When Undaunted: Normandy hit the shelves in 2019, it quickly became a smash hit. As a deck-building game, it starts with a modest deck of weaker cards that players can enhance and adjust during gameplay, ultimately crafting a robust and effective strategy. The brilliance of Undaunted: Normandy lies in its integration of these mechanics with a squad-level tactical war board game, creating a seamless blend of strategy and simulation.
### Undaunted: Normandy
0See it at Amazon### Undaunted: North Africa
0See it at Amazon### Undaunted: Reinforcements
0See it at Amazon### Undaunted: Stalingrad
0See it at Amazon### Undaunted: Battle of Britain
0See it at Amazon### Undaunted 2200: Callisto
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Soldier cards allow players to maneuver and engage with corresponding units on a modular board, pursuing specific scenario objectives. Meanwhile, officer cards offer the ability to refine your deck, focusing on specific squads to enhance their effectiveness. This synergy between deck-building and tactical gameplay not only provides strategic depth but also simulates combat dynamics where officers play a crucial role in boosting squad morale and composition.
The success of Undaunted: Normandy has spurred the creation of several games within the same framework, expanding into diverse settings and varying levels of complexity, even venturing into outer space with a sci-fi variant. The Undaunted franchise has become a staple in the gaming community, and this guide aims to assist you in selecting the ideal title from its extensive range.
### Undaunted: Normandy
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Best for: Those seeking the simplest, fastest version who are comfortable with a military theme.
Set in the aftermath of the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II, Undaunted: Normandy is the most accessible entry in the series. It focuses on various infantry units and features quick-playing maps, ideal for casual play. However, repeated scenarios may feel repetitive for those looking to explore the entire box's content. Its strong historical focus might appeal to military enthusiasts but could be off-putting to others.
### Undaunted: North Africa
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Best for: Players interested in vehicle-based warfare and cinematic action.
Responding to fan requests, Undaunted: North Africa introduces vehicles like armored cars and small tanks, adding an extra layer of complexity with rules for different types of fire. The setting shifts to the North African theater, with the scale changing to individual combatants, enhancing the game's cinematic feel. It features the Long Range Desert Group, precursors to Britain's SAS, adding to its thrilling narrative.
### Undaunted: Reinforcements
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Best for: Dedicated fans and those interested in solo play for Normandy or North Africa.
The Reinforcements expansion caters to solo players with a sophisticated set of AI routines, allowing for challenging play against an automated opponent. It also introduces new units and scenarios for both original games, along with an expanded storage solution. This expansion is most valuable for hardcore fans who own both previous games and wish to explore solo gameplay.
### Undaunted: Stalingrad
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Best for: Players willing to engage in multiple playthroughs for the ultimate Undaunted experience.
Elevating the series with a branching campaign, Undaunted: Stalingrad weaves narrative elements into its scenarios, where outcomes affect subsequent games. Soldiers gain experience or suffer injuries, and the city's landscape evolves, offering new tactical opportunities. Praised in our Undaunted: Stalingrad review with a perfect score, it retains the best elements of the original games while adding strategic depth and a compelling story, though it requires commitment to multiple playthroughs to fully appreciate.
### Undaunted: Battle of Britain
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Best for: Experienced Undaunted players seeking a new twist on familiar mechanics.
Departing from the series' infantry focus, Undaunted: Battle of Britain shifts to aerial combat. While the deck-building remains central, the dynamics of unit movement on the board change to reflect aircraft capabilities, including facing and continuous movement. Although the deck-building aspect fits less seamlessly with the theme, the game still offers thrilling and innovative gameplay, differentiating itself within the franchise.
### Undaunted 2200: Callisto
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Best for: Players who enjoy the mechanics but prefer a non-historical, sci-fi setting.
Responding to requests for a non-military theme, Undaunted 2200: Callisto transports the gameplay to outer space. As highlighted in our Undaunted 2200 review, it preserves the engaging elements of the franchise while introducing improvements like piloting vehicles, increased faction asymmetry, and a broader range of scenarios. This version is perfect for those put off by the historical military themes and offers a top-tier experience within the series, second only to Stalingrad.
For avid fans, additional scenarios have been released over the years in magazines and at conventions. Most of these are available to download for free on the publisher's website, offering more content to enhance your Undaunted experience.