Undaunted Normandy (Osprey) Review

[@kondor99999]

Totally agree with your comments about excessively detailed (but not necessarily even realistic) wargames and the fact that those who play them will be the last to ever do so. Those games will die with them, and be forgotten. I say this as a 56 year old who plays the La Bataille series of Napoleonic wargames (which are very complex). I really would prefer a less detailed (but still accurate) tactical Napoleonic wargame, but there just aren’t any to be had. Favorite WW2 squad level game is definitely the Band of Brothers series: Simple but vastly more realistic than ASL.

[@colebiere4978]

I love older/old school more complex wargame designs - the more minutia the better.. I discovered the hobby less than 5 or so years ago.. I'm in my thirties.. I know people much younger, and many who are much older, that are fascinated by these designs.

[@TioGrassiente]

Indeed! Aging tends to coax you towards simpler and smoother games.

[@robertthurman9866]

I would say games that you already know how to play and games that can be play in a couple of hours. As you get older your free time is greatly reduced and at very irregular intervals. Games like this are easy to work whenever.

[@jamesbrazeal3847]

Great review Marco. I agree this is the type of war game the industry needs. I am more of a light to medium board gamer but wanted to try out a nice intro Wargame. This looks perfect. Thanks for review.

[@twentysides]

"I don't have time for that anymore." That is absolutely amazing.

[@chadbogner4621]

I've been a boardgamer for years and have recently really wanted to play these "war games" more than just memoir 44 or blood rage or any other fighting / combat boardgame. I seen this game get announced and have been so excited for it as deck building is one of my favorite mechanics and types of games. Also looks infinitely expandable.

[@aceshelman]

I think your solitaire method has a flaw: one of the most impactful plays you can make is hitting an enemy unit to remove a card from the opponent's hand. That reduces their actions by 1/3rd for the turn and makes initiative very important. When I hit an enemy playing solitaire, I plan to check his hand, then his discard pile, then his deck just as would be done in 2 player. After my turn, and before his turn, I would shuffle what remained of his hand into his deck and redraw his reduced hand. e.g. If I had hit him once and he lost a card from his hand, I would only redraw 2 cards for him, and if I hit him twice and both removed cards from his hand, I would only redraw one card, etc. This does cost a little extra time, but it retains a key effect of damaging a unit, and does not give you unearned knowledge of your opponent's capabilities for next turn.

[@SeipherNL]

would you draw less cards for opponent even if you removed a card from discard pile or deck? Or only if it was from his hand?

[@ReallyVirtual]

I'm an ASL player - but I came to it from SL (there were no ASLSK's back then). I like that system, simply because of the narrative it generates - it's like watching a movie. In fact the only other game I have come across that generates a better tactical narrative is Fields of Fire. That said, I'm no grognard that abhors simplicity. I have a balanced range of games - all of which I play solo. This one looks very interesting and having just looked at the price in the UK - it's an instant buy.

[@aceshelman]

I have this on order, sooooo excited to play! "I don't have time for that any more!" Right there with ya :D

[@joemyers85]

Another great review! I had asked recently about your thoughts on ASL... but I wasn't expecting such an immediate response! I can't argue with you that the hobby desperately needs more accessible games to entice new players; and deck-building has become so popular lately. I'll definitely need to keep my eye on this one.

[@clipsolo]

Dr Awkward314 why it needs simple introductory games? Me and my friend started with ASL, I have a friend started with Empire of The Sun. You know what is i common with us? Interest on matters military and history. I dont think most people who enjoy this will “graduate” to bigger games. I think there’s a bigger gap when starting games like World in Flames and even For the People. And that gap can’t be filled with games. Nothing wrong with that. We all have our ideal games. Wargaming needs to be introduced for what it is. People still read heavy books right?

[@davidthompson7233]

Thanks, Marco! Really appreciate you doing this review!

[@zerothehero2579]

Top review. Very interesting views on the board gaming hobby! My copy arrived today and me and my 8 year old son are planning a session tomorrow.

[@adavis5926]

Thanks for the review, Marco. I'm waiting for my copy to arrive in the mail. Maybe down the road they'll add something like Undaunted Stalingrad.

[@marcowargamer]

Undaunted Stalingrad would be amazing!!

