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The apex of the genre - the traditional hex-and-counter operational wargame
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I had a moment of illumination recently while playing Clash of Giants II - this is what cardboard and paper wargames do best. I enjoy strategic wargames (like Paths of Glory or Europe Engulfed), and I've had mixed experiences with tactical wargames (ASLSK cool, Combat Commander not so cool). But for me this sort of thing is the apex of the genre: the traditional hex-and-counter operational wargame. Thing is, looking at my collection, I have very few wargames at this scale. So I'm hoping people will add a few suggestions for outstanding operational wargames that I can look out for in the future. So what are the criteria for an operational game? Well, if it has ranges, it's tactical. If it has an economic system (buying units or replacements) it's strategic. If you're managing a battlefield, it's tactical. If you're managing a war, it's strategic. Operational is all the good stuff in the middle - neither tactical nor strategic.
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Posted On: 2008-04-13 05:31:52
Edited On: 2008-04-13 05:31:45
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This is the one that got me thinking.
With a simple rule-set it very precisely captures the feel of WW1 mobile warfare - the constant worries about keeping in contact with friendly units on your left and right, the difficulties of co-ordinating large-scale movements, the slight superiority of defence over attack and the tendency for things to bog down. I like the combat system and the way that troop quality is separated out from raw manpower. And the chit-pull mechanic generates friction and anxiety aplenty.
In my opinion this is an absolutely classic operational-level wargame. |
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1 Comment []
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Posted On: 2008-04-12 09:04:40
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I'm very impressed with VMBB. I like the low counter density and the larger counters. And the rules are simple, clearly laid out, and easy to understand first time through. Even though they are split into Series Rules and VMBB-specific rules, this does not produce an exception-fest as the specific ruleset builds on rather than contradicts the series ruleset. I like the way the Schwerpunkt segments make you focus on accomplishing just one or perhaps two things each turn on the battlefield, and the C3i points which model the way the initiative ebbed away from the Soviets as the battle went on, and the tactical chits which introduce a lot of uncertainty into combat and discourage simple odds-optimization play. |
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1 Comment []
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Posted On: 2008-04-12 09:07:58
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There is much to love about this game. Unlike many wargames, elimination of units is fairly unusual - the real struggle is against exhaustion and disruption. A D1 is a good result against a powerful unit - it means it won't be troubling you again until the day after tomorrow. And you are constantly struggling against the friction of bad assault results and enemy bombardments which can quickly leave you with an army which is largely unable to move or fight for the rest of the day or perhaps even longer. A classic operational wargame, even if it uses areas not hexes. |
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Posted On: 2008-04-12 09:10:06
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The game is beautifully produced, with large, good-looking counters and an attractive map. When I first played this it took me back to wargaming's golden age in the 70s, games that I cut my teeth on like Napoleon at Waterloo or Winter War with low counter densities, simple rules, and absorbing gameplay with loads of replay value. A wonderfully fun wargame, a nailbiting to-and-fro tussle right to the end.
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1 Comment []
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Posted On: 2008-04-13 05:04:45
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I haven't played this one yet. But it seems to be set to become a modern classic, and it fits squarely into the operational wargame category. |
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Posted On: 2008-04-12 09:26:58
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This has a high reputation, but is out of print and hard to get hold of these days. No-one seems to be selling on eBay - probably a good sign. |
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5 Comments []
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Posted On: 2008-04-13 03:55:56
Edited on: 2008-04-13 05:06:37
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Posted On: 2008-04-13 12:37:58
The chit pull is unique, with an army's movement ability changing as the battle progresses.