Combat Commander: Europe^*

Combat Commander: Europe is a card-driven tactical game for two from GMT Games, recreating squad-level World War II infantry combat. American, German, and Soviet forces fight for the initiative across a hex map, turn by turn.

What is it about?

Instead of fixed action phases, a single deck of cards drives the whole game. The cards hand out orders, trigger firefights, and throw in random events, from snipers to ammo shortages. That makes every battle tense and unpredictable.

What's in the box

• A range of scenarios with shifting objectives and starting setups
• Cardboard counters for squads, leaders, and weapons
• The namesake Fate deck, the engine behind every action and roll

Who it's for

The game suits tactics fans aged 12 and up who want a dense head-to-head duel. A session runs anywhere from one to three hours depending on the scenario, at a fairly heavy weight. Its art and theme earned Charles S. Roberts Award nominations.

Conclusion

A narrative, white-knuckle wargame where the luck of the draw can wreck the best-laid plan at any moment. If you want clean chess-like logic, the chaos will frustrate you. If you love battlefield stories, this delivers one of the genre's finest experiences.