Join Cody as he looks at his favorite board games and wargames with a World War II theme!
Пікірлер: 915
@BartvG882 жыл бұрын
I'm one of those people who really like miniatures. I loved how the old axis and allies aircraft carriers carried two fighter planes, because it physically could only hold two.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer2 жыл бұрын
Very good.
@billsimms25112 жыл бұрын
Axis & allies is great but good luck trying to find friends that want to play it with you lol
@volbound1700 Жыл бұрын
@@billsimms2511 I took it to table the other day and it was a big hit (hesitant at first). In fact the most hesitant guy ended up buying the game lol. Twilight Imperium is one that is a headache to get people to play. Also Axis and Allies 1914 is brutal although it simulates WW1 very well.
@tomfrogge93064 жыл бұрын
Grew up on Avalon Hill war games...strategy and tactics, Gettysburg, Afrika Corp, Midway, DDay, Stalingrad, Battle of the Bulge, Waterloo and many others...hex war games were awesome and gave me my love for military history... Sink the Bismarck was a favorite
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Fantastic!
@markewald6995 Жыл бұрын
Old timer AH wargamer here. Tactics II was the very first wargame I played, and it hooked me for my entire teenage life in the 70s. Big Squad Leader fan, but played Sink the Bismarck a ton (loved sinking shadowing cruisers)! Jutland was another favorite for my brothers and me.
@paulpeterson4216 Жыл бұрын
I'll second Sink the Bismark. Fun, fun game. I am from the same era, Stalingrad, D-Day and Waterloo, plus PanzerBush (sorry Panzer Blitz) were my favorites. But SPI had a number of great games too. War In Europe was a monster, but great for a college kid with lots of time and a big wall to stick the map to with poster putty. (remember Hold-it?)
@Nate_doggy_dawg Жыл бұрын
I think Ambush! was Avalon Hill . Found that one in a yard sale 25 years ago and it’s a great solitaire WWII game.
@brianthornber3319 Жыл бұрын
@@paulpeterson4216 I followed much the same path. Tactics 2 was the first game I played, then Bismarck, then War at Sea, Victory in the Pacific, and many others including my favorite, Flattop. However in college, I did tackle War in Europe. I still have it, though I have to assume it's missing pieces.
@normdingmore8521 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the great video! It brought back memories of the junior high and high school days of the 1970s. I most liked the Avalon Hill naval games like Jutland, Midway, and Sink the Bismarck. During that era, I also got involved with sandbox gaming, including Napolionics, WWII armor, and sailing ship battles. Those were the days!
@TheDiscriminatingGamer Жыл бұрын
Thanks a ton!
@derhitcher4 жыл бұрын
Dear Dr. Cody, respect and congratulations to your Ph.D.! And thanks for all the lovely, funny, witty and enthusiastic reviews. Best regards and a corona-free hug from. Germany
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Danke my friend. Years ago I studied in Berlin. Absolutely love your country!
@markvacc132 жыл бұрын
I'm an old war gamer since 1970. I am so glad that computer games came around when they did. Haven't played a board game since. The best games are by John Tiller.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer2 жыл бұрын
Hope you get to play more board games soon.
@Liam_Daly Жыл бұрын
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer @The Discriminating Gamer hey bro, have you ever tried iron curtain SCS game? The standard combat series? It seems very similar to war room.
@bergsteiger094 жыл бұрын
My favorite part of us this was hearing about your PhD dissertation! Bravo to you for taking that on. Will be on the lookout for the book.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Thank you. I'm sure they'll be an announcement when I get it under contract.
@digitaloracle3079 Жыл бұрын
When I was 8/9/10 (somewhere in there), I started going to a church once per quarter when the pastor would host a "lock in" where for 12 hours (maybe 7P-7A or so), a few chaperones would host different events and one of those was tabletop gaming. That was where I first played Risk. I leapt from there Axis and Allies. Getting people to sit down for a game of Risk was always a hard sell, so I knew Axis and Allies would be even rougher and not long after, created a crude, but effective AI to play the game against. I jumped onto the kickstarter for War Room because of the legendary designer and somewhat familiar gameplay. Sadly, it, like a few dozen other titles I have, are still in their original wrapping on my shelves.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer Жыл бұрын
You need to get it to the table ASAP!!!
@digitaloracle3079 Жыл бұрын
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer I wish I could. Maybe if the small tabletop community I'm part of locally will have interest, but it's (as you know) asking a lot of people to have several continuous hours to play a single game. The games people typically have time for in the rotation generally don't last much over 2 hours.
@Arminius714 жыл бұрын
War Room is indeed outstanding. A&A was also my introduction to WW2 as a kid, and my intro to the world of board gaming. Great list and enjoy your content!
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Thank you very much.
@elrojo314 жыл бұрын
Really bizarre as I was going to make a very similar comment and my name is also Matt M..? How crazy is that?
@timothylamont8454 жыл бұрын
Wait, no "Squad Leader"? No "The Russian Campaign"? No "Third Reich"? Huh, maybe Im too old LOL
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
To each their own.
