Combat Commander: Europe
Anecdote
A landmark design by Chad Jensen for GMT Games, Combat Commander: Europe redefined tactical wargaming by injecting chaos and narrative into a genre that had traditionally been deterministic. The system is built around two card decks — a Fate Deck for resolution and order cards for actions — which transform each game into an unpredictable and gripping story. On the European front, the player commands a company of infantry and attempts to accomplish objectives despite a deck that seems to work against him. A session lasts approximately two to three hours, and replayability is supported by twelve initial scenarios and a great many community expansions. The learning curve is moderate, thanks to an exemplary tutorial rulebook and a progressive scenario system. Jensen wanted to offer a wargame that conveys the fog of war through card draws rather than rules alone. The components are understated but of typical GMT quality, with card stock tiles and carefully charted counters. The system spawned a true family with Combat Commander: Mediterranean, Pacific, Battle Packs 1 through 5, and a great many official and fan-made scenarios. The influence is immense: the card-driven tactical game has become a recognised standard, and several designers such as Volko Ruhnke and David Thompson acknowledge Jensen's legacy. The community is one of the most active in modern wargaming, feeding Vassal and BoardGameGeek with content. A French localisation by Asyncron provided very satisfactory Francophone distribution. The title received several major awards, including a Charles S. Roberts and an International Gamers Award. The emergent narrative is so powerful that many consider each session a unique story. For many players, Combat Commander remains the pinnacle of modern tactical wargaming — the game that proves one can surpass ASL in fluidity without sacrificing depth. Chad Jensen, who passed away in 2020, left with this system one of the greatest legacies in contemporary wargaming.
Popularity & reception
Distinctions — Charles S. Roberts Award - Best WWII Boardgame (2006) · International Gamers Award - Historical Simulation (2007) · Origins Award - Best Historical Board Game nomination (2007) · Golden Geek - Best Wargame (2006)
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