There is a fair plethora of these games available for the PC – though still a lack in comparison to the games available in most other genres…but when it comes to mobile games for use on one’s phone…well, until recently you were out of luck. But then came along Joni Nuutinen with two games in quick succession which have single-handedly turned the corner for Android strategy gaming: Conflicts: Operation Barbarossa and Conflicts: D-Day.

While these games are World War II (a historical period I find to be heavily over-simulated), a wargamer can’t be picky when there is nothing else available in the field. Nuutinen has created an intuitive yet challenging series of games on what appears to be a similar engine and this gives me great hope that over time there will be additional releases in the series and perhaps even in other historical eras.

In Operation Barbarossa one takes command of German forces as they launch the initial invasion into Soviet Russia during World War II. One is able to command a variety of units including reconnaissance groups (able to extend line-of-sight), air fleets (able to bombard enemy units), infantry, special forces (e.g. Waffen-SS), tanks, and mobile units.

Over time units earn experience, suffer fatigue, and gain specific abilities (e.g. better resistance to mud when traveling, or an ability to stand firm after losing a battle rather than retreating from the field). Supply plays a key role in the game and new units and special abilities are doled out based on one’s holdings. At key points in the game one is able to trade Victory Points (VPs) for reinforcements.

The D-Day game is very similar, except one is command Allied forces in this case instead of German forces. The number of units has increased – there are now minesweepers, paratroopers, and so on. The variety of abilities one can secure has expanded (e.g. air support), but overall it is a very similar game with a different scenario.

Both games are challenging, yet intuitive. If you read the instructions you’ll fully understand how to play within a few minutes – or if you are like me, you’ll play first and read later. In either case, it isn’t hard to understand the game – though there are a few nuances you may not pick up on immediately if you don’t read the instructions, for example:

• Resting one’s units is key. Unlike in many other games, new units are somewhat rare, so protecting and replenishing beat down units is extremely important.
• Some resources (like special orders) are applied to a unit but only applicable for that turn, the next turn the unit will be back to normal.
• Partisans will appear and interfere with your supply lines.

The Operation Barbarossa game is available in a lite version.. This is the same as the full version except it provides only a limited number of turns – but more than enough to get a thorough feel for the game. While the games are of significant depth and quality, their price is exceptional and I’d encourage any wargamer to go buy them right now – even if you don’t intend to play them. Supporting Joni and folks like him will ensure that similar games are designed in the future. The price is $2.99 per game! Try and find a quality turn-based strategic/tactical wargame for anywhere near that price!

Here are a few small items I’d like to see Joni work on as he continues to develop these applications:

• The ability to create multiple save games. The games save, but they maintain only one save file at a time. So, you can’t play multiple games simultaneously and even more important, you have to start the game over if you really botch things up.
• The ability to play as either side. Currently it is only possible to play as the Axis in Operation Barbarossa and only as the Allies in D-Day.
• The creation of additional games in other eras – such as the Napoleonic Wars, Civil War, World War I, Vietnam, and Korea.
• The ability to play multiplayer.
• In D-Day when one wins a victory it says that the Germans won, this is small typographical error.
• The ability to undo a move if it does not involve combat. Occasionally I accidentally move a unit and there doesn’t seem to be a way to undo the move.
• The ability to merge combat units rather than resting them.

For those who are interested, here are links to the applications within Android Market:

• Conflicts: Operation Barbarossa (Full Version).
• Conflicts: Operation Barbarossa (Lite/Free Version).
• Conflicts: D-Day (Full Version).

Updated! 12/25/10 – 11:36 P.M.

Around Christmas time several of the major digital download providers offer mega-sales on their games library and various individual developers offer sharp discounts on various games. I’m not a huge gamer – but I do love wargames.

Now, when I speak of [...]]]>

Updated! 12/25/10 – 11:36 P.M.

Around Christmas time several of the major digital download providers offer mega-sales on their games library and various individual developers offer sharp discounts on various games. I’m not a huge gamer – but I do love wargames.

