Panzer North Africa First Look + Counter Storage Solution | World War 2 Wargame | GMT Games

[@tommeyer9391]

I grew up with Avalon Hill. Squad Leader was my favorite, and this takes me right back there. Looking forward to seeing you do a play through

[@ZillaBlitz]

Definitely a focus on tactical combat here, like ASL. My sense is that this game is much more focused on tanks as opposed to ASL, which is probably more focused on leg units. But still very similar in that they are detailed tactical combat systems. :)

[@markheithorn3905]

Squad Leader was my favorite too

[@GPlewright]

I opted for using GMT Counter Trays so my counters are spread out more but it means it doesn’t fit in the box. Well done on compacting it so efficiently.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I wasn't sure it would work to get them all back in the box, but I'm glad it did. :)

[@theodore6491]

Good first look and great storage solution. This is going on my to buy list. Hopefully it won't end up on my shelf of shame.

[@ZillaBlitz]

This one is my optional game on this year's Shelf of Shame challenge. Even though it just came out, I want to dig into the whole series more this year, and this is going to be my re-starting point. :)

[@edthilenius7530]

I'm a newbie to the Panzer series. However, I've been playing Avalon Hill for over 50 years. This system reminds me of AH Tobruk. Great video! 😊

[@ZillaBlitz]

That's a lot of Avalon Hill gaming. It reminds me a lot of Tobruk as well. Definitely nostalgia. :)

[@steveoh9285]

A highly-anticipated game, there is SO much content here, good choice for a look Mike.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks, Steve. Really a ton of stuff in the box, for sure. 32 scenarios (with a linked 4-scenario campaign) and the Tables of Organization & Equipment with point values on units make it easy to design new scenarios. Hundreds of hours of play in this one. :)

[@davet010]

Definitely worth an unboxing video, there are people out there who will get a lifetime's worth of content out of this. Not really my sort of thing anymore, but for £140 (UK Price), you'll be getting a system that has been tested through the base Panzer game and 4 expansions already.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yes, definitely it's a game that's up there in price, but to its credit, it's got so much gameplay in the box. The scenario set is immense.

[@coyi51]

The game arrived last week, just need to sort the counters, might use a second box to store the counters & cards. Looking forward to playing, just need to do some reading. Excellent review. Many thanks.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Awesome! I'd love to hear how you are finding the gameplay once you get into it. With the basic rules, I think it's pretty accessible. :)

[@thomasmink3167]

Cube4Me storage solution was a huge bonus .

[@ZillaBlitz]

I don't think there would be another way to get everything back into the box and get the lid closed as well. I thought for sure I'd have to store the counters outside the box.

[@Mark-hp2ko]

Excellent overview, Panzer North Africa will be my one of my few wargame purchases this year. Thanks.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I hope you like it, so much gameplay in the box, definitely a game you could play for a whole year. :)

[@JimBro317]

Mike, I ordered the tray set a couple days ago and I wrote a little blurb about them on 'The Board Wargamer' today and mentioned you as well. Hope it gets some looks!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Oh, thanks so much Jim! I hope you like the tray set too! I've found them really helpful, especially for big games without a lot of room to fit things in the box. :)

[@fernandosolaramos8931]

Thanks for the video, Zilla.

[@ZillaBlitz]

My pleasure, Ferndando. Thanks for making a great game! :)

[@HissyCat]

Such an awesome First Look Video, this game is everything i expected.

[@ZillaBlitz]

... and more! I wasn't expecting so much content. It's packed!

[@wowsulfate]

i love how you show the cube 4 me, i foudn them because of you and never turn back lol

[@ZillaBlitz]

Oh, I'm glad you like them! Me too. :) And I thought this solution was unique enough (getting everything back in the box) that it would help to show the solution in the video.

[@thomasmink3167]

Thanks!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks very much, Thomas, for the kind support! It's greatly appreciated. Nice little surprise to come back to after watching the Super Bowl. :)

[@Phalanx11]

Mike: You can't do that. In rulebook four subsection J, no armor can cross a stream without a morale check. Mike's friend: I don't have to pass a morale check because in Rulebook six Rule addendum 17 No morale check needed for crossing streams if your in a Panzer II. Mike: normally thats true except your in a Panzer IIj which is subjected to rule 21b which is in rulebook two....

[@ZillaBlitz]

Haha! I don't think it's to that degree, though, for this one. It's not ASL level of complexity, even with all the optional rules tossed in.