[@pokefrosch617]

I bought the game, but after 5 solo games I think its pretty bad. The deckbuilding aspect is quite boring because there are no cool combos possible, and the fighting feels totally vanilla because the units are so symetric, the moving is dull (nothing is an obstacle, terrain does not matter at all) and the maps are tasteless: nothing means anything but the defense value. I totally agree with you, that the last generation if ASL or Mark Herman gamers are going to die out and a lot of the minutia in games are unneccesary complicated. But let me phrase it that way: If you want an easy level entry to wargaming, choose Memoir 44. Its just as easy as Undaunted, but actually has range, los and more interesing units. If my kids ever develop a taste for wargaming, i persume they will have more interest in driving little sherman minatures over a battlefield where you cant just shoot through a mountain or march your soldiers through any river as if they are walking on a paved road. Thats all so intuitive, that you basically have to ignore common sense to even play Undauted Normandy. If you are looking for a slightly more comlex game, go with Conflict of Heroes 3rd edition rules. Works fine, and you dont have to disable your brain to play.

[@justbank5007]

Great insight! Thank you!!

[@colinboyd9121]

Hmmmm. I'm relatively young and a relative newcomer to the wargame hobby and the only thing that got me into it was the enigma of large complex operational simulations like Next War and OCS. PC strategy games feel like too much of a black box mechanics-wise. That is why the military still uses tabletop. They want to understand all the assumptions and mechanics that go into a simulation. That will always be fun for a lot of people. The problem with things like ASL, in my limited understanding, is they're too much like a manually-driven video game, cranking through detailed squad level combats without many interesting decisions to make (happy to be corrected if wrong). For modern tactical, with lots of physics, PC is better. For operational and strategic, and maybe pre 20th c tactical, tabletop. My 2c.

[@viktorkm]

Great video as usual Marco! Im so looking forward for this game! It looks like it have potential to be a system of games!

[@jurisnik]

Marco, I love your reviews.. been following you for years. But I don't agree with this one. I particularly don't agree with your assesment that 'complex' wargaming is dying out. I don't have time to elaborate, I'm too old for that 😉 But I hope that new wargame designs will change your mind and bring you back into the hobby. Buona fortuna! 😊

[@Apeshower]

Perhaps the ‘golden age of board gaming’ is starting to have the effect of constantly looking for the next shiny thing. Previously a deep game would be played and explored with vigour. Now, maybe the shiny thing, particularly for reviewers is just getting the way of being bothered. That’s the more modern thing, not brain capacity or ability but a constant need to buy a new thing. Deep games need time. 10 years ago you gave it knowing good there wouldn’t be ten more great games that month. Now, maybe you are sold the next toy, whether you want it or not. personally I am being drawn more to the deeper stuff. But always keep room for some other bits anyone can have a go at. That said, my shelves are not a 100th of yours.......

[@longchampe]

it blows my mind when KZbinrs and others are saying they've played hundreds of new games in the last year. i want to be like... why? what's the enjoyment of playing a game once and moving onto the next new thing?

[@berwick82]

Thanks for the review. Could you try Combat! ? Anyway, I love your videos. They are easy for not English speakers.I appreciate that ;) Thanks on advance !

[@kraveheart]

So leaders never actually attack? Seems pretty odd.

[@aceshelman]

@@kraveheart Leaders are abstracted to provide improved flexibility and combat power for their squads; they're in the game to provide command and control effects.

[@ALvIn0H-f6y]

Great review. Is it possible to shoot through hills/forest etc., if you shoot from two or more squares away?

[@MattWhiteWargames]

Been playing this with my kids and playing it solo - now my go to intro WW2 wargame. We've had some really close games. Love the card drafting mechanics. Solo's really well too. A GEM of a game!

[@ericpoppleton9119]

Awsome review! I love your videos, keep it up

[@gcn9]

I'm in the same boat Marco - I don't have time for those fiddly, overly complicated games. Give me a great *game* even if it doesn't have all the tiny details.

[@RiccardoMasiniWLOG]

Great review as always, Marco. And what you describe is the great thing about modern simulation mechanics, or as I like to call them "non-linear" mechanics, like deckbuilding, action selection, card manipulation, etc.: you get to describe actual situations and most of all actual *dynamics* (examples not related to Undaunted: if I get hit I lose two cards from my hand, if I move my tank it will have one less action on the next turn...), instead of losing yourself and the game narrative in direct and probabilistic representations of every single fact (I have the 54% probability of having my tank armour penetrated by a 75mm shell fired from 300 yds. at 25° angle, so let's roll a die on tables A, C and E...). I don't know if this will be the last generation to play probabilistic simulation games, and frankly I hope not because even their kind of event description is really interesting, but surely the next generation of gamers will play titles like Undaunted much more.