Now, when I speak of wargames I’m using my own definition so let me clarify. By wargames I do not mean:

• First Person Shooters (FPS) – e.g. Combat Arms, Medal of Honor, Call of Duty, Wolfenstein, Halo.
• Real Time Strategy (RTS) – e.g. Company of Heroes, Age of Empires, Warhammer.

I do mean:

• Games that are generally based around historical time periods and the realistic depiction of combat situations during that period.
• Games that emphasize brainpower over finger-clicking power.

These genres can sometimes cross over – for example, Mosby’s Confederacy and Medieval II: Total War both include FPS elements but using a pausable engine that allows for significant strategizing (and also emphasizes unit movement rather than character).

Additionally, even within this narrowed genre I still eschew many games. I’m what is sometimes derogatorily referred to as a “beer & pretzels” (though I don’t like or drink beer) gamer. That is, I’m not a big fan of games that will consume my life in order to play them. I avoid games with maps that are too large or that require me to micromanage every aspect of combat and production – or even be aware of every aspect.

In any case, I’ve created a list of some of the pretty cool wargames that are currently available at steep discounts (and I mean really steep!). Spend $20 and you can have enough games to keep you busy for at least a year (no, I’m not getting paid to say this ).

• Games I own have an asterisk.
• Games I’ve thoroughly enjoyed are bolded.
• Games highest on my “want” list have a plus.

