7 – Cauldrons of War – Barbarossa
For soon-to-be wargamers who are captivated by the epic scope of the Eastern Front but intimidated by its complexity, Cauldrons of War – Barbarossa is a revelation. I was indecisive whether I should put Cauldrons of War or Unity of Command 2 in here, but given the fact that Unity of Command 2 is everywhere, I think this unique wargame deserves some attention. Cauldrons of War – Barbarossa discards the traditional hex grid for a new, abstract operational system that focuses on high-level command decisions. You won’t be moving individual tank brigades, or infantry divisions, but rather orchestrating entire army groups and fronts, managing limited, crucial resources like command points and supply in a very abstract way. This streamlined approach allows players to grasp the grand strategic challenges of a campaign like Operation Barbarossa without getting lost in micromanagement, making it a perfect starting point for learning what it feels like to be a high-level commander in a serious historical conflict.
Besides all of that, a single game of Cauldrons of War can be played in a single seating, so it’s a far cry from other, way more complex games that tackle the same front at a level of detail on the opposite end of the spectrum, like Wargame Design Studio titles or Gary Grigby’s War In The East 2.
6 – Scramble: Battle of Britain
I would love to tell you there’s a simple and easy-to-get-into flight-sim out there, but aside from War Thunder, I think not. So, if you’re looking for a strategic approach to air combat, but it always sounded a bit daunting, fear not, for Scramble: Battle of Britain offers a unique and highly accessible entry point. This turn-based tactical dogfighting game brilliantly breaks down the high-speed chaos of a WWII air battle into a digestible “plan, simulate, and review” cycle. New players can take their time in the planning phase, plotting maneuvers and positioning their squadron, before watching the action unfold in a stunning 3D replay. This system removes the need for twitch reflexes and focuses entirely on the strategic decisions, allowing beginners to truly learn the fundamentals of air combat tactics like energy management and positioning without the pressure of a real-time simulation.
It’s a great way to learn air combat and can be a cool stepping stone for players who want to evolve into real-time flight-sims like IL-2. Scramble: Battle of Britain is still in Early Access and in active development, with an excellent roadmap ahead, filled with potential, with new planes and missions coming soon, as well as a campaign.
5 – Ultimate General: Civil War
Let’s explore the American Civil War, another fan-favorite conflict to simulate in the wargaming circle. I would say that for players who love historical strategy but are looking for a more hands-on, tactical experience of the seminal conflict, Ultimate General: Civil War is the perfect starting point. This game masterfully combines a grand campaign, where you manage your army’s resources and progression, with real-time battles that feel incredibly authentic, very fluid, and with a lot of movement, and the game also packs quite a cinematic flair due to its beautiful hand-painted art style. See the trailer above for that!
The controls are intuitive, allowing you to easily maneuver brigades by drawing the precise path you want them to follow on the map, set up flanking attacks, and manage morale and ammunition supply without a steep learning curve (there’s literally a bar for each). The game’s dynamic campaign means your decisions matter—veteran units gain experience, and the size and composition of your army carry over from battle to battle. It’s an accessible yet deeply rewarding game that puts you in the boots of a Civil War general, making every decision from the battlefield to the war room feel impactful.
If you really want to dig deeper into the American Civil War, I can also advise you to play the first game of the Ultimate General series, Ultimate General: Gettysburg, which zooms into the battle, offering players dozens of historical and what-if scenarios. It’s one of my favorite games of all time, and one of the first that led me into this hobby of historical wargames.
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