Top 10 Wargames of 2019 - The Players' Aid

[@66morningview]

You guys really are a treasure to the hobby, keep up the great work. I have not quite played the breadth of game you have this year, but to me Nevsky really stood out. I think as one of you said, it feels like a paradigm shift, 'this is how wargames should look/feel in the 21st century'. It also hits a chronically underrepresented era in the hobby, there is plenty of fertile ground in the 1000 years of the medieval period.

[@davidthompson7233]

Awesome as always, gents. Thanks so much for the kind words. I've only had the chance to play The Last Hundred Yards a few times but holy smokes is it AWESOME. Probably my favorite wargame of 2019. It does things in a very fresh and interesting way.

[@penguinlover71]

Could not agree more with your comments about Undaunted, Grant! I haven't even played it yet but I'm so glad it exists and have been defending it against the grumpier grognards out there because I want more people to stumble into wargaming!! Thanks for the great video gents.

[@hamishmaxwell-stewart969]

You guys are very good at what you do. Engaging, passionate and clear. Thank you, could listen to you both for hours

[@HeavyH2006]

Once again gents a fantastic showing. Highly informative, diverse collection and enthusiastic presentation. You never fail in your delivery. Always engaging. Big thanks on your reco list.

[@jacklitt]

I have just received fields of fire 2 ... Your enthusiasm for this game a real guide in my decision to purchase

[@ThePlayersAid]

It's not for the faint of heart, big you can get a handle on the rulebook It's 10/10

[@greggersgreggers3990]

Great show, guys. My surprise hit of 2019 was the Memoir ‘44: New Flight Plan expansion. Comes with new scenarios, decent minis, works with existing scenarios, adds more interesting decisions without adding much time, very clean and simple rules, and just plain fun! I liked Brave Little Belgium, great to have a game on this theme.

[@battlemind]

A great overview guys. Well done. Maybe insert the odd screen shot of boards and boxes? Love this though.

[@ThePlayersAid]

Yeah, this was kind of a mess in post production honestly. I filmed in 4K to see what it would be like and my poor potato laptop could barely process it so I didn't add any cards or pics because it kept crashing. Next time will be much better.

[@theseus123456789]

@@ThePlayersAid Quality looks great!

[@kaifuller3535]

@@ThePlayersAid Depending on what software you're using, you can probably create lower res proxies for editing, and then link back to the higher res footage for rendering.

[@brandondwaite]

I just recently found your channel, and I’m really loving everything you do. What a great surprise to wake up to this this morning! Thanks, guys.

[@michaelohagan191]

Looking forward to your review of Charlemagne!

[@DavidEitelbach]

Love your enthusiasm for the games, guys. Great work!

[@billyriley492]

Cracking. And on the back of that, I've ordered The Last Hundred Yards. Stalingrad 42 was in the running...but I simply don't have the space for the map. Thanks again. Great series of videos from you guys.

[@gordonpueschner3175]

Nevsky!!!! It's so good. One of the best of that year.

[@willburton6622]

Thanks for some golden content - great to have something to watch while waiting for Covid to end!

[@darrenhornshaw7484]

As a relative newbie to GMT games. I find your videos excellent. I still mostly feel lost at sea with the options of what games to pick up, but that's probably a credit to your videos making most of them at least seem approachable.

[@ThePlayersAid]

We were newbies less than 5 years ago, so don't worry. If you have any questions we're happy to answer!

[@jimsmith7445]

Guys...Great list... I'm a Warfighter completist...and can't be more excited. Want to buy Nevsky....

[@thestoicsteve]

Thanks for your list of best games guys. I looked at what you included, and have bought The Last Hundred Yards, and have just finished my first (solo) game of it. A great system, and I look forward to playing the other scenarios. I am a table-top gamer with miniature figures, but fancied a trip into board games. Glad I took the step.

[@ThePlayersAid]

Welcome to cardboard heaven! It's nice because it's quick and cheap(er) to get to the table versus miniatures. Although I still do some miniatures and love the hobby aspect.

[@polyfission2776]

Great video guys, this was so entertaining! Dont lose hope for CnC Medieval, I saw some pictures of Borg playing around with... crusader knights and saracens... I know the theme of the base game is not for everyone, but the expansions will shoot this one to the top in my opinion!

[@ThePlayersAid]

I will never understand why they didn't lead with crusader knights etc. Like.. come on man!

[@polyfission2776]

@@ThePlayersAid I feel you. I think the reason why, is that Borg probably wanted to pick up exactly where CnC Ancients left off with the 4th expansion and the late roman empire. It is a logical continuation of sorts. Personally I dont mind, since the byzantines were one of the most important part of the middle ages (and who doesnt like these badass cataphracts!). But yeah, imagine playing teutonic knights, crusaders, saxons and even vikings! I think Medieval will become my absolute favorite in the series once more content starts rolling in. Lets hope

[@charlieheckman1683]

@@ThePlayersAid I believe that was a GMT decision to advance the Medieval timeline forward in linear fashion. I've played Crusaders in playtesting, you won't be disappointed!

