When *Undaunted: Normandy* hit the shelves in 2019, it was an instant smash hit. This deck-building game genre allows players to start with a basic deck of weaker cards and enhance them throughout the game, creating a more robust and effective strategy. The brilliance of *Undaunted: Normandy* lies in its integration of these deck-building mechanics with a tactical war board game, simulating squad-level combat. Players use soldier cards to maneuver and engage on a modular board, while officer cards refine the deck, enabling focused squad management. This combination offers strategic depth in deck construction, tactical excitement on the board, and a realistic simulation of combat dynamics.
The success of *Undaunted: Normandy* has spawned a series of games using the same core system, exploring diverse settings and complexity levels, including a venture into outer space with a sci-fi variant. The *Undaunted* franchise has become renowned for its innovative gameplay, and this guide aims to help you choose the best title for your preferences.
Featured in this article
### Undaunted: Normandy
0See it at Amazon### Undaunted: North Africa
0See it at Amazon### Undaunted: Reinforcements
0See it at Amazon### Undaunted: Stalingrad
0See it at Amazon### Undaunted: Battle of Britain
0See it at Amazon### Undaunted 2200: Callisto
0See it at Amazon
Undaunted: Normandy
### Undaunted: Normandy
0See it at AmazonBest for: Those seeking the simplest and fastest version, who are comfortable with a military theme.
The inaugural game in the series sets its scene in the aftermath of the Normandy invasion during World War II. As the most accessible entry, it focuses on various types of infantry units with a limited set of quick-playing maps. This simplicity makes it appealing for casual play, though it might feel repetitive for those who wish to play through all the scenarios. Its strong historical focus, akin to Undaunted: Stalingrad, may appeal to history enthusiasts but could be a deterrent for others.
Undaunted: North Africa
### Undaunted: North Africa
0See it at AmazonBest for: Players who enjoy vehicles in their wargames or crave cinematic action.
Responding to fan demand, Undaunted: North Africa introduces armored cars and small tanks, adding a new layer of complexity while retaining the core card-play mechanics. The setting shifts to the North African theater, featuring individual combatants instead of squad-level counters, which imparts a more dynamic and cinematic feel. The game's portrayal of the Long Range Desert Group adds an adventurous touch, enhancing the excitement.
Undaunted: Reinforcements
### Undaunted: Reinforcements
0See it at AmazonBest for: Dedicated fans and those interested in solo play for Normandy or North Africa.
This expansion caters to fans who enjoy solo gaming, introducing a sophisticated AI system that allows for challenging solo play tailored to each scenario. It also includes new units and scenarios for the original games and offers an expanded storage solution. However, its full value is realized only by those committed to solo play and owning the previous titles.
Undaunted: Stalingrad
### Undaunted: Stalingrad
0See it at AmazonBest for: Players ready to commit to multiple sessions for an enriched Undaunted experience.
Undaunted: Stalingrad elevates the series with a branching campaign that weaves narrative elements throughout the gameplay. The outcomes of battles influence future scenarios, with soldiers gaining experience or suffering injuries, and the battlefield evolving into a rubble-strewn environment. This game was a resounding success, earning a perfect score in our Undaunted: Stalingrad review, as it maintains the series' strengths while adding strategic depth and a compelling story. However, it requires a commitment to repeated play to fully appreciate its depth.
Undaunted: Battle of Britain
### Undaunted: Battle of Britain
0See it at AmazonBest for: Experienced Undaunted players looking for a fresh twist on familiar mechanics.
A significant departure from the ground-based combat of other Undaunted games, Battle of Britain shifts the action to aerial warfare. While the deck-building remains core, the mechanics adapt to reflect the dynamics of flying, including facing and mandatory movement. Though the deck-building aspect doesn't perfectly align with the aerial theme, the game remains engaging and offers a novel experience within the franchise.
Undaunted 2200: Callisto
### Undaunted 2200: Callisto
0See it at AmazonBest for: Gamers who want action and strategy without the historical military theme.
Responding to fans' desire for a game without real-world warfare, Undaunted 2200: Callisto takes the series into space with a sci-fi setting. As detailed in our Undaunted 2200 review, it retains the series' strengths while introducing improvements like piloting vehicles, greater faction asymmetry, and diverse scenarios. This title is ideal for those put off by the military theme but still offers the best mechanical experience of the series after Stalingrad.
Undaunted Promo Scenarios
Fans of the series should know that additional scenarios have been released in magazines and at conventions over the years. Most are now available for free download on the publisher's website, providing more content to explore.