TDG: Cody's Top Ten World War II Solitaire Games (January 2024)

Join Cody as he considers his Top Ten World War II Solitaire Games of all time.
Cody Carlson, PhD: / @codycarlsonph.d.5591
Facebook: / thediscriminatinggamer
Twitter: / codyk76
Galaxy of Games: galaxyof.games/

[@user-pc5ww8fh6d]

Great video, makes it plain I have not shopped in a long time for board games especially wargames. I bet most of these titles require me to layout some serious coin too. I want to give a shout out to Mike Lambo, maker of great solitaire titles at Wargame Vault, inexpensive and still quite good.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks!

[@almartin4]

That seems to be a Polish tradition... I was fortunate (and honored) to serve under President Reagan as a Senior NCO in the US Army, stationed in the occupied city of West Berlin from 1981 to 1984. The Cold War was at its peak then, mostly as a clear confrontation between NATO (commercial west) and the Warsaw Pact (communist east). President Reagan made his first official visit to West Berlin in June of 1982 and spoke initially to those of us in the Allied military forces stationed there. This was long before his famous ‘Wall’ speech. Membership in NATO was formed from western allies voluntarily; France was excluded because they chose not to join at that time. Membership in Warsaw Pact was formed, and enforced by Soviet forces, in countries they invaded during World War II. Any country that tried to leave the Warsaw Pact because of freedom movements (East Germany (DDR) / Hungary / Czechoslovakia) faced violent suppression by the Soviet forces. The members of the Warsaw Pact were not the comrades as the PR often claim. It appeared similar events would happen in Poland during the 1980’s. I was attached to the Military Intelligence (MI) Detachment as an interrogator tasked with interviewing defectors (Border Guard / Military) and refugees (civilians) from all of the various Pact countries. They were fleeing similar oppression with many vivid stories of their own. We had an almost constant flow during my time there. We were especially concerned about events in Poland as the Solidarity Union disturbances were watched closely by the Soviet seniors. During one of my 1983 interviews with a Polish officer who had defected; I asked him what would happen if the Pact forces invaded Poland to suppress the activities… … would the Polish military fight or not. His answer was both humorous and cynical. He said: “Your question presents a very serious issue for Polish soldiers to answer; do we do our duty to the people and country by shooting Russians? Or do we enjoy ourselves by shooting Germans? No more invasions.” We were pretty certain something was coming soon by that time; just not sure if we would become radioactive dust or the Soviet Union would collapse. Regards

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks. Great story.

[@TotallyTabled]

Great video. As a euro gamer interested in exploring this genre more, I found your list and description of each game really helpful. Thank you!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thank you. Happy to help.

[@michaelrinella6384]

If you missed out on Stalingrad: Advance to the Volga, 1942 last year it's now back in print and in the warehouse. Copies should be shipping in a week or so!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Excellent. Looking forward to Manila. Thanks again, sir.

[@tommantek3632]

I'm looking for something similar to Avalon Hill's Panzergruppe Guderian game. It's very solitaire friendly but getting an old copy intact and not expensive is hard to do.

[@mrsuitcase9799]

I had been debating Halls of Hegra vs Lanzerath - wasn't sure which to get. My favourite that I own right now is RAF - Battle of Britain. Which surprises me since I'm an infantry guy.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Sounds like a great game.

[@stevenpage9269]

i needed this, Doc! Fixing to start dipping into solitaire games. Thanks!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Happy to help.

[@hewieedacat6375]

Great video as always Cody. Love all your reviews (both board and war games). Congrats on the 10 years. I'm from Portsmouth UK. Highly recommend a visit for the d day museum and memorials.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I may be in England later this year. If I can I’ll hit those museums up.

[@terrymays7260]

Interesting and well selected choices. I also am hoping for a Coral Sea Deluxe.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thank you! Let’s hope.

[@user-eh5es2ew7q]

I always enjoy the pre game joke ! lol

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Happy to help!

[@wolfdog]

I love a lot of these, especially Lanzerath and Stalingrad. I wonder what you think of D-Day At Omaha Beach? I think that would squeeze just above Advance To The Volga as my #1.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I haven't played that one yet, but maybe one day. Thanks!

[@john-qz3fu]

I’ve got D Day at Tarawa it’s hard

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

@@john-qz3fu I agree. Tough game to win but a lot of fun.

[@everhat]

Thanks for sharing this!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thank you.

[@danacoleman4007]

Nice video!!! Thanks, Cody!!!!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thank you.

[@brucewachtler9093]

Stalingrad :Advance to the Volga is indeed excellent. The second game in the series, Manila : The Savage Streets just came out and is great as well. Malta Besieged is also a favorite of mine.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I just got Manila, but haven’t played it yet.

