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Game Info
Year
1999
Collection
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Description
(from GMT Games' website:)
They called it the Great War. In over four years of titanic struggle, the ancient Europe of Kings and Emperors tore itself to pieces, giving birth to our own violent modern age. The bloody battles fought in the trenches of the Western Front, the icy plains of Poland, the mountains of the Balkans, and the deserts of Arabia, shaped the world we know today. We are all orphans of the Great War.
Paths of Glory: The First World War, designed by six-time Charles S. Roberts awards winner, Ted Raicer, allows players to step into the shoes of the monarchs and marshals who triumphed and bungled from 1914 to 1918. As the Central Powers you must use the advantage of interior lines and the fighting skill of the Imperial German Army to win your rightful 'place in the sun.' As the Entente Powers (Allies) you must bring your greater numbers to bear to put an end to German militarism and ensure this is the war 'to end all wars.' Both players will find their generalship and strategic abilities put to the test as Paths of Glory's innovative game systems let you recreate all the dramatic events of World War I.
Components:
316 full-color die-cut counters:
176 5/8” die cut counters
140 1/2” die cut counters
One 22x34" full-color mapsheet showing most of Europe and the Near East
110 Strategy Cards
32-page Rule Book including sample game replay (21 pages of actual rules)
Two Player Reference Cards
DESIGNER: Ted Raicer
DEVELOPER: Andy Lewis
ART DIRECTOR: Rodger B. MacGowan
MAP ART: Mark Simonitch
CARDS & COUNTER ART: Mark Simonitch
(BGG description:)
Following in the footsteps of We the People, Hannibal: Rome vs. Carthage, Successors: The Battles for Alexander's Empire (First/Second Edition), and For the People, Paths of Glory utilizes a similar card-driven system. The game covers WWI from its outbreak to American intervention and spans all of Europe and the Middle East. Not only is the game innovative, but it also plays fast, usually within just an evening.
While the game itself has all of the normal expectations of a wargame, with various units, CRT charts and period chrome, at heart the game rests within the card play. Players are given a hand of cards to play out six sub-phases of a turn. Each sub-phase allows for the use of a card or a pass with a minimal movement of units. Each card has four possible uses: operational movement, strategic movement, special events, and replacement points. The cardplay forces players to constantly make tough decsions as they feel that they need to do a little bit of everything but they can only do one thing at a time. How you play your cards will decide to a large degree the outcome of the war.
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All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 17
This page: 17
Sentiment:
pos 12 ·
mix 0 ·
neu 4 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–17 of 17
Video 1vE6V0ZdB8o
3 Minute Board Games Top List at 18:03 sentiment: positive
video_pk 91734 · mention_pk 246196
Click to watch at 18:03 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
Highly Positive (for specific audience)
Pros
- Allows fighting alternatively to historical events
- Card-driven nature creates dynamic gameplay
- Intense and challenging experience
- Incredibly rewarding for dedicated players
Cons
- Combat mechanics are described as 'awful' due to high costs
- Long playtime (6+ hours)
- Not recommended for a lot of people due to complexity and time commitment
Thematic elements
- Strategy and combat during World War I
- World War I
- null
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Alternating Play — Allows for alternative strategies and outcomes not strictly historical.
- card-driven — The card-driven nature means events happen at different times than in history.
- combat resolution — Combat mechanics are noted as a specific aspect of the game.
- Wargame — A strategic simulation of World War I conflict.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Hunter is another one of those games we ended up playing a lot at University mostly while drinking
- Hunter has several problems it takes a lot longer to play than it should for what it is especially when you're doing the coup those can drag on quite a long time and also fundamentally it's pretty racist
- I think the hunter idea of a Banana Republic itself is pretty dated but the idea of a corrupt government where players of different office members competing for positions and stockpiling money definitely has potential just there's got to be a better way to interpret it
- Cosmic Encounter is still going strong and that is an achievement and a half
- it's core idea of a simple gameplay element Modified by a whole bunch of variable Powers has had a profound influence on all of gaming and unlike a lot of designs from this period it still holds up pretty well today
- so happy birthday to me for 42 years old today here's to 42 more
- if you want to do the same thing yourself just go to board game geek click on advanced search and search by year published range and just fill in the year and feel free to post your list Below in the comments
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video SrzHaKo59Ag
Zilla Blitz Discussion at 3:44 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 86559 · mention_pk 224282
Click to watch at 3:44 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Strategic level conflict
- World War I
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this is the challenge where I try tried to play a subset of the rather large collection of board games tabletop historical War Games specifically that I have on my shelves that I have yet to play or fully play
- the goal here is to start making progress chipping away at those games on your shelves that have yet to be played
- the Shelf of Shame is so embarrassing
- all of these are shelf of Shame right I me usually call it shelf of opportunity but this is yeah some of these I really need to play
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 2Nt3qcS3goI
Zilla Blitz Discussion at 52:34 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 85742 · mention_pk 220417
Click to watch at 52:34 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- It's really exciting to me. It's a card-driven racing game that's just incredibly fast-paced.
