Historic Games

ARES: Miniatures Wargaming System is a complete skirmish-level fantasy game. But it is also much more. The flexibility of the system allows players to use any wargaming miniatures in their collection. Over two dozen sample figures are detailed in this book, but the real strength of ARES is its figure creation system, that encourages players to use their imaginations -- which is the way it should be! Also included is a fully-customizable magic system, providing players with the opportunity to design their own spells for their troops.

Athens & Sparta is a strategic level game of the Peloponnesian War, fought from 431BC to 404BC. This war pitted the wealth and naval power of Athens against the superior army of Sparta. It was a bloody contest, with many heroic triumphs and terrible atrocities. Victory by Sparta ended the Golden Age of Greece.

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Attila features two of the few major battles thearmies of the Hunnic Confederation under King Attila fought against Rome: The Utus against Eastern Rome (The Utus) and the Catalaunian Fields against Western Rome. Gamers have the opportunity to pit the Huns both at their peak at the Utus, and then at somewhat reduced ability at the Catalaunian Fields against the rather different armies of Eastern and Western Rome.

The module includes 140 counters depicting the Huns and other barbarian notables, including the Visigoths, Alans, Burgundians, Franks, Saxons, and Gepids. For the Romans, the Cheiroballistra artillery makes its debut. Attila includes a full size map. Cataphract is required for play.

The Attila module introduces some changes to the Cataphract rules including the elimination of the Size rating and the reassessment of the missile fire effectiveness of the composite bow based on the latest research.In addition, Attila includes special rules to account for the unique style of steppe warfare practiced by the nomadic Huns - the feigned retreat along with rules covering defections and barbarian impetuosity.

Note: To play Attila: Scourge of Rome, you need a copy of Cataphract.

Barons' War covers the two major battles of Simon de Montefort - Lewes and Evesham., providing a new take on a rarely covered period of English history. Interestingly, these battles take place in a unique period of English military history when the long bow had not gained its predominance on the English battlefield and cavalry was still the most lethal weapon in the medieval English arsenal. These two battles are the bookends of Simon's brief period as the power broker of England. Lewes takes place in 1264 and pits Simon with the support from many of the prominent barons against Henry III and his royalist faction. His victory and imprisonment of Henry made him king in all but name The second battle, Evesham, takes place one year later and finds Simon in a weakened condition facing the much more dangerous Prince Edward and the treachery of his own barons. It would be Simon's last battle.

Blood of Noble Men is a historical based board game on the battle of the Alamo. This battle represents the final assault on the Alamo by the Mexican Army following a 13 day siege. The Alamo had approximately 185 defenders. The Mexican assault involved close to 2,000 attackers. The battle started in the pre-dawn morning on the 6th of March, 1836 and was over within 90 minutes with the Alamo compound taken. General Santa Anna ordered that no prisoners were to be taken. "Remember the Alamo" became the rallying cry of the Texas Revolution for the remainder of the campaign.

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Gallia omnia est in partes tres ...

In 58 BC, Gaius Julius Caesar was appointed by the Roman Senate as proconsul for Gaul, for which he was given 4 legions. the ambitious Caesar, a military ingenue, had little idea of how lucky he was going to be -- as he was in usually everything he did -- because, within a short space of a few years, after coming to the rescue of the Gauls against incursions from Germanic tribes to the east, Caesar himself decided to bring the rest of the barbarian tribes under the domain of Republican Rome...and, at the same time, increase his visibility among the Roman people.

From a military point of view it was an immense achievement, one that fueled Roman imperialist feelings like no other war. For the Gauls it meant subjugation. For the gamer, it means six battles of Pure Excitement.

A Great Battles of History Module for Caesar: Conquest of Gaul

Julius Caesar and his Gallic Legions versus the Arverni and other tribes of Gaul, under Vercingetorix. 52 BC.

For those of you who can’t stand someone who wins all the time, here is an opportunity to game one of Julius Caesar’s rare losses. The Battle of Gergovia was Caesar's failed attempt to wipe out the threat of a large Gallic uprising by isolating and defeating a gathering of the Arverni, plus several other Gallic contingents, under their new chieftain, Vercingetorix.

