[REVIEW] Memoir’44

Memoir ’44 is a historical boardgame where players face-off in stylized battles of some of the most famous operations of World War II including Omaha Beach, Pegasus Bridge, Operation Cobra and the Ardennes. In its base game, it includes over 15 different battle scenarios and features a double-sided hex game board for both beach landings and countryside combat. Each scenario mimics the historical terrain, troop placements and objectives of each army.

Memoir’44 is one of first games in Commands & Colors series (although not bearing that name). As such, it has all the usual features of the system: the heart of the system is the command cards set(s) – which drives movement, creates a true fog of war and presents both challenges and opportunities. The second fundamental element are dices. The battle dice system resolves all combat efficiently and quickly, pretty well creating qualitative differentiation between units (be it via number of dices or ability to score extra hits).

But what makes this game special is its evolution. There are positions where expansions spice-up the gameplay; there are also such add-ons which transform completely the game. I think there is no second wargame I am playing which underwent such a dramatic change / upgrade / enhancement (call it whatever you like, it was huge) like Memoir’44.

If you compare the basegame from 2004 which in oversimplified way was presenting the World War II in Western Europe, to the way this title looks like today – with Eastern Front, Winter Wars, Pacific, Terrain, Air Pack and D-Day Landings expansions – you would blink in amazement with what you see. Everything, literally everything was improved – rules, variety of units, size and depth of maps, strategic and tactical options, etc. Really, glad to see such progress.

So would you stand-up to the task and manage to crush your opponents on the battlefields of World War II – be it in the heat of the African desert, freezing cold of Russian steppes or thick jungles of Asia?

The base game and base scenarios are predominantly designed for two players. With Overlord expansion (aka EPIC in Commands & Colors world) that can be easily expanded up to six belligerents, not to mention D-Day Landings which in its full version can accommodate virtually any reasonable number of players.

Base game scenarios are pretty quick, brief endeavors of up to one hour. The breakthrough format and Overlord can easily span to 1.5-2 hours. The larges, combined D-Day Landings maps can take as much as 4-5 hours (but also create unforgettable experience!)

The base game is a very simplistic approach to World War II – even when you look at the standards of Commands & Colors games, Memoir is definitely at the lower end of the complexity spectrum. However, the expansions with the new units, terrain, armies and special rules bring this to a medium level.

• This was mentioned in first paragraph but I will stress it again – the game went through tremendous evolution, making it much more complete, compelling and interesting. All the expansions – Pacific, Eastern Front, D-Day Landings, Overlord – they really changed this title to something completely new.
• This is perfect introductory position to bring new adepts – especially kids! – to our wargaming hobby. We have tanks and guns, we have plastic miniatures – and all of this with very simple rules! For that purpose, this is a great game.
• This title was so popular, that a huge database of fan-made scenarios was created – just head to the Days of Wonder page and check among hundreds of very interesting historical and fictional engagements. 
• Another positive is that you can find Memoir’44 on various platforms – Vassal, Board Game Arena, Steam. That allows you to much easier find the opponents, play in tournaments or ladders.

• Too simplistic in its Base Game format – especially when you take into account these are not ancient or medieval battles but super complex modern engagements. What is even more, that oversimplification is clearly visible when compared with other C&C titles – no leaders, no support from adjacent units, no second deck of cards, only 3 types of units.

• This is my very personal opinion – I much more prefer blocks to miniatures in Commands & Colors games. This feeling is both aesthetical but also ergonomical – easier for me to play and store. But I admit, that for young adepts the miniatures might be much more attractive.

First and foremost, for the fans of Commands & Colors system. Secondly, for all willing to play an easy, straightforward wargame – especially good for bringing new adepts to our hobby as the plastic figures have special appeal. Not recommended for seasoned wargamers / grognards unless used as a light interlude or with full set of expansions.