- Ark Nova is a really complex game.
- The Great Western Trail is a big euro-style game.
- Pax Pamir is a political game.
- Cascadia is an incredibly relaxing game.
- Terraforming Mars is still a great game.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video d_wNkoT7bms
Zilla Blitz Discussion at 7:25 sentiment: positive
video_pk 84390 · mention_pk 214417
Click to watch at 7:25 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Looking forward to getting into it
- Looking forward to getting better at it
Cons
- Haven't been able to play much due to work last week
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This reminds me of Coin Light. And the game that comes to my mind is Root. And not that this is the same thing or a spin-off, but it's got a Root type feel.
- I've read through the rules looks very accessible and pretty easy to jump into.
- Production values on this one are really high.
- I really appreciate I think Fal has a nice touch on accessibility, depth of gameplay, quality of components, just really putting things together in a nice package that builds some very interesting things with good gameplay and a lot of accessibility.
- 42% tactical, 30% operational, 29% strategic.
- My favorite game of all time is Combat Commander, which is a tactical level game.
- I'm split between the different scales. Given the time I'd play them all, I love the idea of grand tactical, but don't have the space they generally acquire.
- Wow, it's taking a while here. Oh, we've got Arvin Runstein5707.
- New to these games. So, still learning, but strategic seems like my jam.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video XNqOv4bzrGg
Zilla Blitz Other at 1:02 sentiment: positive
video_pk 84071 · mention_pk 213049
Click to watch at 1:02 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Loving the depth
- Immersion
- So much fun to play asynchronously
Cons
- Still very much learning the rules
- Getting butt kicked in almost every game
Thematic elements
- World War I
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card-driven — Mentioned in the context of learning how to play.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Our third and final candidate for game of the month is Hood: Troubles in Sherwood from Fallank.
- Our third and final candidate. And our winner for game of the month for October 2025 is, drum roll please, Sword and Siege: Age of Longbow Volume 1 from Wargame Design Studio.
- You don't buy these games for the eye candy, right? The graphics are functional and straightforward. You're buying it for the strategy, for the gameplay, for the history.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 38Jgz8FHnwc
The Discriminating Gamer Top List at 1:16 sentiment: positive
video_pk 83747 · mention_pk 211592
Click to watch at 1:16 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Great CDG
- A lot of fun
Cons
- Heavier game, a lot to take in and learn
- No longer in collection
Thematic elements
- World War I
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Card Driven Game (CDG) — Playing cards for their events or for action points to move armies.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Don't teach your dog how to sit while using a Sean Conry accent.
- I played so many GMT games over the years, I thought I'd finally rank my top 50.
- It's a heavier game, and that's probably why it's not higher up on this list.
- Although the invasion of Italy remains controversial for a number of reasons.
- I know it's a controversial statement because a lot of people will say this is probably the best that he's come up with.
- Why don't scientists trust atoms? They make up everything.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video yqXIU6pqoVk
Zilla Blitz Top List at 7:32 sentiment: positive
video_pk 83430 · mention_pk 210243
Click to watch at 7:32 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Classic World War I war game
- Strategically deep and eye-opening
- Blends history and gameplay effectively
- Brilliant design
Cons
- Supply rules can be complex (implied)
Thematic elements
- World War I strategic combat
- World War I
- blends history with gameplay
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Campaign play — Played through multiple games of the campaign.
- Strategic combat — Focuses on strategic gameplay during World War I.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- My criteria for this particular list is enjoyment. The games that pulled me in and captured my attention, had some sort of an emotional rush, or just created great memories.
- Gettsburg, A Time for Heroes from Worthington Publishing, a fantastic Gettysburg game.