• Steam:
  • X-Com – I know I said historical, but I’m making an exception for X-Com. These games are based on an alien invasion and mankind’s unified response. They offer both strategic and tactical elements and are genre-defining as far as gameplay. They began many years ago and still continue to be one of the most innovative and fascinating series available. $1.69/ea.
  • *Take Command: Second Manassas – Simulates the American Civil War battle of Second Manasses, also known as Second Bull Run. Offers a 3D pausable RTS interface similar to that found in Sid Meier’s Gettysburg or any of the Total War tactical engines. $2.49.
  • *Ironclads: High Seas – Naval combat in 3D. Naval games are a rarity, games simulating 19th century conflict even more so. $2.49.
  • *Ironclads: American Civil War – Created by the same folks as created above. Focuses on Civil War era naval combat. $2.49.
  • *9th Company: Roots of Terror – A real-time strategy game that covers the Russian 9th companies’ fight in Afghanistan back in the day (1970′s). This may be more of a straight-up RTS, but the storyline is so fascinating (and applicable to the current War on Terror) that I had to add it. $2.49.
  • *Mosby’s Confederacy - A fun, replayable, strategic/tactical simulation of Mosby, a famed and feared Conferederate commander, raids and battles during the Civil War. $2.49.
  • *Medieval II: Total War Kingdoms - A great expansion pack for Medieval II: Total War. Adds the New World to the game. Requires Medieval II: Total War to play. $3.74.
  • *Rome: Total War Alexander – An expansion pack adding the Greek conquests of Alexander to the Rome: Total War game. Requires Rome: Total War. $3.74.
  • *Birth of America – A beautiful strategic simulation of the Revolutionary War by AGEOD. I find the map to be too large, beautiful, and detailed for my tastes, but sure to be loved by many. $3.99.
  • *Medieval II: Total War – If you only purchase one game – make it this one. It provides beautiful strategic and tactical simulations, rich cinematic cut-scenes, detailed historical information, and while an amazing game is also an educational experience. – $7.49.
  • *Rome: Total War – Gold – Strategic and tactical simulation of the Roman Empire. $7.49.
  • Rise of Prussia – This game is by AGEOD and probably has too large and beautiful of a map for my likes, but I might have to get it anyways, it sounds so fascinating. $7.49.
• GamersGate
  • *Two Thrones. $0.50.
  • *Crown of the North. $1.48.
  • *Take Command – 2nd Manassas. $2.48.
  • *Rome Total War: Gold Edition. $2.99.
  • *Imperial Glory. $3.48.
  • Entente: WWI Battlefields. RTS. $3.74.
  • *East India Company. $3.74.
  • Combat Mission: Shock Force. $4.98.
  • Crusader Kings. $4.98.
  • Crusaders: Thy Kingdom Come. $4.98.
  • World War 2 Time of Wrath. $5.95.
  • Lords of the Realm 3. $5.99.
  • Civilization IV: Complete. $6.24.
  • Commander: Conquest of the Americas. $7.49.
  • *Medieval II: Total War Gold Edition. $7.46.
  • Squad Assault. $9.98.
  • AGEOD’s American Civil War. $9.99.
  • AGEOD’s Napoleon’s Campaigns. $9.99.
  • AGEOD’s Birth of America II – Wars in America. $9.99.
  • World War One (Paradox). $9.99.
  • +Lionheart King’s Crusade. $14.98.
  • Victoria 2 (Paradox). $19.98.
• Slitherine
  • *Field of Glory – Click on the title of the game and enter the code ‘fog2010′ to receive 50% off!
• Matrix Games
  • Advanced Tactics: World War II (33%) – $26.99.
  • American Civil War – The Blue and The Gray (30%) – $13.99.
  • Battle of Britain II – Wings of Victory (30%) – $13.99.
  • Battlefront (33%) – $33.99.
  • Battles in Italy (32%) – $33.99.
  • Battles in Normandy (32%) – $33.99.^[1]
  • +Campaigns on the Danube 1805 & 1809 (30%) – $13.99.^[2]
  • Carriers at War (32%) – $33.99.
  • Close Combat: Cross of Iron (33%) – $26.99.
  • Close Combat: Modern Tactics (32%) – $20.99.
  • Close Combat: The Longest Day (33%) – $26.99.
  • Close Combat: Wacht am Rhein (33%) – $26.99.
  • Command Ops: Battles from the Bulge (25%) – $59.99.
  • Commander: Europe at War Gold (40%) – $29.99.
  • *Commander: Napoleon at War (40%) – $29.99.
  • Crown of Glory: Emperor’s Edition (32%) – $33.99.
  • Empires in Arms (32%) – $40.99.^[3]
  • Flashpoint Germany (32%) – $23.99.
  • +For Liberty (31%) – $23.99.
  • +Forge of Freedom (32%) – $33.99.
  • Gary Grigsby’s Eagle Day to Bombing of the Reich (32%) – $33.99.
  • +Gary Grigsby’s War Between the States (32%) – $33.99.
  • +Gary Grigsby’s World at War: A World Divided (33%) – $26.99.
  • AGEOD’s Great Invasions (30%) – $13.99.
  • +Guns of August 1914-1918 (31%) – $23.99.^[4]
  • Highway to the Reich (32%) – $33.99.^[5]
  • Hired Guns: The Jagged Edge (30%) – $20.99.
  • Horse and Musket: Volume 1 (30%) – $20.99.^[6]
  • +John Tillers Battleground Civil War (30%) – $20.99.^[7]
  • +John Tillers Battleground Napoleonic Wars (30%) – $20.99.^[8]
  • +John Tillers Campaign Series (31%) – $23.99.^[9]
  • Kharkov: Disaster on the Donets (32%) – $33.99.
  • Korsun Pocket (30%) – $20.99.
  • *Legion Arena: Gold (33%) – $26.99.
  • Napoleon in Italy (33%) – $26.99.^[10]
  • +Norm Koger’s The Operational Art of War III (33%) – $26.99.
  • Officers – The Matrix Edition (30%) – $20.99.
  • Operation Barbarossa – The Struggle for Russia (31%) – $23.99.
  • Panzer Command: Kharkov (33%) – $26.99.
  • Panzer Command: Operation Winter Storm (33%) – $26.99.
  • Steel Panthers: World at War – Generals Edition (33%) – $46.99.
  • Storm Over the Pacific (32%) – $33.99.
  • Tin Soldiers: Alexander the Great (30%) – $20.99.^[11]
  • Tin Soldiers: Julius Caesar (30%) – $20.99.
  • Uncommon Valor (30%) – $20.99.^[12]
  • War in the Pacific (32%) – $40.99.^[13]
  • War in the Pacific – Admirals Edition (33%) – $53.99.
  • War Plan Orange: Dreadnoughts in the Pacific 1922-1930 (31%) – $30.99.^[14]
  • World War II: General Commander (33%) – $26.99.
  • AGEOD’s World War One Gold (33%) – $26.99.
  • WW2: Time of Wrath (30%) – $20.99.^[15]

