5. Burden of Command
Burden of Command brilliant blend of narrative RPG and classic John Tiller-style gameplay. As a former 3rd Infantry Division veteran, this game resonates deeply with me, especially after reading the books it draws inspiration from. However, the tutorials are notoriously frustrating and act as a barrier for many players. The Steam forums reflect this criticism, and the developers have shown little interest in revising them—an unfortunate blemish on an otherwise excellent game.
4. SGS: Spain at War
One of the strongest SGS titles ever released. It’s massive, beautiful, and rich with historical nuance. After finishing Antony Beevor’s The Spanish Civil War, I was fully primed to dive into SGS Spain at War. I haven’t logged enough hours for a full review yet, but based on my experience so far, it’s easily one of the best wargames of 2025, and one of the best choices to relieve one of the most important wars of the 20th century.
3. Flashpoint Campaigns: Cold War
The sheer complexity on offer with Flashpoint Campaigns: Cold War makes this one of the most sought-after strategy games of the year. Only Armored Brigade 2 even manages to comes close. While the unit graphics could be better, the modding community helps fill that gap and I can finally have my units looking great, and not just silhouettes. The command options, AI behavior, ROE systems, and overall depth make this a grognard’s dream and a must-buy for serious Cold War enthusiasts.
2. Crusades: Book 1
Both Nuno and I are heavy history readers. Heck, he even earned a degree in History. My bias here comes from being a huge fan of Thomas Asbridge’s definitive work on the Crusades. The operational scale, massive troop movements, and siege warfare surpass Fields of Glory II for me. Wargame Design Studio absolutely nailed the scope, and the updated unit art is stunning. If Nuno hadn’t reviewed Crusades: Book 1 already, I would have jumped on it myself. You can check out his review here.
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