The Ancient World system moves to The Punic Wars, the greatest event in the ancient world and a true turning point in history. Carthage concentrates on Punic events that take place in Carthage/Africa as well as Sicily, with the main scenario being the massive First Punic War. Building on the popular mechanics and systems of Rise of the Roman Republic (Vol I), Carthage includes the full, advances naval system, with galley battles, fleet building ,expanding ports, and everything featured in the unusual, truly naval war that was the First Punic War. In addition, the detailed political systems for both powers, the soul of the game and a set of mechanics that truly puts the players in the heart of ongoing events, are expanded and clarified. With the addition of rules for the Reduction and Repair of city defenses, militia, and the ability of garrisons to Sally, sieges are now more than just sideshows.
No. of Players: 1 - 2

GL Price: £40.49        (RRP is £44.99)

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China: The Middle Kingdom covers the full scope of Chinese history, from its beginnings as a collection of warring feudal states, to the current cold war between China and Taiwan. In this epic game based on the classic Avalon Hill Britannia system, four players each control several factions simultaneously, with each faction having their own objectives and situations, such as conquering certain provinces. The winner is the player who scores the most points by the end of the game. This breathtaking game unfolds on an illustrated map of China with 456 counters, covering 50 separate countries and peoples, including all of the major dynasties of Chinese history, the arrival of the European powers, both World Wars and the Japanese invasion, right up to the end of the civil war between the Communists and the Nationalists. The game occurs over 24 turns, starting from 403 BC, during the "Warring States" period as China begins to rise from its feudal age. The game has two shorter campaign scenarios covering the first half and second half of the full campaign game.

Battles between armies can be dramatically affected by the presence of mountains, emperors, heroes, new inventions, and even the Great Wall. Rebellions, barbarian invasions, and uprisings may spring up from anywhere, and signal the end of one dynasty and the birth of a new dynasty. Diplomacy is as important as military strength. Each player continually must defend against multiple enemies on multiple fronts.

Commands & Colors: Ancients allows you to re-fight epic battles of the ancient world. Here the focus is on the two rivals for power in the Western Mediterranean – Carthage and Rome. Will you, as Hannibal, triumph over larger Roman armies; or as Scipio Africanus, will you beat Hannibal with newer tactics of your own?

Units in both armies can only move and fight when ordered. The command playing cards supply those orders, providing an element of luck that creates a fog of war and presents players with both challenges and opportunities. You must maximize your opportunities by playing your command cards judiciously. How well you handle the diverse units, their weapons, and the terrain, will determine victory.

Commands & Colors: Ancients contains the battles of Akragas, Crimissos River, Ticinus River, Lake Trasimenus, Cannae, Dertosa, Castulo, Baecula, Ilipa, and Zama.

The Greeks & Eastern Kingdoms is the first expansion to Commands & Colors: Ancients. The armies of Philip, Alexander and the Successors meet the hosts of Persians, Scythians and Indians to the east. In this expansion, you will find historical scenarios that focus on the hoplites of classical Greece fighting off the invading Persian army at Marathon and Plataea; epic battles from the Peloponnesian War, the rise of Macedon and Alexander's battles of Gaugamela, Issus and Granicus against the Persians; and battles involving Alexander's successors. With your Greeks you will be able to turn west and battle the Carthaginians in Sicily, or as King Pyrrhus at Heraclea and Ausculum, battle the Romans.

In this first expansion, we showcase over 20 scenarios (the package includes over 300 new unit blocks and stickers you need to fight out these battles). Now, that is a lot of history, but we can do this because Commands & Colors: Ancients is, by design, a unique historical game system that will allow players to effectively portray stylized Ancient battles that play to a conclusion in less than an hour.

The battle dice resolve combat quickly and the command cards provide an element of luck that creates a fog of war and presents players with both challenges and opportunities for victory. Yet the tactics you need to execute conform remarkably well to the advantages and limitations inherent to the various Ancient units, their weapons, terrain and the history.

Friends, Romans and countrymen lend me your ears…

Some of you have already discovered that Commands & Colors: Ancients is much more than a game. It is an expandable game system that allows players to fight historical Ancient battles.

Imperial Rome and The Barbarians is the second expansion to Commands & Colors: Ancients. In this second expansion you will find historical battles that focus on Rome and the early Gallic invasion, invasion of the Northmen, the Servile War (Spartacus), Caesar's conquest of Gaul, the Roman Civil Wars and much more.

Showcased in the second expansion, are over 20 scenarios that range from 390 BC (Allia River) to 9 AD (Teutoburger Wald), and all the blocks and labels you need to field the Roman and Barbarian forces to fight out these battles. By now, you know we can do this, because Commands & Colors: Ancients by design is a unique historical game system that allows players to effectively portray stylized Ancient battles that play to a conclusion in less than an hour.

