Anticipation is a powerful feeling. It is what we feel when we look forward to something we care about. It could be a vacation, a sports game, or a day off. That waiting keeps our minds focused on the hope that something good is coming. I feel this every year when I think about the new wargames we will get to play. Some of these games we have been waiting on for a long time. Sometimes we wait for years.

Every year since 2018, I have shared a list of my most wanted wargames for the next year. The list has changed in size over time. In 2018, I listed 11 games. In 2019 and 2020, it grew to 12 games. In 2021, it went up to 18 games. Then, for the next few years, I settled on 10 games. Last year, I listed 11 games. This year, I cannot help myself. I am going to list 15 games that I am looking forward to. If you missed my list from last year, you can go back and read it.

I want to say something about the games on this list. Some of you might not think they are wargames. To me, the terms “historical games” and “wargames” are close together. I think of a quote that says war is just politics by other means. To me, a wargame is a big category. It is not just games with hexes, counters, and combat tables. I really like those things. But a game can be a wargame even without them. That is a debate for another time. Once you read this list, I expect you to have comments and questions. I actually look forward to reading what you have to say. So, sit back and get ready to see some games you might want to play.

Battle Commander: Volume I – Napoleon’s Italian Campaigns

I have been watching this game for a couple of years. It had a very successful campaign in late 2024. I like how the game looks and how it seems to play. The designer, Carl Paradis, has made good games before. I really enjoyed his No Retreat Series. This is another game about Napoleon, and I need that in my life. I am very excited for it. This game is at the Brigade and Division level. It is supposed to be easy to play. There is no waiting around for your turn. There are no hard math problems to solve.

The game is being published by Sound of Drums. This means the box will be very nice. It is a big box. The maps are two-sided and mounted. They fold only one time. The game pieces are painted on wood blocks. They are different shapes. You do not have to put on any stickers. There are only a few dozen blocks per side. There are no dice. There are almost no markers. The focus is on playing the game.

The main part of the game is a deck of event cards. These cards handle the combat results. They also do the jobs that dice usually do. There is a cube-pull system. This handles when units move. It also handles the end of the turn. This is when fighting and rallying happens. It is a very detailed system. The whole game has a look like an old military map. The art style is from the Napoleonic time. Moving units on the board feels different from other Napoleonic games.

From the game page, we read the following:

Battle Commander wants to recreate historical battles from the 18th and 19th centuries. It has a new system that focuses on two things: making command decisions and being easy to play.

In Volume I, you are the Army Commander in six battles from Napoleon’s two Italian campaigns. Volume II will cover other fights, including Austerlitz and the Battle of the Pyramids.

In Battle Commander, you fight the chaos of battle. You make big decisions, not small ones. That is the job of your lower officers! Playing cards well is important for success. But this is not just a card game. It is a game that uses cards to help you.

Cube-pull activation is used to manage game phases like movement, combat, and rallying. Cards are used for the combat system and events. This allows for many possibilities and makes it good for solo play. No dice, no hard math, no markers, no waiting for your turn!

A persona card represents each Commander. It shows his special abilities and your army’s resources. The Subordinate Leaders are also on cards with many uses.

Morale and troop skill are a core mechanic. Making the enemy lose morale helps you win. Armies get worse as they fight until they break. Casualties are easy to manage. The game looks like a real battlefield. You have fewer pieces than you might think, like a game of Chess. You can see the whole situation quickly.

This game looks very interesting! Carl Paradis is a good designer. We have played his No Retreat! games and liked them a lot.

We posted an interview with the designer Carl Paradis on the blog. You can read that if you look for it. If you are interested in Battle Commander Volume I: Napoleon’s Italian Campaigns, you can still back the game. I am very sure that Battle Commander Volume I will come out this year. I am really looking forward to playing it.

Valiant Defense Series Volume V: Guadalcanal: The Battle for Henderson Field, Oct 23-26, 1942

The Valiant Defense Series was started by David Thompson. It has been one of my favorite solo wargame series for the last 8 years. Each game in the series covers a specific situation. They always have fun rules and great art. Now, a new designer named Vincent Cooper is taking over the series. He has been working on Guadalcanal for a few years. It had a successful Kickstarter in 2024.

From the game page, we read the following:

Valiant Defense Series Volume V: Guadalcanal: The Battle for Henderson Field (Oct 23-26, 1942) from Dan Verssen Games is a solo wargame. You command US forces defending a fixed area against waves of Japanese troops. It focuses on a four-day battle. It uses cards to drive the computer opponent, similar to Pavlov’s House.

You will command the 1st Marine Division and the 164th Infantry Regiment. You defend the Lunga perimeter against the Japanese 17th Army. Like Pavlov’s House, you manage many layers of defense. This includes the Cactus Air Force and supply lines. The game focuses on the “Night” setting of the jungle war. It uses special cards to show Japanese troops moving through the plants toward your area.

This started about 3 and a half years ago. I first played Pavlov’s House. I say I played it. I played for about 10 minutes. Then I sat there in shock at how good the game was! By the time I finished, I had two ideas for new games. I contacted DVG to see if they were interested. They put me in touch with David Thompson. I did not think it would work. He did not know me.

But I tried anyway. David is one of the nicest people you can meet. After some talking, the idea for Guadalcanal was born.

Art by the very talented Nils Johansson.

Thank you to all the play testers. Much more is coming from our design team soon!

We posted an interview with the designer Vincent Cooper on the blog. You can find it if you look for it. If you are interested in Valiant Defense Series Volume V: Guadalcanal, you can pre-order the game for $60.00.

The most recent update says the game was sent to the printer in December 2025. This process can take months. So, my guess is that it will ship in the spring, probably around April.

Volume II Civil War Heritage Series – Army of the Potomac: Campaigns of 1862 & 1864

A few years ago, Mark Herman made a simple American Civil War game called Gettysburg. That game became the start of his new Civil War Heritage Series. The first game was Rebel Fury. It focused on five battles. He has been working on the next game, and we will finally get it with Army of the Potomac.

From the game page, we read the following:

Army of the Potomac: Campaigns of 1862 & 1864 is the second game in the Civil War Heritage Series. It follows the acclaimed Rebel Fury. Army of the Potomac uses the same rules as Rebel Fury. If you know Rebel Fury, you can start playing right away. Each battle in Army of the Potomac sets up fast and plays fast. The game is very interactive. There are not too many counters. This lets you see the big picture of the battle.

Army of the Potomac covers the battles of Spotsylvania II, North Anna River, and Cold Harbor. It also covers the entire Seven Days battle. This is McClellan vs. Lee. It includes the start, Seven Pines, which is McClellan vs. Johnson. When Johnson was hurt, Lee took command of the Army of Northern Virginia. Each battle puts you in charge.

I am very happy to see this game come out. I have been waiting for it. The rules are simple, but the game has depth. It is good for people who want a quick battle. You do not need to play for hours to finish. The game shows the feel of the Civil War. The battles are important ones. I think this will be a great game for my collection.

This game is from GMT Games. They make high-quality games. I am sure this will be a good product. I look forward to setting up the map and moving the counters. The battles in this box are from 1862 and 1864. These were very hard years for the Army of the Potomac. Now you can try to change history.