Blitzkrieg!: World War Two in 20 Minutes (2019) Board Game

Blitzkrieg!: World War Two in 20 Minutes is a board game designed by Paolo Mori and published by PSC Games in in 2019. The game aims to simulate the swift and decisive military tactics employed during World War II, focusing on the concept of blitzkrieg warfare. Players take on the roles of various factions involved in the conflict, strategically maneuvering their units to gain control of key territories.

Game Components of Blitzkrieg!: World War Two in 20 Minutes

1 x rulebook

1 x double-sided game board

60 x unit tokens (22 x Axis, 22 x Allied, 22 x Japanese for the Nippon Expansion)

18 x special weapons tokens

2 x player screens

5 x battle markers

2 x war victory markers

2 x cloth bags

Solo module (1 x rulebook, 1 x six-sided die, 8 x stratagem tokens)

Blank tokens for custom units.

How To Setup Blitzkrieg!: World War Two in 20 Minutes

To set up the game, players start by opening the game board and placing a battle marker on the middle (red) space of each battle track. Each player decides their coalition (Axis or Allied) and takes a player screen, placing their unit tokens in their respective cloth bags. Players shuffle their tokens and draw three to keep hidden behind their screens as their “reserve.” The special weapons tokens are shuffled and placed face down next to the game board. Finally, the war victory markers are positioned next to the war victory track.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Bag-Building and Chit-Pulling: Players draw unit tokens from their bags to allocate military resources.

Resource Allocation: Tokens are placed on various battle spaces across different theatres of operation.

Campaign Completion: Filling a row of spaces ends a campaign, triggering scoring.

Victory Points: Earned through controlling theatres, special weapons, and strategic advantages.

Game Objective: The game ends when one player accumulates 25 victory points.

Player Experience

**Blitzkrieg!: World War Two in 20 Minutes** offers a quick and strategic gameplay experience. Players must make tactical decisions about where to allocate their resources, balancing the need to control multiple theatres while managing the risk of over-extending their forces. The game is praised for its simplicity, short playtime (typically under 15-20 minutes), and the inclusion of a satisfying solo mode. The mix of randomness and planning adds variability to each playthrough, making it enjoyable for multiple games in a row.

Pros

Short Playtime: Games are concluded in under 20 minutes.

Simple Setup: Minimal setup time and easy-to-understand rules.

Strategic Depth: Requires tactical decisions and resource management.

Variety: Different outcomes due to the random draw of unit tokens.

Solo Mode: Includes a solo module for single-player enjoyment.

Portability: Compact design makes it easy to take on the go.

Cons

Abstract Representation: Does not offer a detailed, realistic simulation of World War II.

Limited Complexity: Not suitable for those seeking a deep, complex wargame experience.

Customer Service Issues: Some users have reported difficulties in getting support from the publisher.

Personal Thoughts on Blitzkrieg!: World War Two in 20 Minutes

**Blitzkrieg!: World War Two in 20 Minutes** is ideal for players looking for a quick, strategic wargame that doesn’t require hours of commitment. It’s perfect for non-wargamers who want to experience the essence of World War II in a condensed format. The game is also great for families or couples seeking a fun, competitive game to play together. However, it may not satisfy fans of more intricate and detailed wargames like Axis & Allies.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.