that's not a real worry. :)

[@j_atkinson]

@@ZillaBlitz Well... i'm sure the arc would be better over more chapters but then it's going to really start to stretch out. With some practice getting the rules down, I think you can knock out a patrol in about 45 mins if that isn't too much.

[@ZillaBlitz]

@@j_atkinson That's good to know, thanks! Usually a video is 2x the play time, because you have to talk more instead of just playing, so that might make it a bit challenging to do a campaign, but I'll think through things, it might be possible to shorten the videos in places too. Challenge accepted. :)

[@johndaily543]

Celles is a terrific game (one of my first "modern" wargames actually), but can someone tell me why all of a sudden I'm seeing it everywhere? I'm so happy to see it becoming more popular, but it's a decade old and the last few months it's really picking up steam.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Ha! I've no idea either, and had no idea it was so old, either. 10 years old? Wow. :)

[@8ofcups763]

For a taste of real old school try AH's Gettysburg on the square grid map.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I took out my copy of Gettysburg with the rectangular grid map a couple of months ago, but wow, those rules seemed ambiguous in places. Definitely an old school adventure with that one! :) Not that it wouldn't be fun to explore it again. :)

[@SoloBattles]

@@ZillaBlitz Played that AH Gettysburg game a couple years ago, definitely showing its age. It was fun to play, but only as a diversion. More playing a game than simulating a historical battle.

[@ZillaBlitz]

@@SoloBattles I haven't been super enamored with old game's gameplay, to be honest. Fun to explore, but more for the nostalgia and analysis factor than for a "Wow, this is amazing!" factor. :)

[@Phalanx11]

I had a buddy named Zak years ago who had a $100k wargame collection (no girlfriend). I said Zack how many of these have you played? About 2% he said....

[@ZillaBlitz]

Wow, that's a massive collection, for sure! I'm happy with how much I'm playing games, but I'm probably at 25% of my current collection and I really want to focus on playing the games I have now. I've added a lot of games in the past year, and am excited to explore the current collection. I don't really want to become a collector of board games.

[@robmarcjon]

i would like to play you on steam twilight struggle...also check out sniper elite great fun

[@ZillaBlitz]

Awesome, I have a break from real work coming up from the 23rd, and by then I should be in good shape with other videos as well. That work for you, last week of December to start?

[@robmarcjon]

@@ZillaBlitz yes I will be good. Son is flying in the 22nd I’m in Ohio eastern time

[@ZillaBlitz]

It's all asynchronous, so we can just let it flow over a few days, and time zones shouldn't matter. :)

[@robmarcjon]

try star trek ascendancy for exploration

[@ZillaBlitz]

Added to the list, thanks! :)

[@OldLadyPlays]

He's a liar. He's quite good at Twilight Struggle.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Okay, to be fair, I feel like I was getting okay with the first deck, but if a game makes it to that third deck, I'm lost. Total newb, game over. :)