[@Jezza_One]

That sounds like ASL.

[@Jezza_One]

Now this is what I call an unboxing video. Excellent stuff.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it. :)

[@nordicmaelstrom4714]

I am somewhat intrigued with this as I am a fan of the North African campaign. I've got a couple games on it in North Africa 41 and Brazen Chariots: Battles for Tobruk. While I don't really care for tactical level stuff this one is interesting. I have been toying with the idea of trying one of the ASL starter kits and see if I like it. Definitely could use more North Africa games. I actually got a cube 4 me tray included in a recent Noble Knight Games purchase and I have to say I really like their storage trays.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Sounds like you've got a lot of interest in North Africa. :) The ASL Starter Kit is definitely a good way to test the waters, too.

[@nordicmaelstrom4714]

Brazen Chariots was the second wargame I bought but the first one I ever played. I picked it up at a wargamer flea market (miniatures mostly) for an absurdly low price new in shrink. I actually do like the North Africa campaign. It has distinct phases that are different from one another. Plus I simply love the British camouflage in the desert for their vehicles. When France 40 reprint comes out I'll have two games for that battle as well. @@ZillaBlitz

[@RetiKingKnight]

I’ve never regretted purchasing anything related to squad leader/advanced squad leader, ever since I started in around 1978. ASL is greatest of the tactical WW2 games and the Starter Kit makes it so accessible for newer players. I just rounded out my starter kit collection a day or two ago by ordering ASLSK #3 - Tanks. LMK if you want to play on VASL some time. Good luck, no matter which direction you go.

[@nordicmaelstrom4714]

Thank you and I will take that into consideration. I just need to figure out whether or not I would enjoy such a level of combat because I tend to prefer commanding armies over squads.@@RetiKingKnight

[@timd4524]

This looks more like a system built on Tobruk, more than the one they call the Advanced Tobruk System. All that information is fun stuff. Different rates of fire, actual damage per area, makes it an interesting game. I should take a look at their earlier ones in the series. I like very detailed games. Cool box.

[@ZillaBlitz]

It really does give me Tobruk flashbacks, except updated and just more of ... everything. The series has so much gameplay in it now.

[@joeyj6808]

Very cool looking system. The very last thing my life needs is a new obsession, though! I could see that happening pretty easily. You know this looks like a progression of where the old AH game, Tobruk might have become had production values in the 70s been what they are today. I wonder... Also reminds me a lot of ASL and Panzer Grenadier (the latter was a lot of fun, but both ended up with WAY too many counters getting stacked up on a board LOL) BTW - your link game is getting to be quite impressive, sir!

[@ZillaBlitz]

I meant to mention the interesting stacking rules in the game, which is essentially "unlimited". There are penalties for more than six vehicles in a hex though. But yes, definitely flashbacks to Tobruk for me too. :)

[@RobRiddell37]

Great video. Still have my AH Tobruk game on the shelf. I have Dark Sands for the grand scale. This now will likely fill the tactical slot. Now to find the time for them all. 😊

[@ZillaBlitz]

Ain't that always the thing? Finding time. I am going to invent a cloning machine one of these days, if I had time.

[@MrElliptific]

excellent overview, thank you. Too "monster" to enter my collection but I can understand why anyone who would like to acquire such a game.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it. :)

[@paulsaunders6536]

I’ve always used plastic coin holder sheets for the vehicles, helps because they are all double sided, and the rest stored in a separate plastic storage box. One for panzer and one for MBT.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I can see that being really helpful for the double-sided counters, yes. Good idea. :)

[@vinceA3748]

This storage solution really worked!!! Thank you for that.

[@ZillaBlitz]

So glad to hear it, that's awesome. :)

[@jumpmaster82nd.]

Is there a video or a link to such a video on the storage solution to Silent War 2.0? I bought the recommended trays which should arrive this week and wondered how they stacked into them. Thought I saw a dead link that said, "coming soon" or something akin to that. Thanks!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Happy to help! The best way to figure out what to do is to look at the individual images on the website for the game you want to store. Every tray in a set is always shown, and you can see what units go where. That one is tricky as well because there are soooo many units! Silent War 2.0 hasn't been updated with the errata counters yet, but I don't think that'll change things much. Most of them replace existing counters. If you have questions, let me know. That's a kit I made. :)

[@GrafStorm]