• Strategy First
  • I just received an email from Strategy First with a coupon for 60% off all games using the coupon code “STRATEGYFAN” – it doesn’t say anywhere I can’t share it, so I’m sharing it…A lot of these games are available elsewhere, but I think a few might be unique to Strategy First…(be sure to look under both Strategy and Simulation).
  • +Combat Mission: Barbarossa to Berlin
  • +Combat Mission: Beyond Overlord
  • G.I. Combat
  • Jagged Alliance 2
  • Stalingrad
  • World War I
  • World War II: Frontline Command
  • Great Invasions
  • *Strategic Command 2: Blitzkrieg
  • 1914 Shells of Fury
  • +Ironclads Anglo Russian War 1865
  • +Ironclads Chincha Islands War 1866
  • +Ironclads Schleswig War 1864
  • Rise of Flight: Iron Cross Edition
  • Steel Fury: Kharkov 1942
• Impulse Driven
  • Crusaders – Thy Kingdom Come – $4.99.
  • World War 2 – Time of Wrath – $4.99.
  • Crusader Kings – $4.99.
  • The Entente – World War I Battlefields – $5.99.
• GOG
  • *Imperial Glory – $2.99.
  • Combat Mission: Beyond Overlord – $4.99.
• Direct2Drive
  • Nothing to see over here…pretty disappointing. 66 titles across all genres on sale.

Did I miss any really good games? I’m going to state, off the bat, that I’m usually not a fan of Paradox, AGEOD games b/c they are too hard-core grognard for me, and of 1C games b/c they are usually too RTS for me…but if you have exceptions that I missed, let me know.

Finally, I’d love to see some of the smaller independent vendors throw up some great deals. For example, Matrix Games doesn’t seem to have anything too exciting going on, nor does Battlefront. Suppose I should surf over to Jeff Lapkoff games and see what he is up to…

{Update: Matrix has some pretty decent deals, Battlefront is still disappointing, Lapkoff’s games are always reasonably priced, but no sales…}

P.S. There is a lot of overlap between Steam and GamersGate, check both before making a purchase – you never know which is going to offer the better price, and oftentimes there is a significant price difference (don’t ask me why – I’m just telling ya the way it is, not why…since they are selling the same game!).

Related articles

• Steve Butts’ Five Favorites of 2010 (escapistmagazine.com)
• PC Game Review: Order of War (geardiary.com)
• Week long PC game sales at Games For Windows Marketplace and GamersGate (news.bigdownload.com)
• American Civil War Cards (socyberty.com)
• Talking About Total War With Mike Simpson (rockpapershotgun.com)

1. ^[1] WWII, from SSG. ↩
2. ^[2] Adanac Command Studies. ↩
3. ^[3] Australian Design Group, 2007 ↩
4. ^[4] Adanac Command Studies. ↩
5. ^[5] From Panther Games, released 2003. ↩
6. ^[6] Boku Strategy Games, 2009. ↩
7. ^[7] Repackaged from the old Talonsoft titles. ↩
8. ^[8] Repackaged from the old Talonsoft titles. ↩
9. ^[9] Includes repackaged WWII Talonsoft titles includes East Front, West Front, and Rising Sun scenarios. ↩
10. ^[10] Hussar Games, 2007. ↩
11. ^[11] Koios Works, 2004. ↩
12. ^[12] This is a Gary Grigsby game originally released in 2002. It covers the Pacific theater at an operational level. ↩
13. ^[13] Gary Grigsby game, 2004. ↩
14. ^[14] Gary Grigsby game. ↩
15. ^[15] Available for $5 through Impulse Driven. ↩