[@TheAndraxx]

Great review! Have you play to 2GM Tactics? I think is a good "wargame" too.

[@svenfolkesson7571]

I suspect that in Marco's future no one reads books, they read tweets; no one is interested in history, they only care about the latest fads; no one watches movies, just short videos on Facebook. I'm not sure they'd even have time for a 20 minute KZbin video, I bet they are too distracted, old, slow and lazy. Don't get me wrong, I've had this game on my radar for a while, am looking forward to it and will buy it. But sometimes I don't want a quick lunch game or a game to play with my kids.

[@twentysides]

I think he's right that your generation is the last that will play complex tabletop consims that aren't made with ease of play in mind. However, if you aren't allergic to computers and change, PC games offer a ton of potential for the kind of complex games you may be looking for.

[@alvaroperalta1395]

If everybody thinks the same, someone is not thinking. Gen. G.S. Patton. I was very excited at the start of your video, a deck building wargame, but at the end I felt so much dissapointed. I cannot stand grognard Games although I have always enjoyed wargames but even in my younger days I could only go as far as Panzerblitz. Now, solo wargames I play must have almost all the tables printed on the board. But I cannot see in this game better feelings than those you can feel in Warfighter or even in 2GM tactics (which may be a questionable wargame but I enjoy it a lot). Regarding deck building, I was expecting something similar to Legendary Encounters, but nothing like it (save for the wounds). Yes, wargaming industry is evolving, we have far less spare time than decades ago but just because there is so much entertainment to split it into, no internet in the 80,s but imho I dont think this game is were the industry is pointing at, having Uboot for example (a game I don,t enjoy btw). There are so many wargames published every month that you have to choose carefully the ones that suit you if you want to play them (not collect them). To me, this one is not even near the cut, fails at decision making process, planning, uncertainty (Fog of war like in Colt Express is not enough), firefight feel and story telling. Even the art doesnt suit me (and I can forgive 2GM tactics terrible art because of the fun I find playing it...). This one is a remarkable "meh" game to me.

[@mikehill9806]

Great review. I bought the game based on the video. Played it. Loved it. Thanks.

[@jona826]

Digital edition coming to Steam platform soon.

[@michaelp6313]

How old are you? 😁 I, too, have grown tired of the more complex rules.

[@gordonsorensen8379]

Sadly your ending comments are true for us older war game players.

[@erics745]

osprey definitely makes excellent games

[@ChristianMitchellMusic]

Nice review, as usual. Speaking of Osprey games, I came back to your channel to see if you had done a review on Escape From Colditz, as I am looking to pick up a copy. Would love to see your review and get your opinions.

[@alainguicho9208]

Great video!Thanks! I ordered my copy before seeing your video as this game really attracted me... Will receive it tomorrow. Thanks for your solo advice

[@TheMalimica]

Is it good ? Should I buy it ?

[@chase36chase]

love your vids man

[@kraveheart]

I dunno. It looks wonderful but I don't think I can cozy up to a game where the leaders don't attack. It just isn't realistic in that way. Too odd.

[@jamesmitchell7734]

Marco. Wild Weasel podcast #17 Listen to it

[@danielmarlett1421]

Salty

[@A._J_.]

Amen to that, Marco. I wonder how many people actually play a GMT or Decision Games wargame more than once.

[@craigkidd6197]

Well - I enjoy GMT games and I find many of them to be well designed and open to multiple plays. I get the need for games with a less complexity, but I hope we continue to have a balance between these (discussed in this video) type of games and some with a bit more depth and complexity.

[@cbielgib71]

Seems you haven't enjoyed Fields of Fire much😅

Fields of fire is a great concept but with bad mechanics :- (

[@EltWilder]

Thanks.

[@TheTreaux]

This might hold interest for a couple fo games while learning the rules but very quickly would end up in the closet. Just doesn"t seem to be enough meat to keep the interest. Sorry just another fail and not the game wargamers need.

[@gts14300]

Is this game suitable for solitaire play?

