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Dec 16, 2025·Review·01:15:59·273·Watch on YouTube

Let's Play the WORST Battle of the Bulge Game of All Time | WW2 | Playthru | Mini-Review

Wayne Hansen

Wayne Hansen

Watch “Let's Play the WORST Battle of the Bulge Game of All Time | WW2 | Playthru | Mini-Review,” a board game review on BoardGameVideo.

Description provided by Wayne Hansen on YouTube:

This is a playthrough, with mini-review, of one of the worst wargames of all time, rated 3.6 on BGG, Bastogne: The Desperate Defense, December 1944. Designed by "Uncredited" and published by Fresno Gaming Association (FGA). The Bastogne game system, one of two initial offerings in FGA's Simple Operational System (SOS), is a game of World War II ground combat in the Ardennes. It portrays the most significant portion of the Battle of the Bulge in three scenarios. The playing pieces represent the units which participated in the battles. The map represents the terrain over which the battle was fought. The game has been designed with maximum playability and maximum reality in mind (and in that order). The rules are set up with those considerations in mind. A remake of one of the classic SPI folio quad-games. Graphics updated to FGA standards. Step-reduction introduced. Brand new overrun rules with possible adverse effects to the overrunning player. All new 1d10 Combat results Table. But still retains the classic 'Quad-Game' flavor originated by SPI. This simple game system results in a dynamic, fun-to-play game that captures the essence of WWII warfare, where the right gamble at the right moment can change history. 3 Scenarios with 1/2 day turns 17" x 22" full color paper map 100 back-printed die-cut counters (plus 20 counters for fixes to Eagle and the Sun) Support me directly! Monthly: https://www.patreon.com/wargaminghansen One-time donation: https://paypal.me/wargaminghansen Shop for Wargames at Amazon (Affiliate Link): https://www.amazon.com/shop/waynehansen?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_7QA6E7NSZ70ZNE2E2KTN The game on BGG: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/12465/bastogne-the-desperate-defense-december-1944 The game on the publisher's website: FGA is defunct Contact me: On BGG at username "wtjbatman", or via email at murdly@gmail.com Interested in providing review copies of your game(s)? Contact me at the above email. Can't get enough of me? Check out my Blog at https://www.substack.com/@wargaminghansen

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Bastogne: The Desperate Defense, December 1944

Bastogne: The Desperate Defense, December 1944

1992

2 players
180 min
Medium weight: Teach it in one sitting

About Bastogne: The Desperate Defense, December 1944, from BoardGameGeek:

(from the back of the box:) A remake of one of the classic SPI folio quad-games. Graphics updated to FGA standards. Step-reduction introduced. Brand new overrun rules with possible adverse effects to the overrunning player. All new 1d10 Combat results Table. But still retains the classic 'Quad-Game' flavor originated by SPI. This simple game system results in a dynamic, fun-to-play game that captures the essence of WWII warfare, where the right gamble at the right moment can change history. 3 Scenarios with 1/2 day turns 17" x 22" full color paper map 100 back-printed die-cut counters (plus 20 counters for fixes to Eagle and the Sun)

Artist

Terry R. Shrum

Publisher

Fresno Gaming Association History Games

Categories

WargameWorld War II

Mechanics

Hex GridSimulation
View on BoardGameGeek ›
Bastogne: The Desperate Defense, December 1944

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Let's Play the WORST Battle of the Bulge Game of All Time | WW2 | Playthru | Mini-Review