Crète 1941: Opération Merkur (1998)

About this game

Vae Victis issue 22. This game covers the German airborne invasion of Crete, and provides both two-player and solitaire rules. This game has some of Vae Victis's more complicated rules governing combat, but the rules still clock in at just over six pages. The scale of the game is relatively small, with turns representing eight hours and counters representing infantry batallions and armored platoons. As with all Vae Victis games, the counters need to be cut out and mounted. The rules are entirely in French, although translations are available online.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 1 to 2. It has a designed solo mode.
• Rules load. At 2.6/5 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.