Empire Or Rebellion? Choose Your Side In Star Wars: Battle of Hoth
June 9, 2025 by brennon
One of the hits of the UK Games Expo was Days of Wonder's new board game set in the Star Wars universe, Battle of Hoth. Taking the DNA of Memoir '44 but giving it a unique twist, the game will see you take on the role of the Empire or the Rebellion in the iconic battle that played out in The Empire Strikes Back.
Star Wars: Battle of Hoth // Days of Wonder
Designed to be played by two to four players and taking only thirty minutes to play, Star Wars: Battle of Hoth uses the Command and Colours system but introduces some new mechanics that set it apart from the likes of Memoir '44 and a brand new experience that isn't just a reskin.
As with Memoir '44, players will take turns choosing their Command Cards and activating units on the table as they move and attack, fighting for supremacy on the ice planet. Making the game stand out, Battle of Hoth also introduces iconic Leader Cards, which can turn the tide. Expect to see the likes of Veers, Vader, Leia and Luke in the mix.
Star Wars: Battle of Hoth - Contents // Days of Wonder
What's also cool is that Battle of Hoth isn't just a one-and-done style affair. Across seventeen scenarios included in the mix that are part of two multi-scenario campaigns, the successes and failures from game to game will end up changing how your next battle will play out. This makes it so that winning a game has consequences, and means repeat plays could be really fun.
Equally, reviews of the game have mentioned that there are also one-shot cards in the game that can be used once during a campaign but end up getting you out of dodge in a pinch. I really like that they've done what they can to build on the DNA of Memoir '44, making this feel like Star Wars rather than just World War II with blasters.
Additionally, Star Wars: Battle of Hoth features absolutely stunning plastic figures representing both sides with badass snow speeders and those massive AT-AT walkers.
You don't have to wait long for Battle of Hoth to arrive on tabletops either, as it has an expected release date of August/September this year.
Could you be tempted to scoop up Star Wars: Battle of Hoth and relive this iconic clash?
"...they've done what they can to build on the DNA of Memoir '44, making this feel like Star Wars rather than just World War II with blasters"
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Reminds me of my copy of “Assault on Hoth” by West End Games from way back when. My copy comes with standees but the hexes are way smaller so the gaming area is “bigger”. https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/3548/assault-on-hoth-the-empire-strikes-back Wonder if
I saw them playing this at UKGE, but I didn’t watch long enough to get a sense of the game play. I’m a sucker for a Star Wars game though, so I’m sure I’ll pick this one up when it comes out.
Insert ‘take my money’ gif here 🙂
What are those, AT-ATs for ANTS? They’d have to be three times bigger, at least.