Grognard's delight, a lifetime worth of play certainly. Nice first look! I'm still happy with my Panzer Basic Game, keeps my tactical bone tickled just fine.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Really is so much in this one, and that's great to hear that you're enjoying Panzer! :)

[@TheTheshadow32]

Panzer is simply the BEST grand tactical WW2 game EVER. WHY? - 100 meter per hex scale which allows for a much broader map scale for tactical warfare. - Incredible deep hardware stats per vehicule. - Incremental ease of play with each advanced play smoothly introduced. - I play it as a pure board wargame, or on computer with Vassal or with adapted rules of 1 hex=4 for miniatures. - Much easier than ASL and leaving out the non essential part of that game to see the operational value of this wargame. Much more to say about this epic wargame system but it is an incredible achievement.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Great points across the board, and it's just awesome to see this series come to North Africa. Thanks for sharing. :)

[@mikewood4242]

Wanted to get "Old School Tactical" but they don't ship to Canada and Ebay price is outrageous.How similar is this game?

[@ZillaBlitz]

I've not played Old School Tactical so I hesitate to say too much, but I think the biggest difference is that this game focuses on armored combat while Old School Tactical is more focused on the whole tactical combat experience.

[@Phalanx11]

Excuse me is that Pandora's Box?

[@ZillaBlitz]

Sure feels like it, doesn't it? So much stuff inside. :)

[@Phalanx11]

Theres a game I'm playing like this that has five rulebooks. We incl. 75 optional rules and have unleashed a monster. After about 22 hours of play we are starting to memorize the rules and don't have to refer as much. Name of game? Russia Besieged.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Wow, nice! I didn't realize Russia Besieged was so complicated. Good luck!

[@MikeHillman-n2c]

Exactly. Tobruk!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yep! :)

[@lxxl8156]

Man, this looks fantastic. I would love to have someone to play this against. I have no idea how to find that person though. Anyone in the PNW looking for an opponent?

[@ZillaBlitz]

Any local wargaming groups that would have people looking to play? Also, there is a Vassal mod for the game, which opens up the possibilities a lot: vassalengine.org/wiki/Module:Panzer_North_Africa

[@lxxl8156]

@@ZillaBlitz that’s probably the best starting point. I had a look last night and it seems I just missed the big annual event (Trumpeter’s Salute) but they’re meeting again in a month and I might be able to find someone that’s interested in a game. I love PC gaming but there’s nothing like the paper maps and being in the same room as your opponent. I’m excited to get my hands on a copy of this thing. Cheers man.

[@ZillaBlitz]

@@lxxl8156 Sounds like the start of a great plan. It can take time to build up a group of friends to play with, but they are out there. :)

[@lxxl8156]

@@ZillaBlitz let’s hope so. Vancouver seems to have a decent gaming scene. I think it has to do with the long mints trapped indoors due to the ceaseless rain. Cheers.

[@vladdrakul7851]

*'MY PRECIOUS! Me wants it for MYSELF!'*

[@ZillaBlitz]

Ha! Yes, it's a beautiful production, for sure. :)

[@PatrickFoley-vf3lr]

Far more complicated than the early games but much more realistic. I wonder how much errata there will be for a game this size and complex.

[@ZillaBlitz]

From a rules perspective it's the same as the previous editions in the series, so the rules are well established. I suppose scenarios, counters, and data cards could have issues, but both the designer and GMT have solid reputations. I'd not let that stop me, but yes, I'd think there would be some errata in something this expansive.

[@trekanbelluvitsh]

I wonder, who will be the first who plays all scenarios first! 😅

[@ZillaBlitz]

Ha! That will be a herculean task, for sure! :)

[@jameshenderson4876]

Please please stop! My wallet can't take it...

[@ZillaBlitz]

Sorry, James! It's a Golden Age of Wargaming. Can totally relate. :)

[@jameshenderson4876]

@ZillaBlitz it absolutely is! I'm just starting to get back in after a 40 year break. So I have Salerno 43, RAF and Atlantic Chase. And this week moved to my new house and now have a 2.4x1m dining table. So space to play them! But you have really been sharing some wonderful games - Undaunted, Eylau 1807 and now this Panzer North Africa. All look great, especially the latter two. Will order Eylau 1807 in the morning. Thank you for all your insight and advice!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Welcome back to the hobby and those are some great first new games. :) And now with a new house and a new table you are all set to go. :) I as well was away for 20+ years and have been so happy to come back to it about 2-3 years ago. Fun times. I hope you enjoy Eylau as well!

[@P_E_P_1966]