The Great War
- Players
- 2
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 2 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 60 min
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.7 / 5
- Year
- 2015
About the game
The Great War adapts Richard Borg's Commands & Colors system to bring WWI trench warfare to the tabletop, focusing on historically grounded troop deployments and terrain from real battles. The command card system drives movement, creates fog of war, and presents tactical opportunities, while dice resolve combat quickly. Scale flexes from battle to battle, with some scenarios representing entire wings of a fight and others just a handful of soldiers going over the top. It's built for exactly two players in roughly an hour.
Hobbli's Notes
Hobbli's editorial team rates The Great War as a faithful, accessible entry in the well-loved Commands & Colors family. It captures WWI's grinding trench combat surprisingly well within a lean, dice-driven ruleset. A strong choice for two-player wargaming nights that don't demand a huge time investment.
What we like
- Proven Commands & Colors system makes wargaming accessible.
- Historically grounded WWI trench warfare scenarios.
- Quick combat resolution keeps the pace brisk.
- Expandable line with more theaters planned for the future.
Keep in mind
- Strictly a two-player game, limiting group play.
- Benefits from some prior wargaming familiarity.
- Grid-based combat may feel abstract to non-wargamers.
Who it's for
Great for wargamers and history fans age 12+ looking for a focused two-player experience.
