Front Page Features | Armchair General Magazine

Posted on Feb 28, 2014 in Electronic Games, Front Page Features

Diadochoi Wars – PC Game Review

"Diadochoi Wars" from HPS Simulations stands "head and shoulders" above all other Ancient warfare games, with superb graphics and a fine AI.

Posted on Feb 24, 2014 in Boardgames, Front Page Features

Blocks in the West – Boardgame Review

Block in the West offers a solid system that provides both strategic and tactical nuances, but the rules book definitely needs better editing.

Posted on Feb 17, 2014 in Boardgames, Front Page Features

Command & Colors Napoleonics: Austrian Army – Boardgame Review

The Austrian Army Expansion is a much-needed addition to Command & Colors: Napoleonics; unfortunately, its scenarios are limited to the period 1805â€“1809.

Posted on Feb 12, 2014 in Electronic Games, Front Page Features

Unity of Command: Black Turn – PC Game Review

"Unity of Command: Black Turn" covers the opening months of the 1941 German invasion of the Soviet Union, with mind boggingly large maps, new units and nationalities, and UofC's devilishly clever AI.

Posted on Feb 10, 2014 in Armchair Reading, Front Page Features

What Have Been YOUR Favorite Articles in Armchair General?

The staff of Armchair General magazine, now in its 10th year, wants readers to tell us - what have been some of your favorite Armchair General articles over the years?

Posted on Feb 7, 2014 in Front Page Features, Stuff We Like

G.I. Joe – Still Fighting the Toy Wars at Age 50

Hasbro's G.I. Joe established the action figure as permanent fixture in the world of toys. Joe's turning 50 this year, but he's still fit and ready for action.

Posted on Feb 5, 2014 in Electronic Games, Front Page Features

World of Warplanes – MMO Game Review

"World of Warplanes" features a wide range of historical planes, accessible controls and effective match-making, but at present it is a prime example of unrealized potential.

Posted on Jan 31, 2014 in Front Page Features, War College

The Ogaden War, 1977 – 1978

The Soviet Union was the big winner in a war between Somalia and Ethiopia over the Ogaden, a Nebraska-sized desert region.

Posted on Jan 30, 2014 in Front Page Features, Stuff We Like

Combat Mission Red Thunder Announced

Battlefront is going back to the Eastern Front.

Posted on Jan 28, 2014 in Boardgames, Front Page Features

BCT Command: Kandahar – Boardgame Review

"BCT: Kandahar" is a game that does an excellent job of representing the confusion of modern warfare, as nation states take on loose groups of opposition forces, with a number of unique design features.

Posted on Jan 16, 2014 in Electronic Games, Front Page Features

Ancient Battle Rome – iOS Game Review

The iOS game "Ancient Battle: Rome" proves the clever design can beat bloated, expensive and inaccurate games.

Posted on Jan 13, 2014 in Electronic Games, Front Page Features

Combat Mission: Market Garden – PC Game Review

"Combat Mission: Market Garden" takes the venerable PC game series to history's largest airborne operation, the attempt to seize bridges over the Rhine in 1944.

Posted on Jan 2, 2014 in Electronic Games, Front Page Features

Panzer Corps: Allied Corps – PC Game Review

"Panzer Corps: Allied Corps" lets players take command of Allied units through five campaigns from North Africa until after D-Day. Both an expansion and a standalone, this game focuses only on the Western allies.

Posted on Sep 8, 2008 in Electronic Games, Front Page Features

Kharkov: Disaster on the Donets – PC Game Review

Venerable wargamers SSG and Matrix Games have teamed up for yet another quality wargame with this next chapter in the Kharkov series!

Posted on Mar 28, 2008 in Boardgames, Electronic Games, Front Page Features

Axis & Allies Miniatures: North Africa 1940-1943 – Day 5

Avalon Hill is scheduled to release the latest booster pack, North Africa 1940-1943, for the Axis & Allies Miniatures game today! All this week, Armchair General has published exclusive previews about the units and gameplay, including this last sneak peak. So, what are you waiting for? Read on, then go and buy the game! Axis & Allies Miniatures: North Africa 1940-1943 – Day 5 The new M10 Wolverine tank destroyer is good. Possibly too good. The M10 is featured in the Axis and Allies: North Africa 1940-1943 miniatures set and offers the best counter to Rommel’s PzIV tanks. With a 76.2mm main gun, the M10 has slightly better AT firepower than the Sherman. However, it has less armor and is best used when flanking German tanks. The “Flanking” skill gives the M10 extra dice when attacking the rear armor of an enemy panzer. While flanking, it stands a good chance of destroying a PzIV outright at medium range. At a cost of 19 points, the M10 gets all the benefits and none of the drawbacks...

