I really like the look of this game, the art work is amazing and the game it's self has some good mechcanics. I think you'd like it @rico
Really cool! And I love the map! 🙂 (Also the map for Principes, see link below).
https://gamefound.com/en/projects/leo-soloviey/principes/updates/3
It does look good - no5 sure very practical- must be reall6 hard to read anything on it.
One of the most horrible features of war is that all the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.
- George Orwell, Homage To Catalonia
Hard to pick a single favorite, but I definitely came up through the Avalon Hill era — PanzerBlitz, Squad Leader, Battle of the Bulge, the big maps spread across the table for days at a time. I’m still actively collecting 1:32 scale armor and figures, so a lot of the enjoyment for me has always been the connection between the history, the models, and then seeing those same battles play out on the board. Those older designs really captured a sense of place and decision-making that stuck with me, and it’s probably why I still gravitate toward games that feel more like unfolding a situation than solving a puzzle.
"Si vis pacem, para bellum." — Vegetius
"Do not hurry to the sound of the guns without knowing why they are firing." — British maxim
"In war, the simplest things are difficult." — Clausewitz
"No plan survives first contact with the enemy." — Moltke
"The side that can most quickly exploit success is the side that will win." — Guderian
Some days you’re the hammer, some days you’re the nail. 🪖🎲
Looking for a game? Challenge me here:
Blitzkrieg by Avalon Hill, largest and favorite
I see AH's "Flat Top" up there. I actually played it through years ago and followed-up with an extensive graphics overhaul to the VASSAL version.
Carpe vitam.
Flat Top was always one of those Avalon Hill titles that stuck with me. It really leaned into the uncertainty of carrier warfare — searching, committing air groups without perfect information, and living with decisions you couldn’t easily undo. A lot of the older AH games had that same feel. The rules weren’t always elegant by modern standards, but the tension came from the situation rather than layers of mechanics.
Looking back at things like PanzerBlitz, Squad Leader, and Battle of the Bulge, you can really see how much of the hobby grew out of that design philosophy. Different scales and subjects, but all very much about player judgment and imperfect information rather than automation.
Still enjoy pulling these out now and then. They’re a big part of what got me into historical gaming in the first place.
"Si vis pacem, para bellum." — Vegetius
"Do not hurry to the sound of the guns without knowing why they are firing." — British maxim
"In war, the simplest things are difficult." — Clausewitz
"No plan survives first contact with the enemy." — Moltke
"The side that can most quickly exploit success is the side that will win." — Guderian
Some days you’re the hammer, some days you’re the nail. 🪖🎲
Looking for a game? Challenge me here:
Flat Top, my all-time favorite game. I agree wholeheartedly with your summation of the game's power. Represents WW2 operational naval combat well. I bought every 'General" that had alternate scenarios. Plus, I see you have Wooden Ships and Iron Men. Got a lot of use out of WSIM as well.
CMBO was submitted to Avalon Hill as a digital "Squad Leader", but the game was rejected. Avalon Hill then produced a Squad Leader, an isometric-style game, which I own. It can't hold a match to CMBO, much less a candle. And rest, as they say, is history.I grew up playing Avonlon Hill games, especially ASL, which is one of the reasons I like the Combat Mission series so much. I recently downloaded the VASL system, dusted off the ASL rulebook, and intend to start playing online with others. The major obstacle to ASL is its rules, but VASL has made it much easier to play now. As far as Combat Mission goes, I will play this series as long as I can. We will see what Slitherine / Matrix Games does with it.
I did play Assault: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/8284/assault-tactical-combat-in-europe-1985
The lack of fog of war was always an issue. One of the things that set CM apart was the computer took care of all that and made ambushes actually possible. Game changer
Yep — I play Wooden Ships & Iron Men too. Great game. My wife actually enjoys that one as well… though she seems especially fond of grappling and boarding my ships whenever she gets the chance 😉. Makes for some very aggressive naval tactics at our table.
"Si vis pacem, para bellum." — Vegetius
"Do not hurry to the sound of the guns without knowing why they are firing." — British maxim
"In war, the simplest things are difficult." — Clausewitz
"No plan survives first contact with the enemy." — Moltke
"The side that can most quickly exploit success is the side that will win." — Guderian
Some days you’re the hammer, some days you’re the nail. 🪖🎲
Looking for a game? Challenge me here:
My favorite is AH's Russian Campaign, I still have my 2nd Edition copy. A close second place is Squad Leader.
Largest in terms of square footage was Gulf Strike, the tactical map was like 5 feet by 8 feet.
Largest in terms of square footage was Gulf Strike, the tactical map was like 5 feet by 8 feet.
Never heard if it, is a operational - tactical game?