Imperial Rome and The Barbarians will feature at least one new unit type as well as several "specialty" units and leaders (Briton Chariots, Legionaries using the pilum, and Caesar, for example). Each of these operates within the confines of the original system rules, with only slight modifications to reflect their historical abilities and importance. So, rules-wise, if you've played Commands & Colors: Ancients, you'll have no trouble at all learning the few special rules for these new types of units.

The battle dice resolve combat quickly and the Command cards provide an element of luck that creates a fog of war and presents players with both challenges and opportunities for victory. Yet the tactics you need to execute conform remarkably well to the advantages and limitations inherent to the various Ancient units, their weapons, terrain and the history.

ALEA JACTA EST! (The die is cast - a phrase near and dear to wargamers). Julius Caesar spoke this phrase as his legions crossed the Rubicon, sparking the Second Roman Civil War. Leading the most capable combat-hardened veteran legions in the Roman Army, Caesar set out to subdue his numerically superior opponents - and succeeded!

The Roman Civil Wars is the third expansion to Commands & Colors: Ancients. In this expansion you will find historical battles that focus not only on the most famous of the Civil Wars, but also the earlier First Civil War, and the Sertorian War in Spain where Quintus Sertorius, a gifted soldier-in-exile, defeated several larger Roman armies sent against him, until killed in 72 BC by assassins.

Expansion #3: The Roman Civil Wars will provide all the gray and red blocks and stickers needed to field two full opposing Roman armies when combined with the gray Republican Roman army from Commands & Colors: Ancients, and the red Marian Roman army from Expansion #2: Rome and the Barbarians. There will be at least 16 scenarios that range from 82 BC (Aesis River) to the Battle of Munda in 45 BC.

The Roman Civil Wars will feature familiar units with new capabilities. The Roman legions have evolved into the deadly fighting units of legend. In terms of Commands and Colors performance, the medium infantry units (representing less experienced legions) and heavy infantry units (representing the veteran legions) will now be able to move two hexes without engaging in close combat, or still move one hex and have close combat (as well as throwing their pilum - a capability acquired in Expansion #2: Rome and the Barbarians). You will be able to fight battles with medium and heavy infantry as you have never fought them before!

Rules-wise, if you've played Commands & Colors: Ancients, you'll have no trouble at all learning the few special rules for these legionary infantry units, for the basic mechanics remain unchanged. The battle dice resolve combat quickly and the Command cards provide an element of luck that creates a fog of war and presents players with both challenges and opportunities for victory. Yet the tactics you need to execute conform remarkably well to the advantages and limitations inherent to the various Ancient units, their weapons, terrain and the history.

But that's not all... GMT is also going to include another mounted mapboard in Expansion #3, configured to be mated to the mounted board from Expansion #2. In addition the Commands & Colors: Epic Ancients new Command rules for fighting large-scale historical battles will provide those of you interested in fighting truly large-scale, multi-player, ancient battles the perfect and unique opportunity to do so with a number of your friends.

ARRIBA ESPANA!: a simulation game on the Spanish Civil War of 1936-9. The game is for two players, one representing the left-wing coalition government of the Spanish Republic (the Government Player), and the other the alliance of right-wing forces that rose in revolt against it (the Rebel Player). This game is packaged in a protective metal tin and includes a full color map, 280 color die-cut counters, two 6-sided dice, a rulebook and reference cards.

The Marcher Lords is a simulation of the Norman conquest of Wales in the 11th century. Players assume command of Norman earls or their Welsh foes, and then make the decisions that will determine the course of the war. To be successful, the Normans must fortify their conquests by building castles and then hold out against Welsh counterattacks, Viking raiders, and various other threats.

The Legacy of Hastings

In many ways, the famous Battle of Hastings in 1066 was just the beginning of a lengthy series of battles for the Normans, who had many challenges awaiting them in the British Isles. In order to secure the Welsh border, William the Conqueror (newly crowned King of England) established loyal Norman nobles in strongly garrisoned earldoms along the frontier. What followed were decades of warfare and diplomacy as these "Marcher Lords" sought to extend their domains by subjugating the stubbornly independent Welsh.

BYZANTIUM REBORN is a simulation game on the Greek-Türkish War of 1920-22. The game is for two players, one representing the Kingdom of Greece and its allies (the Greek player), and the other the insurgent nationalist forces of Mustapha Kemal who opposed the Greek invasion (the Türkish player).

Whose "great idea" will shape the modern Near East? Now you can make the decision by playing Byzantium Reborn!

