Best Wargame Books Of 2018 – The Nominees
2018 was a big year for wargames, with new editions, new games, and old favorites making the seasons bright. Here are the best ones we played this past year.
That’s right, the long days of 2018 drift slowly towards an end that will see us catapulted into the future, because once that 8 becomes a 9, we’re living in the same year that Rick Deckard chased down a batch of Nexus-6 Replicants through the streets and rooftops of Los Angeles, ultimately learning what it is to truly live in fear and perhaps most of all to truly be human.
But while we’re still enjoying a few moments where it isn’t constantly raining, night, or being voiced over by Harrison Ford, let’s take a look back at the year and see what sort of wargame books have left an impact on us. So scroll on, and please, turn that poor tortoise over, it’s baking there in the sun and can’t get away, you monster.
Age of Sigmar Second Edition
Age of Sigmar has been steadily gaining momentum since the first release of the General’s Handbook, and with this years jump into Age of Sigmar, Second Edition–both announced and launched in the span of a few months–Age of Sigmar has its feet firmly underneath it. It feels like they finally hit the right combination of dials, and now they’re dialing them up to 11, the game feels bigger and more epic now than in the past–and this is only the beginning, it feels like.
Vanguard
In a year of Skirmish games, Vanguard manages to stand out, bringing personality and immersion to the world of the Kings of War. It makes the fantasy wargame feel characterful–and in a setting that can be too massive to get a strong grasp on, this is a great way to leverage your first steps into the world of Kings of War.
Vigilus Defiant
A late comer, for sure, but this book heralds a lot of big changes for 40K. It not only ties together about a years’ worth of releases for 8th Edition, but also advances the storyline in a meaningful way. Its new mechanics feel much more solid, and it sets the stage for what’s coming next and gets you excited to play.
Infinity: 3rd Offensive
Speaking of big storyline pushes, Infinity brought a whole heck of a lot down in the 3rd Offensive. With a new book that launched a wave of new Sectorial Armies, including armies that players have been waiting for since the game came out–looking at you, Yu-Jing Invincible Army–this is a massive and exciting step for the Human Sphere.
Adeptus Titanicus
And then there’s Adeptus Titanicus–a game that feels like a return to that classic, complex, fiddly wargame in an era when everyone’s moving towards more streamlined games. And yet it’s complex and tactical but still accessible. It blends old and new design to give you a game that’s as satisfying to play as it is to build the models. With just enough Battletech feel to warm the heart of any mech commander, there’s a lot we love about this game.
Let us know what you think? What did you play this year? What left its mark on your table? Tune in next week for the winners!
