Wolfpack - A brief look at this fascinating game from SPI - 1975

[@Hunpecked]

One of my favorite games in one of my favorite issues. I still have it. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

[@richardstone3473]

Every time I watch this guy I end up with another game!

[@GrafStorm]

I remember when I got this game in my magazine subscription, I used to play 99% of my games solitaire, so this one was super cool . I used to really anticipate S&T magazines and the included games arriving every other month.

[@philmowatt3645]

I played a lot of that game back in the day. As I recall, it also had the nickname of Wolfchit for the number of chit draws required to make it play. I liked it because solitaire games were very new at that time. It was virtually impossible to win a major victory for the Germans due to last minute convoy route changes. In that sense, it was realistic.

[@kennethhendrickson2865]

Can you do a playthrough sometime? Like to watch it play the campaign. Looks like a good simulation.

[@Jubilo1]

I have been reading and enjoying your book on 1812 sites- superb ! And here I thought I was the only one on the planet who read Benjamin Lossing !!! Fine work sir !

[@stacytuttle9332]

Thanks a lot Gilbert. Because of your review I stumbled on, I just purchased a full and unpunched Wolfpack game. I played it as a teen (1978?) in an old cottage in northern Wisconsin whenever it was pouring rain or 5 feet of snow and 20 below. Memories. Planning on using some GHQ miniatures to upgrade it. Now to explain it to the wife.

[@XLEGION1]

Yeah, it's a great little game. The only thing that stumps me is why a '2 player' game has not been designed along the lines of this one. I had started the project some years ago but got side tracked.

[@stacytuttle9332]

@@XLEGION1 Agreed. I don't really know of another "Grand Strategy" for U-boats let alone a 2-player one. Board games like these are almost an "underground" hobby now anyway with the advent of all the computer games. One of my favorite things to do is convert these games to a pseudo-miniature game to add some visual interest not to mention declining eyesight, etc. For example, I converted AH's "Devils Den" (and the virtually unknown companion game "Iron Brigade") to pieces with 6mm ACW figs on an enlarged map of the game. I did have fun researching RAF Coastal Command and US recon/ASW bases in Newfoundland, Greenland, Iceland, and GB. There actually was a U-boat (U-570) that surrendered (and captured) - TO A PLANE (and then fought as the HMS Graph). What a miserable job that sounded like. Planes in 1/1200 are available from Cap Aero (and u-boats and merchants from Figurehead). They even make Hudson's and Fairey Battles and many others crappy planes Coastal Command got stuck with until the Liberator and PBY became available. I think I might explode the map and mount the pieces on some modified blocks. The "Wolfpack" game I'm getting is unpunched so I don't have the heart to mess with the counters. Maybe I'll send ya a pic when it's done.

[@shanew700]

Nice video Gilbert!

[@jjflash30]

Nice video! Thanks! Trip down memory lane… 😎

[@XLEGION1]

Thank you. I did that video quite some time ago.

[@jjflash30]

Yes I know it was a while ago that you made it but I was quite happy to stumble across your video when i somewhat randomly decided to see if anyone had made a video about Wolfpack after I recently unearthed some old spi games that had long been in storage…Thanks again!

[@SCHRUBBE1966]

I loved playing that game

[@mollytyson1169]

Agree with past posters. I really want to buy this game after the review. I have bought a few games that you reviews and your comments are spot on. Thanks for providing this service. Also thanks for providing these details about games. Most people are visual learners and these overviews help in grasping rules much faster.

[@XLEGION1]

@Molly Thank you Molly. I enjoy making the videos. Sure, I get some rules details incorrect sometimes but they do give you a good overview.

[@davidhodo9020]

The flatpack version was the second wargame i purchased-first one was iron crown enterprises battle of five armies

[@Warriorking.1963]

Great review of a great game. I really do enjoy Wolfpack, but haven't played it in quite some time. However this video has me now wanting to get it going again; I'm off work tomorrow, I think I'll give it a wee go and see if I can do better than Doenitz.

[@wsclulin]

Thanks for the review; I remember getting that issue of the magazine back then...

[@blastpop]

This was the first issue of S&T I received when I first subscribed. Enjoyed it quite a bit back then. Last played several years ago and found it somewhat wanting.

[@GrumblingGrognard]

I found this right after a move when I was in middle school... I played this to death over two very cold very snowy winters and also wore out a copy. :) Have you tried the PC version? I picked it up a few years ago (you have to mail order it but it arrives in a week or so at most if I remember right). I was shocked at how closely it matches the board game. Just about spot on.

[@2000spqr]

Loved the review! inspires me to get the AH games Submarine & Bismarck and game bash'em into a simple rule play dealing with convoys and escorts... this vid helped me alot!

[@XLEGION1]

Yes! It's too bad this game and the ones you mentioned, are long forgotten. As soon as I finish up my current project (War for America) I think I will tackle this subject.

[@2000spqr]

@@XLEGION1 that would be so fantastic...ok.. i will wait and see what you come up with, till then I am going to try to simplify the former into a solitaire game.. reason... it is so difficult to live in distance with another WarGamer. Seems to me.. a solitaire design is needed

[@jeanthemilitaryhistorianbr1243]

Whats war for America about?

[@XLEGION1]

@@@jeanthemilitaryhistorianbr1243 It is my version of the "American Revolution". Seen more from the British point of view and how it became a world conflict for them. Also, how the Caribbean became the main theatre rather than the 13 Colonies once the French were in.

