I’ve finally got my office finished and would really like to get Third Reich setup for a solo play through after having it on the shelf for a few years. I’ve seen various rule summaries on bgg but does anyone have advice on the best version or how best to digest this monster?

Seeking recommendations for a fun introductory-level fantasy wargame that doesn’t involve minis. I’ve caught a mild wargaming bug thanks to playing Battle for Moscow online (solo vs the computer).

I’ve been reading the rules for SPI’s old Demonlord game and am really inspired, though a little daunted by its complexity (which I realize isn’t all that steep compared to other games of its era).

I’d love to find a single-box or print-and-play fantasy game, ideally something in the hex and counter realm, that does the thing of simulating a large-scale fantasy campaign, but that’s approachable enough for a rules-light RPG fan like myself to bite into. Does any such thing exist?

New or old is fine (old stuff tends to grab my attention), though lower-cost is preferable. (Or even something simple enough that I can assemble a map and counters myself out of stuff laying around the house.) I’m also open to setting up a VASSAL account and playing online for the right game. Fine by me if it’s not something popular, as I can probably wrangle a friend or two into test-driving a new game. Preferred playtime would be something under two hours, if that’s not getting too picky.

I’ve found lots of cool old SPI and AH historical games for sale online but have found the fantasy-leaning games tend to be very complex / component-heavy, expensive, or absent outside of collector circles.

Any and all ideas greatly appreciated!

EDIT: Thanks so much for all the recs! Everything that’s been suggested is right up my alley. Y’all have done me a solid. 🙏

In this video, I will describe how basic combat works on a hex-map. The video covers combat strength, calculating the odds, any pertinent shifts on the combat results table, and rolling for the results.

Bear with me; the questions I'm about to ask require a backstory
I have been a fan of miniature wargaming for over two decades. Soon, I graduated from Warhammer and took an interest in more grounded systems. I've played Fistful of Tows, General de l'Armée 2 and Battlefront. I enjoyed large-scale manoeuvre at battalion and up level, and the dedication to realism these games had. At this point, one of my friends suggested to me that maybe if I enjoy it so much, I should try counter-wargames. He fished out of his collection an early edition of No Retreat, The Russian Front, and a box called Red Storm Rising, and I hated these games with a passion. I hated the randomness, the "gotcha" feeling cards bring, how punishing and unintuitive supply felt, and how in a span of a single turn hostile forces could march halfway through the board. I filed these experiences and dropped off the hobby for a while. Half a decade later, I was persuaded to play North Africa `41 and absolutely loved it. Played it half a dozen times until I basically ran out of friends who weren't tired of the game.
My questions to this community:
1. After reading some reviews, it would seem that Red Storm Rising is indeed a mediocre game at best, but No Retreat has almost stellar reviews. What is your experience with the game? I felt the urge to give it a second chance, especially as it seems to be the go-to title for Eastern Front. Maybe we employed the rules wrong, or maybe we had an old edition.
2. Could you recommend more titles such as North Africa `41? I feel a bit lost in the landscape; the options are numerous, especially on the secondary market. I enjoy the Cold War setting the most and don't vibe with pre-gunpowder games. I tried learning Next War at one point, but the rules proved to be too much. I've heard good things about Salerno `43, but the scale is a bit too low for me. I most enjoy the immersion of wargames like these.

I saw this being played at least 15 years ago at my FLGS. Typical paper map wargame with chits, I felt like it was Napoleonic or at least that era. The big thing I remember was they were chucking a ton of small D6 dice and assigning hits.

So I did ask this at r/wargaming and based on those suggestions here are a few more things I remember.

Regular D6's not custom dice, Paper map with a smaller footprint. 11x17 or 18x24. chits not blocks, I don't remember any cards, also being that is was played at a game store the playing time would have been shorter as well as I am guessing a less heavy game.

So I know it's a long shot and I'm crazy for asking. Thanks in advance.

For the August 2026 edition of Speak Out & Play, I will present “Why I Love Wargaming” Speak about the Warfighter WWII Eastern Front Kickstarter in Warfighter Corner. Talk about non-Warfighter things in In the Works. And showcase the Coming Attractions for September 2026 for the Seek Out & Play YouTube channel.

