Breakout: Normandy (1992)

About this game

"Breakout: Normandy" is a complex two-player wargame on the Allied invasion of France in World War 2. The game concentrates on the initial landings and the subsequent breakout attempts. The German player tries to prevent a successful Allied landing, and if that fails, to contain the beachhead. The Allied player wins by establishing a beachhead, or (better) by successfully breaking out of the landing area. The mapboard depicts the Normandy area where the initial landings took place. Units are regiments and brigades, representing infantry, airborne, armour artillery, anti-tank and anti-aircraft units. The game uses the area-impulse system used in Storm over Arnhem, Thunder at Cassino and Turning Point: Stalingrad.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Strictly 2 players — no more, no fewer.
• Rules load. At 3.4/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 12 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.