Entry level HEX-based wargame?

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PortunusPelasergei
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Entry level HEX-based wargame?

Post by PortunusPelasergei »

Hi! I'm a new guy coming into the wargames community, since I've played CMO, my interest in wargames has started to grow, I'm still playing CMO now and it's awesome! Recently, I think hex-based wargame caught my attention as well (old school style, since CMO is more of Radar style wargame), at first, my friends told me to try WDS (wargame design studio) games and to play their free samples, It's very fun and since then, I'm sure I need more games like this, can't afford WDS tho because they're quite expensive so I started to search on Steam and there are a lot of options.

I tried Strategic Command WW1 and it was good, however since it's on a strategic level I kind of need more time to get into it, so do any of you guys have some advice? I have the list that caught my attention such as :
GG War in the west/east 2
Flashpoint campaign: southern storm
Decisive campaign: Barbarossa/Ardennes
The operational art of war 4

pretty much every hex-based on a tactical-operational level, any thoughts?
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Platoonist
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Re: Entry level HEX-based wargame?

Post by Platoonist »

PortunusPelasergei wrote: Sun Sep 29, 2024 11:40 am GG War in the west/east 2
Flashpoint campaign: southern storm
Decisive campaign: Barbarossa/Ardennes
The operational art of war 4
I'd definitely characterize Gary Grigsby's War in the West & East as grand strategic level too although they have a wealth of operational aspects as well. But they're not exactly what I'd characterize as entry-level either. The last three on your list seem to fit the criteria of tactical/operational. Operational Art of War has a few giant scenarios like Fire in the East that I'd distinguish as strategic in scope but are still mostly operational in execution.
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ncc1701e
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Re: Entry level HEX-based wargame?

Post by ncc1701e »

You may try Warplan too.
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Kuokkanen
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Re: Entry level HEX-based wargame?

Post by Kuokkanen »

Panzer Corps & sequels & derivatives (Warhammer 40,000: Armageddon) are marketed as entry level games. As is Battle Academy, though it's got squares instead hexes.

Panzer Corps series are operational scale games. Battle Academy series is tactical. Warhammer 40,000: Armageddon is Panzer Corps with Warhammer 40,000 skin, but is effectively a tactical scale game.
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gamer78
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Re: Entry level HEX-based wargame?

Post by gamer78 »

Panzer corps is the most transparent about dice roll. Advanced tactics&Shadow Empire is the second how combat goes. Strategic Command series quite good about conflicts and about -1 or +1 about dice according to random casualties. They all very good games.
dje
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Re: Entry level HEX-based wargame?

Post by dje »

Steel panthers-SPWAW, Steel Panthers-SPWW2,both games are based on the old Steel Panthers game from the 90's

Both of them are free, both awesome, and will take years to play all the scenarios that have been created over the last 20yrs

Best wargame I have ever played
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EdenGray
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Re: Entry level HEX-based wargame?

Post by EdenGray »

Thank you, I also want to know it. If I want to know more, I will ask by starting my own thread.
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ncc1701e
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Re: Entry level HEX-based wargame?

Post by ncc1701e »

Unity of Command perhaps?
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stormbringer3
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Re: Entry level HEX-based wargame?

Post by stormbringer3 »

Panzer Corps Gold. Forum is still active. Lots of very helpful people there.
Rosseau
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Re: Entry level HEX-based wargame?

Post by Rosseau »

PortunusPelasergei wrote: Sun Sep 29, 2024 11:40 am Hi! I'm a new guy coming into the wargames community, since I've played CMO, my interest in wargames has started to grow, I'm still playing CMO now and it's awesome! Recently, I think hex-based wargame caught my attention as well (old school style, since CMO is more of Radar style wargame), at first, my friends told me to try WDS (wargame design studio) games and to play their free samples, It's very fun and since then, I'm sure I need more games like this, can't afford WDS tho because they're quite expensive so I started to search on Steam and there are a lot of options.

I tried Strategic Command WW1 and it was good, however since it's on a strategic level I kind of need more time to get into it, so do any of you guys have some advice? I have the list that caught my attention such as :
GG War in the west/east 2
Flashpoint campaign: southern storm
Decisive campaign: Barbarossa/Ardennes
The operational art of war 4

pretty much every hex-based on a tactical-operational level, any thoughts?
I'll chime in and say the four/five games you listed above are the ones I'd like to go to heaven with ;)

However, they are far from beginner level. But if you are enjoying CMO, you can handle almost anything, I would guess.

I'll just add that IMHO, one should watch out for Shadow Empire. Hugely successful and coming from a brilliant designer, but was way over my head on release.

To quote from The Book, there is an "embarrassment of riches" for wargames like you entering the market today. In the mid- to late 1980s, gosh we'd pay $80 for War in the Pacific and consider ourselves lucky.

Anyway, best wishes to all!

Mike
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ernieschwitz
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Re: Entry level HEX-based wargame?

Post by ernieschwitz »

If you want an "earlier" Shadow Empire experience, set in ww2, then Advanced Tactics Gold is always an option. Despite it looking super simple, there is a surprising depth to it.
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Kuokkanen
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Re: Entry level HEX-based wargame?

Post by Kuokkanen »

ernieschwitz wrote: Sun Oct 13, 2024 2:38 am If you want an "earlier" Shadow Empire experience, set in ww2, then Advanced Tactics Gold is always an option. Despite it looking super simple, there is a surprising depth to it.
To elaborate on that, ATG has some WW2 scenarios. It also has a random game generator that makes random maps and countries of fictional names. Thread about my first experience with the game:
https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 9&t=365638
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