- Old School Tactical Volume 5. If by the way, if you are curious about this one, there are four volumes before this. They're all, I imagine, very good, but this has just been my experience with the system so far.
- Combat Commander is number three on the list, and it might be one of the games I'm most excited to continue playing in 2026.
- This game, I I think part of the reason why I liked it so high and why I put it so high is that it has opened up my eyes to the potential of the Cold War Modern Combat series and families of games, which to be fair, I haven't really explored yet.
- I could probably rank these games in almost any order and be happy with it. So, I wouldn't take the rankings of the games so seriously.
- Traces of Victory. Uh my top game for 2025 and just I can't say more about this game. You should check it out if you like operational World War II level combat games.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 9hgw4bgyg6s
Zilla Blitz Other at 26:40:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 81619 · mention_pk 203566
Click to watch at 26:40:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- captures the political and military aspects of WWI
- fast-paced
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- the political and military aspects of World War I
- World War I
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — The game involves controlling areas.
- Card Driven — The game is card driven.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- There's a lot of designers and company representatives that are there, like GMT Games is there, uh Uwe from Sound of Drums was there coming in from Europe.
- So, if you're looking at a chance to play up-and-coming games with some of the designers that are designing on them, it's quite an experience.
- You really get some insight into the design process, into how historical board games are created as you're playing them and giving feedback to the designers.
- In this game, you take on the role of companies that are trying to win military contracts uh from the US
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video laEJwp51qKU
Meeple University Rules Teach at 0:09 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 70716 · mention_pk 246893
Click to watch at 0:09 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- players play the role of monsters eating whatever sorts of things they can find in order to gain glory points
- post-apocalyptic wasteland
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Hand Management — Players must manage the cards in their 'mouth' and decide which to keep, which to chew on, and when to spew cards to make room or trigger effects.
- Set Collection — Players collect food and condiment cards onto their mouth board. Cards are 'swallowed' when enough chew tokens are placed on them, potentially granting glory points.
- Take That — The 'spew' mechanic forces players to pass unwanted cards to opponents, potentially creating a chain reaction where opponents must also spew cards.
- Worker Placement — Players place 'chew tokens' onto cards to advance them towards being 'swallowed'. Two tokens must be placed on different cards unless a special ability allows otherwise.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- hello and welcome to maple University
- how to play guts of glory in guts of glory players play the role of monsters in a post-apocalyptic wasteland eating whatever sorts of things they can find in order to gain glory points indicated by the number on the yellow coin the first player to score seven glory points wins the game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video dEOi-7kQf2g
Other at 21:24
video_pk 69201 · mention_pk 165609
Click to watch at 21:24 · YouTube ↗
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Whoever has the most monies at the end of this pop quiz will be employee of the month.
- This game is broken every other Wednesday.
- This is so bad for me, y'all.
- I'm so bad at this.
- My brain doesn't do these.
- I guess I can give you a little clues if you want to.
- So, this is uh this is from the teens.
- This is the worst round of I've ever done in the history of these kinds of games.
- The problem is these aren't helping because it's just flavor text from Lord of the Rings.
- I was like, Lord of the Rings doesn't have flavor text and I was like, oh, what would have a ton of flavor text is the card game, of course.
- So, we each have a strike. Strike.
- Gosh, man.
- Yeah. So, what's what's our current score right now?
- So those are all basically fake on West but they were still number one.
- Mike is the employee of the month.
- Nick, you will be our next pop quiz master.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 4dp8KJmuz0w
Zilla Blitz Discussion at 10:48 sentiment: positive
video_pk 37623 · mention_pk 113040
Click to watch at 10:48 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Three different levels of complexity and rule sets
- Rich Napoleonic system
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Napoleonic warfare with miniatures/detailed counters
- Napoleonic era
- historical simulation
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This is not where I live this is a green screen video laid.
- I'm eternally optimistic right.
- We have over a hundred people entered into this competition.
- I really enjoyed playing Rebel Fury the afternoon.
- There’s a link Down Below in the description to Noble Knight games and if you use that link thank you because they get a little bit of a kickback to the channel.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 4dp8KJmuz0w
Zilla Blitz Discussion at 22:20 sentiment: positive
video_pk 37623 · mention_pk 113042
Click to watch at 22:20 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Napoleonic tactical battles
- Napoleonic warfare (repeated entry for emphasis)
- historical simulation
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This is not where I live this is a green screen video laid.