@orbitalair21034 жыл бұрын
he stuck with these games at or after Axis and Allies, that is after the Collapse of WarGaming. He has no clue. He like games not simulations. Probably doesnt know who James Dunnigan is.
@enoughwiththeaccountbullsh74384 жыл бұрын
@@orbitalair2103 He likes games? He should've named this "Cody's top ten WWII games" or something then instead of "the ten best war sims". wait a second
@Ben1159a4 жыл бұрын
I loved all those games as well.
@naturalobserver61304 жыл бұрын
Yea! Russian campaign is one of my favorites👍
@javierper3z4 жыл бұрын
Congratulations, doctor! Glad the hard work payed off. Also, nice subject for dissertation, sounds interest.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Thank you.
@robgraham56974 жыл бұрын
It's been decades since I've played any WWII table top games. When you mentioned ASL I smiled a little as I have almost all of the original Squad Leader. Lost some of it in a move. Also used to play SPI's War In Europe as well as another game by a publisher whose name I forget called 'Unentschieden'. I may have spelled that wrong. These games took a summer to play. I set up the map to 'Unentschieden' on a ping pong table. Plus a dinner table on the side for counters and production charts. Only played both once for some strange reason. Thanks for this. Nice to know the industry is still going strong.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.
@ILikeJohnLennon9 ай бұрын
I can't believe I didn't find this video until a day or two, and just now getting to watch it. Anyways, congrats on the Ph.D, and as for my list, based on what I've played, it would have to include (still trying to figure out the order I would rank them) Axis & Allies, Rise and Decline of the Third Reich, Advanced Squad Leader, Blitzkrieg, The Hunters: German U-boats at War 1939-1943, and Airborne in Your Pocket.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer9 ай бұрын
Thanks a ton!
@TScottT4 жыл бұрын
Congratulations Cody! What an awesome life achievement you've accomplished. :) Love your reviews, your knowledge and enthusiasm.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Thank you, sir. Much appreciated.
@tanakasatoshi61904 жыл бұрын
Congratulations, Dr Carlson. KZfaq algorithm recommended me this channel and I loved it. I love board games, esp. Settlers of Catan, but never played any war games. I now got quite interested in them and want to play some of these with my friends. Also, I'll be a War Studies student at King's College London. Someday I might do a PhD, too, if I'm courageous enough tho.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
That's awesome. Good to know there are still War Studies programs out there. There are very few dedicated programs like that in the U.S., only about three or four around the country. Best of luck to you.
@fastfreddy31034 жыл бұрын
Have a closet shelf full of old Avalon Hill Bookcase Games, Panzer Leader, Panzer Blitz, etc. Squad Leader then ASL and it's many modules and annuals. Wore out one ASL rule book, got another. Still have complete collection "The General". I was mostly a rainy day solo player many years ago. Had to clean up each and every card board piece with a sharp edge and put them in plastic trays or ziplocks. Became an obsession...but we appreciate the artistic quality. Now that I'm retired will try some of the games on your list, most of which are new to me. Even if they have cards...I have three dice towers for crying out loud. Enjoyed your channel and all the comments...good to know that there are other board gamers out there. PS. Recently purchased "Operation Mercury" GMT Games at an antique store for $20. 400 die-cut pieces remain to be trimmed!
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Fantastic! Thanks!
@richyasi74244 жыл бұрын
Congrats, Doc! Solid list, and I’m glad you included Black Orchestra, a great co-op.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Thank you, sir.
@brianschumacher59144 жыл бұрын
Upfront, a WW2 card game that rocks, still playable today as from years ago, no dice, all cards and chits, but very fun
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Interesting.
@jasmadams2 жыл бұрын
Love Up Front! I highly recommend Combat Commander to scratch the same itch.
@ZER0ZER0SE7EN2 жыл бұрын
Great game, played it a lot when it came out, and every once in a while now. Still popular if you can find it. The cards are multi-use: terrain, movement, firing, plus for getting random numbers. No board, but great fog of war.
@nyanates4 жыл бұрын
Good list. I like how you net your lists out. Your vids are always very tight and “to the point”. Thnx!!
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
David Gates Thank you.
@angierosy70759 ай бұрын
definitely putting a lot of those on my list! thank you!
@TheDiscriminatingGamer9 ай бұрын
Happy to Help!
@wartable4 жыл бұрын
Hey Doc (congrats!)...with you on War Room...awesome game. I love my little plastic army men but yeah, I do not miss them in WR. As mentioned before, give Axis & Allies Global 1940 with Sireblood's Bloodbath rules a spin. There are some new rules, victory point system, updated map, etc. It may never have the depth of War Room but it a very good refresh of Axis & Allies. A lot of work and play-testing has gone into BBR and it continues to evolve.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Thank you. I actually recently sold my AA games in anticipation of a move. Gotta start the purge!
@georgeyepes76434 жыл бұрын
I still have "Tobruk", Panzer Leader and others somewhere. Those are great games
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
I heard great things about Panzer Leader.
