The Avid Wargamer

Latest Reviews

MENACE Is the Most Interesting Tactics Game I’ve Played This Year (Even If It Isn’t Quite There Yet)

I’ve only played the demo and a decent chunk of Early Access, not the finished game, so take this as a first impression.

Italians with Ambition: Panzer Corps 2 Frontlines – Cyrenaica Reviewed

Computer Wargame·Review

Hello again, you magnificent grognards! Panzer Corps 2: Frontlines – Cyrenaica turns

Task Force Admiral – Vol. 1: American Carrier Battles – A Wargamer’s First Thoughts

After Action Report·Computer Wargame·Featured·Review

Task Force Admiral is a clear labor of love, even in its

Why I Think Terminator: Dark Fate – Defiance is a Wargame

Computer Wargame·Featured·Review

If you love strategy games but hate the grindy "meta" of RTS,

by Max Chee

Featured·Guide

A Beginner’s Guide to Computer Wargames (2026)

New to computer wargames? Choose your first tactical, operational or strategic game, with practical starting advice and buying links refreshed for 2026.

How to be a Better Armchair General

Top 10 tips for any armchair generals to apply to their wargames to improve their skills.

10 Computer Wargames on Steam: 2026 Buying Update

Ten of my computer wargame picks, with a 2026 buying update covering

Wargaming on a Mac in 2026: Practical Advice and My M1 Experience

Wargaming on a Mac in 2026: Apple silicon, Rosetta, CrossOver and Parallels

John Tiller Wargames in 2026: A WDS Buying Guide

Seven of my John Tiller wargame picks, with 2026 Wargame Design Studio

A Look at MegaMek: 2026 Setup Update

MegaMek in 2026: Java 21 requirements, official downloads, and which package to

On 24 October 1812, flames and cannon thunder engulfed Maloyaroslavets as Kutuzov’s Russians and Napoleon’s weary Grande Armée clashed in savage combat. The town changed hands eight times before burning to ash.

Featured·Military History

Battle of Borodino – Napoleon’s Invasion of Russia

7 September 1812 marks the Battle of Borodino in Napoleon Bonaparte’s Russian invasion when his 86,000 French, German & Polish infantry & 28,000 cavalries defeated Field Marshal Prince Mikhail Kutuzov’s 72,000 Russian

Military History

Battle of Ocaña in the Peninsular War

19 November 1809 marks the Battle of Ocaña in the Peninsular War when Marshal Jean Soult’s 24-27,000 French, Polish & German infantry & 5-6,000 cavalry smashed General Juan Carlos de Aréizaga’s 44-45,000

Computer Wargame·Featured·Review

Combat Mission: Red Thunder – The Rite of Spring (Review)

Combat Mission's take on the Eastern Front is a must-have title for any Eastern Front enthusiast or for anyone who can't sleep at night, knowing their collection is not complete without some

Computer Wargame·Featured

Second Front – A Modern Hex-Based Wargame

Join the fight in Second Front, a World War II turn-based strategy game that combines classic hex-based gameplay with modern graphics. With campaigns based on the Eastern Front's most significant battles, you'll

flamethrower: iwo jima medal of honor recipient and u.s. marine woody williams and his controversial award, Japan's holocaust and the pacific war

Book

Flamethrower by Bryan Mark Rigg

This book tries to be two things. A historical book about the Pacific war during world war two, while also trying to be an autobiography of Woody and an investigation into how

After Action Report·Computer Wargame·Featured

Graviteam Tactics: Pivot Point – AAR (Part 1)

The great maelstrom of death that is the Battle of Stalingrad still rages to the north, sucking up supplies that are a necessity for the tanks to continue their drive for the

Computer Wargame·Featured·Review

WarPlan Pacific – A Road Less Taken

While the original WarPlan concentrated on Europe, the standalone Pacific edition focused primarily on the Pacific War. WarPlan Pacific, developed by Kraken Studios, focuses on the Sino-Japanese conflict. A turn-based IGOUGO mechanism

Featured·Modern Military

Mercenaries Today

Since the 1990s, when more "contractors" have been used in military operations, the role of the mercenary has changed. Beginning in 2000, Ukraine has been one of many places where mercenaries have

Featured·Interview·Wargame Development

An Interview with Jason Petho

Archive context — checked 2 November 2026. This interview was conducted in 2021; the answers and forecasts are preserved as given. Campaign Series: Vietnam has since been released, and its official page

Computer Wargame·Review

Warhammer 40,000 Battlesector – Gore and Spore!

