Indian Ocean Region: South China Sea – Vol. II (2021) Board Game

The Indian Ocean Region: South China Sea – Vol. II board game is a strategic wargame that focuses on modern warfare and political negotiations in the maritime region of the Indian Ocean and South China Sea. Designed by Christopher Moeller and published by Compass Games in 2021, this game offers players the opportunity to engage in simulated conflict and diplomacy in a setting that reflects real-world geopolitical tensions.

Game Components of Indian Ocean Region: South China Sea – Vol. II

Map Sheets: Three 22×28” maps, primarily comprising water hexes with some land masses, scaled at 1 hex = 45 nautical miles.

Counters: Three countersheets totaling 390 3/4” counters, color-coded and featuring large numbers for movement, stealth, and defense. Counters represent aircraft squadrons, pairs of ships/subs, and land battalions.

Political Cards: A deck of 39 cards.

Player Aid Cards: Two hard laminated cards.

Rulebook: A 21-page rulebook with six pages of play examples and seven scenarios.

Dice: Two dice included.

How To Setup Indian Ocean Region: South China Sea – Vol. II

Setting up the game involves laying out the three map sheets, which can be quite expansive, requiring a table over 5 feet wide for full scenarios. Players need to organize the counters, political cards, and player aid cards according to the scenario chosen. The rulebook provides clear instructions and play examples to help with the setup process.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Complexity: Rated 7 out of 10.

Solitaire Suitability: Rated 6 out of 10.

Time Scale: 1 turn = between 3 and 7 hours.

Player Count: Best with 2 players, but can be played with up to 3 players or solitaire.

Playing Time: 2-4 hours depending on the scenario.

Turn Sequence: Air Movement Phase, Sea Movement Phase, LACM Strikes Phase, Air and Sea Combat Phase, Ground Movement Phase, and Administration Phase.

Objective: Players aim to manage political alignments and military actions to achieve victory points, with the Indo-Am faction and China on opposite ends of the victory point track.

Player Experience

This game offers a medium-low complexity experience of modern naval warfare, with a strong focus on operational and tactical naval engagements. The game’s political alignment rules allow for experimentation, especially in how regional powers interact with global powers like the USA and China. The game’s mechanics flow nicely once battle is joined, providing an engaging experience without overwhelming detail.

Pros

Detailed Naval and Air Engagements: The game excels in its treatment of operational/tactical naval warfare and air engagements.

Political Depth: Allows for complex political alignments and strategies involving various regional and global powers.

High Replayability: Seven scenarios and the option to adjust regional power alliances provide multiple playthrough possibilities.

Cons

Counter Clarity: Some counters can blend into one another due to camouflage patterns, and there have been reports of misprinted counters.

Space Requirements: The game requires a large table space for full scenarios, which can be a logistical challenge.

Scoring Nuance: The scoring system can be somewhat simplistic, lacking a third dimension to fully capture the nuances of regional power influences.

Personal Thoughts on Indian Ocean Region: South China Sea – Vol. II

This game is ideal for wargamers interested in modern naval and air conflicts, particularly those who enjoy hypothetical scenarios involving multiple global and regional actors. It is especially suited for players looking to delve into the complexities of geopolitical interactions in the Indian Ocean and South China Sea regions. However, it may not be the best fit for those who prefer more traditional land-based conflicts or simpler wargaming experiences.

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