@vinnartaigh20764 жыл бұрын
Tobruk was my Favorite. The Evil one took it.
@endrsgm4 жыл бұрын
on steam you can get "tabletop simulator" which is more or less what it sounds like. once you get it in the workshop are all of the games you mentioned ... for free .. that can be played on the simulator with anyone or even yourself.
@Shauma_llama4 жыл бұрын
@@endrsgm i remember the acquired rof on the Bofors being what, 40?
@flyingwombat594 жыл бұрын
I bought Tobruk for $3.99 still in the shrink wrap from a Kay-Bee-Toys. This in 1988(?)
@garyclarkson52463 жыл бұрын
I really appreciate you sharing this list of the games you enjoy. I am really unsure why people seem to want to argue and disagree with a list of the games you like. I always enjoy your content please keep doing what you do!
@TheDiscriminatingGamer2 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@raymow96833 жыл бұрын
Interesting selections. I believe the academic in you (Congrats on the PHD) reflect most of your choices as to be expected. Perhaps you could do a top ten list on your favorite traditional tactical and or operational WW2 games as well vs toys, political , abstract , etc WW2 themed games you've selected.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer3 жыл бұрын
Perhaps somewhere down the road. We'll see.
@swiftbear4 жыл бұрын
Totally off topic but Hearts of Iron 4 is my all time favorite since I dont own any board games .....yet.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Fantastic!
@jeffhenson1834 жыл бұрын
Hearts of Iron 2 the best of the series by far! Way better!
@MatZuvO3 жыл бұрын
HOI4 is great I love it but I will always prefer board games because you get the personal factor with seeing someone’s face as you destroy their forces in person lol or have your friend wipe out yours and they can see your face lol but all in all board games more fun
@joemcamerica3 жыл бұрын
@@MatZuvO *encircles a soviet army group, only to let my friends see me pog*
@thomascouch48643 жыл бұрын
@@jeffhenson183 For me, trying to run a grand campaign now from CK - EU2 - Victoria - HOI2.
@SteveMenardDesignDXM4 жыл бұрын
I remember playing Avalon Hill's "France 1940", "Blitzkrieg", and "Luftwaffe", back in the early 70s.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
I keep hearing great things about France 1940.
@SteveMenardDesignDXM4 жыл бұрын
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer It was very detailed, with air and ground forces under your control, with supply lines coming into play as well. I remember everyone wanting to command the German Panzer units!
@billbutler3354 жыл бұрын
My two favorites, Panzer Leader and Panzer Blitz.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Fantastic!
@jeffreybaker4154 жыл бұрын
Subscribed just to keep track of your publication schedule. Great subject for a dissertation.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Thank you. I will keep you all updated.
@elizabethlestrad52824 жыл бұрын
Congrats and thanks for the list. Stuck between Axis & Allies and the unfortunately discontinued Tide of Iron, I've been looking for some good WW2 games.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Hopefully this will help.
@ALimbOfGreatTree4 жыл бұрын
If you liked tide of iron, try combat commander!
@nolimit79594 жыл бұрын
Very unusual for a gal to be into A&A, but Iiiiiii like it - do you realize that A&A is being played over the KZfaq(Me included)by a sizable Axis&Allies Community?!
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
@@nolimit7959 I was aware of that. It's awesome!
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
@@ALimbOfGreatTree Perhaps one day.
@wsims2574 жыл бұрын
I loved Avalon Hill's " squad leader"
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Was that the precursor to Advanced Squad Leader?
@orbitalair21034 жыл бұрын
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer yes, how can you not know that?
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
@@orbitalair2103 Because I'm not a hard core wargamer.
@rdderrick752 жыл бұрын
Agree…cross of iron, etc
@arquebusier19959 ай бұрын
"No retreat!" is a great ww2 wargame series, had a ton of fun with "The russian front"
@TheDiscriminatingGamer9 ай бұрын
No Retreat is indeed a lot of fun.
@nemisysone3 жыл бұрын
Awesome list, Dr. Cody!!! I was expecting War Room to be your number 1, and I had already seen your reviews for some of these games (the Undaunted games, Memoir 44, Triumph and Tragedy, Castle Itter), but I was curious to see which of the many, MANY, World War II games would make it to this list; what with your being an avid History buff and all!!! Fantastic choices all around, and I really like the way many of these games look on the table: the impressive maps littered with tokens (counters? chits?) and (sometimes) real-life personalities depicted in the cards really make the war theme stand out: they just ooze with the theme!!! Really want to check some of these games out when things get closer to the "old" normal that we used to know!!!
@TheDiscriminatingGamer3 жыл бұрын
Thank you, sir. Glad you enjoyed it.
@charleslatora57504 жыл бұрын
I only have A.H. Origins of WW2. Love it. Need to get it to the table again soon. I am a solo gamer. Before covid "health" made it hard to go out to a game store to play. Now? I do what I can. Holland '44 my #1 WW2 for my reentry to gaming 3 yrs ago. Last century till the late 80's die hard A.H. fan. P.B. P.L. my tie for young me #1. Good video as always Doc. Be safe. And always...watch your flanks...🙂
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Ha! Yes, sir!
