Wargame Games
Browse all Wargame board games in the Meeple Pulse database.
Styles
AbstractAbstract StrategyAdventureAnimalsCard GameChildren's GameCivilizationCo-operativeCompetitiveDiceEconomicEducationalEuroExpansion for Base-gameFamilyFantasyFightingHistoricalHorrorMedievalMedium HeavyMiniaturesPartyParty GamePrint & PlayPuzzle-LikeRacingReal-timeSpace ExplorationSportsStrategyTerritory BuildingThematicWargame
Themes
AbstractAdventureAncientAnimalsArtBusinessCard GameCo-operativeComic BookCooperativeCrimeEconomicEnvironmentalismExplorationFantasyFightingHistoricalHorrorHumorIntrigueLiteraryMagicMarvelMedievalModernMuseumMysteryMythologyNatureNauticalParty GamePoliticalPress Your LuckRacingSatireSci-FiSocial CommentarySocial InteractionSpaceSuperheroesThematicTravelWarWesternWord-Guessing
Mechanics
3D PlacementActingAction / DexterityAction DraftingAction Point AllowanceAction Point Allowance SystemAction Point SystemAction PointsAction ProgrammingAction QueueAction RetrievalAction SelectionAction/EventAlliancesAlternate ActivationApp-AssistedApp-DrivenArea ControlArea InfluenceArea MajorityArea Majority / InfluenceArea MovementArgumentationAsymmetricAsymmetric FactionsAsymmetric GameAsymmetric PowersAsymmetrical PowersAuction & BiddingAuction/BiddingAuctioningBag BuildingBettingBetting and BluffingBetting and WageringBetting and WagersBiddingBingoBlind BiddingBluffingCampaign / Battle Card DrivenCampaign / LegacyCampaign / Legacy GameCampaign / Mission-basedCampaign / ScenariosCampaign GameCampaign PlayCard DraftingCard DrawingCard DrivenCard Driven ActionCard Driven CombatCard Driven Dice AllocationCard Driven MovementCard ManagementCard PlayCard Play / Hand ManagementCard Play Conflict ResolutionCard SheddingCard-Driven MovementCharacter CreationCharacter ProgressionChit-Pull SystemCo-op PlayCo-operative GameCo-operative PlayCode-breakingCombat ResolutionCombo ChainCommand CardsCommodity SpeculationCommunication LimitsContract FulfillmentContractsCooperative GameCooperative GameplayCooperative PlayCooperative Trick-takingDebateDeck BuildingDeck ConstructionDeck, Bag, and Pool BuildingDeck-BuildingDeductionDexterityDice DraftingDice PlacementDice RollingDiplomatic InfluenceDraftingDynamic Battle SystemEnclosureEnd Game BonusesEngine BuildingEngine-BuildingEscape RoomEvent DrivenExplorationFarmingFlip and WriteFollowFollow ActionGrid CoverageGrid MovementHand ManagementHex-and-CounterHexagon GridHidden MovementHidden RolesI Cut You ChooseIncomeInfluence / Area MajorityLadder ClimbingLegacyLegacy ElementsLegacy GameLegacy SystemLimited CommunicationLine DrawingLine of SightMancalaMap AdditionMap MovementMarketMarket DraftingMarket ManipulationMarket MechanicMarket SpeculationMatchingMeasurement MovementMemoryMission ObjectivesModular BoardModular Board ConstructionMove Through DeckMovement PointsMovement TemplatesMulti-Use CardsMulti-use CardsMultiple ScenariosMust FollowNarrative ChoiceNarrative Choice / ParagraphNegotiationNegotiation MechanicsNetwork & Route BuildingNetwork BuildingNetwork and Route BuildingOne vs ManyOne vs. ManyOpen DraftingOwnershipPaper-and-PencilPartnershipsPattern BuildingPattern RecognitionPick-up and DeliverPlayer EliminationPlayer InteractionPlayer JudgePoint SaladPoint to Point MovementPolyominoesPush Your LuckPush-Your-LuckPuzzlePuzzle-LikePuzzle-SolvingRaceReal-TimeRecipe FulfillmentResource ManagementRole PlayingRole SelectionRoll / Spin and MoveRondelRoute BuildingRoute-BuildingRoute/Network BuildingSanity SystemScenario / Campaign PlayScenario / Mission / Campaign GameScenario / Mission FunctionSecret Unit DeploymentSemi-Cooperative GameSet CollectionSheddingSimulationSimultaneous ActionSimultaneous Action SelectionSimultaneous Hidden AllocationSocial DeductionSocial InteractionSolo / Solitaire GameSpace ExplorationStat Check / Skill CheckStat Check ResolutionStock HoldingStorytellingStrategic PlanningTableau BuildingTactical Decision-MakingTake ThatTargeted CluesTeam PlayTeam-Based GameTeam-Based GuessingTeamworkTech TreesTech Trees / Tech TracksTechnology & Armament TracksTechnology TreeTension & Aggression TracksTile DraftingTile LayingTile PlacementTime TrackTime TravelTower DefenseTrack MovementTradingTrick-takingTug of WarTurn Order: PassTurn Order: Stat-BasedUnit PlacementVariable Phase OrderVariable Player PowersVariable Set-upVariable SetupVictory Point TracksVotingWord AssociationWord GameWord GuessingWord-GuessingWord-guessingWordplayWorker Placement
BoxNo Cover Art
Sails of Glory is a tabletop wargame that simulates naval combat during the Age of Sail. Players take on the role of ship captains, commanding their vessels through intricate battles and strategic maneuvers. The game's goal is to emerge victorious by sinking or capturing enemy ships while protecting one's own fleet.
