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’65 Squad-level Combat in the Jungles of Vietnam Second Edition Kickstarter Passes 300% Funding

Sep 25, 2024

One of my favorite wargames from Mark H. Walker and Flying Pig Games has a second edition up on on Kickstarter. The early years of the Vietnam War are the subject of ’65 Squad-level Combat in the Jungles of Vietnam Second Edition. The game is for two or three players, ages 12+, and plays in around 45 to 180 minutes depending on the scenario. The Kickstarter project is past the 300% funding mark and you can reserve a copy of the core game for a $90.00 pledge through October 3rd. Expected delivery is next April.

About the project:

Fast, furious, and fun! A squad-level, tactical game, ’65 recounts the early battles of the Vietnam War, from Ia Drang to Operation Starlight, and most everything between. The large and beautiful counters (1″ to 1.375″ square) represent squads, Leaders, Heroes, Snipers, M-48 and Pt-76 tanks, and more.

As these units’ commander you will move and fight over three geomorphic game boards as you try to best your opponent in one of eight, nail-biting historical scenarios. The game is card-driven, using a system similar to Flying Pig’s Night of Man and ’85 Afghanistan Graveyard of Empires, which adds a sense of delicious uncertainty to the play. “Can I advance my sappers or does the enemy have a fire card he’s just waiting to play?” Furthermore, the cards simplify the game, containing much of the data needed to play. You won’t spend the afternoon with your head in a rule book when you play ’65. This is a game created by gamers for gamers to play.

We believe ’65 is a unique game. The art is immersive. Certainly that isn’t unique today, but we feel ’65 is one heck of a good-looking game. The card mechanic is also unique, adding a subtle layer of strategy to the tactical decisions gamers face in any squad-level game. We love the “Power” system. Action cards that state “Power” can be used to activate special capabilities on many units. We use this to provide smoke-laying, portray a squad with 40mm grenades or the NVA’s ability to ambush their enemy. Additionally, The simple anti-armor mechanic is different for this type of game. Count the distance in hexes, adjust for the firing weapon’s accuracy modifier, and draw a card. If the To Hit number is greater than the range, you hit. No fuss, little muss, We think these mechanics that make ’65 a title that war gamers will want in their collection.

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Jeff McAleer

Founder/Editor-in-chief of The Gaming Gang website and host of The Gaming Gang Dispatch and other TGG media, Jeff tackles any and all sorts of games but has a special fondness for strategy, conflict sims, and roleplaying games. Plus, he's certainly never at a loss for an opinion...