General Orders: World War II^*

General Orders: World War II is a compact two-player wargame for ages 14 and up. In about 30 minutes two commanders fight a tug of war over a battlefield, set either in the mountains of Italy or the islands of the Pacific.

What's it about?

Two commanders vie for control of key strategic positions. Seize the right points and you unlock special abilities while denying them to your rival. All the while you must shield your vulnerable headquarters and keep your supply lines open.

How it plays

At its heart sits clever worker placement:

• Place your units to activate actions and advantages
• Ward off aerial assaults and artillery barrages
• Balance the hunger for bonuses against the need to secure supply

Despite the grave subject, the rules stay lean and elegant.

Who it's for

Couples and duelists after a fast, tactically dense wargame with no hours of setup, and a fine gateway into the genre.

Conclusion

An elegant, surprisingly accessible pocket-sized wargame. Those wanting epic battles with hundreds of counters should look elsewhere, but as a crisp two-player duel General Orders hits the mark.