Introduction
There are very few publishers as dedicated to historical strategy games as the acclaimed Avalon Digital, whose main man behind it is Philippe Thibaut, the creator of Europa Universalis. Yes, that Europa Universalis. If you’re a fan of deep, historical wargames that put your strategic skills to the test then you’re in luck, as Avalon Digital is currently running a massive publisher sale on Steam, offering some of its best strategy games at unbeatable prices.
From the brutal urban combat of Stalingrad to the guerrilla warfare of the German East African campaign in World War 1 (a personal favorite of mine), Avalon Digital titles cover a wide range of conflicts and time periods, each providing a unique and compelling challenge for both seasoned wargame veterans and curious newcomers. In all honesty, all of the games in this list are worth your time and money, and in the end, it all comes down to whatever historical subject interests you, so let’s dive into it!
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10 – SGS Battle for Stalingrad
SGS Battle for Stalingrad is the first of the SGS games to feature the moniker of “Battle” on the title, because unlike their more strategic games, Battle of Stalingrad zooms into the iconic battle. This deep historical wargame puts you in command of either German or Soviet forces in one of World War II’s most brutal and decisive urban battles.
As the first title in the SGS Battle series, it offers a “grand tactical” scale, with units representing battalions and regiments instead of divisions, and faithfully attempts to recreate the desperate struggle for the city. Its unique card-driven system adds another layer of strategic unpredictability that can change on every playthrough, where players must interact with historical events, new situations, and thought choices, making every time you boot a scenario a different experience. There are several scenarios, each with different lengths and situations for you to play over, with some ranging from 4 turns, perfect for a short play session, to a massive Stalingrad Grand Campaign where you can play the battle from September to November of 1942.
9 – SGS Taipings
We might have started with the relatively modern battlefield of Stalingrad, but Avalon Digital Games takes players all over the historical timeline. Case in point: SGS Taipings a historical strategy game that takes you to 19th-century China to command vast armies in the bloodiest civil war in Chinese history. Players can choose between leading either the Taiping rebels or the Qing dynasty as they fight to preserve their empire. The game is built on the classic, robust SGS engine and introduces new mechanics, including an economic system where you must manage your income to expand your military.
This is a cool take, and one thing I personally enjoy about SGS and Avalon games is the fact that they are willing to zoom into very particular conflicts that no one else is willing to.
8 – SGS Battle for Shanghai
One of the more recent games to have come out on this list, SGS Battle for Shanghai shines a spotlight on a critical and brutal chapter of World War II that is often overlooked, but has been getting more and more recognition these days: the infamous Battle of Shanghai in 1937. A ferocious urban hellscape that saw the Japanese forces take control of the city and punish the Chinese population after the guns had long ceased to fire.
This historical turn-based game allows you to command either the tenacious Chinese forces or their resistance against the better-trained and better-equipped Imperial Japanese Army. Similar to the Battle of Stalingrad, there are several types of scenarios that range from smaller-scale action to a grand Shanghai Campaign, covering the entirety of the Battle of Shanghai, from August to November 1937. The grand map is massive as well!
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