[@horsedrawnfarmer6885]

I love your videos. Really great stuff. Thank you.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Happy to help. Thank you.

[@davlang3783]

Own Halls of Hegra, but yet to play it. Saw a playthrough of it and had to buy it (missed out on Lanzerath, which also appealed). Glad to see it's so highly rated.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Great game.

[@get_the_lead_out]

I really enjoy Mike Lambo’s solitaire book games but I think my favorite has to be Fleet Commander Nimitz

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I’ve heard good things about Mike Lambo’s games but haven’t played them. I like FCN, but I ended up donating it. The setup is just too much for me.

[@roto6500]

I have lanzerath ridge and enjoy that. I also got Global war 1939 by white dog entertainment for Christmas, that too is a pretty fun solitare ww2 game. It covers the entire war including the Pacific fronts. The rule book could be better but they support questions on BGG within a few hours.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Sounds fun!

[@sigurd1410]

Duty before pleasure... 😂😂😂 Sooo flipping true!!!! 😂😂😂

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Ha!

[@sigurd1410]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer I am still laughing!!! 😂 😂 😂 Love it!!!

[@dayoltay]

My fav: D-day at Omaha Raf battle for Britain Skies above britain Waiting on: fields of fire deluxe The hunters Sold: atlantic chase target for today

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Fantastic! Thanks.

[@douglaspearson4853]

My favorite Raid on St Nazire is still my favorite but that maybe unfair as I have never played any ot these and to be honest I would like to play all. Stalingrad game reminds me of Turning Point game Stalingrad (not a solitiaire game but I play it solitaire all the time). I am curious Where would you rank Tarawa? I know you liked it.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Yeah, Tarawa should have gotten an honorable mention for sure. Just forgot.

[@briancherry8088]

Fields of Fire is the only one I have tried. So, it must be my favorite :)

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

You’ve got a lot of exploring to do.

[@christopherwilson2606]

I need to get Pavlov's House. I have CI and love it. Will never trade or sell it. Also, it was the first solo game I bought.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Both great games.

[@NP-dw4fc]

Really enjoy the valiant defense series, have Pavlovs house myself. 2 others I really enjoy is warfighter WW2 from DVG games, and Black Orchestra from Starling Games.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks.

[@mickbeast8371]

I was about to suggest Black Orchestra then stopped as it is a coop game with solo option…any chance a best of for wwii coop?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Ouch. I’d have to think about that one.

[@thunderccr5056]

Hey Cody, thanks for the video. To be honest none of those games have been on my radar, but I like the look of the Starlingrad game! If you like solo carrier games, check out Kido Butai Japans carriers at Midway. By dr richter konfliktsimulationen I like: The Hunters/Silent victory (sub games) Skies above Britain (Battle of Britain) Target for tonight (RAF Bomber command game) Night fighter Ace (German night fighters) Thanks again! All the best!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thank you!

[@DriveThruReview]

We agreed that you would desist in costing me money.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Get used to disappointment. ;)

[@allenatkins2263]

I enjoyed Stalingrad, it was my first solitaire game.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Great game!

[@MaxwellSchmalzried]

Was surprised to not see Tarawa on your list, you seemed to enjoy it. Have you played the old stand bys, B-17/The Hunted, etc? I haven’t gotten it out in awhile, but the solo mode for CoH Awakening the Bear was really good. Always hoped they would adapt the system to their Guadalcanal version, but I’ve mostly given up on Academy Games at this point.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Tarawa should have been an honorable mention here - just forgot. I haven't played the other you mention, but I've heard good things about them. Thanks.

[@pjpaella]

Would like to see you play & review Global War: World War II Worldwide 1939-1945 .It's a recent release. I've yet to play mine but plain to soon

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I'd like to play it, but can't afford it right now, and White Dog hasn't returned my email. Oh, well. Maybe down the line.

[@phd_angel4192]

Hi. I wonder if you can feature games from other indie publishers, such as White Dog Games. Also, how do I find players to play wargames? (Local stores in my area only host Warhammer or Pokemon!!)

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I’ve reached out to White Dog in the past but they haven’t returned my emails. Is there a Facebook group or other social media for wargamers in your area? You might be surprised.

[@phd_angel4192]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Thanks for your response. Yes, I contacted local stores, Meetup and even NextDoor. Nothing at all. It's either angry retirees who play nothing or kids who only do fantasy mini games. It seems I'm alone on Treasure Coast, FL.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

@@phd_angel4192 I'm sorry. Keep looking. Best of luck.

