I’ve sold many games over the years, and generally don’t regret those decisions. But there is one set I wish I still had: the Standard Games Outremer, Cry Havoc and Dark Blades games. They were beautifully illustrated hex and counter board games of man-to-man combat. You can learn more on a fan site here. The site has the rules for downloading. With single 15mm or 28mm figures and the now-available hex sheets, you could easily do some very nice games. You also can play the Cyberboard Version.
board game
Airborne In My Pocket
Airborne in My Pocket is a free, downloadable WWII board game:
The night before June 6th, 1944, during Operation Neptune, thousands of Allied troops were parachuted into enemy territory to prepare the Normandy landings. During that crucial night, amid the flashes of German anti-aircraft fire, many paratroopers were scattered a long way from their drop zones as their planes were either destroyed or unable to reach their drop points.
You are among those troopers. But as luck turns out, the winds have blown you directly where you are needed the most! As you were descending, you discovered a terrible sight: the Germans have installed two 24.0 cm Guns in a hidden bunker. Those cannons are set to fire at the beaches of Normandy. You alone can stop them from killing the Allied troops!
During your jump, you lost your equipment bag which contained all your necessary gear. The only thing you have left is your trusted Colt .45 and your ingenuity. As you fold your parachute, you look at your watch: it’s 0700, the landings are starting. Will you have time to sabotage the German battery before they decimate your comrades? All you need are some explosives…
This game started out as a variant of Zombie in my Pocket, but now has become its own game, with Event cards, inside and outside tiles, scenario cards, item tiles and character cards.
ABimP can be simple (Basic Game) or more involving (Scenarios & Campaigns), as the player wishes. Advanced Game and Scenarios allow you to play as American, British, Canadian, French and even German soldiers. And the expansions bring even more variety with alternate cards and locations.
So join the airborne! Fight the enemy! Win the war!
D-Day Dice
D-Day Dice is a free wargame in which
players are soldiers trying to organize improvised units for an attack against the machine gun nest. Each player starts the game with a unit of a few soldiers and nothing else. As the game progresses, he will collect resources and advance on the beach, sector by sector, as his unit grows stronger and deadlier. He will succeed… or die trying.
This game is designed to be played with regular dice (d6), but can also be played with homemade specialty dice. All you need is a score sheet with a small battle map.
D-Day Dice can be played solitaire or multiplayer co-op, where all players play their turn simultaneously (and can even trade dice).
Although built around dice rolling, this game is about resource management (soldiers, specialists, items and courage) and knowing when to move your unit. Resources are kept from turn to turn, so the players can plan ahead (and help each other out).
The first Battle Map is called Bloody Omaha. Other maps include Gold Beach and Utah Beach.
Starcrashers Board Game
Starcrashers is a simple tabletop game of space exploration and combat. The author writes:
Star Crashers is a friendly game for 2-4 players, ages 8 and up. Each turn, players move their spacecraft around the table, exploring by flipping over Blip Counters that could be Space Pirates, Gravity Mines, Derelict Ships, and stranger things! When a player successfully deals with an encounter, they collect Credits as specified in the encounter. Once all the Blip Counters have been revealed and dealt with, the game is over- the player with the most credits wins. You can also try playing teams, pairing up with another player and combining your credits to see which team can earn the most!
Smash Monster Rampage Board and Miniatures Game
Smash Monster Rampage is a print-and-play board game with paper miniatures.
From the author:
The ‘Smash Monster’ is a huge monster, taller than the highest skyscraper, and it’s attacking your city. Mobilise your troops and exterminate the beast before every building becomes a heap of rubble. The victorious task force will score more hits and rescue more survivors than their opponent.
Game Overview
Players compete to rescue survivors and win the most ‘Monster Hit’ cards. The ‘Monster Die’ generates random actions for the Monster making the beast npredictable and dangerous. It sets buildings ablaze, creates devastating quakes and destroys everything in its path. Taking turns to move their Tank and/or Helicopter Units, players get into position to attack the Monster. Win ‘Monster Hit’ cards by successfully firing at the Monster and fulfilling the conditions on the cards. Act fast, if the city is flattened before the Monster is killed, the Monster wins!
Hat Tip to Martyn for the link.