After the Holocaust: The Nuclear Devastation of America – Recovery and Reunification (1977) Board Game

After the Holocaust: The Nuclear Devastation of America – Recovery and Reunification’ is a board game released in 1977, designed by Redmond A. Simonsen and published by SPI (Simulations Publications, Inc.). The game is set in a post-apocalyptic America, after a nuclear devastation has occurred. Players take on the roles of leaders of various factions, competing to rebuild and reunify the country.

Game Components of After the Holocaust: The Nuclear Devastation of America – Recovery and Reunification

Map: A two-piece 17″ x 22″ mounted hex grid map of the United States.

Counters: 400 die-cut counters.

Rule Book: A 2-page rule book.

Player Aids: Four player aid sheets.

Money: Paper money.

Dice: Two six-sided dice.

Counter Tray: Included for organizing counters.

How To Setup After the Holocaust: The Nuclear Devastation of America – Recovery and Reunification

To set up the game, players first divide the United States into four regions: Northeast, Midwest, Southwest, and Far West. Each player controls one of these regions. The game components, including the map, counters, and player aids, are then distributed accordingly. The initial setup involves placing the counters on the map to represent the starting conditions of each region, and each player receives the necessary player aid sheets and paper money.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Production Round: Players produce basic and secondary goods and mobilize military units.

Trade Round: Players negotiate the exchange of goods and cash between themselves.

Consumption Round: Players expend goods to feed and compensate their population and determine the “Social Status” of their region.

Military/Political Round: Players move military units and engage in combat to gain control of other regions.

Finance Round: Players reallocate labor and capital assets and set investment and tax rates.
The objective is to raise your region from subsistence farming to a more advanced social and technological society through trade, diplomacy, and possibly combat.

Player Experience

**After the Holocaust** is a game that emphasizes multiplayer cooperation and trade, only becoming a wargame if one player initiates an arms race. The gameplay involves a significant amount of economic management, including producing goods, trading, and managing finances. This complexity makes the game more suited to players who enjoy strategic and economic simulations. The game requires a lot of paperwork, which can be both a challenge and a unique aspect of the gameplay experience.

Pros

Economic Simulation: Provides a deep economic simulation that can be educational.

Cooperative Elements: Encourages cooperation between players to achieve common goals.

Complex Strategies: Offers a fascinating choice of strategies and gameplay mechanics.

Educational Value: Can be used as a classroom tool for teaching basic economic concepts.

Cons

Complexity: High complexity rating, which can be daunting for new players.

Paperwork: Requires a lot of manual calculations and paperwork.

Rules Clarity: Some rules can be muddy or unclear.

Excitement Level: Lower excitement level compared to other wargames, with an average rating of 65%.

Personal Thoughts on After the Holocaust: The Nuclear Devastation of America – Recovery and Reunification

This game is for players who enjoy deep strategic and economic simulations, particularly those interested in post-apocalyptic scenarios and the challenges of rebuilding a society. It is not for the casual gamer or those who prefer fast-paced action games. Instead, it is ideal for the patient and studious gamer who derives fun and a sense of accomplishment from complex, detailed gameplay. If you enjoy filling out tax returns or managing complex economies, you will likely find **After the Holocaust** a worthwhile investment.

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