Standing eight feet tall, each Primaris unholstered their bolt rifles and decimated the Tyranids below the cliff. Innards and blood sprayed the already crimson armor of the space marines. It wasn't very

Computer Wargame·Review

Gary Grigsby’s War in the East 2 – The Granddaddy is Back!

Christmas might be over, but there is always one grand old man aside from Santa who wargamers will always welcome into our life. That man would be Gary Grigsby and his elves

Computer Wargame·Review

Field of Glory 2: Medieval – The Cavalry Has Arrived

To my knowledge, there are not that many medieval tactical wargames out there. I can name a few of the top of my head like Total War Medieval 2 and XIII Century.

Computer Wargame·Review

Combat Mission: Shock Force 2 Review – A Major Victory!

My review of Combat Mission: Shock Force 2 on Steam, covering the base game and the three modules I played.

Review

Blocks! Hammer of the Scots Review

Taking a look at Avalon Digital’s Blocks! Hammer of the Scots. Play as Wallace from Braveheart and rebel against the English!

Review

Panzer Corps 2 – Spanish Civil War Review

The Spanish Civil War DLC not only lived up to my expectations, but surpassed them. A campaign for an overlooked conflict, with plenty to get your teeth into.

Review

Command LIVE: Aegean in Flames Review

After being given the great opportunity as my first wargame to review, Command Modern Operations, I was again provided with the chance to review CMO's new DLC, Aegean in Flames! One of

Review

Panzer Corps 2 – A Wargamer’s Review

An in-depth review of Slitherine/Matrix's Panzer Corp 2 computer wargame. It's a must-read for anyone interested in an entry-level beer and pretzel wargame.

Review

Libertad o Muerte! Review

The Avid Wargamer's review of Libertad o Muerte, a computer wargame, depicting the Americas' 19th-century struggle for freedom against Spain.

Review

Carrier Battles 4 Guadalcanal Review

I've been itching for a carrier-based naval wargame for some time. The options out there aren't exactly plenty either. So I can't get picky with what I want to play. Lucky for

After Action Report

AAR: John Tiller’s France 40 – Half Day’s Hard Work

Archive context — checked 2 November 2026. This is the original 2020 after-action report. For the currently sold game and support information, see Wargame Design Studio’s France ’40 page. The match, losses

Book

Dunkirk: Fight to the Last Man by Hugh Sebag-Montefiore — Book Review

Hugh Sebag – Montefiore provides a clear depiction of the weeks leading up from the arrival of the British Expeditionary Forces in France during the phony war up to the last man

Review

Shadow Empire Review – A True 4X Wargame

Ever since I discovered computer wargames, I could not go back to my previous favorite genre, which is 4X. Often 4X games are too simple and give little attention to warfare if

Hearts of Iron 3 vs Hearts of Iron 4Hungary

Computer Wargame·Featured

Battle of the Iron Hearts: Hearts of Iron 3 vs Hearts of Iron 4 with Black Ice Mods

2026 reader update — checked 2 November. This showdown records my experience with Black ICE 10.33 for Hearts of Iron III and the HOI4 1.8.2-era mod. The verdict below belongs to those

Review

Command: Modern Operations Review – Commanding from a Dark Room

Command: Modern Operations is the sequel to Command: Modern Air Naval Operations. Comes with a new sleek-looking dark interface to mimic the atmosphere of a command and control room. Boasting a new

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