@williamraney34212 жыл бұрын
I used to play Origins with my dad. Loved it
@garyfortenberry58294 жыл бұрын
Advanced Squad Leader, Empire of the Sun are my 1 & 2. Up Front is a great game as well.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Fantastic!
@horrido6664 жыл бұрын
ASL and EotS are my two favorites as well. Fields of Fire is also fantastic. Up Front I can give or take. I like it enough to not sell my copy.
@Qossuth3 жыл бұрын
Cosigning Up Front. Avalon Hill had really hit their stride on rule writing by then, almost every conceivable case is covered in the rules.
@paulbryner62514 жыл бұрын
My favorite is Avalon Hill's "Up Front".
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Heard good things about it.
@kirbyculp34493 жыл бұрын
Not just yes but hell yes. And the expansion kits. And the unofficial expansion kits-which I have not played.
@mackdamerc88854 жыл бұрын
Dr. Cody. I like the sound of that. Congratulations!
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Thank you, sir.
@jefferybaker69924 жыл бұрын
Congrats on the wah-wah-2 doctorate. Quite the accomplishment. Fairly new game to try out with a ton of meat. Stellar horizons by compass games. Looked amazing to me.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Looks interesting. Thanks.
@leonardgoodman63604 жыл бұрын
All my WW2 games were the Avalon Hill games...Stalingrad was my FAV
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Very good.
@Qossuth3 жыл бұрын
2-3-6 Russian Armor for the win! Also those massive 7-10-4s :)
@naturalobserver61304 жыл бұрын
Well I'm into Avalon hill, spi, etc.. Old school strategy👍
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
I've not played too many of those old ones. Perhaps I shall at some point.
@jimwind75894 жыл бұрын
Old Avalon Hill fan here. Short game War At Sea or Submarine. Long Game Victory in the Pacific or 3rd Reich. Big Squad Leader fan here.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Fantastic!
@dhmcarver4 жыл бұрын
Dr. Cody (has a nice ring to it), first of all, congratulations on finishing the doctorate! (I’m catching up on your recent videos, so I realize I am a couple of months behind on this.) Having not finished mine (on 11th century papal politics), I know how hard it is. Well done yourself. Looking forward to the book, and seeing where you land next - I hope whatever it is doesn’t keep you from the reviews. I was amazed at how prolific you were during your doctoral studies. Second, what a great list - the list we fans of yours have all been waiting for! Solo, cooperative, and mega-games all made the list (I envy you that you can get 6 people around a table for War Room regularly). Some were not surprising, given your past videos, but a couple of games were new to me. More to purchase, more to explore. Finally, sorry to see so much hate and negativity from my generation of grognards in the comments - usually, your comments section is relatively acid-free, a rarity for the internet. I grew up playing many of those old games about which the grumps keep rhapsodizing, and still have a number of them on my shelves 40 years later, but they are well past their time. (I will confess, however, to a soft spot for both Luftwaffe and, away from the WW II theme, Wooden Ships & Iron Men, both of which have a dynamic that I’ve not seen replicated in a modern game.) Those games do not represent the Golden Age of boardgames - that time is now. Those games, and the attitudes of their champions, serve as barriers to gaming, which is a shame. The folks moaning about lack of complexity of modern games have evidently never tried any of the GMT line of games. Good on you not to take the troll’s bait.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Thank you, sir. I appreciate your support of the channel very much. As far as the haters go, I'm reminded of one of my favorite quotes attributed to Friedrich the Great, "They will say what they will say and I will do what I will do."
@thatcanadian66984 жыл бұрын
No mention of World in Flames from ADG?
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
See previous comments.
@tracer00174 жыл бұрын
@@Old-Knight Liked both very much
@Shauma_llama4 жыл бұрын
One of the best.
@daveshafer79084 жыл бұрын
War room map looks amazing!
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Dave Shafer It’s an amazing game!
@CamoflagedTumbleweed4 жыл бұрын
Congratulations on your doctorate! A truly impressive accomplishment for anyone with a passion in their given field. Congratulations! I also am interested in reading more about the hiring, firing as well. Subbed and hope you’ll put out a video/overview when the book comes out!
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Thank you. I'm sure I'll let you all know when my book is out, for sure.
@MatZuvO3 жыл бұрын
The longest and biggest ww2 board game I have played is AETO (Advanced European Theatre of Opertions)& APTO (Advanced Pacific Theatre of Operations) combined! Honestly games take MONTHS to play if played strategically and is so good and deep. Unfortunately the game is VERY old and to find a board and pieces in good or at the least playable pieces is VERY expensive and even then, if you find one you probably won’t find one ever again! Uncle has it and it’s been set up in his front room for literally 2/3 decades! But if you want to play a WW2 sim, you should check them out
@TheDiscriminatingGamer3 жыл бұрын
I don't know. Sounds a little too intense for me. Thanks.
