Combat Commander: Europe/Med. 20th Anniversary Edition review

Combat Commander is the deepest tactical WWII game on this list, and the 20th Anniversary Edition from GMT Games collects both Combat Commander: Europe and Combat Commander: Mediterranean in one box with extra counters for the minor nations. One player takes Germany and the other America or Russia in the Europe half, and units are squads, fire teams and leaders on hex maps at about 100 feet per hex. There is no fixed turn sequence: players play Fate cards to give orders such as Fire, Move, Advance, Recover and Rout, and random events such as a Hero appearing or Walking Wounded returning to play add friction. The box has twelve double-sided 17 x 22 inch maps, 426 cards and seven countersheets, and the Random Scenario Generator builds new situations beyond the historical scenarios. It costs $163, the most on this list, and asks a lot of rules study, so newcomers should start with Memoir '44 or Undaunted: Normandy.

Who it is for

Experienced wargamers who want tactical WWII infantry combat

Price

$163 direct from GMT Games.

Maps: Chad Jensen and Leland Myrick Price: $163.00
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• All components of Combat Commander: Europe and Combat Commander: Mediterranean
• Twelve 17 x 22 inch double-sided maps
• 426 cards and seven countersheets
• Random Scenario Generator for new maps and forces
• Squads, fire teams and leaders at about 100 feet per hex

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Two full games in one box, plus counters for minor nations
• Strength: Random Scenario Generator gives near-unlimited setups
• Strength: Fate cards and random events keep plans uncertain
• Weakness: Most expensive game here at $163
• Weakness: Two players only
• Weakness: Many orders, actions and events to learn

Key facts

• Publisher: GMT Games
• Designer: Chad Jensen
• Published: 2025
• Scale: Squads, fire teams and leaders
• Players: 2

Where it ranks

Combat Commander: Europe/Med. 20th Anniversary Edition is No. 7 in our Best Military Board Games verdict.