‘Memoir ’44 Refresh’ Board Game Review
Memoir ’44 Refresh, designed by Richard Borg and published by Days of Wonder, is a modernised reprint of the original 2004 tactical wargame that brought the “Commands and Colours” system into the mainstream. It retains its core gameplay while introducing upgraded components, a huge number of variable scenarios, and a clearer rulebook. It is fully compatible with all existing expansions and offers a more accessible and polished experience for both new and returning players.
The most significant change in Memoir ’44 Refresh is the component overhaul. The miniatures – infantry, tanks, and artillery – are now made from a harder, glossier plastic, which improves durability and makes them easier to distinguish on the board. They are slightly larger and more detailed than in the original edition, enhancing both visual clarity and tactile satisfaction. Terrain tiles have been reprinted with sharper iconography and improved colour contrast, making them easier to read and more intuitive to place, whilst a deck of terrain cards provides a simple player aid. The Command and Tactic cards have also been updated with cleaner formatting and more legible text, though their functionality remains unchanged.
The rulebook has been completely rewritten and reorganised, with absolutely tons of clear and straightforward examples, an improved layout and more accessible language. This makes teaching the game significantly easier and reduces ambiguity during play. The revised rules also include guidance for integrating expansions and variants, streamlining the experience for players who own additional content. Additional components like sandbags and tank traps (known as Hedgehogs) are now printed in grey plastic, making them easier to distinguish on the board.
Importantly, Memoir ’44 Refresh is fully compatible with all previously released expansions. This includes Pacific Theater, Eastern Front, Mediterranean Theater, Air Pack, Winter Wars, and Overlord. Players can use their existing scenario books, terrain tiles, and unit types without modification—albeit allowing for the fact that older miniatures won’t look quite as nice. The board, whilst a bit more attractive to my eyes, is still the same size and layout as it always was, which I am confident means that you can still align it to a board from an older copy to build a larger Overlord game.
Memoir ’44 still supports two players out of the box, with a playtime of about 30 to 60 minutes depending on the scenario. Gameplay remains unchanged: players use Command cards to activate units across three sections of the board, resolve combat with dice, and manage terrain effects and line-of-sight. The Refresh edition includes over 20 historical scenarios, ranging from Omaha Beach and Pegasus Bridge to Operation Cobra and the Ardennes. Each scenario mimics historical terrain, troop placements, and objectives, preserving the educational and thematic value of the original whilst remaining balanced… More or less.
The box insert has been redesigned to better accommodate the new components and now provides each player with their own slip case to hold all the new models. Storage is more efficient, and the layout helps keep terrain tiles and miniatures organised between plays. As with most Days of Wonder games we’ve seen recently, there’s even provision for both sleeved and unsleeved cards, depending on which way you orient the cards within the insert. The only downside here is that I don’t see the insert working well if you want to consolidate expansions.
The refresh edition of Memoir ’44 is ideal for newcomers to the series, thanks to its improved rulebook and visual clarity, while veteran players will still appreciate the backward compatibility and component upgrades in their core game. I’ve always found that the blend of tactical depth and accessibility continues to make Memoir ’44 a strong choice for families, history enthusiasts, and seasoned wargamers alike, whilst I personally find the dependence on luck (of both card draws and dice) to be a little bit frustrating at times.
Despite my minor personal reservations, Memoir ’44 Refresh is a thoughtful and well-executed update that enhances the original without altering its core identity. The improved components, modular board, and refined rulebook make it easier to play and more visually appealing, while full expansion compatibility ensures that existing fans aren’t left behind. It’s still the same great game – just sharper, sturdier, and ready for the next generation of tabletop commanders to step into the fray.