[@gts14300]

Oh, Marco answered it on the last part of the video. Thanks, Marco.

[@JKWARGAMES]

Great review!!

[@77thass]

I was going pass on this one but after your review, I can’t wait to get it.

[@jwealleans1]

Pity about the 'un-historical' mixed race American units.

[@Vlad65WFPReviews]

Yes, the ugly fact is that the US Army did not have mixed or non-white combat troops during WW II (with the famous flying Red Tails being an exception) - so seeing the mixed race combat image on the box cover is an issue for historic gamers who care about historical accuracy (pleasant or not).

[@jwealleans1]

@@Vlad65WFPReviews Interestingly the 92nd Infantry Division was a colored unit that fought in Italy in 1943 defending the Gustav line. But my original comment was more to point out the continual obsession of publishers and media to 'change history' to make things more appealing to the masses.

[@Vlad65WFPReviews]

@@jwealleans1 Hi, I totally understand your point about realities of history being changed to fit with the views of masses. I have similar issues when movies or TV shows present unhistoric population mixes because they think it does some social good. But I did not know about the 92nd Infantry.

[@manjr]

Just be happy there weren't any women. ;)

[@jwealleans1]

@@manjr Be careful what you joke about. Sid Meier's WW1 Ace Patrol had Indian women pilots!

[@jeffa6841]

Great! Hopefully a Canadian army deck is in the works!

[@davidthompson7233]

The co-designer (Trevor Benjamin) is Canadian. We thought about doing at least a one-off scenario for his grandfather's unit. My grandfather served in the 30th ID, which is why I used the 30th ID for the game. Any favorite platoon/squad-level Canadian engagements?

[@jeffa6841]

Since it's Normandy, any that landed on Juno beach. Any of these would be just fine: The initial assault was carried out by: North Shore Regiment on the left at St. Aubin (Nan Red beach) Queen's Own Rifles in the centre at Bernières (Nan White beach) Regina Rifles at Courseulles (Nan Green beach) Royal Winnipeg Rifles on the western edge of Courseulles (Mike Red and Mike Green beaches)

[@PommeDeBlair]

@@davidthompson7233 Ooo. Battle of Ortona! But it was really close quarters at times with the invention of mouse-holing.

[@farpointgamingdirect]

This looks AMAZING!

[@salvatorrijo9804]

Thanks !!

[@robertmoffitt1336]

15:29 wow...ugly...ugly comment to make; what in the world brought that on!? A good review of a super game, which goes right down the toilet with an outta left field slam against...what...(?)...anyone who likes ASL? I used to play Squad Leader as a kid, and have much respect for a game that came out in the 70's and is still being played in 2020, some 40 years plus+ later! Undaunted Normandy, I love it too. I'm not really sure who exactly you were aiming your "last generation to play it" comment at, but I feel like I should unsubscribe from this channel and stick with reviewers that don't make the viewer feel they are not welcomed. I'm just shocked to have seen and heard that. Very unbecoming of you Marco, and totally unnecessary for the review.

[@mikehill9806]

Logging on to Amazon now...

[@craigkidd6197]

Marco - I really appreciate your reviews, but you said something in this video that I find worrisome. You make a statement about being old and your brain not working as well. I think I am in the same approximate age bracket as you and I am feeling similarly. I recently attempted to learn the rules of a relatively well-designed game and I just couldn't get my mind wrapped around it. I have enjoyed relatively complex games for some time, but I am truly fretful that my brain is "giving way." Are you (or others) in the 45+ age-bracket having similar experiences? If I am aging you prematurely, my sincere apologies.

[@MegaSnegovichok]

No worries, Craig. Yes, it is "age", but it has nothing to do with your "brain capacity". Just with age and experience we all see better what we really like, and would usually stop wasting our time on something we don't. I myself experience it with boardgames, books and movies a lot these days. You'd also see that many within the "older" age group on BGG are also "trimming" their game collections a lot: that's the same thing. Luckily, with BGG and KZbin there are plenty of resources to help me figuring out whether I would like the game or not, saving me tons of time and money.

[@xavierpaquin]

Interesting game but the art is so bland!

[@WysteriaGuitar]

Must buy...now...

[@spacerumsfeldvideos]

This is nonsense.

[@astyreal]

What u mean

[@danillofrederice2300]

Agree. Lots of bullshit said in a single video.