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No Motherland Without: North Korea in Crisis and Cold War (2021) Board Game

No Motherland Without: North Korea in Crisis and Cold War is a board game that focuses on the political and military tensions surrounding North Korea during the Cold War era. The game allows players to take on the roles of key players in the conflict, such as political leaders, military commanders, and spies.

Game Components of No Motherland Without: North Korea in Crisis and Cold War

  • One mounted game map
  • One counter sheet
  • 128 poker-sized game cards
  • Rules booklet
  • Box and lid

    How To Setup No Motherland Without: North Korea in Crisis and Cold War

    Setting up the game involves preparing the three main maps: the North Korea administrative regions map, the Defector Map, and the Generations Map. The North Korean player starts by placing infrastructure and elites, while the West player sets up defector routes and positions. The game cards are shuffled and each player receives a starting hand. The rules booklet provides a detailed guide for the initial setup.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Game Mechanics:**
    – Card-driven strategy
    – Resource management (Action Points, Prestige)
    – Area control (infrastructure, defector routes)

  • Game Objective:**
  • North Korea:** Maintain or increase Prestige by building infrastructure, promoting elites, and testing ballistic missiles. Win automatically if a Missile Test Event Card is played successfully while Prestige is high.
  • West:** Reduce North Korea’s Prestige by obstructing infrastructure improvements, supporting defectors, and isolating North Korea. Win if North Korea’s Prestige falls below the critical threshold.

    Player Experience

    Playing **No Motherland Without** offers a deep dive into the historical and ongoing tensions between North Korea and the West. The game emphasizes the human perspective, highlighting the struggles of the North Korean people and the defectors. Players must manage resources carefully, balancing short-term needs with long-term strategies. The game’s mechanics encourage a thoughtful and strategic approach, making it engaging for players interested in geopolitical simulations.

    Pros

  • Historical Depth:** Provides a detailed historical context from the end of the Korean War to the present day.
  • Human Perspective:** Highlights the plight of defectors and the living conditions in North Korea.
  • Solitaire Suitability:** Includes a well-designed solitaire scenario where the solo bot plays the West.
  • Strategic Complexity:** Offers a low to medium complexity level, making it accessible yet challenging.

    Cons

  • Moral Ambiguity:** The game mechanics can incentivize actions that, in real life, would be morally problematic (e.g., the West benefiting from North Korea’s food shortages).
  • Limited Policy Insight:** Does not provide a detailed policy prescription for the North Korea issue.
  • Sensitive Topics:** May be upsetting for some players due to its handling of human rights and starvation.

    Personal Thoughts on No Motherland Without: North Korea in Crisis and Cold War

    This game is ideal for players who enjoy strategic card games and are interested in geopolitical simulations. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate historical context and the human aspect of international conflicts. While it may not offer policy insights, it provides a unique perspective on the ongoing crisis in North Korea, making it a valuable addition to any serious gamer’s collection. However, it is important to approach the game with sensitivity due to its portrayal of sensitive topics such as human rights and starvation.

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