B-17: Queen of the Skies – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

B-17: Queen of the Skies

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Board Game1981

68%

WISE Score

Roll dice, consult charts, and pray your B-17 makes it home—a 1981 solitaire war game that's more accounting than action.

B-17: Queen of the Skies

Board Game

12+, 1981

68%

WISE Score

Roll dice, consult charts, and pray your B-17 makes it home—a 1981 solitaire war game that's more accounting than action.

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Screenwise Verdict

B-17: Queen of the Skies is a solid historical simulation that teaches real WWII strategy and probability management—but let's be honest, it's a 44-year-old game that shows its age. The chart-consulting and paper-pencil tracking feel clunky compared to modern board games, and most kids today will find it slow and tedious unless they're already deep into history or war gaming.

That said, for the right kid—the one who devours WWII documentaries or loves solo strategy challenges—this can be genuinely engaging. The emergent storytelling is real: each mission creates drama as you limp home on two engines with a wounded crew. It's educational without being preachy, and the abstract violence means you're never dealing with graphic content.

The 7.1 BGG rating from 2,000+ voters suggests it's respected but not beloved. If your kid is curious about bomber operations and can tolerate dated mechanics, it's worth a try. Otherwise, there are more accessible ways to learn WWII history.

Age Fit

Best for ages 12-16 who are genuinely interested in WWII history and don't mind chart-heavy gameplay. Younger kids will struggle with the complexity; older teens and adults may find it too dated unless they're war game enthusiasts or history nerds.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

War-themed but abstract tactical simulation without graphic violence or disturbing imagery. Players manage a bomber crew through historical missions using dice and charts rather than visceral combat. The WWII setting is treated as historical strategy rather than glorifying violence. Solitaire design means no toxic player interaction, though the theme inherently involves shooting down enemy fighters and dropping bombs on targets.

Imaginative

Solid tactical imagination within a constrained historical framework. Players must visualize their bomber's journey, manage crew positions, and make strategic decisions about fighter attacks and damage control. The dice-and-chart system requires mental modeling of aerial combat scenarios. However, it's more simulation than open-ended creativity—you're executing historical missions rather than building something new. The randomness creates emergent narratives of near-misses and heroic returns.

Safe

Extremely safe for a war game. No monetization, ads, privacy concerns, or social toxicity. The violence is entirely abstract—rolling dice on tables to determine if your bomber takes flak damage or if a gunner hits an attacking Messerschmitt. No graphic imagery, just paper-and-pencil tracking. Age rating of 12+ is appropriate for the complexity and theme, not content concerns. Board games don't get much safer than this.

Enriching

Teaches WWII history, probability management, and tactical decision-making. Players learn about B-17 bomber operations, the Eighth Air Force campaign, and the realities of strategic bombing missions (weather, flak, fighter opposition). The simulation mechanics build understanding of risk assessment and resource management. However, it's a 1981 design with dated mechanics—modern kids might find the chart-heavy gameplay tedious rather than engaging. Strong historical education value for those who connect with it.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Teaches real WWII history through gameplay—kids learn about the Eighth Air Force, strategic bombing campaigns, and the dangers bomber crews faced
Solitaire-friendly design means no need to wrangle other players; perfect for a kid who likes solo strategy challenges
Low complexity (2.33/5) and sub-60-minute playtime after the learning curve makes it accessible for middle schoolers interested in history
Builds probability and risk management skills through dice rolling and tactical decisions about fighter attacks and damage control
The emergent storytelling is genuinely engaging—each mission creates its own narrative of close calls and heroic returns

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What to Watch For

This is a 1981 design—expect lots of chart consulting and paper-pencil tracking that may feel tedious compared to modern board games
WWII combat theme means you're shooting down enemy fighters and bombing targets, though it's all abstract dice rolls rather than graphic content
The learning curve requires patience; first few games will be slow as you reference tables constantly
Not great for kids who need fast-paced action or visual engagement—this is cerebral and methodical

Conversation Starters

"What do you think it was like to be a bomber crew member knowing you had to fly 25 missions to go home?"
"How does managing all the different crew positions help you understand what teamwork meant during the war?"
"When you roll for damage, does it make you think about how random and dangerous these missions were for real pilots?"
"What surprised you most about the challenges bombers faced—the fighters, the flak, or just getting to the target?"

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