Zurmat pits the Taliban versus the Coalition, as players secretly add influence or decoys each turn, then taking an action that gets stronger the longer you wait, trying to win over the most tiles before the game ends. You begin secretly choosing your own victory conditions, along with the players building the modular map, meaning there is a great deal of tension and variability with each game. Combat plays its part, but just as important is constructing infrastructure and expanding your influence. 2 players, plays in about an hour, with the game ending whenever winter sets in.
This game has been nominated for a Charles S Roberts Award Best Modern War Game for 2022!
Text review from BGG:
Armchair General review:
What Counterinsurgency Looks Like in the Field – “Zurmat” Board Game Review.
Players' Aid review:
Review from Game Boy Geek