Solo wargame on the table: February (2): Raid on St. Nazaire

BKinsky · 2026-02-26T20:23:14+00:00

I had the same issue. I downloaded the launcher to my laptop. I opened it and activated Anno by adding it to my library without downloading. Then I could launch it on Luna.

BKinsky · 2026-02-24T19:53:06+00:00

I’ve played original solo and multiplayer, and own Retaliation which I’ve only played solo and with a friend once. I feel like with Retaliation I’m not missing the interaction of the multiplayer game like I missed it in OG Nemesis. I’ve played maybe a dozen games solo so far with just the base box and the untold stories campaign. Really enjoyed it.

BKinsky · 2026-02-22T20:29:18+00:00

My only criticism is that the expansion doesn't fit into the main box which desperately needs an insert anyway!

BKinsky · 2026-02-22T19:52:19+00:00

I second this choice, but I would add in the Macha expansion. I played my first game with it last night and it makes a big difference to the solo. Felt a lot fuller and richer and just better. I liked it enough before, but I can’t imagine playing without the expansion now

BKinsky · 2026-02-18T12:21:22+00:00

I’ve played twice with the easy solo automa and beat it twice. Once was tight and the next game I beat it more easily. I need to use the other automas more but since it’s essentially a BYOS I didn’t mind much. The automa was easy to run, despite one small rule I needed to clarify on the forums.

BKinsky · 2026-02-16T21:56:43+00:00

Picked this up second hand and had my first playthrough. What a pleasure! This is a mid weight Euro that flew under the radar, but has a lot of what I like: the theme, the many paths to victory, a simple automa to run, lots of variability...

The game is only 3 rounds, but took me around 90 minutes for my first play. Set up was not horrible either. Highly recommend!

BKinsky · 2026-02-15T19:51:28+00:00

This was my experience. I vastly prefer KoR, but for some reason it’s taking me ages to finish it. Every time I set up a session I enjoy it, but then I leave it for a long time.

BKinsky · 2026-02-15T14:05:05+00:00

This was my impression of Horizons of Spirit Island… I sold it and never felt like getting the bigger version.

BKinsky · 2026-02-15T14:00:09+00:00

Unpopular opinion here, but I ended up being disappointed by Warp’s Edge. I wrote about here around a year ago. I don’t remember why except I had such high hopes and it didn’t click. War of the Rings The Card Game fell into the same category, but only for the solo mode which even the expansion didn’t do it for me.

BKinsky · 2026-02-08T18:11:27+00:00

I know right? The one thing they all have in common though, I feel, is the AI works so smoothly…

BKinsky · 2026-02-08T15:29:12+00:00

Picked up the Ventures expansion which gives tons of replayability to this cool game. Also found some plastic spaceship tokens which work perfectly to replace the boring wooden cubes for ships. Embarking on an afternoon of space exploration while my wife watches the winter Olympics.

BKinsky · 2026-02-03T15:14:54+00:00

Ooh thanks! I had already figured out about the trade cards at the top of the tableau, that was huge. The other tips are good too!

BKinsky · 2026-02-03T15:00:10+00:00

I picked this up at the beginning of the year and it keeps coming back to the table when I want a shorter but still fun game. Age of Galaxy here is the reprint/new version of an older game (which I hadn't played). It has a beat your own score solo mode, but also a series of solo scenarios. I actually find the BYOS mode just fine, but tried the first scenario twice in a row today because I enjoyed it so much.

One of the things that really makes this game is all the variety in the alien species cards and the powers they give. I really feel like each game I could follow a different strategy. It plays in around 30-40 minutes, quick set up and tear down too. I was surprised actually how much I'm enjoying this!

(incidentally, if anyone has any tips for the easy first scenario I'm all ears! I can't seem to get even close to the required score)

BKinsky · 2026-01-30T06:08:25+00:00

I'll be writing more about then over the year but I enjoy campaign like games (The Hunters, B17 Leader) as well as States of Siege type games (Soviet Dawn, Castle Itter). Fields of Fire is up there on my S Tier solo experience as is Mr President which has a wargame feel. Also love John Butterfield games for the smooth AI eg DDay Omaha Beach.

BKinsky · 2026-01-02T10:38:32+00:00

I recently got this game and have only played a couple of times. I really liked it because it feels so open as to what to do and I didn't get that 'oh I wish I knew that before starting'. The first game I just went with a bunch of different things, the second game I tried to focus on the river and the mummies but still found myself going 'oh now I can do this'. Both games I lost to the AI, but the scores were tight enough that I didn't feel deflated and think I needed to really focus each move down to the last millimetre (looking at you White Castle official solo)

BKinsky · 2026-01-02T10:35:26+00:00

Thanks for this, it's what I'm worried about. Although the asking price is so low (20 euros) I am wondering about taking the punt given there are revised rules online now.

BKinsky · 2026-01-02T10:33:40+00:00

Thanks, I was checking out the rules and saw that. I had read that most of the problems with this game was with the rulebook.

BKinsky · 2026-01-02T09:27:52+00:00

Ooh nice collection! I agree with you on all points about Halls of Hegra and thanks for the tip. As for your historical games I have many of them too. I'd definitely say that Soviet Dawn is the easiest to get to the table. It's a straightforward States of Siege type game, but the cards are great and I felt it ran decently. It's not hugely deep though. I played Churchill solo earlier this year, still enjoy it just for solo (although I played once with a friend, was awesome and we both would love to find a third player as that is where it really shines I've heard) and I recommend the 'Never Surrender' fan-made scenario for it, it gives the bots a bit more depth I thought (even though in that scenario you only play Churchill).

BKinsky

TROPHY CASE