The topic of wargame reviews, and whether folks actually enjoy them, has been making the rounds online lately. Kev from Big Board Gaming has been talking about it, so I figured I would shamelessly steal his idea and share a few thoughts of my own.
There are plenty of channels and websites doing excellent reviews. Zilla Blitz, The Players’ Aid, and many others consistently put out informative and entertaining content. I watch and read many of them, but if I am being completely honest, a YouTube review or blog post has never been the main reason I purchased a game. Reviews may help move me in the right direction, but they have never been the main reason I purchase a game. Let me explain why.
Reviews Are Personal After-Action Reports
I enjoy hearing what other people think about certain games, but wargame reviews are incredibly personal. A feature one reviewer loves might be something I have absolutely no interest in, while a mechanic they dislike could be exactly what I want in a game.
I appreciate reviews that help me understand how a game plays, how complex it is, and what makes it different. However, when someone declares that a game is great and that everyone should buy it, things become a little more subjective. We all have different tastes, preferred mechanics, and tolerance levels for spending three hours trying to decipher a rulebook. What makes a game an instant classic for one player might leave another player staring at the map and wondering why they did not play something else.
What Actually Pushes Me Toward a Purchase
Personally, I enjoy unboxing videos even more than traditional reviews. I get to see the components, examine the map, check out the counters, and get a better sense of what is actually inside that intimidatingly heavy box. Those videos help me narrow down which games might eventually find their way onto my already overcrowded shelves.
The content most likely to nudge me toward buying a game, however, is a playthrough or example-of-play video. I can see how the game flows, understand the sequence of play, and get a better feel for how the mechanics work together. A reviewer can tell me that a game is fantastic, but watching it in action helps me decide whether it is fantastic for me.
A Little Transparency Goes a Long Way
I respect most content creators, and I genuinely enjoy seeing the content they produce. However, it is worth remembering that we do not always know what may be influencing or motivating a particular review. Whenever I receive a complimentary review copy, I make sure my audience knows about it. I believe in being completely transparent and allowing viewers or readers to decide whether that matters to them.
Many channels and blogs disclose when a game was provided by a publisher, but I assume some may not. To be clear, I am not accusing anyone of being dishonest or suggesting that receiving a free game automatically results in a favorable review. I simply believe transparency is important. After all, when a box of free cardboard lands on your doorstep, even the most objective gamer might feel their excitement receive a favorable die-roll modifier.
What Do You Look for in a Wargame Review?
Now I want to hear from you. Have you ever purchased a game because of a creator’s review? What information are you looking for before deciding whether a game deserves a place on your table, or in that ever-growing stack of unplayed games?
Who are some of your favorite content creators, and whose reviews do you always look forward to watching or reading? More importantly, what are your overall thoughts on wargame reviews? Do you consider reviews valuable battlefield intelligence, entertaining background noise, or just one more piece of information when deciding whether to buy a game?
Cardboard Commander 
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