Escape from New York (1981) Board Game

Escape from New York is a board game based on the popular 1981 movie of the same name. The game allows players to relive the action-packed adventure of the movie, where they must navigate the dangerous streets of New York City to rescue the President from enemy hands.

Game Components of Escape from New York

1 Rulebook

1 Game board

4 Hero boards

1 New York board

150 cards

40 Prisoner counters

25 Roadblock counters

14 Suburb counters

1 Helicopter counter

1 Gullfire counter

12 Level Bar counters

4 Case counters

19 plastic bases

4 Hero figures

3 Boss figures

1 Taxi figure

4 Car figures

19 Timer tiles

34 City tiles

8 Central Park tiles

1 WTC tile

8 POI tiles

1 Library tile

15 Item cubes

15 Ammo cubes

3 Hit Points cubes

1 New York Noise cube

4 New York mission cubes

1 Event Level marker

1 poster.

How To Setup Escape from New York

To set up the game, players first prepare the game board, which represents the dangerous streets of Manhattan. Each player chooses a character (Snake, Brain, Maggie, or Cabbie) and receives the corresponding hero board and equipment cards. The game board is populated with various counters and tiles, including prisoner counters, roadblocks, and city tiles. Players also draw initial equipment cards that serve as both tools and hit points. The objective is clearly defined: rescue the President, retrieve the government tape, or escape with a diagram of the bridges.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Movement: Players roll 2D6 to determine movement points, navigating through areas of different movement costs.

Combat: Players engage in fights with enemies, losing equipment cards (which double as hit points) upon defeat.

Clue Gathering: Players acquire clue cards that point to the location of the President or the tape.

Ambush: Characters can ambush each other to steal possessions.

Objective

Locate and rescue the President of the United States.

If unable, retrieve the cassette tape the President is carrying.

If both fail, escape with a diagram of the bridges.

Player Experience

Playing **Escape from New York** is an immersive experience that mirrors the film’s intense and dangerous environment. Players must strategically navigate the treacherous landscape of Manhattan, managing resources and making tactical decisions to outmaneuver both the game’s challenges and other players. The game’s unique movement rules and clue-gathering mechanics add layers of complexity and excitement.

Pros

Immersive Theme: The game captures the essence of the John Carpenter film, providing an engaging and thematic experience.

Complex yet Simple Rules: The gameplay mechanics are clever and straightforward, making it accessible while still challenging.

Interactive Elements: Players can ambush each other, adding a social and competitive element to the game.

Historical Significance: Designed by notable game designers and illustrated by Erol Otus and Bill Willingham, it has a unique place in gaming history.

Cons

Out of Print: The original 1981 version is no longer in production, making it hard to find.

Limited Player Count: Designed for 2 to 4 players, which may limit its appeal for larger groups.

Dependence on Equipment Cards: Losing equipment cards can significantly hinder a player’s progress, which might feel punitive to some players.

Personal Thoughts on Escape from New York

**Escape from New York** is ideal for fans of the film and those who enjoy semi-cooperative games with a strong thematic focus. It offers a unique blend of strategy, exploration, and social interaction that makes it stand out among other board games of its era. While it may not be as widely recognized as some other TSR games, it remains a gem for collectors and enthusiasts of retro gaming. If you can find a copy, it’s definitely worth adding to your collection for its unique gameplay and nostalgic appeal.

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