’65 – Squad-Level Combat in the Jungles of Vietnam (2nd Edition)

Publisher: Flying Pig Games
Designer: Mark H. Walker
Genre: Modern tactical wargame / Vietnam War
Age: 14+
Players: 2–3
Playtime: 1–3 hours
Language: English (rules & components)

🎯 Overview

’65 places you in command of small tactical units in the jungles of the Vietnam War, covering key early campaigns from Ia Drang through Operation Starlight. The game prioritizes fast, fun, and immersive tactical play with a card-driven system that minimizes rule overhead while preserving strategic depth and battlefield uncertainty.

⚙️ Core Mechanics

• Card-driven gameplay: Action cards determine unit activations and introduce tactical unpredictability.
• Squad-level scale: Counters represent rifle squads, leaders, heroes, snipers, light armor and more.
• Enhanced 2nd edition rules: Lasting artillery effects, Desperation Fire, more immersive helicopter use, updated rules and player aids, integrated errata.

📦 Box Contents (2nd Edition)

• 3 richly illustrated geomorphic game boards (approx. 11” × 17”)
• Over 175 oversized counters (1” and 1.375”)
• Deck of 54 action cards
• Full-color rules and scenario booklet

🧠 Theme & Experience

Players command either U.S. forces (rifle squads, M48 tanks, M113 APCs, Huey helicopters) or North Vietnamese Army/Viet Cong units (sappers, RPD machine guns, Viet Cong rifle squads), attempting to outmaneuver and outfight each other across varied jungle scenarios.