[@JKWARGAMES]

Great list guys, really enjoyed that!!

[@mister10x54]

So many AMAZING games stored in the background ( Twilight, labyrinth uhhhh space empires i see too damn NICE ONEs) Keep that channel going good Sirs and most of have fun (even while learning the rules ;D ;D) Would love to have that impact you guys have in the world of wargames channel myself, but yeah maybe in the future. Till there i just enjoy playing and yeah see where it puts me =)

[@uwebech5825]

Thanks troops. Great lists. Still haven't finished everything available in the first Space Infantry but that second one sure looks tempting. Wasn't aware that Warfighter put out another system either. I'm still up to my chin in Militant Tangos from the first one. 😂

[@vonholdinghausen6886]

Great! Thanks. Both had more tactical games that I would have expected.

[@Pericalypsis]

I had great enjoyment soloing "The Devil's To Pay! The First Day at Gettysburg", published by Tiny Battle Publishing, designed by Hermann Luttmann. That would be my number one game of 2019. I think you guys showed an unboxing. The scale is at the level where facing becomes unimportant, or abstracted away (of course there are flank modifiers). You could call it a simplified version of the Blind Swords System, and in one sense it is, and in another it's more of an evolution of the system to a slightly larger scale. It takes longer than you might think to play, around 12 to 14 hours for the main scenario for me, but maybe I'm slow. Word on the street is that Flying Pig Games is doing the full 3-day battle with this system, so expect big counters and a huge map.

[@ginormousdeals88]

What are your top 10 hex encounter war games?

[@riptide6161]

Thanks guys. I thought board wargames disappeared in the 1980's with Avalon Hill. Pfft. I've bookmarked several of the publishers you've displayed. Good job!

[@hyped78]

Hey guys. Would you have some recommendations for a medium complexity (can be high complexity if the rulebook is good) solitaire wargame (doesn't have to be solo only, but solo needs to be good enough by itself), preferably more strategic than tactic? Paths of Glory is one of my favorite wargames, so something like that but with a solo mode? (doesn't have to be WW2; I also own Labyrinth, by the way). Another criteria is that the game is not out of print. Thanks!

[@ThePlayersAid]

Unconditional Surrender, it's two maps, so large in size, but rules are very slick and whilst it's not a dedicated solo game, I've played it solo and it makes a fantastic solitaire experience.

[@hyped78]

@@ThePlayersAid Thank you! :)

[@noeldillabough]

Like Grant, you had me at space! Red Alert was an instant back! Going to have to look into Nevsky.

[@berwick82]

Great video ! You should do a TOP list just solitaire games. One question: did you try Combat!?

[@ThePlayersAid]

Not yet! hoping to soon.

[@jawsvvvvv]

Undaunted best new game for me.....I am waiting for warfighter decks from Kickstarter to dive into that game solo. Love Red Alert is high on the list. Game doesn’t get enough publicity for how great it plays.

[@ModularLanding]

Love your channel. British vs American pronunciation (Gandhi) is interesting, and I always wonder if Grant calls Alexander “Alex-AN-der” although he calls himself “Alex-AHN-der” and similarly whether Alexander calls Grant “Grahnt,” since both names are pronounced differently on either side of the pond. Do you call a friend by the way you’d pronounce it in your own country or the way they pronounce it in theirs?

[@gerardlaw3296]

Thanks to this episode I've now added The Last Hundred Yards to my acquisition list but how does it compare with Storms of Steel 3rd Edition (my current #1 WWII tactical game) and Combat Commander (Grant's #1)?

[@ThePlayersAid]

It has none of the card play from CC, so you have more control, and is less random. In that sense it's more like CoH, rather than CC. But it's still very different from CoH.

[@theseus123456789]

Thank you guys so much!!

[@andrewcook1249]

My #1 of 2019 is Red Alert, hands down. I love the fleet building aspect that you don't really get with the historical C&C flavors.

[@zonegamma8197]

Very good list Castle Itter is on my list

[@volker842]

Just a question guys, what´s of Al Nofi´s Imperium Romanum ? , it was in your top 3 of Roman Themed games. Would it be enough for a honored mention ?

[@marchanna]

Stalingrad 42 -- check. Battle of Kursk -- will check out. But you guys should combine the list and avoid duplication. thanks for the summation.

[@sarthakmishra1415]

Do not forget to make another video on 'war-like' games that did not make the list @Alexander

[@ThePlayersAid]

I will make a video on that, yes!

[@KentuckyPoorboy64]

Great video!!

[@irishrodeo]

I fit everything back into my FoF box.

[@ThePlayersAid]

pics or it didn't happen!

[@chadvader974]

Are you guys doing a 2020 version?

[@ThePlayersAid]

Yes, we made it n Saturday, and itll post later this week!

[@chadvader974]

@@ThePlayersAid awesome news!