Posted on Mar 27, 2008 in Boardgames, Electronic Games, Front Page Features

Axis & Allies Miniatures: North Africa 1940-1943 – Day 4

Avalon Hill is scheduled to release the latest booster pack North Africa 1940-1943 for the Axis & Allies Miniatures game on March 28. All this week, leading up to the release day, Armchair General is giving grognards interested in this collectible miniatures combat game an inside preview! We sent our own Paul Glasser under the wire to scope out the new reinforcements to the game, and his reports detail valuable information regarding the new units and maps that are incoming. Read on for his full debriefing, and be sure to report back tomorrow for further details! Axis & Allies Miniatures: North Africa 1940-1943 – Day 4 If they’re lucky enough, players can get their hands on a special promotional version of the new Matilda II tank. The Matilda II is featured in the upcoming North Africa 1940-1943 set for Axis and Allies Miniatures and is available in this month’s Combat Zone promotional kit. Game stores can purchase Combat Zone kits, which include a miniature and stat card. The promotional version includes a special "dazzle" paint job on the mini. Dazzle...

Posted on Mar 26, 2008 in Boardgames, Electronic Games, Front Page Features

Axis & Allies Miniatures: North Africa 1940-1943 – Day 3

Avalon Hill is scheduled to release the latest booster pack North Africa 1940-1943 for the Axis & Allies Miniatures game on March 28. All this week, leading up to the release day, Armchair General is giving grognards interested in this collectible miniatures combat game an inside preview! We sent our own Paul Glasser under the wire to scope out the new reinforcements to the game, and his reports detail valuable information regarding the new units and maps that are incoming. Read on for his full debriefing, and be sure to report back tomorrow for further details! Axis & Allies Miniatures: North Africa 1940-1943 – Day 3 The first new Allied infantry units for Axis and Allies Miniatures: North Africa 1940-1943 have been introduced! French armies will now be able to draw on the elite Alpine infantry. These hardy soldiers will be tough to kill, with a solid 5/5 defense. However, they lack the firepower of other elite units, such as the SS Panzergrenadiers, US Army Rangers or 101st Screaming Eagles. The Alpine troops offer only mediocre attack strength against enemy...

Posted on Mar 25, 2008 in Boardgames, Electronic Games, Front Page Features

Axis & Allies Miniatures: North Africa 1940-1943 – Day 2

Avalon Hill is scheduled to release the latest booster pack North Africa 1940-1943 for the Axis & Allies Miniatures game on March 28. All this week, leading up to the release day, Armchair General is giving grognards interested in this collectible miniatures combat game an inside preview! We sent our own Paul Glasser under the wire to scope out the new reinforcements to the game, and his reports detail valuable information regarding the new units and maps that are incoming. Read on for his full debriefing, and be sure to report back tomorrow for further details! Axis & Allies Miniatures: North Africa 1940-1943 – Day 2 Command tanks are another new element introduced in the North Africa 1940-1943 set for Axis and Allies Miniatures. Two new previews have unveiled the M4 Sherman and PzIV Ausf. H tank commanders, and both units represent a significant increase in cost. A normal M4 only costs 22 points, but the command version soars more than 150 percent, to 33 points. However, it provides two useful abilities, giving a +2 initiative bonus and allowing nearby...

Posted on Mar 24, 2008 in Boardgames, Electronic Games, Front Page Features

Axis & Allies Miniatures: North Africa 1940-1943 – Day 1

Avalon Hill is scheduled to release the latest booster pack North Africa 1940-1943 for the Axis & Allies Miniatures game on March 28. All this week, leading up to the release day, Armchair General is giving grognards interested in this collectible miniatures combat game an inside preview! We sent our own Paul Glasser under the wire to scope out the new reinforcements to the game, and his reports detail valuable information regarding the new units and maps that are incoming. Read on for his full debriefing, and be sure to report back tomorrow for further details! Axis & Allies Miniatures: North Africa 1940-1943 – Day 1 The Axis and Allies Miniatures North Africa 1940-1943 set will offer a variety of new units when it hits the shelves at your local game store on March 28. The set will include 60 new miniatures, and vehicles will be molded to fit the new three-inch scale map hexes. Each week, a new pair of miniatures will be previewed, along with the corresponding stat card. Commanders who enjoy playing scenarios or restricted armies will...

Posted on Mar 22, 2008 in Electronic Games, Front Page Features

Sudden Strike 3: Arms for Victory

Passed Inspection: Graphics upgrade from previous installments, really fun and engaging multiplayer Failed Basic: Almost everything else Sudden Strike 3: Arms for Victory is the latest in this venerable real-time strategy World War Two combat PC game from cdv Software Entertainment USA and Fireglow Games. The rust has been knocked off the surface and a liberal coat of paint and shine applied, which give the now-3D soldiers, vehicles, and maps cause to stand tall over the series’ former 2D graphics. However, while the spit and polish is evident, gamers may quickly wonder where the game’s former spirit and gusto went. Gamers have long been bemoaning the sight of one World War Two game after another on store shelves for some time now. Sudden Strike 3 just may be the signal flare that calls for a much-needed rush to aid or end this genre. For the potentially newly volunteered players of SS3, be advised that this series may be a bit different from other RTS games you’ve experienced. First and foremost, there is no...