Blitzkrieg

Straight from the Avalon Hill classic shelf, Blitzkrieg is one of those hex-and-counter wargames that transports you right to the start of World War II. Things get serious: five minor countries get caught in the crossfire between the 'Great Blue' and 'Big Red' superpowers in a fierce territorial dispute. You'll command a bit of everything: infantry, armor, artillery, fighter planes, and bombers. Naval action is included but abstracted. The game introduces rules in three levels – basic, advanced, and tournament – with optional rules for those who want to add complexity. The advanced mode adds extra flavor with special unit abilities, supply restrictions, air war, naval invasions, and even commando raids. If you've played other Avalon Hill hex games, you'll feel right at home, as the gameplay is quite similar, making it easier to learn. Unit movement is point-based, and combat is resolved using a combat results table and dice rolls, where the odds ratio is crucial. Defending in difficult terrain like mountains or cities provides an advantage, doubling defensive strength. It was an innovative game in its time, and while some find it can lead to a stalemate in the middle of the map, it's a great choice for two players who enjoy a wargame with a flavor of the Cold War or World War II. The superpower names are just a nod to the printing colors of the era, with no political commentary intended!