Judge Dredd (1982) Board Game

Judge Dredd is a comic book character created by writer John Wagner and artist Carlos Ezquerra. First appearing in the British science fiction anthology comic 2000 AD in 1977, Judge Dredd is set in a dystopian future where the eponymous character serves as a law enforcement officer in the crime-ridden city of Mega-City One. The character has since become a cultural icon, known for his tough and uncompromising approach to crime fighting.

The Judge Dredd Board Game was released in 1982, featuring miniatures and gameplay inspired by the comic series. Designed by Brian Bolland and Ian Gibson, the game allows players to take on the role of judges as they patrol the streets of Mega-City One, facing off against various criminals and challenges.

Game Components of Judge Dredd

16″ x 22″ mounted gameboard (in two pieces)

54 Action cards

21 Sector cards

28 Perp cards

28 Crime cards

6 Judge cards

24-page card album

6 player pawns

4-page rulebook

Six-sided die

How To Setup Judge Dredd

To set up the game, each player chooses a Judge and takes a token. Six Sector cards are flipped over to reveal the locations of the current crimes. A Crime card is placed face up at each location, along with a face-down Perp card. This setup ensures there are always six active crimes in the city.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Movement Phase: Players move 1 or 2 Sectors towards the crime locations.

Arrest Phase: Players attempt to make arrests by rolling a die and adding their Judge’s Arrest rating, plus any special cards played. The total must equal or exceed the sum of the Crime card’s value, the Perp card’s value, and the die roll.

Interaction: Other players can play cards to assist either the arresting Judge or the Perp.

Objective

The goal is to arrest Perps and collect Crime and Perp cards.

The game ends when the Sector deck is empty and all Perps on the board have been arrested.

The player with the most points from the collected cards wins.

Player Experience

Playing Judge Dredd is an enjoyable, light-hearted experience that captures the theme of the comic series. The game is simple and playable, making it accessible to both fans of Judge Dredd and new players. However, it can be frustrating when players gang up on the leader, and the game’s simplicity means it doesn’t require much strategy.

Pros

Thematic Artwork: The game features appealing artwork that aligns well with the comic series.

Player Interaction: There are excellent opportunities for player interaction, adding a social element to the game.

Easy to Learn: The game is simple and easy to understand, making it a good introduction to board games.

Cons

Lack of Complexity: The game is not complex and doesn’t require significant brainpower to play.

Frustration: Players ganging up on the leader can make the game frustrating.

Limited Strategy: The simplicity of the game means there is limited depth in strategy.

Personal Thoughts on Judge Dredd

Judge Dredd is ideal for fans of the comic series and those looking for a light, enjoyable board game experience. It’s a great choice for casual gamers who want something easy to pick up and play without the need for deep strategy. However, it may not appeal to gamers seeking complex gameplay or high levels of strategic depth.

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