@eshelly42052 жыл бұрын
Wait !!! I can’t believe you didn’t put AH games “Squad Leader” or “Panzer Leader” on the list. These games are the OG war games.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer2 жыл бұрын
Believe it.
@ThubanDraconis Жыл бұрын
Avalon Hill's "Third Reich" and also Fire in the East (forgot the company that released it)
@08jag81 Жыл бұрын
Avalon Hill's "Rise and Decline of the Third Reich" '74, is better than Axis & Allies, also there was an advanced version in '92.
@RonaldeRobinson4 жыл бұрын
Glad he covered field although he missed some of my favorites.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Thanks. Field?
@adriang625911 ай бұрын
Well it’s simple. I don’t have enough WW2 games. I only have Memoir 44 in the WW2 theme. I really like the look of the War Room.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer11 ай бұрын
War Room is fantastic!!!
@fightingirish27183 жыл бұрын
Hi Cody. I enjoyed your list. I started with Axis and Allies like you. I played a ton of games. I got my kids into them now. My son agrees with you War Room is Awesome. Right now I like the updates Global 36-45. Thank you for list and I enjoy your channel
@TheDiscriminatingGamer3 жыл бұрын
Thank you. Glad you like the channel.
@RousettusAegyptiacus4 жыл бұрын
I just submitted my PhD thesis last week! Though in ecology, not history. Anyway congratulations and keep up the good work in your academic profession, and the witty and interesting videos.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Thank you. When do you defend?
@RousettusAegyptiacus4 жыл бұрын
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Already did, now it's mostly a formality of waiting for the referees to evaluate and make the requested corrections.
@flyingwombat594 жыл бұрын
Chits!!!!? Counters, Cody. Counters! 😃 Seriously, younger players, such as yourself, I turned 61 today, call cardboard pieces chits. Congratulations on getting your PhD!
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Ha! Thank you, sir!
@davepumphouse13784 жыл бұрын
Definatly gonna have to get me a copy of war room! it looks amazing!
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
It is amazing! I think you'll enjoy it!
@ondacross52534 жыл бұрын
World War II: European Theater of Operations by SPI was to me the best ever. There was a Pacific Theatre as well and the games could be combined. There was a smaller scale game out in the ‘90s at the same time and it was great too.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Interesting.
@robertx10214 жыл бұрын
That was a crazy long game to play :-D the campaing WW2 game was estimated playtime to several months. It has a PITA to keep up on a table for the duration of the game. But a hell of a fun game. Absolutely recommend trying it.
@JDisStrange2 жыл бұрын
That *was* a fun game. I bought an extra copy. The extra cost of building armor vs leg infantry, airborne, and naval units put those units into perspective. Add to that the R&D aspect, the ability to pull in Spain or Turkey, gave the game a kind of sand-box feel. I think the scale of the map was a bit limiting but probably perfect for the unit scale.
@hardyworld4 жыл бұрын
While it may be on the lighter side...I'm curious what Cody's opinion is of Quartermaster General.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Haven't played it.
@houndofzoltan3 жыл бұрын
I just play for chits and giggles.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer3 жыл бұрын
Indeed!
@primroselane12 жыл бұрын
Good list Cody. The greatest WW 2 game of all time is Global War 1936/45 by Historical Board Gaming. If you've never seen it there are lots of videos on my channel.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer2 жыл бұрын
Never played it, but know of it. Might be a little too long for my taste.
@Chiller01 Жыл бұрын
George Marshall was an extraordinary citizen.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer Жыл бұрын
Indeed.
@hhale4 жыл бұрын
One that I always enjoyed: Avalon Hill's "Rise and Decline of the Third Reich".
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Harold Hale Fantastic!
@gregzuvich11954 жыл бұрын
Which one would you rather have now, "Rise and Decline of the Third Reich" or "Advanced Third Reich"? I played "rise and decline" middle school and high school with friends, and "advanced" in college. I have a new group now that is interested... but I am unsure which one might be best to pick up on the used game market....
@williamcunningham84994 жыл бұрын
@@gregzuvich1195 I played both versions, there's a new version called World at War which is advance Reich and rising sun together
@howardadamkramer4 жыл бұрын
Yeah, I'm surprised this one wasn't on the list.
@RonSommar4 жыл бұрын
Howard Kramer we were lucky to grab a copy of RAD here in Germany in the early 90s. Trully improved our school english:) ah, nice memories...
@bergstro4 жыл бұрын
Cody, I can't believe you haven't played Combat Commander!
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Yeah... No one can...
@Llewellyn28444 жыл бұрын
I played a lot of SPI and Avalon Hill games during the golden age of gaming. The most satisfying WWII game I ever played is AH's "Victory in the Pacific," which is a brilliantly streamlined simulation of the war against the Japanese Empire. Since the Allied player will inevitably win through attrition, balance is achieved by putting the Allied player on a timer. He loses if he doesn't win by a certain turn. So the game doesn't take long to play, but it's intensely exciting and dramatic.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Sounds like fun.
@Llewellyn28444 жыл бұрын
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer VITP is both tactical and strategic, which is remarkable in such a short, easy-to-play game.
