My favorite low complexity wargames
Sean McCormick
United States
Brooklyn
New York
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I find that I rarely have time to devote to digesting 45 page rulebooks at this point, and as a result most of my gaming time these days goes to low complexity games, and preferably ones with manageable play times. I assume I'm not the only one in this boat, so I thought I'd put together a list of games that fit the bill. (It should be notes that I have cut my teeth on ASL/3R/insert Victory Games product here, so complexity probably means something a little different to me than to someone who is new to the hobby. But still, most of these are very easy to figure out.)
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Sean McCormick
United States
Brooklyn
New York
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The Civil War in four pages. A classic design that often captures the strategic patterns of the war better than games with much more complexity.
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Sean McCormick
United States
Brooklyn
New York
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Another rulebook that clocks in at around four pages, and for that you get all of human civilization up to 1914. The game is really an ingenious take on Risk, and I'm bitterly disappointed that there's no VASSAL module for it, as I think it would be a blast to play realtime with a full complement of players.
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Sean McCormick
United States
Brooklyn
New York
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It looks like Squad Leader, it feels like Up Front, and it's far simpler than either. I'm not sure you could do a tactical WWII game and have it be much simpler than this and still work. (Caveat- the rulebook, well very well conceived for future reference, can seem a bit confusing for your first play through. After that, though, you'll very much appreciate the layout.)
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Sean McCormick
United States
Brooklyn
New York
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This is a classic operational level hex and counter wargame, but it combines low counter density, elegant rules and a terrifically interesting situation- the result ends up being much greater than the sum of its parts. It also is a very good solitaire game thanks to the HQ activation mechanic.
I've got quite a few games covering Manstein's backhand blow, but this is the only one that makes it onto the table with much regularity.
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Sean McCormick
United States
Brooklyn
New York
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Think of it as SPQR in half the time. I was a little worried about this one before it came out, as Memoir '44 is awfully abstract, but the system has just enough chrome to handle ancient warfare quite nicely.
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Sean McCormick
United States
Brooklyn
New York
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Not the simplest game in the world, but as far as ETO games go, you'll be hard pressed to find one easier. And really, the basic gameplay mechanics are quite easy to get a hang of, especially if you have any experience with other block titles. (Plus there are the Blockskrieg rules, should you have trouble with the main game.)
My one quibble is that I would like more one-map scenario options, as I rarely have the opportunity to put the full map out, much less to leave it out for a full 1939-45 slugfest.
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7.
Board Game: Ikusa
[Average Rating:7.05 Overall Rank:327]
Sean McCormick
United States
Brooklyn
New York
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Used to go by the name of Samurai, now it has Swords tacked on; one way or the other, this was by far the most successful of the Milton Bradley line of wargames. The mechanics are easy enough to handle, and the board is just beautiful when all the pieces are in play.
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Sean McCormick
United States
Brooklyn
New York
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I actually don't think as highly of this one as many do, simply because I don't care for the battle cards. That said, it's easy to get a hang of and gives you a lot of bang for your buck in terms of decision making.
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Sean McCormick
United States
Brooklyn
New York
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Simple game and lifestyle choice all in one.
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Ronald Chavez
United States
Hacienda Heights
California
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Although a bit limited in scope, this is a great introductory game into the Hex and Counter world. Fun to play from both sides with challenges all the way through.
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Steve E.
United States
Oakland
California
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First game I thought of. 12 pages of rules, two hours to play, one freaking huge board.
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Pete Belli
United States
Florida
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A classic. Lots of action for both players. Extra points for capturing that Union supply train... a unique wargame "red herring" victory condition. Be sure to play this game with the optional Attack Effectiveness rule.
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Marc Guenette
Canada
Laval
Quebec
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Simple, not simplistic is the motto for the SCS serie. It does fit the bill for this one. Crusader, Yom Kippour and Mighty Endeavor would be among those "simplier" ones as well.
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Scott
United States
Denver
Colorado
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Well I'm pretty new to wargaming but this is my favorite simple game by far. I have since acquired 4 other Columbia Games. 8 pages of rules, 2-3 hour playtime, highly intuitive and plenty to think about. It also has enough of a euro feel to be a great crossover game. I freaking love it!
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Jeff Curtis
United States
Plainfield
Indiana
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I've recently picked up both of the Clash of Giants games and while I have not played them yet, the length of the rules are very similar to the MMP SCS series.
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Sean McCormick
United States
Brooklyn
New York
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I meant to have this on my original list. In a similar vein to History of the World, but localized to the British Isles. I don't have my copy anymore, but it used to get a fair amount of play from me, which is something considering how awful the original board was.
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Steve Herron
United States
Johnson City
Tennessee
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This game was one of my older favorite ones to play.
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Brian B
United States
Leawood
Kansas
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Storm Over Arnhem has very simple rules and picks up speed as the game goes along. Having the faster player play the Germans will keep it moving just fine. About as bare bones as a set of wargame rules can be.
Liberty by Columbia Games is another fast mover with easy rules. A great weeknight game.
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Mark Gray
United States
Glenwood Springs
Colorado
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I own the old AH version, (Three of them actually) and it is simply a classic. Very good simulation for about 6 pages of rules. Works well with 2-3 players.
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Drew Simon
United States
Corona
California
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I just got this in the mail today, but haven't played it yet. It covers Operation Crusader in North Africa in November 1941. The rules are very short (6 pages of a half-size rule booklet, so equivalent to about 2-3 full-size pages). Only 88 counters, and small 17 x 22 inch map. Looks gorgeous. I'm hoping this one is good enough to scratch the itch for a short, low complexity game
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Erik Nicely
United States
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Another new one from Lock n Load, looks newbie friendly. The hypothetical WWIII theme appeals to me and hopefully I'll get to play soon.
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How about this ?
Nine pages of rules.
Nice map and counters.
An accessible magazine game.
Leads to Men of Iron & Simple GBoH.
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Sean Chick
United States
Hammond
Louisiana
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A lot of other simple favorites are already on here, so I'll add this one. The rulebook is only marginally well written, but once you get passed that the game flows VERY quickly and is really exciting with a lot of back and forth action.
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A real hex-and-counter wargame with only 16 pages of rules, including 1 page of "how to read the counters" and one page of optional rules.
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Joe Norris
United States
Dublin
Ohio
Flight of the seabirds, scattered like lost words, wheel to the storm and fly. Fare thee well now, let your life proceed by it's own design. Nothing to tell now, let the words be yours, I'm done with mine.
To seek the sacred river Alph, to walk the caves of ice, to break my fast on honey dew and drink the milk of paradise... I had heard the whispered tales of immortality, the deepest mystery from an ancient book I took a clue.
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I always found this game to be enjoyable and easy to learn. Basically a platoon versus an elusive foe, the Vietnamese. Using a hidden counter system the pace is fast and scenarios play very quickly. The rules are very light and are only a few pages long. Maybe not the best of games, but a good quick session that tries to capture the confusion and uncertainty of jungle combat with a virtually invisible foe. Plus, if you are fan of the movie, the platoon is made up of the characters verbatim.
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