Gameplay involves a combination of tactical decision-making and luck, as players must balance the need for aggressive action with the risk of taking damage from enemy fire. Each ship has its unique characteristics, such as speed, firepower, and maneuverability, which players must utilize effectively to gain an advantage over their opponents.
One of the key mechanics in Sails of Glory is the use of 'fate' cards, which represent the unpredictable nature of naval combat. These cards can either aid or hinder a player's progress, adding an element of surprise and uncertainty to each battle. Additionally, players must manage their ship's resources, such as ammunition and crew, to ensure they have the means to engage in prolonged combat.
The game's components are highly detailed and accurate, with intricate models of historic ships and beautifully crafted miniatures. This level of realism adds to the immersive experience, allowing players to feel like true naval commanders. Overall, Sails of Glory is a challenging and engaging game that requires strategy, skill, and a bit of luck to master.
m⚖️ 4.0

In Sails of Glory, you take on the role of a naval commander, leading your fleet into battle against the enemy's ships. The goal is to destroy or capture as many enemy vessels as possible while protecting your own ships from damage and destruction. The game features realistic ship designs and detailed miniatures, making it a visually stunning experience for fans of naval warfare and strategy games.
Gameplay involves maneuvering your ships through the waters, using various tactics and abilities to outmaneuver and defeat the enemy. Each ship has its unique strengths and weaknesses, requiring careful planning and execution to emerge victorious.
What sets Sails of Glory apart is its high level of realism and attention to detail, making it a must-have for anyone interested in naval warfare or history. The game also features a wide range of scenarios and campaigns, allowing players to explore different time periods and naval battles throughout history.
2-4 60m⚖️ 3.5

Dive deep into the diverse military might of the Imperium with 'Liber Imperium: The Forces of the Emperor', an essential army book for the 'Warhammer: The Horus Heresy – Age of Darkness' tabletop game. This sourcebook expands the conflict beyond the legendary Space Marine Legions, bringing to the forefront the other loyalist factions who answered directly to the Golden Throne. It meticulously details the armies that stood as the Emperor's personal bulwark against the treachery of his sons. Inside, players will find the rules and lore to command four distinct and powerful forces: the gleaming golden warriors of the Legio Custodes, the Emperor's own companions and praetorian guard; the eerie and formidable Sisters of Silence, the psychic null-maidens tasked with hunting rogue psykers; the countless human soldiers of the Solar Auxilia, the elite spearhead of the Imperial Army; and the shadowy operatives of the Divisio Assassinorum, the Emperor's ultimate sanction against any foe.
'Liber Imperium' provides players with all the tools required to build and field these unique armies, including comprehensive unit profiles, extensive wargear options, special rules, and complete army lists. Each faction offers a completely different strategic experience. The Legio Custodes are a small, hyper-elite force, with each warrior worth a dozen lesser soldiers. The Sisters of Silence provide a powerful and specialized counter to the growing threat of psychic warfare, their mere presence stifling the powers of the warp. The Solar Auxilia allows players to command vast cohorts of disciplined infantry supported by a massive array of tanks and artillery, overwhelming enemies with numbers and firepower. Finally, the Divisio Assassinorum can be included as deadly ancillary units, deploying a single, peerless killer to eliminate a critical enemy character and change the course of the war. The book also outlines crucial allegiance restrictions: the Custodes, Sisters, and Assassins may only fight for the Loyalists, while the versatile Solar Auxilia can be fielded by generals of any allegiance.
