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Intruder (1980) Board Game

ByMichail

Intruder is a board game that was released in in 1980. It falls under the horror, science fiction, and wargame categories and is designed for 1–3 players. The game was designed by Alvin Belflower, R. Vance Buck, Stephen V. Cole, and Allen D. Eldridge, with artwork by Task Force Games.

Game Components of Intruder

  • Map:** Detailed interior of the deep space station ‘Prometheus’.
  • Counters:** 54 multi-color die-cut pieces representing crew, weapons, lab animals, and the Intruder.
  • Charts:** Special charts to record the Intruder’s development.
  • Tokens:** Intruder, crew, lab animals, and dummy counters.
  • Dice:** Used for random movement and resolving interactions.

    How To Setup Intruder

    To set up Intruder, players start by inverting and mixing the counters, including the Intruder, lab animals, and dummy counters. The counters are then placed face down on designated areas of the board, such as storage and access shelves. The crew members are positioned at their starting locations. The game includes specific rules for setting up the Intruder and other counters to ensure randomness and surprise.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Random Movement:** Face-down counters, including the Intruder, are moved randomly at the start of each turn.
  • Interaction Phase:** Crew members interact with counters in their space, revealing if they are lab animals, dummy counters, or the Intruder.
  • Combat and Defense:** Crew members can attack the Intruder using various weapons, with outcomes determined by charts and dice rolls.
  • Intruder Evolution:** The Intruder undergoes metamorphosis, gaining new powers and possibly cloning.
  • Game Objective:** Players must work together to capture or kill the Intruder before all crew members are eliminated or the self-destruct sequence is initiated.

    Player Experience

    Playing Intruder is a tense and suspenseful experience, mimicking the cat-and-mouse gameplay of the movie *Alien*. Players must strategically move their crew, capture lab animals to reduce confusion, and build weapons to combat the evolving Intruder. The game’s use of random movement and hidden counters adds a layer of unpredictability, making each game unique.

    Pros

  • Tense and Suspenseful Gameplay:** Captures the horror and survival elements of being hunted by an alien.
  • High Replayability:** Random counter movement and Intruder evolution ensure different experiences each game.
  • Cooperative Challenge:** Encourages teamwork and strategic planning.
  • Prescient Design:** Included a follow-up scenario similar to *Aliens* six years before its release.

    Cons

  • Complex Rulebook:** The rules can be disorganized and hard to follow.
  • Tedious Bookkeeping:** Frequent reshuffling of counters, especially with the cloning rules, can be time-consuming.
  • Dated Components:** Counters and map are functional but show their age.

    Personal Thoughts on Intruder

    Intruder is a game for fans of sci-fi horror and cooperative gameplay. Despite its age, the game maintains a gripping narrative and challenging mechanics that make it enjoyable for those who appreciate retro board games. It’s ideal for players looking for a game that combines strategy, suspense, and teamwork. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking modern game production quality or streamlined rulebooks.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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