[@clockmonkey]

Over here we are still in lock down!

[@ThePlayersAid]

Indiana allows groups of less than 10 people for now, so we took advantage. We are trying to be as safe as possible, and probably won't get back together again for a while. Hard to say.

[@clockmonkey]

@@ThePlayersAid I regret not moving in with another gamer when this all started. Another Great clip btw.

[@kevinbertram4828]

Brave Little Belgium!

[@varovaro1967]

Great! Thanks.

[@michaelohagan191]

What would you say is the best tactical wargame for solitaire? Would the last 100 yards work, do you think?

[@ThePlayersAid]

Last Hundred Yards is an excellent tactical 2 player game. For solo you'd just be two handing it, which if you're fine with that then it still retains it's excellency. However there's no AI, right. So something like Space Infantry or Warfighter might be considered by some as better solo games because they have an AI and are designed for that. But, really, LHY is probably technically a better game - especially if you ever plan to play with others too.

[@michaelohagan191]

@@ThePlayersAid thanks very much, food for thought. I am leaning towards picking up Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear in the first instance, but I'm keeping my eyes open in case there is an alternative that is easier to obtain in NZ. Cheers!

[@briandenison2325]

What do you think of Front Toward Enemy by MMP?

[@Stiglr]

You didn't have Death Valley: Battles for the Shenandoah in your list??? Did any OTHER games put 10 battles (small, medium and mini-monster large) in one box (for under $80), with quality components and the best $ for $ value ever? I don't THINK so. We do agree on Stalingrad '42 and Last Hundred Yards, though.

[@ThePlayersAid]

It only didn't make it because we haven't played it yet (probably). Sadly that's the flaw with any list like this.

[@denroy3]

Ten games in one box doesn't necessarily make it a "favorite". The list wasn't "best value" of 2019. They probably didn't play it.

[@Stiglr]

@@denroy3 You're probably right. I know one of them at least *owns* it. But, seeing as the game won a Charlie award the next year, I'd still say they missed out by omitting it.

[@denroy3]

@@Stiglr I'm been thinking of purchasing it, I got the Men of Iron Tri pack.

[@nyanates]

Love your channel but can’t you put a time stamp index to all the games in the list, either in the description or at the end of the vid? This vid is long.

[@BrianMarcus-nz7cs]

Uhhhhggg it's a magazine game it's not gonnah be Great, famous last words Grant !!! 👍

[@patrickhealey5701]

Okay, this is your fault. We expect a top five or ten games you played last year that was not released in 2019. This was your idea. Your fans demand it. ;)

[@syahidali6125]

what is your opinion on skies above the reich?

[@ThePlayersAid]

A great game, at which I am terrible. I did a review of it, if you use the search function on our channel.

[@pm71241]

I like how this already after 2 minutes degenerated into a discussion of "what's a wargame" :)

[@ilqrd.6608]

time stamps would be great!

[@jjschm20]

Was Pax Pamir enough of a war game to be considered for this list?

[@ThePlayersAid]

No it's on the other non-wargame list

[@wartable]

No War Room?

[@jimsmith7445]

Alexander... what's with the top button? You probably look good in a suit and tie, but you are at home... be casual. *** Just got in "Alone" from Horrible Guild Games...you two should check this out... I'm sure you'd both love it.

[@earlofdoncaster5018]

Dan Verssen 𝓊𝓈𝑒𝒹 to make good solo games.

[@KSweeney36]

Also, could you do a top 10, not ’wargame’ games? It would be really interesting to see. Would it have euro, kids, 18xx, and so on. Would be so fascinating to see the other gamer side.

[@willburton6622]

I really like CC, but love that LHY adds vehicles etc. Would love to have an expansion with British/Commonwealth forces!

[@ThePlayersAid]

There's an Airborne, and i think maybe Eastern Front version in the works. I fear we'll have to wait longer for the Commonwealth forces.

[@willburton6622]

@@ThePlayersAid I will likely pick up the others. Perhaps Commonwealth could be released as an expansion, as per Battle Packs in CC. Hope springs eternal!

[@nukeu666]

No one ever gets it when I mention the osmosis

[@Conflict_Boardgaming]

Alexander, did you make a shirt from the shower curtain?

[@rockhopper01]

john conner tee hee 😁

[@KSweeney36]

What is a wargame? A game with conflict? Lots of games have conflict. But where to draw that line. Does conflict over rescues count? I guess conflict over area would? Ok, let's say its where you directly attack each other. Well you do in Terraforming mars you attack with asteroids. (not saying its a wargame, but does have conflict). What about coops or solo, where the game attacks you? Ok, wargames are historical? Apart from those set in space, future, or alternate realities Ok, maybe its a game mechanic? For example a COIN game, but Gandhi isn't? I'm not sure. But think it is down to the individual. Also could agree more with your comments on Undaunted. The future and new players for me 😉

[@denroy3]

BK, Not a wargame.

[@wildgoose5964]

1777 typical bloody frogs...