@chadvader9744 жыл бұрын
Same here for axis and allies
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Indeed.
@Mopar66VC4 жыл бұрын
Great list mate, gives me some ideas to get into in the future. My experience with axis and allies is the same as yours, when I took my next step I got Europe Engulfed from GMT games. While it was a bit of a jump I loved the block style FOW, supply, weather, terrain and staggered production while still keeping it a manageable complexity. I never see much about Europe Engulfed and wondered if you had any experience with it and how you think it honestly compares to other more modern and similar games? Has it been left behind? Was it always average? Etc. Having a broad interest in WW2 games, reading many of the rules but not playing a lot puts me at a disadvantage when comparing.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
I haven't played Europe Engulfed. I remember there was a copy of it at a local game store years ago, but it was well north of $100, and at the time I couldn't afford it.
@jonathanbuzan37574 жыл бұрын
Congrats on the PhD. It's a difficult process, for sure, and took me 8 years!
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Ouch! I'm glad you finished. Thanks!
@Shauma_llama4 жыл бұрын
That War Room game looks interesting. As an old fart, here's my list: Squad Leader, Anzio, World in Flames, Up Front!, Panzer Leader and Panzer Blitz.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
It is interesting. Haven't played any from your list.
@jeffimrie73614 жыл бұрын
Looks like my list, pass the Hummel
@SuperSpartan30002 жыл бұрын
You missed 3rd Reich by Avalonhill
@g43404 жыл бұрын
I've been wanting to play board games my entire life, but I've never found anyone to play with. Can you PLEASE do a vid of solitaire games? Maybe a video of war games and a video of other solitaire board games. Wow, I'm totally missing out here! So many awesome games!
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
What? You mean like this: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/np-oiNCqur27YGQ.html
@Olorin4864 жыл бұрын
Grats on the Doctorate! Now that War Room is on TTS, I'm hopeful I can give it a spin before shelling out that price point.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Thank you, sir.
@user-hk5fo1nm9h4 жыл бұрын
I'm going to do the same. I do wish they would make an official mod for it, it's fun to try in VR.
@PMMagro4 жыл бұрын
They wil be doing a new Kickstarter, not cheap but might mena the first version gets cheaper?
@carrickrichards24574 жыл бұрын
Great reviews and summary. I hear some other posters' nostalgia for heavy historical wargames but designers have moved on a long way PLUS the volume market interest has moved towards lighter games. You have helped me to keep up with what that has meant for what's getting published. Thank you. (Edit: Are you the inspiration for the BGG Paladins' 'Suzerain' promo?)
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Thank you, sir.
@StratfordWingRider3 жыл бұрын
Black Orchestra is such an awesome game. It’s like tense Co-op instead of firefighting co-op. It’s spending to buy but it’s brilliant
@TheDiscriminatingGamer3 жыл бұрын
Indeed. Great game!
@Dogma-mr7bq Жыл бұрын
We played War Room 3 weeks ago. And yes: it was epic! After 9 hours Germany (I played Germany and Italy) capitulated. Italy saved Greater Germany and nearly conquered Great Britain, which waited for USA to help them, but USA had to struggle with Japan... It was always fun, no downtime (we used 40 dice and the sandtimer) and the kind of Wargame I waited for as Axxis&Allies wasn't for me (and Tide of Iron is only for 2 Players).
@TheDiscriminatingGamer Жыл бұрын
I've had some pretty epic four player games of Tide of Iron. But War Room is the best. Fantastic game.
@williamgarcia-medina99894 жыл бұрын
Congrats!!! I’m ABD. Trynna finish.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Thanks! What discipline?
@williamgarcia-medina99894 жыл бұрын
The Discriminating Gamer PhD in American Studies but I focus on public humanities and stuff like that.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
@@williamgarcia-medina9989 Very cool. Best of luck.
@davedogge22804 жыл бұрын
In this day and age you are not allowed to say the name of 'he who cannot be named' for these games but I use 'a certain Austrian painter' and that's acceptable. Axis and Allies is a great game when you throw in the Pacific and European scenarios together but playing France sucks I remember.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Ha! Indeed.
@silas2722 Жыл бұрын
If I had friends, I would love to play War Room.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer Жыл бұрын
I hope you get friends. No one should be friendless.
@darrickdean18493 жыл бұрын
Memoir '44 is my favorite game. The expansions really add a lot to the core set. I bought Black Orchestra after watching this.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer3 жыл бұрын
Fantastic! Glad I could help!
@williamcunningham84994 жыл бұрын
World at War?? 3rd Reich?? Squad Leader?? You're so deprived
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
I've been deprived my whole life. (Kicks the dirt).
@danjohnson8874 жыл бұрын
Decent upload with one request: LOUDER! I can barely hear you even with a decent speaker.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
I don't want to scare the children.
@anneoneill64273 жыл бұрын
U must be deff lol
@danjohnson8873 жыл бұрын
@@anneoneill6427 It's spelled "Deaf", and no it's just a crap microphone...
