When Undaunted: Normandy hit the shelves in 2019, it quickly became a smash hit, revolutionizing the deck-building game genre. In these games, players start with a modest deck of weaker cards, which they can enhance and customize during gameplay, ultimately crafting a robust and efficient engine. The brilliance of Undaunted: Normandy lies in its seamless integration of these mechanics with a squad-level tactical war board game.
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### Undaunted: Normandy
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### Undaunted: North Africa
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### Undaunted: Reinforcements
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### Undaunted: Stalingrad
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### Undaunted: Battle of Britain
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### Undaunted 2200: Callisto
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In Undaunted: Normandy, soldier cards allow you to maneuver and engage with corresponding units on a modular board, striving to achieve specific scenario objectives. Meanwhile, officer cards refine your deck, enabling you to specialize in certain squads. This fusion of strategic deck-building and tactical board gameplay creates an engaging experience that feels like a streamlined simulation of combat, where officers enhance the morale and composition of their units.
The success of Undaunted: Normandy has spurred a series of games that utilize the same core system, expanding into various settings and levels of complexity, even venturing into outer space with a sci-fi iteration. The Undaunted franchise has established itself as a standout in the gaming world, and this buying guide aims to assist you in choosing the perfect title from its diverse lineup.
Undaunted: Normandy
### Undaunted: Normandy
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Best for: Those seeking the most straightforward and quickest gameplay, and 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 series' introductory title. It focuses on various infantry units and features a set of rapid-play maps, making it the most accessible game in the series. While this is ideal for casual players, repeated playthroughs of all the scenarios might feel somewhat repetitive. Its strong historical accuracy, shared with Undaunted: Stalingrad, may appeal to enthusiasts of military history, though it might be less appealing to those averse to such themes.
Undaunted: North Africa
### Undaunted: North Africa
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Best for: Players eager to include vehicles in their wargames or who enjoy a more cinematic experience.
Responding to fan demand, Undaunted: North Africa introduces armored cars and light tanks, enhancing the gameplay while maintaining the simplicity of card mechanics. This title shifts the setting to the North African theater, scaling down from squad-level to individual combatants, which adds a more dynamic and movie-like feel to the gameplay. The game's portrayal of the Long Range Desert Group, the precursor to Britain's SAS, further amplifies this cinematic quality.
Undaunted: Reinforcements
### Undaunted: Reinforcements
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Best for: Dedicated fans and those interested in solo gameplay for Normandy or North Africa.
The Undaunted: Reinforcements expansion addresses the challenge of solo play in the series, offering sophisticated AI routines tailored for each scenario in both Normandy and North Africa. This expansion also includes new units and scenarios, and a larger box to store the first two games. While these enhancements are a boon for avid fans, the value is maximized for those who own the original games and are keen on solo play.
Undaunted: Stalingrad
### Undaunted: Stalingrad
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Best for: Players willing to engage in repeated plays for the ultimate Undaunted experience.
With a branching campaign featuring narrative elements, Undaunted: Stalingrad elevates the series by allowing the outcomes of scenarios to influence subsequent games. Soldiers can gain experience or sustain injuries, and the city deteriorates into rubble, offering new tactical opportunities. This game received a perfect score in our Undaunted: Stalingrad review, retaining the series' strengths while adding a compelling strategic layer and a gripping storyline. However, to fully appreciate it, players must commit to multiple games.
Undaunted: Battle of Britain
### Undaunted: Battle of Britain
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Best for: Veterans of the Undaunted series looking for a fresh twist on established mechanics.
Departing from the series' focus on ground combat, Undaunted: Battle of Britain shifts to aerial battles. The core deck-building remains intact, but the dynamics of unit movement on the board change to reflect the capabilities of aircraft. Units now have directional orientation and must move with each card play, necessitating careful strategic planning akin to real dogfights. While the deck-building aspect fits less seamlessly with the theme, the game remains thrilling and offers a distinct experience within the franchise.
Undaunted 2200: Callisto
### Undaunted 2200: Callisto
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Best for: Players seeking the series' tactical depth without the historical military theme.
In response to requests for a non-historical setting, Undaunted 2200: Callisto transports the gameplay to outer space. As highlighted in our Undaunted 2200 review, this sci-fi iteration retains the series' strengths while introducing improvements, such as vehicles, greater faction asymmetry, and varied scenarios. If the historical military themes of previous titles were a deterrent, this game offers an excellent alternative. Even without the thematic concerns, it stands as one of the best entries in the series, second only to Stalingrad.
Undaunted Promo Scenarios
For fans eager for more, additional scenarios have been released over time through magazines and at conventions. Most of these are now available to download for free on the publisher's website, providing an exciting way to expand your gameplay experience.
