This War of Mine: The Boardgame is more of an experience than a game, but Awaken Realms has made a hybrid that is excellent in both aspects. The game is fantastic. The experience is something I had hoped for and received in full. [Note: this site is not for the video game and is not official]

1st Edition has been out for a few years. Now Awaken Realms is preparing an expanded 2nd Edition via a GameFound pledge (due for August 2026 delivery next year).

GameFound=> 2nd Edition // previous Ukraine Cause // previous 1st Edition Kickstarter
BoardGameGeek=> 1st Edition // 2nd Edition
=> Rulebook-Journal (1st Edition)
=> Len’s 1 page Rules Summary v3
=> This War of Mine Cards Phases v2b

To see if this game is for you, watch this 13min video (one of the best game reviews I have ever seen)

=> The Lucky Roll Review
     (transcript is below the video window)

Then … see if the gameplay is for you… this is the best solo walk through:

=> Mountain Gamer How To Play Walk Through

These articles should help get you started and keep you going:

• Just What Is It (brief text explanation of the game)
• More Than Just A Game (revelation from designer Jakub Wisniewski)
• One Page Setup & Rules PLUS 7 Daily Phases cards
• Rubble Die Reference Card
• Sleeving Tip for Additional Characters and the 7 Gameplay Cards
• Sleeving the cards (I didn’t sleeve any other games, but I did sleeve this one)
• Part 1: Brief History of The Game (from Kickstarter Updates 1-18)
• Part 2: Brief History of the Game (Updates 19-26)
• Part 3: Brief History of the Game (Updates 27-46)
• Unboxing The Kickstarter Edition
• Original Soundtrack (on Soundcloud)
• Zlata’s Story / Roman’s Story / Katia’s Story / Cveta’s Story/ Emira’s Story
• Packing Everything Back Into The Box
• Kickstarter Editions – What’s Included (Ukraine Support Sale)!
• Games will begin shipping March 28 from their EU Hub
• 3D Character Card Holder Trays
• 100% of Revenue of Games in Their Warehouse Sent to Ukraine Relief
• One Hour Overview Video of the game by The McGuire
• Scenarios
• Video Overview of the Game
• Rolling Solo Videos
• One Stop Coop Videos
• Russian Video Review of the Prototype

Another great game with lots of narrative is coming this fall: Rogue Angels. It is a space exploration with battles game that comes with over 1,000 pages of missions, map setups and branching story. What you do in the game has consequences and often determines what will happen next! => My Rogue Angels

TOTAL CARDS

• 195 Core Game (1st Ed)
• 115 Expansions (1st Ed)
• 352 2nd Edition (with Add Ons)

TOTAL 651 cards (About Sleeves for Cards)

(more…)

Is the game This War of Mine realistic? Does it match up with things that really would happen during a siege? If you are wondering about getting the game and if these questions ring true, then please read this short review that many comments claim is the board game review they have ever read:

=> Review by Survivor or the Siege of Sarajevo

This is how the review starts … and after this brief beginning, the REAL review begins that includes real life stories to match up with the game!

Quick background.
When I was 8 years old the Siege of Sarajevo began. It lasted until I was 12. Even though those times were terrible, if you ask me about the siege, and don’t dig enough inside me, I will tell you just about how great those times were. Let me explain. I never had that many friends and never had that much fun (we were all in one basement hiding from shells, bunch of kids.). People were so good to each other (if I have anything to eat, you have it too. I remember 6-7 “grownups” sitting in the basement smoking one cigarette in circle. Not one cigarette, but the only one, at that moment.) There was art everywhere. In every shelter there were theatre plays, concerts, parties… There was nothing more important than to live a normal life under abnormal circumstances…

But, if you dig deep enough…

That is when memories like ones in “This War of Mine” will start to come out from me. Yeah, those memories hidden deep inside for nobody to hear, see or touch.

After you finish reading THAT review … you may wish to read the next review as well:

=> A Study In Hope

There is no official “easy mode” for This War of Mine.

Yes, I know … that’s the whole point of the game … it ain’t easy!

However… it might be wise to not get totally overwhelmed, frustrated and just not wanting to even play the game again! I have seen online comments from people who bought the game, found it too difficult and then just sold it!

But wait … you **CAN** make the game easier for your first game or two without ruining the fantastic experience that This War of Mine can give you! I got the idea (and some examples) from The Mountain Gamer’s video (see below). And if you look in his video description, he also gives you some links to things you can print out to help you with this!

Meanwhile, back at our shelter (with holes that need boarding up) I came up with 10 possible ways to make the game easier without reducing the immersive experience that the game provides! You can use 1, 2 or 3 of the suggestions … or use all ten!

=> Len’s Easy Mode for This War of Mine v2

And now … here is the video from The Mountain Gamer who thinks that perhaps for your first game (or two), there should be an “easy mode” so you don’t get totally frustrated and just get ride of (or sell) the game!