[@markayres8014]

Your review inspired me to buy the game from Noble Knight Games. I was looking for a solitaire game and decided to give this SPI blast from the past a try. You mentioned possibly developing a two player game on the Battle of the Atlantic. It is a subject I am interested in. I recommend Lindybeige's video The Wargamers Who Won A Real War for inspiration . It is on how the British in WW2 used wargaming to improve antisubmarine tactics. Love your videos especially the ones on older SPI and Avalon Hill games.

[@jeromyfisher297]

Great video! If you like this game, you should check out GMT Wolfpack: The north Atlantic convoy struggles on P500. It’s puts you in command of a Wolfpack charging into a convoy. It is a solo or up to four player game where Coordination is key to a clean sweep of an enemy convoy.

[@craigmulcahy]

Any thoughts on the upcoming Atlantic Chase by Jerry White? It's on GMT's P500 list.

[@brianburckardt5725]

I recently purchased a used copy. I hope it is complete. I remember at the time some S&T subscribers hated the game because it was solitaire. These days that's a big plus.

[@johnsy4306]

What about Steel Wolves from Compass?

[@horrido666]

The old AH game Submarine is still the best, I think. I have Wolfpack in the flatpack version, but haven't played it since it was released. Also good is Silent War & Steel Wolves by Compass, but play it with vassal, because it goes so much faster.

[@theColdFramer]

would love to see a video on how to collect and build a vintage wargame collection - you have so many in excellent shape

[@jawsdaddoo]

Patience is the key. If you need everything now, you may find them, but will likely pay a lot for them. Diligent searches will located games that people just was to get rid of. Maybe they've been sitting on a shelf for years and years or whatever. eBay can be a good source as can the Geekmarket on boardgamegeek.com. I don't think there are more than 5 'vintage' games I've paid more than $45 dollars for in my collection.

[@e-4airman124]

Wow. I do not remember that . thanks for the memory.

[@erichchaves]

Any chance for a playthrough, Gil? 🤓

[@XLEGION1]

No, I don't think so. I'm not a great fan of solitaire games and as a video I'm not sure how interesting it would be. The game is really a set of 'procedures' and rolling dice on a Table. Not too interesting to look at. I long for the day when some designer would do a 2 player game on the U-Boat Campaign in the Atlantic.

[@jeanthemilitaryhistorianbr1243]

Can you do a video on SPI's "invasion America" and "objective Moscow", or "WW3"? I hope a post WW2 game is released sometime in the near future. I got a really bad 21st century wargame itch that needs scratching.

[@XLEGION1]

Sorry, I don't own those games and don't have much interest in the topic.

[@jeanthemilitaryhistorianbr1243]

Oh. Theres actually this other game simply called "U-BOOT". Its similar to avalon hills B-17 Queen of the skies, having 4 people command a type IX U-boat. One very cool thing is they have this 3-d U-boat model with plastic crewmen you need to move around. Are you mostly interested in the American revolution, civil war and Napoleonic wars? Theres one game that goes by the name of "victory and glory. Napoleon", and the game looks absolutely gorgeous. See for yourself.

[@XLEGION1]

@@@jeanthemilitaryhistorianbr1243 I saw that game at WBC a few weeks ago. Very cool looking. A little too 'tactical' for me but it looked like a lot of fun. Yes, my primary war game interests are: American Civil War, American Revolution, War of 1812, Nearly all naval history, Napoleonic and the Seven Years War period. I'm not familiar with "Victory and Glory Napoelon". I will have to check that one out.

[@jeanthemilitaryhistorianbr1243]

It has these maps of battles like Austerlits, Waterloo and Borodino. It seems to be posters for youre wall. Im usually not into tactical wargames. I prefer playing out the entire war rather than just a single battle. Other than wargaming, what other hobbies do you have?

[@jeanthemilitaryhistorianbr1243]

(had to write a new comment. For whatever reason the edit button wasn't working) The map looks gigantic. The other gigantic maps i own are the 2005 reprint of conquest of the empire and Axis and allies global 1940. Unfortunately the only table big enough to accomodate that leviathan is the dining room and my cat, Lucy likes to lay on there.

[@gillesderais3848]

Needs a reprint.

[@Akudjinn2010]

Any thoughts on Gary Graber's Battle of the Atlantic? The remake is on Kickstarter now as Atlantic Wolves: boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/12202/battle-atlantic Atlantic Wolves, via @Kickstarter www.kickstarter.com/projects/ctp/atlantic-wolves?ref=android_project_share

[@XLEGION1]

Mm.m.m.m.m...There's just not enough there for me. Too simple.

[@Justegarde]

Have you played PQ-17?

[@XLEGION1]

If that is the one from GMT with the blocks, large counters, circular counters etc...I couldn't get into it.

[@andersbackman3977]

Thanks for the great presentation of Wolfpack, looks very interesting! On the subject of non-solitaire convoy vs submarine games there are actually a couple. Avalon Hill made one called "Submarine" for two players, a tactical game with advanced rules for hidden movement, sonar search etc. Then there is "They come unseen" for two players set in the cold war. Finally there is a free print-n-play game called Intercept, this game is set in space but has a very strong vibe of submarine warfare with double-blind hidden movement (no referee needed) gravity, aerobraking etc etc, available here: vectormovement.com/about-intercept/

[@XLEGION1]

Hey Anders, thanks for the link on "Vector Movement". Yes, I'm very aware of AH "Submarine" a favourite of mine for years, I even had the original battleline version. But overall though, a 2 player game on this subject seems to be largely avoided in our hobby, at least on the strategic scale it is.