We already have late November, and the Christmas time is quickly approaching – when I write / publish this article it is not a full month away! I hope this will be that part of the year during which you will be able to enjoy the time with your families and the great hobby we all share together: boardgames!

Previous years materials:
2022 new releases
2022 all-time classics
2021 new releases
2021 all-time classics
2020 new releases
2020 all-time classics

To help you with this I came with some suggestions for Christmas presents! But before we jump to actual propositions, a small gift from me – or rather, from my wife who prepared such a beautiful Christmas Tree couple of years ago:

Christmas Tree created as surprise gift by my wife a couple of years ago. Using of course my favorite Commands & Colors Ancients blocks!

Now, what I plan and have in mind is presenting a selection based on the games released in 2023. Important condition! Only those titles I personally had chance to play. Also, preferably not out of print – thus I am always providing link where you can get the game.

I am fully aware that there are many other war and conflict themed titles which can be recommended. Unfortunately, I did not have chance to play them all – there are simply too many releases! So, without further delay, let us look at the selection!

Inferno: Guelphs and Ghibellines Vie for Tuscany, 1259-1261 from GMT Games

About the game: Volko Ruhnke’s Levy & Campaign series from GMT Games presents medieval warfare at the operational level in various interesting settings. All volumes share similar core systems simulating medieval Levy of armies by individual great Lords and lesser Vassals & equipping of those. For each Campaign, players then form stacks of Command cards to preset the order that Lords will March, Forage, Siege, and so on.

Each volume in the series features widely different geographic, cultural, and political settings, each with twists on the core rules to help bring out these differences. Inferno concerns fighting between the Guelph and Ghibelline political factions in the well-to-do and densely populated Tuscany of the mid-1200s.

My impressions: I really like this game & the series. A lot of effort was done to depict so important but often underrepresented aspect of warfare – logistics. Usually we were getting “line of supplies” and “sources of supplies”. Here we really need to take this into consideration, gather, deliver and then consume.

On top of this, the game is exceptionally beautiful, provides smaller and longer scenarios and implements treachery mechanics which quickly become one of my favorite aspects. Really glad to see the series expanding and getting new fans!

More materials about game – both articles and video. Enjoy!

Traces of War from VUCA Simulations

About the game: This is a two-player game that simulates the intense fighting between Axis and Soviet forces after the battle of Kursk during August 1943 to March 1944. A major Soviet offensive is launched against a German mobile defense which almost results in similar debacle like at Stalingrad – only prevented by Erich von Manstein defying a Hitler’s direct order not to break through.

The game uses well-known chit pull mechanisms, with some twists and changing composition depending on the turn. The move and battle rules are pretty straightforward, while the supply – while existing – is not overly complex. Reinforcements can be brought in a flexible way, making each game different. What is more, we are getting two scenarios which have pretty distinct winning conditions, thus making for quite a distinct experience (and strategies).

My impressions:

The rulebook is pretty straightforward, rules well explained and at the same time they create wide tactical and strategical choices. The historical topic is very interesting, probably not so know as Stalingrad or Kursk – good to have a game filling that gap. The chit-pull mechanism makes this game not so predictable and allows for different narrative each time. At the same time this is enormously solo-friendly title. Overall, the game made a pretty positive impression on me, and I simply liked it. It is thematic, quick, exciting, and beautiful.

More materials about game – both articles and video. Enjoy!

Undaunted: Battle of Britain from Osprey Games

About the game: Undaunted: Battle of Britain is already fifth installment in acclaimed Undaunted series. This is purely standalone game, not requiring possession of previous titles. It is adapting the core gameplay of the previous games to recreate the dynamic dogfighting of aerial combat. You will need to maintain cohesion between your pilots, evade anti-aircraft artillery, and leverage talented aces to win the battle for the skies. A mix of new solutions and rules, strongly rooted in core mechanics promised a great experience. Eleven separate scenarios should give fun for many hours.

My impressions: I really like and appreciate the evolution of the system. It fits very well the aerial dogfights – of course bringing its own twists and rules – like a fundamental change that you need to move each activation and may add and action to this. The components are beautiful, the scenarios interesting and oftentimes pretty asymmetric. Of course, the game is pretty open for creating your own adventures and battles!

More materials about game – both articles and video. Enjoy!

Keep’em Rolling: 1944 – Race to the Rhine from PHALANX

About the game: Keep’em Rolling: 1944 – Race to the Rhine is a new edition of a unique, logistics-focused euro-style wargame for 1-4 players (including a solitaire mode as well as optional cards and rules), and a standalone solitaire game – These Are My Credentials – covering the Allied liberation of Brittany.

As one of the historic Allied Commanders: Montgomery, Bradley, Patton or Patch-Devers, you control several Corps that you must move along predefined, point-to-point routes, liberating cities from Axis control as you do. Unlike many other wargames covering the liberation of Western Europe, in Race to the Rhine the focus is on planning and logistics. Moving your Corps requires fuel. Defeating Axis units and garrisons requires ammo. Feeding your armies as they move forward requires food.

My impressions:

I really appreciate adding new generals to the game – Patch-Devers. Not only the game expands to four players but this one has some special rules, allowing for different strategies and styles. There is significant improvement in components quality – game looks simply beautiful in comparison to its predecessor. Definitely adding solo mode (for regular game) plus a dedicated, custom-made solitaire scenario was a great idea. There are multiple Optional Rules in the game, which can make it harder or easier for your group to achieve victory. I really appreciate this, as everybody can tailor experience to their needs.

More materials about game – both articles and video. Enjoy!

Stalingrad: Advance to the Volga, 1942 from Revolution Games

About the game: This game puts the player in charge of the attacking and far more mobile German side while the game system handles the defending and largely static Soviet side. Each turn you will roll on event table and see in what way your army and forces will be hampered (reflecting actual, historical difficulties). Then, you will get your supplies – and decide how to spend them, be it on supporting units, rebuilding destroyed formations or investing in so-much-important morale.

Only then you will be able to activate your units, enter enemy occupied territories and learn what is the true strength of opponent and which defensive tactic (Ambush, Fanatics, Guards, Heroes, Barrage) it shall use. Be careful – if you do not overcome enemy and get entangled into the fight in the Urban area, you might suffer the “Bloody Streets” effect (war of attrition in dense Stalingrad building).

My impressions: I admit that I simply had fun playing that game. A very nice mechanics, straightforward rules, good playbook, beautiful components plus smaller and larger scenarios – definitely, designer though about all angels here. Both grognards as well as new players will spend enjoyable time with this title. And if you ponder, what might be the next logical step in the series, check this out: Manila: The Savage Streets, 1945.

More materials about game – both articles and video. Enjoy!

Summary

Hopefully, that small selection of games published in 2023 will be inspiration to the Dear Readers for the coming Christmas gifts. With each and every title here I had a lot of fun and can wholeheartedly recommend.

Stay tuned! In two weeks’ time I am going to publish one more article – with All Time Classics, which you should also consider. I am sure you will enjoy it!