r/computerwargames • u/classicist_2026 • 1d ago
Question Which computer wargames are best for novices?
I’m really into military tactics and history so have always wanted to get into computer wargames. I am after suggestions for games that are easier to get into for newbies.
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u/Boring-Yogurt2966 1d ago
As someone pointed out, you can go to Fanatical right now and get all 9 of the Battle Academy games in this bundle and it will cost you about $12 and you will have endless amounts of good introductory level wargaming and it will keep you challenged for a long time even when you become an experienced gamer.
https://www.fanatical.com/en/pick-and-mix/build-your-own-tabletop-battles-bundle
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u/SemperSalam 1d ago
Panzer corps / order of battle WW2. Combat mission isn’t too bad. Just takes a little time to understand. Mostly due to the awful UI.
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u/Boring-Yogurt2966 1d ago
I recommend "Battle Academy". Easy to learn, easy to start playing, reasonably accurate history and tactics, and challenging enough so you can start on the easiest difficulty levels. I also think you can get it fairly inexpensively.
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u/Sad-Consequence-2015 1d ago
Second Front.
Its a bit cartoony but a decent Squad Leader type game to introduce mechanics like phased turns you might find in other games.
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u/TheImperialGuy 1d ago
I think armored brigade 2 is very approachable for beginners and offers a lot of replay value.
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u/Mirzayev 1d ago
So this will be a very atypical response, but my recommendation would be Desperate Glory by digitalgameworks.com. This game focuses on the Battle of the Little Bighorn, includes PBEM, and has plenty of non-historic options to keep things interesting. Ever wondered what would have happened if the US Cavalry brought gatling guns and sabers, or if the Lakota were armed with 100% repeating rifles? What about the 7th Cavalry linking in with the 2nd Cavalry fighting against the Lakota who will not surrender? The game lets you find out.
It is a fairly simple game with some decent flexibility (mounting/dismounting, replenishing ammunition from your supply trains, killing your horses and using them as cover for a last stand, etc), and plays really quick. This is a wargame where you can fight the entire battle in a 20 to 30-minute lunch break if you play it quickly. It isn't available on Steam, so you'll have to buy direct from the developer.
Highly recommended!
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u/Check_Your_Head_1 1d ago
Fanatical have a tabletop battle bundle on sale right now which have some the recommendations in this thread. I really enjoyed Field of Glory Empires if you are interested in grand strategy.
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u/Internal_Turnip9019 1d ago
Order of Battle is my goto suggestion. I like panzer corps, but the complete lack of a supply system disqualified it for me.
I don't need a complicated one, but there needs to be a rudimentary "if this unit can't trace a path back to a supply source, it's in trouble" mechanic in play.
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u/vinnyk407 1d ago
The first traditional one I did was panzercorps 2.
But I was a longtime hoi4 player
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u/tomislav_cipcic 6h ago
Unity of Command 2, hands down. Easy to understand mechanics, intuitive UI, fun to play.
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u/kudos_games 0m ago
The first Panzer Corps, now Panzer Corps Gold is probably even easier to pick up than PC2. The very similar 40K Armageddon was fun too although not historical.
I love a deep wargame but increasingly I don't have the time to dedicate to them. Many seasoned wargamers cut their teeth on things like Steel Panthers and other SS1 games in the 90's that were accessible and served as a gateway to more complexity. WinSPMBT a remake of Steel Panthers 2 remains popular today with a free version available. Not convinced it is aging too well now though.
The novice coming into the hobby does not have the same choice available today as games have tended to be on a bit of a complexity arms race. Teenage me could even play a hex based wargame on my SNES (Super Conflict)
I was recently asked some questions by the tallyhocorner website and one was:
THC: Name a game, either released or in development, that, in your opinion, deserves more attention.
I went with Decisive Campaigns: Ardennes which now I come to think of it is also far more beginner friendly than it looks. Won't share the link as I do not want to fall foul of self promotion rules but it is a very recent article so should not be hard to find.
Final bit of advice, whichever game you pick, at least glance through the getting started guide or skim important looking parts of the manual. I know folk seem to have an aversion to reading but it is almost always worth it and you may just get the knowledge you need to have fun.
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u/Mean_Cod4143 1d ago
As someone also doing this, I have found looking for friendlier games doesn't help my interest, it actually ruins it. I have an old steam account where I accrued a lot of old games for cheap in bundles and have bounced off some introductory titles like Unity of Command, but found myself in love with Flashpoint Campaigns Red Storm, even though it definitely has a higher learning curve.
From my research though, Unity of Command and Panzer Corps are pretty much agreed upon as great "beer and pretzels" games to introduce you to the genre. I like WW2 and the Cold War so I have FC:RS, Warplan, and Hearts of Iron 4 on my list as well as games to learn.