For enthusiasts of the Horus Heresy setting, this book is an indispensable treasure. It enriches the game by adding incredible strategic depth and narrative flavor, allowing for battles and campaigns that reflect the true, multifaceted nature of the galactic civil war. It empowers Loyalist players to field the very guardians of Terra, creating thematic and powerful forces centered around the Emperor's most trusted servants. Simultaneously, it presents all players with the opportunity to command the Solar Auxilia, a robust and flexible army that can serve as a primary force or a potent allied contingent. 'Liber Imperium' is more than just a rulebook; it is a gateway to new collecting opportunities, diverse army compositions, and a more complete and engaging experience on the battlefields of the 31st Millennium.
2-8 180m⚖️ 4.2
BoxNo Cover Art
Combat Commander
2006Combat Commander: Europe is a tactical-level board game that recreating infantry combat during the European Theater of World War II. Players take command of different factions—primarily the United States, Germany, and the Soviet Union—controlling squads, leaders, and specialized teams. The primary goal is to achieve victory by accumulating points through the control of strategic objectives on the map, the destruction of enemy units, or by successfully moving units off the opponent's map edge. Unlike many traditional wargames that focus on rigid movement phases, this game captures the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the battlefield, where survival often depends as much on luck and timing as it does on positioning.
At the heart of the game is the Fate Deck, a unique card-driven system that handles every aspect of the simulation. Each card in the deck serves multiple roles: it provides 'Orders' that allow players to move, fire, or recover; it contains 'Actions' that can be played out of turn to react to enemy movements; and it features pre-printed 'Dice Rolls' used for all combat and morale checks. This means that players do not use physical dice; instead, they flip cards to determine outcomes. This system introduces significant 'fog of war' and friction; if a player does not have a 'Fire' card in their hand, their troops simply cannot shoot that turn, simulating a breakdown in communication, jammed weapons, or hesitant soldiers. This mechanic forces players to manage their hand carefully, discarding less useful cards to cycle through the deck in search of the specific commands they need to execute their strategy.
What makes Combat Commander a beloved staple in the wargaming community is its incredible narrative flair and high replayability. Every scenario feels like a unique story unfolding, where a sudden 'Event' triggered by a card flip can change the weather, call in a sniper, or turn a regular soldier into a hero. The game is famous for its 'bursty' nature, where moments of relative calm can suddenly explode into desperate firefights or bayonet charges. Because the terrain is modular and the Fate Deck ensures no two matches play out the same way, the tactical puzzles remain fresh even after dozens of sessions. It moves away from the 'math-heavy' nature of some hex-and-counter games, offering instead a cinematic and emotionally engaging experience that rewards adaptability and risk management over pure calculation.
1-2 120m⚖️ 3.3

RISK G.I. JOE: Special Missions is a high-stakes, thematic reimagining of the classic game of global domination, pivoting the focus from total territorial conquest to precise, mission-driven objectives. In this version, players are thrust into the iconic conflict between the heroic G.I. Joe team and the villainous Cobra organization. Unlike the sprawling, indefinite nature of traditional RISK, this game is structured over three intense rounds, where victory is determined by the accumulation of Objective Points (OP). With 252 detailed miniatures representing the various forces, the game brings the beloved franchise to life on the tabletop, offering a narrative-heavy experience where every move counts toward a larger strategic goal.
The gameplay mechanics introduce a significant twist to the familiar RISK formula. While area control and dice-driven combat remain core elements, players must now prioritize 'Special Missions' and 'Plots' that appear throughout the game. Each faction, whether G.I. Joe or Cobra, has unique tactical objectives that require more than just sheer numbers; they require careful positioning and resource management. Instead of merely trying to wipe an opponent off the map, you might find yourself racing to secure a specific research facility, rescuing a captured operative, or disrupting a global terror plot. This shift creates a much more dynamic board state where players must decide between defending their current holdings or launching a risky strike to secure high-value mission points before the round ends.
Fans of the G.I. Joe universe and tactical board games alike will find plenty to love in this box. The unique appeal lies in the modernization of the RISK engine, making it feel faster, more focused, and significantly more thematic. The three-round limit ensures that the game doesn't overstay its welcome, providing a clear climax and a satisfying sense of progression. It captures the energy of the franchise perfectly, allowing for cinematic moments where a single heroic push can flip the tide of battle. By blending nostalgic flair with a refined objective-based scoring system, RISK G.I. JOE: Special Missions offers a sophisticated mid-weight strategy experience that rewards both tactical flexibility and aggressive maneuvers.
