The March of Progress is a fantastic surprise for those looking for a fast, strategic wargame for two players. The simultaneous card system creates a constant mental duel, where knowing when to score is just as important as movement on the board. It's perfect for those who want to feel the weight of history without spending hours setting up the game.
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Highlights
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Clever card-driven mechanics
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Highly portable and fast
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Five distinct historical scenarios
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Strategic depth in 30 mins
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Keep in mind
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Relies on a good opponent
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Might feel a bit abstract
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Ever thought about traveling through centuries of military conflict without needing a massive table or hours of setup? The March of Progress is exactly that. As a true pocket wargame, it pits you and your opponent against each other to control territories using a clever card-driven system. The premise is straightforward: you have a hand of eight action cards, ranging from recruitment to decisive attacks, and you must choose which one to play simultaneously with your rival. The real hook here is the card management; played cards stay in the discard pile and only return to your hand when you decide to play your scoring card, creating a tense game flow where timing is everything.
The game shines due to its versatility. It comes with an introductory scenario focused on the Thirty Years' War, perfect for learning the basics. But the fun doesn't stop there: the package includes four additional historical scenarios covering everything from the Age of Marlborough and the Napoleonic Wars to the two major world conflicts of the 20th century. Each scenario tweaks the rules and setup, ensuring the experience never feels repetitive. It's the kind of game that fits in your pocket but delivers surprising strategic depth for just 30 minutes of play. If you like the idea of simulating major historical events without the weight of traditional wargames, this title from the Pocket Campaigns series is a gem. It's a constant duel of "who bluffs better" and "who knows the right time to score," keeping the adrenaline high from start to finish.
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Gallery
Box and component photos
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Country: FranceDigital Implementations: TabletopiaMechanism: Campaign GamesPlayers: Two-Player Only GamesPlayers: Wargames with Rules Supporting Only Two PlayersSeries: Pocket Campaigns (Surprised Stare Games)
businessPublisherSurprised Stare Games Ltd, 2Tomatoes Games, Frosted Games
editDesignerAlan Paull
paletteArtistKlemens Franz
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Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
645owners
100wishlist
14want to play
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
6 questions
How many players can play? expand_more
The game is strictly for 2 players.
How long does a game last? expand_more
On average, 30 minutes per scenario.
Is it hard to learn? expand_more
Not at all, with a weight of 2.12/5, it's quite accessible for those familiar with basic wargames.
Which scenarios are included? expand_more
Thirty Years' War, Age of Marlborough, Napoleonic Wars, WWI, and WWII.
Does it require much table space? expand_more
No, being a pocket game, it is very compact.
Are cards discarded forever? expand_more
No, you retrieve all your played cards when you use your scoring card.
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