Operation Michael

Operation Michael drops you right into the heat of the 1918 'Peace Offensive,' Germany's last-ditch effort to regain the initiative on the Western Front before the full weight of American forces could tip the scales. As part of the renowned Standard Combat Series (SCS), this game shines through its elegant, consistent ruleset, allowing you to focus on what truly matters: your strategy. You aren't just pushing counters; you are maneuvering forces between British and French armies, aiming to isolate the British against the coast while forcing the French back to defend Paris.

The game utilizes the infiltration tactics of the 'Stosstruppen'—the famous German shock troops developed by Oskar von Hutier—to rupture enemy lines, while the Allied player must carefully manage resources and time their tank-led counter-attacks. With a scale of 1.2 miles per hex, you'll command units ranging from regiments to full divisions. The box is packed with a full-color map, 420 cardboard counters, a series rulebook, a scenario book, and 10 distinct scenarios to test your tactical mettle.

The complexity is rated as low by wargame standards, making it an excellent entry point for those wanting to dive into the SCS system without getting bogged down in endless rule exceptions. If you enjoy historical simulations that offer a genuine tactical challenge without feeling like a chore, Operation Michael is a fantastic choice. For solo gamers, the system is surprisingly accommodating, allowing you to test various strategies from both sides of the trench without feeling like you're fighting the game mechanics themselves. It’s a tense, historical experience that rewards smart maneuvering and the efficient use of movement points.