[@finieous198]

B-17!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Heard good things.

[@DanExploresBooks]

Just found your channel looking for some solo books and new to it. I have seen the ones like Bismark, Waterloo, and On To Moscow. Always looking for some others.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

As mentioned in the video, Coral Sea Solitaire is my favorite.

[@DanExploresBooks]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Awesome. Picked up Waterloo earlier on Amazon and will give it a try. Waiting on a Punic Wars edition of these books.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

@@DanExploresBooks Fantastic!

[@nrykov82]

Mike Lambo has a series of solitare war gamebooks.

[@roto6500]

@@nrykov82 I bought his game lone Sherman. I loved it. Played it most of the summer

[@varovaro1967]

i have to disagree with zombies on a WW2 list…. but thank you as always!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks.

[@meddlerx9930]

Then don't put it on YOUR list. It's set in WW2. Hitler was into the occult and experimenting on humans. Pointless remark.

[@maubunky1]

Hey Cody, why didn't Fields of Fire make it onto the list, is it too heavy? Someone recommended it to me. I definitely will buy a copy of Halls of Hegra, either on PC/Steam or an actual copy. Thanks for the recommendations!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I haven’t had a chance to play FoF. Heard good things. Thanks.

[@normstewart546]

I really like 8th Air Force from Fortress Games - the entire German bombing campaign in a couple of sessions.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Sounds amazing. Haven’t played it.

[@richm5276]

Where did you get your chit trays?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

A friend 3D printed them for me.

[@carstenwagner3355]

Totally unexpected choices as far as I am concerned. You did not mentioned classics like VPG's "Barbarossa Campaign" or DVG's "Fleet Commander: Nimitz". Why? Don't you know them, or do you consider them not worthy to be mentioned? But nonetheless, thank you for bringing up the games you did!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I like Fleet Commander: Nimitz. It's a very fun game. But impossible to get to the table because of setup time. I ended up donating my copy for this reason. I haven't played Barbarossa Campaign, but it looks great. I wish it were still in print. Thanks.

[@chrishillery]

A bit surpised not to see Undaunted on the list - do you not like the solo mode as much?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I was not overly impressed with the solo mode.

[@petergross7235]

Great Lists! I only have two in this niche. 1. Pavlov's House 2. Halls of Hegra. I would love to try everything on your list at some point though.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Best of luck. Thanks!

[@TheFooferdoo]

No Butterfields = No Bueno :)

[@KabukiKid]

LOL I was expecting at least one, as well.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Sorry. (Not Sorry).

[@robertthurman9866]

Halls of Hegra looks to be very heavy duty Napoleonic rules in a new setting, nothing wrong with that.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Indeed.

[@leeedsonetwo]

I decided to buy some of these games and cannot find them in the UK. Maybe I wont return to the hobby.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I hope you are able to.

[@SeanUCF]

I'm surprised none of the leader games or war fighter ww2 made the list.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I played Spruance Leader (Cold War) and another Leader game from years ago. They're okay, but not really my cup of tea.

[@HerschelSarnoff]

No Mike Lamborghini WW2 games?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Nope. Don’t think I’ve played any.

[@nihlify]

I have only played Halls of Hegra on this list but I agree it's great.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Fun game.

[@warroompainstate2661]

My god man, once again Iam about to unsubscribe. Ambush!? RAF? Queen of the skies? Patton? Fine I will step back from the ledge. I have reflected, pontificated and mediated on the idea that the vast majority of your viewers never played the classic 80 solo wargames. Iam going to keep an eye on this channel and keep my finger poised above the unsub button.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Do what you have to do. But the "I'm taking my toys and going home" argument because I haven't played or don't prefer the games you do is a little bit much, don't you think? About twenty years or so ago I owned a copy of Ambush, but back then I had no real desire to play solo (it was given to me by a friend). I ended up giving it away. I regret that very much. In any event, thanks for sticking around as long as you have. War Room is still my #1 of all time.

[@BrianMarcus-nz7cs]

Excellent reply Khody, it's not your fault there is a gamut of probly wonderful new game's produced over the years , Patton's best is good but I never finished it would like to play again but never will , too much Bro , ta 😎✍️👍

[@tommloye4626]

I certainly think it’s a great list…even though most of them wouldn’t make my top ten. Different games click with different people, for a wide variety of reasons. Theme, components, rules, mechanics…whatever. I’ll tell you right now I do not enjoy games that use NATO symbols. For me, it isn’t going to happen. Am I going to miss some great game? No…because it drives me nuts.

[@thilog5874]

The all time best is Ambush. Period.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Question Mark?