In the period immediately following the American Civil War, a group of Irish-Americans known as the Fenians conceived of a bold plan that they hoped would result in freedom for Ireland. A volunteer army, comprised mainly of hardened Civil War veterans, was established for the purpose of an invasion of Canada. The Fenians reasoned that territory seized from British controlled Canada could be bartered for Irish independence. Army of Ireland is a tactical level recreation of the historically significant Battle of Ridgeway, where encroaching Fenians clashed with spirited Canadian militia in what is now Ontario. Colorful counters, a detailed hexmap, and other components provide everything needed to refight this conflict which was to have a profound influence on Canadian history.

Crusader Rex is a game of the 3rd Crusade. One Player plays the Christian Franks, the other, the Muslim Saracens. The objective of the game is to control important Victory Cities such as Jerusalem, Acre, Damascus, and Antioch.

The board depicts the Middle East from Antioch in the north to Egypt in the south.

The Great Battles of History series is back with The Devil's Horsemen, an examination of the military tactics of steppe tribe warfare, as immortalized by the mighty armies of Genghis Khan and the Mongols. The game focuses on cavalry and archery action, featuring mounted archers of exceptional skill. The Devil's Horsemen depicts the four major battles of the era - The Indus, The Kalka, Liegnitz and Ayn Jalut.

The Devil's Horsemen features basic rules for both regular and SimpleGBoH play. The rules bring the system into full flower of mounted archery, with a detailed, augmented set of archery and cavalry mechanics that include various types of Shower Fire (as opposed to plain Volley Fire), Impetuosity and Aggression, Feigned Retreat, Harass and Disperse tactics, and Rally to Standards, with the various armies and units being rated for their ability to use these.

A Great Battles of History Module for Devil's Horsemen

Mansourah (The Army of the Seventh Crusade, under King (Saint) Louis IX, vs. the Abbuyid Sultanate of Egypt, under Emir Fakr-ed-din ... Egypt, February 8, 1250)

(2nd) Homs (The Mongols of the Ilkhan Horde, under Ketbugha, vs. The Mamluks , under Sultan Qutuz … Syria, October 29, 1281

In the year 431BC, the Greek world was dominated by the Athenian Empire, due to their naval supremacy of the Aegean. Only the Spartans dared to challenge their might through the strength of their unsurpassed hoplite troops. The result was a 30-year conflict that ended in the destruction of Greek dominance in the ancient world.

Two to four players use military force and political influence in their struggle to control the city-states of ancient Greece. Playing time ranges from 4-10 hours for short scenarios, to 20+ hours for the full campaign game, as players mobilize forces four times a year, and deploy them three times each season. As the leader of the Athenian Empire, can you save Athens' glory from the Spartan onslaught? As the leader of the Peloponnesian League, can you free Greece from Athenian tyranny without destroying it in the process?

Players have a full range of strategic options, including sieges, constructing and destroying fortifications, razing enemy cities, foraging and raiding. Event Cards provide both random events (such as storms at sea, bad omens, the crippling plague at Athens, etc.) and strategic targets (city betrayals, rebellion of Athenian regions, Persian support, the Sicilian Expedition, among others).

It's 1936. While the rest of Europe is about to be hurled into a devastating era, a longstanding conflict in Spain begins to boil over into a bloody civil war. Unusual alliances form as Anarchists, Fascists, Communists, Monarchists, Arabs, Germans and Italians all take part in the division of the Iberian Peninsula. The events in Spain set the stage for what later played out in World War II, and whether you defeat the brutal fascist Franco or solidify his power, this is your chance to rewrite an important piece of world history…España 1936!

In this game, players deploy troops and other resources, channel wily generals, and use foreign allies to control major regions of Spain. Everything happens while event cards simulate a clock pushing the game toward 1939. Both beginner and expert gamers will enjoy the complexity and pace of the game while learning about this important period in Spanish and world history.

The Spanish Civil War, July 1936 to April 1939

In 1914 the great European powers cherished the grand illusion that the "next war" would be short and relatively bloodless. Given the vast increases in army size and the lethality of machine guns and rapid-fire artillery, realistically, nothing could have prevented the horrific loss of life. But what of a short, decisive victory - was that out of reach?

Grand Illusion is a simulation of the opening campaigns of WWI in the west. The German Schlieffen Plan called for a gigantic scythe through neutral Belgium into Northwest France, to envelop Paris and the French armies from the west, and was designed to end the war in one blow. It failed, and was followed by the Race to the Sea in which the Allied armies and the German forces made repeated attempts to outflank one another, until halted by arrival at the English Channel. As both sides dug in, a last German attempt to break through the British lines at Ypres was narrowly repulsed, and the war settled into a trench stalemate not to be broken for another four years. Can you avoid the bloddy deadlock of 1914 and beyond?