@joeshaver1104 Жыл бұрын
Wanted to play the campaign for north africa one time with my dad. Not sure he has enough years left for us to finish a game but he does have the perfect basement for it.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer Жыл бұрын
Ha! Insane game!
@joeshaver1104 Жыл бұрын
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer hey from my experience publishing my dissertation (academic journal, not book) just know I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Let me know the first time you cuss an editor.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer Жыл бұрын
@@joeshaver1104 Ha! Will do!
@joeshaver1104 Жыл бұрын
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer wow Just looked. This video is 2 years old. Your channel is being recommended a lot in my feed.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer Жыл бұрын
@@joeshaver1104 For some reason this video is blowing up again right now. Don’t know why. I’ll take it! I’ve actually Donne another top ten wwii list late last year.
@rode81734 жыл бұрын
Congrats Doc! I will be playing War Room soon. Great job on this review. Hope to get Undaunted soon. Right now working trough Liberty or Death: The American Insurrection. Quite a beast. COIN forever!
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Thanks! I still gotta hit a COIN at some point.
@duaneehmen41334 жыл бұрын
People who love war haven't fought it.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Indeed.
@edcliffe29884 жыл бұрын
True, but perhaps it is better to fight wars that have no casualties.
@tracer00174 жыл бұрын
I have played and enjoyed wargames my entire life and one thing it taught me is NEVER AGAIN. I would rather fight battles with dice and counters than real people.
@blacknwhitehound4 жыл бұрын
Duane Ehmen best part of your comment is watching people play historical / hypothetical campaigners units served with reduced to chits on a board ..
@pm712414 жыл бұрын
8 hours, a "long" game? hmm....
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Long for me.
@pm712414 жыл бұрын
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer I usually reserve "long" for the games which can't be played in one sitting.
@KXC420694 жыл бұрын
@@pm71241 even my 8 hour shift of work is split by a lunch!
@KXC420694 жыл бұрын
@@pm71241 ypu must have strong friends and stronger butts
@pm712414 жыл бұрын
@@KXC42069 Actually ... if the game is exiting enough, you play a lot of it standing. So, I'm happy my game table is an elevation table.
@rich_hickey4 жыл бұрын
Congrats on the PhD and thanks for all the great reviews!
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@justwhenyouthought61194 жыл бұрын
Europa series, without doubt. Had them all and wore them all out before I started to do it for real with 3rd shock army sat 45 miles away!
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Cool.
@wtfrancke4 жыл бұрын
I can't stand axis and allies, the Japanese are way too strong in the beginning and I've played games where they totally successfully took all of the Americas which historical was impossible.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
I've never seen that happen in any game I've played.
@sundriedplatypus4 жыл бұрын
I've played most versions of AA, and love to play the Japanese. In well over 200 games, I have never felt overpowered or successfully taken the US. It would be fun if it was possible though.
@crispy28023 ай бұрын
Well done, Doctor.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer3 ай бұрын
Danke.
@gabrielrahn4 жыл бұрын
Congratulations, Doctor!
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Danke!
@GGdeTOURS374 жыл бұрын
War Room must be fantastic to play indeed!
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Indeed it is!
@ALimbOfGreatTree4 жыл бұрын
Dear Cody, congrats on your success, please play and review Barbarossa to Berlin, obscure but hidden gem. Have played 20+ games and every one was exciting.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Perhaps I will look into it. Who publishes it?
@ALimbOfGreatTree4 жыл бұрын
The Discriminating Gamer it is by GMT games, plenty of used copies floating around but as someone who dislikes most games I play (I’m harsh) it is a GREAT game. I’ve never played a game where so often both players feel like their hanging off a cliff edge by their finger nails!
@ianpercy4447 Жыл бұрын
ASL baby. Nothing beats it.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer Жыл бұрын
War Room does. It beats all.
@cw.austin66333 жыл бұрын
Congratulations Doctor!
@TheDiscriminatingGamer3 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@board-qu9iu Жыл бұрын
I agree with you on Axis and Allies. While not my favorite war game anymore due to some issue I have with it, it’s what got me into war games imo. Do you know about the Triple A emulator? If not then check it out. It basically allows you to play Axis and Allies styles scenario (at least a hundred). Some of the scenarios go the extra mile and add stuff that make it more different from the Axis and Allies template. You can even play online with other people via lobby, email, or forum. It’s actually how I got into war games and I still play it. The stuff there ranges a lot from Roman era to Cold War. Even some sci-fi and fantasy scenarios. I found a great Axis and Allies inspired game that imo expands on the foundation of Axis and Allies. It’s called Global War 1936 and it’s a heavy WWII game (it takes around a weekend from what I can tell to play). But I enjoy the rules and just how interesting some of the mechanics are like the 3 way nature of the game and how it starts before the war. It is expensive though since you need to get the pieces yourself and the map is expensive but there is a tabletop simulator version of it. Sorry if I rambled on for too long
@TheDiscriminatingGamer Жыл бұрын
Yeah - I used to play Triple A a while back. Fun stuff. War Room beats them all, IMHO.