2-4 90m⚖️ 2.6
The Lord of the Rings: The King's Gambit is a monumental board game announcement from Restoration Games, designed to bring the cinematic intensity of Middle-earth to the tabletop. As a spiritual successor to the highly acclaimed Star Wars: The Queen's Gambit, this title reimagines one of the most beloved 'grail games' in history. The game focuses on the climactic final battles of The Return of the King, where the forces of light and shadow engage in a desperate struggle for the future of the world. Players are tasked with managing multiple fronts of war, mirroring the simultaneous conflicts seen in the books and films. The primary goal is to recreate the high-stakes atmosphere of the trilogy’s conclusion, providing fans with a grand, immersive experience that feels both epic in scale and intimate in its strategic depth.
The gameplay is characterized by a multi-tiered board and a large collection of detailed miniatures that represent the iconic heroes and vast legions of the Third Age. Relying on card-driven mechanics, players must navigate 'thrilling decisions' as they decide where to allocate their focus and resources. The game simulates the chaos of massive warfare while maintaining a structured tactical environment. One of the standout features is the way it handles disparate locations—from the siege of the White City to the secret path of the Ringbearer—ensuring that every action on one part of the board can have cascading effects elsewhere. This 'King's Gambit' requires a balance of aggressive military maneuvering and clever management of unique character abilities, capturing the essence of the 'gambit' that defined the strategy of the West.
What truly sets this game apart is its legacy and the passion behind its restoration. By taking the proven foundation of a classic design and infusing it with the rich lore of The Lord of the Rings, the developers have created a product that appeals to both veteran collectors and new enthusiasts. The unique appeal lies in its ability to deliver a 'wargame' feel without the overwhelming complexity of traditional hex-and-counter simulations. It is a visual spectacle that prioritizes narrative flow and dramatic tension, ensuring that every session feels like a unique retelling of the War of the Ring. For those who have long sought the original Queen's Gambit or simply want the definitive Tolkien battle experience, this game promises a masterclass in modern thematic board gaming.
m⚖️ N/A

Partha Wars
2016Dive into the world of Partha Wars, a fantasy wargame where strategy and luck collide. Players take on the roles of commanders, leading their armies to victory in a battle of epic proportions. With a vast array of miniatures at your disposal, each with its unique abilities and attributes, you'll need to carefully plan your tactics and adapt to the ever-changing battlefield.
2-8 120m⚖️ 4.1
BoxNo Cover Art
Star Wars: Rebellion is an epic board game that captures the grand conflict of the Galactic Civil War between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance. Often described as 'Star Wars in a box,' the game tasks players with controlling one of the two factions, each with entirely different victory conditions. The Empire's goal is to scour the galaxy for the hidden Rebel base and destroy it using its massive military might, including Star Destroyers and the dreaded Death Star. Conversely, the Rebel player aims to incite a galaxy-wide uprising by completing objectives and gaining reputation, eventually forcing the Empire to lose its grip on the systems before the secret base can be uncovered. It is a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek on a galactic scale, where the tension builds as the Imperial search narrows.
The gameplay centers around a sophisticated 'Leader' system, where iconic characters like Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Darth Vader, and Grand Moff Tarkin are assigned to missions or used to lead military forces. Each round involves assigning these leaders to various tasks, such as diplomacy to win over neutral systems, sabotage to disrupt enemy production, or military strikes to seize key territories. The game features a unique blend of worker placement and area control; players must decide whether to send a leader on a mission or save them to oppose an opponent's action. Combat involves custom dice and tactical cards, reflecting the thematic strengths of both sides. As the game progresses, players manage resource production across dozens of planets, building everything from TIE fighters to Corellian Corvettes, all while navigating the asymmetric nature of the conflict.
Why do people love Star Wars: Rebellion? It is widely praised for its deep thematic immersion and its ability to create emergent narratives that mirror the original film trilogy. Whether it is Han Solo being captured and frozen in carbonite, or a desperate Rebel fleet launching a last-ditch effort to destroy a Death Star under construction, the game consistently delivers cinematic moments. The asymmetry is perhaps its greatest strength; the Imperial player feels the sheer power and frustration of searching for a needle in a haystack, while the Rebel player experiences the frantic tension of being outnumbered but strategically nimble. With over 150 plastic miniatures and a massive board, it offers a visual spectacle that matches its strategic depth. As noted by reviewers, it doesn't just feature the Star Wars theme—it nails the essence of the franchise, making it a definitive experience for fans and serious hobbyists alike.
2-4 240m⚖️ 3.7
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