Many board games highlight historical eras or characters, or approach historical themes in one form or another. However, not all of them allow players to fully immerse themselves in a specific historical moment, unlike wargames. Traditionally called "History games", following the phrase popularized by the French magazine Vae Victis, wargames are strategic war games designed to simulate real or fictional military conflicts. Most wargames are based on actual historical events. They recreate real-life battles, which explains their success among history enthusiasts. Looking to relive history's greatest battles? Wargame board games are made for you! Choose the historical period that interests you most from our collection and craft your strategy!
What are wargames?
Wargame board games are intended for anyone who enjoys studying the flow of historical battles, the strategies employed, and the key stakes involved. Wargames allow players to relive major historical battles in the role of the generals who took part in them. Focused on strategy and tactics, wargames require players to account for numerous factors such as topography, weather, logistics, or troop morale, in order to recreate the extreme conditions of a battlefield right on their tabletop! To win the game, players must plan their military strategy and deploy their troops like real generals, following precise rules tailored to the specific conflict reproduced. Wargames feature cards and counters representing historical figures or specific military units. They systematically come with a rulebook detailing all tactical and strategic possibilities available to players. Indeed, the goal of a wargame is to recreate major historical battles as accurately as possible. To respect the historical storyline, players cannot simply do whatever they want strategically.
The best wargame titles at your reach
On our website, you will find the best wargame board game references available. We offer over 2,000 wargame references representing famous historical battles, from the Crusades to major World War II battles, as well as Napoleon's greatest campaigns or the American Civil War. If you have a specific historical era in mind, you will find what you are looking for among our wide range of titles. However, if you are new to wargaming and have no idea where to start, we are here to guide you. The essential Twilight Struggle is the ideal entry point into wargaming. In this strategic war game, you will relive the 45-year power struggle between the United States and the USSR for global supremacy during the Cold War. Accessible to everyone, Memoir '44 is a card-driven tabletop wargame that lets you replay the most famous battles of the Liberation. Finally, the elegant Sekigahara simulates the battle that ended the shogunates in Japan, utilizing a block mechanic to simulate the fog of war by hiding information from your opponent. The most prolific publishers include American companies GMT Games, Compass Games, Decision Games, and MMP, along with boutique publishers like Legion Wargames, Revolution Games, Clash of Arms, DVG, or Lock 'N Load Publishing.
Need more information on what wargaming is? Wondering which wargame is best to start with? Our wargame blog is here to help you find your way!
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