@board-qu9iu Жыл бұрын
@@TheDiscriminatingGameris there any triple A senario that is better than the OG Axis and allies
@user-hk5fo1nm9h4 жыл бұрын
The rulebook killed my initial attempts to play churchill, and then only having family to play it with after wasn't viable. But I still hold on to it because I think it could be a lot of fun to play one day.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
I hope you get a chance to some day.
@EricMcLuen4 жыл бұрын
Churchill is a really good game but does take a while to wrap your head around it as it is not your typical game. Member of our gaming group has hundreds of these games. Unfortunately another person has a severe hattred of chits.
@markfoster15204 жыл бұрын
Can it be played via email? As long as you're on the honesty rule....
@emmanuelvalencia3355 Жыл бұрын
Have you tried Heroes of Normandie? Amazing WW2 game with a "Hollywood" twist to it! My favorite game.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer Жыл бұрын
Just played it recently: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hdVkeq581su0iXk.html
@drew8235 Жыл бұрын
Not really into war games, but can confirm that Undaunted Normandy is absolutely amazing. It does make me interested in more in war games in general too, which is why I'm here. = Edit: That #1 pick gives me some serious anxiety just looking at it though.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer Жыл бұрын
War Room is really quite intuitive, generally speaking. If you've played Axis & Allies - a "gateway" wargame - this game will not be much more difficult. You may also want to try for more basic but fun war games "Memoir '44," "Coral Sea: Solitaire," "Tarawa 1943," and of course, more of the Undaunted series. Best of luck to you!
@tucsonbanditАй бұрын
the mini's are cool in Axis and allies, but the counters and stacking allow the game to simulate things in a much more interesting and in depth way.
@TheDiscriminatingGamerАй бұрын
@@tucsonbandit Are you referring to War Room? I agree.
@tucsonbandit29 күн бұрын
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer yes. I don't actually own the game. Its pretty expensive, and have other expensive games I have not even played. But I have watched people play it online, and it looks great. Of course I have played Axis and Allies a bunch of times when I was younger, but grew out of the game. Actually the first wargame I ever played was when I was 10 back in 1981. An older teenage kid who was our DM in AD&D taught us to play Third Reich, or I think actual name was Rise and Decline of the Third Reich. My mom almost banned me from playing the game because of the name, lol. I did not play Axis and Allies until later. I am not sure it was even available until later in the 80's.
@MrGeek11114 жыл бұрын
Old school tactical would definitely be in my top 10, don't know if you played it but it's worth checking out
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
I haven't. Thanks.
@MrMicronano Жыл бұрын
Congratulations on you PhD. I’ll keep an eye out for the book
@TheDiscriminatingGamer Жыл бұрын
Thanks. Two years later still trying to get it sold.
@Tizniter3 жыл бұрын
Congrats on the milestone!
@TheDiscriminatingGamer3 жыл бұрын
Thank you.
@NorthernObserver Жыл бұрын
I think there is a real divide between people who war gamed before 1995 and those who war gamed afterwards. The autism level of board games dropped in response to the challenge of computer war games. I mean I remember being a big A3R and Russia campaign player and baffled by the GMT operational players who had 5x5 maps for each theatre and put them together to make mega maps of Europe. Poland (case white). France (Fall Blau), Norway, North Africa, Russia. These guys played with tweezers. It was wonderfully insane. Another time.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer Жыл бұрын
I think there is merit in that view, certainly.
@johnb1123 Жыл бұрын
I was a big fan of the Avalon Hill games. Many of them are mentioned by others in these comments such as Midway, D-Day, Africa Korps, and Luftwaffe but my all-time favorite that I was surprised is not on your list and I have not seen in the comments is The Rise and Decline of the Third Reich by AH. Great representation of almost the entire European theatre including naval, air, and ground forces, partisans, resource points per region, and a number of interesting optional random events such as Turkey or Spain entering the war. It is a long game but very playable. I played this so many times in the '70s and '80s and even worked with some DoD friends to expand the map and add some of our own rule variations.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer Жыл бұрын
I’m always surprised when people tell me they’re surprised that a certain game is not in the list. Everybody has different tastes. I played TRADOTTR years ago. It was good, but as you can tell from the list, I prefer lighter fare. Thanks.
@coral78378 ай бұрын
Do you play around Rochester NY?
@johnb11238 ай бұрын
@@coral7837 No, sorry. Other side of the country.
@deeplinthed85384 жыл бұрын
Congratulations, Doc!
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@davidwarren32214 жыл бұрын
Thanks Cody ans Congrats,If you liked Castle Itter,You will love Pavlov's house also, would love to see another playthrough on this, like Castle Itter.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 жыл бұрын
Thank you. I will probably do a review of PH somewhere down the road.
@anthonyat24014 ай бұрын
Normandy '44 - best and best-looking.
@TheDiscriminatingGamer4 ай бұрын
I haven’t played it. Fun?
@anthonyat24014 ай бұрын
@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Good combination of detail/playability. Yes, fun.