Memoir '44 (2025 refresh)

Memoir '44 is huge fun. I usually describe it as a simple wargame: the rules may be simple, but it's still a challenging game. And one that allows players to re-create lots of WW2 battles.

Players command the forces of either Axis or Allied troops and use cards and dice to manoeuvre and attack with their units. They win medals by destroying enemy units and capturing objectives – first to get enough medals wins the battle. This base game covers the war in western Europe from the D-Day landings in 1944 (there are several tough scenarios for the different beaches) to the final battles of 1945

A big part of the game's appeal is the way it looks: a host of model soldiers, tanks (Shermans and Panzer IVs) and guns spread across the hills, forests and towns. The whole thing looks good and gives a real feel for the historical battlefield. As a game, it's the cards that make it such a challenge. They limit what the players can do, simulating some of the 'fog of war'.

This "refreshed" edition came out in 2025. It has "redesigned miniatures", neutral obstacle pieces, revised artwork and some useful 'activation tokens' to show which units have been ordered. Oh, and the box is a little larger and noticeably heavier.

Memoir '44 is part of the "Commands & Colors" family (using the same basic mechanisms) and you'll find others, and the Memoir '44 expansions, in my Commands & Colors Collection. (Most of the expansions are out of print – I suspect they are being refreshed to match the new edition.)

For 2 players, aged 8+, playing time 45+ minutes (depending on the scenario)

Memoir '44 and its expansions were designed by Richard Borg and are published by Days of Wonder.

Find out more:
    Memoir '44 on BoardGameGeek.
    Pevans reported on the Memoir '44 tournaments at the UK Games Expo in 2012 (PDF, 0.4 Mb), 2013 (PDF, 0.8 Mb) and 2014.