- I'm eternally optimistic right.
- We have over a hundred people entered into this competition.
- I really enjoyed playing Rebel Fury the afternoon.
- There’s a link Down Below in the description to Noble Knight games and if you use that link thank you because they get a little bit of a kickback to the channel.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video S3wsj9p5X1g
Game Night Picks - Pair Of Dice Paradise Discussion at 10:58 sentiment: positive
video_pk 31121 · mention_pk 91765
Click to watch at 10:58 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- celebration of feeding frenzy and spectacle
- Post-apocalyptic grand arena of eating competition
- dramatic, flavor-forward competition
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Eating/feast mechanics — Players cheer and swallow to win the audience’s favor; misfit of space constraints can cause spillage
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- The madeup game is of course slap the penguin.
- I have Mr. Bacon's Big Adventure. I have Mr. Bacon's Big Adventure.
- Sedate the ape.
- We mail Matthew a certified letter and we wait 6-8 weeks for it to come back.
- Swack is real? It looked real dangerous.
- The plague and occult, it was very difficult to narrow it down.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video eIeqU8H2ro8
3 Minute Board Games Discussion at 20:20 sentiment: positive
video_pk 13434 · mention_pk 39372
Click to watch at 20:20 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Similar mechanics to Twilight Struggle
- Great thematic depth
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- First World War strategy
- World War I
- Historical simulation
Comparison games
- Twilight Struggle
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Card-driven war game — Similar system to Twilight Struggle
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- It's delightfully simple and still delightfully a good game.
- Everyone has a different journey here. Everyone starts off playing different games and ends up with different favorite games.
- It had some of the most amazing world building I've ever seen for a game.
- I think the fact that it's rooted in a single D6 system is just going to hamper it for all time.
- This game got me through a pretty rough period of time.
- I am never getting rid of Arkham Horror second edition unless an Arkham Horror fourth edition comes out.
- I was immediately hooked by it.
- It's an absolute banger of a game.
- I could see myself playing that more.
- There's so many layers and mind games to it that player skill and the ability to read your opponent counts for so much more than just having an awesome deck.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video zLaTSNphdTM
Beyond Solitaire Interview at 58:36 sentiment: positive
video_pk 5330 · mention_pk 15854
Click to watch at 58:36 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- strong historical teaching through play
- robust simulation of WWI decision points
Cons
- heavy rules complexity
- steep learning curve
Thematic elements
- card-driven warfare, strategic planning
- World War I
- historical simulation with alternate history potential
Comparison games
- World in Flames
- East Front
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card-driven — cards drive events and strategic decisions
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- The Dietz Foundation is the world's only not-for-profit game company so that we are set up that when we make money in however we make it that our funds and our profits go towards helping education.
- Donations always go directly to the cause, after the PayPal fee, 97 percent goes where it's supposed to go—much more than the 50 or 60 percent you get from most charitable organizations.
- Games are a great way to learn about everything.
- I don't like working for them anymore, I prefer working for myself.
- Education can be wide and varied, and can be by subject matter as well as by the educational goal.
- If you want to learn about civil rights, you can take the game to your home and interact with it in a safe space to think through difficult topics.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video fhBV_hbE3Ow
Board Game Hangover Review sentiment: neutral
video_pk 5009 · mention_pk 14893
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
- Comprehensive World War I simulation
Cons
- Heavy scripting
- Unforgiving rules
- Limited player agency
Thematic elements
- Historical military conflict
- World War I
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Card-driven game — Cards used for action points and events
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- The older I get, the more reasonable I get.
- I am brave enough to admit that I'm a scaredy pants.
- It seems like you play 10 games of chess at the same time non-stop
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 75QuD2hl418
3 Minute Board Games Top List at 17:37 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4922 · mention_pk 14607
Click to watch at 17:37 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- dense strategic depth
- historical flavor
Cons
- very long play sessions
- steep learning curve
Thematic elements
- historical warfare, geopolitics
- World War I grand strategy
- grounded, narrative through play
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card-driven — cards drive political and military actions
- grand strategy — long-term planning with operational decisions
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Spirit Island my all-time favorite game
- Arkham Horror holds a special place of my heart
- it's joy in a box
- Leaving Earth is my favorite in that space
- this is one of those few games where I'm like yeah I think the streamlined version is the way to go
- June is the original game for this spot
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–17 of 17