Flying Colors - man, I've loved this game! It's an Age of Sail game that's optimized for fleet action -- each player would be a division admiral rather than a ship caption -- so it feels fast and interesting. I've played multiple times solo, played one scenario with Lee and Rich, and did about half a scenario with Merv, Shawn, and Roger. Would be willing to play smaller scenarios all the way up to a massive mega game like Trafalgar if their's interest. Also have the sequel, which adds card driven dynamics.
Buffalo Wings It's the starter set for the Fighting Wings system of hex-and-counter tactical air games. Not card driven or gimmicky - it comes down to what moves you make to see how well you set up your shot. Each player takes an aircraft and flies as part of the squadron to try to achieve scenario goals. The "Buffalo Wings" title comes from the focus on Finnish Brewsters that reamed the Soviets after the first outbreak of war. Combat Commander Just learning this one, which I bought on sale for a can't turn it down price. It's tactical scale and tries to recreate the chaos of war by being completely card driven....all combat, movement, and special events are determined by what cards you draw and especially how you play your hand. If you're a control freak, not the game for you - it puts a premium on improvising to do what you can with what's available, even if it's not what you had planned at game's beginning. Still shrinkwrapped - The Dark Valley - an eastfront game that I'm really interested in trying out, when I catch up with other stuff. Quoting from description: "The game uses a random chit draw activation system. Chits include Move, Combat, Panzer Army activation, Soviet Counterattack and Deep Battle. The exact chit mix depends on the year, the weather, and to a degree, player's choice. There is also a Logistics chit so that when to check supply is variable each turn. The Germans draw supply from depots that move (by die roll) a variable amount each turn, but may use Panzer HQs to extend supply." Unpredictability and improvisation, and managing limited resources seem to be a trend for me.... still shrinkwrapped - Fighting Formations- Grossdeutchland Motorized Infantry Division Another tactical game, listing for $80 that I grabbed at $18. From what I've read, this one adds a orders matrix, so when a player performs high value actions it increases the likelihood that initiative will shift to the opponent. In other words, if I chose to do low value things like resupply, move units that are out of contact, etc I get to keep doing stuff; but if I go for broke and order a formation to assault then the opponent is going to respond...and the kind of orders he responds with determine how fast it swings back to me. A whole meta level of flexibility and tactics.