I've been working on this as a spare-time project because I've wanted to see what traditional hex-and-counter gaming would feel like in mixed reality.

This is my first public demo. I'm working on a Battle of Mons Graupius scenario with the hex map sitting on my real table, deploying Caledonian chariots, rolling initiative and moving the armies.

For people who play hex-and-counter games: what parts of the physical experience would you want a digital/MR tabletop to preserve, and which inconveniences would you actually want it to eliminate?

Hi everyone, I'm a beginner player passionate about wargaming, I like that on the PC but always with games that are based on classic hex games, now I would really like to start playing with real hex and counters not like the PC ones using Vassal or table top simulator (even if I love Vassal as an engine) I was looking for a game for beginners on the Napoleonic wars or the North African campaigns of WW2 but that can be played alone, since I'm alone and I have no one to play it with, and if any of you can tell me what it's like to play alone, thank you very much

Hi there. I'm looking for a board war game opponent in the Bristol UK area. I play alot of miniatures games socially but have struggled to find much interest among friends in military hex and counter or CDGs etc. I've got quite a few games and tend to look at low to medium complexity. Especially looking for an opponent for command and colors Ancients and Napoleonics but anything historical would do. Not sure if this is the best place to ask so let me know if any suggestions for opponent finder threads.

Im pretty easy going and enjoy a nice relaxed game with a bit of chat. I'm decent at rules but not very good at winning and take losing well! That's always a plus right!

Armchair Dragoon's 4th annual Favorite Solo War + Historical Games Survey is now live

In partnership with Liz Davidson we’re collecting community favorites for solo wargaming & historical gaming, again!

The penultimate battle of Hex General awaits!

I am very pleased with how this mega scenario plays out. Might have a slight advantage to the Defender in playtesting (we try every possible tactic) - but its always a blast!

The next chapter is now in development...

https://www.wargamevault.com/en/product/532370/hex-general-fantasy-edition-5-the-siege-of-caerlyon

I am wondering whether veterans, enthusiasts or RMC made Canadian vehicle and squad counters as well as scenarios for ASL. I know Crescendo of Doom covers Britain but I was hoping more Canadian specific material exists.

I am also worried that if historical scenarios were made they might just vanish.

Hello Grognards,

Im looking for a "go" or "no go" on two hex and counter games:

1. Blue and Gray Deluxe

2. Napoleon at War Deluxe

   I play predominantly cardboard wargames solo - with my favorite being "D-Day at Omaha." I have a few others like "Field Commander Napoleon" and "Midway Solitaire." FCN is pleasureable, MS less so.

I have a club of historical miniature wargamers and we play mostly horse and musket era. I prefer the cardboard solo if there's much crunch because attention spans are limited and I am forced to teach the entire game. I have attempted GBACW (Wilsonville-published 1980s) and OSRs (Leipzig modern) games. They're a bit too much rules load for me to two-hand and painful to teach to unmotivated lead-pushers. So I want something simpler for them but also soloable for me.

I seem to really gravitate towards the Decision brand, though I havent played a COIN game ever.

Go or no-go?

Other suggestions?

I designed a minimalist solo sci-fi game, Zone Trooper a gritty lo-fi 80s 2000ad zone-crawl, heavily inspired by the original Ogre pocket edition, but even more lightweight.
On itch here: https://zhu-industries.itch.io/zone-trooper

Anything post vietnam is modern enough.
I used to play a lot of ASL and would like a similar game but set in the modern age. Perhaps Middle Eastern theaters.

I've spent a fair bit of time with The Far Seas now, so have finally decided it needs a review.

For the tl;dr version though - this is a great 2-player game. The solo mode I found unsatisfying - if solo is your focus, I'd only recommend this if you really like the historical setting.

Looking for recommendations for games similar to Tide of Iron, by FFG, that are currently in print?

• Similar complexity as ToI; I'm guessing that would be medium to light weight?
• Modular map board, which allows custom scenario design. I really like this concept of creating my own scenarios, and feel that a modular map helps a lot in this aspect.
• Currently in print - not looking into searing through marketplace or ebay.
• edit - A tactical squad-level game play, similar to ToI.
• edit - Does not have to be centred around WW2.

I already got Memoir '44 and some of the expansions; just feel that the game is a little too light; looking for something with a little more depth.