Judge Dredd: The Cursed Earth (2019) Board Game

Judge Dredd: The Cursed Earth is a cooperative card game based on the iconic comic book series Judge Dredd, created by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra. The game was released in 2019 by Osprey Games and designed by Dan Cornwell and Rufus Dayglo. In this game, players take on the role of judges in Mega-City One as they travel through the dangerous wasteland known as the Cursed Earth.

Game Components of Judge Dredd: The Cursed Earth

50+ oversized encounter cards

Tokens and counters for health, ammunition, and food rations

Character cards for Judges Dredd, Anderson, and Giant

Location cards representing the Cursed Earth

Rulebook with a comic strip prologue

Component holder in the form of a Justice Department Rations pack.

How To Setup Judge Dredd: The Cursed Earth

To set up the game, players start by shuffling the encounter cards and placing the Max Normal card at the bottom of the deck. Each player begins with three Judges, each having a set amount of health, ammunition, and food rations. The game is divided into dawn and dusk phases, with the encounter cards being ordered differently in each phase. During setup, players also determine the difficulty level, which can be Cadet, Street Judge, or Chief Judge, affecting the rules and the number of location cards in play.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Modes: Solo, cooperative, and competitive modes are available.

Objective: Players must lead their team of Judges to reach Max Normal, a citizen carrying a deadly virus, before the villains do.

Encounter Resolution: Encounter cards are resolved in ascending order during the dawn phase and in the order played during the dusk phase.

Resource Management: Players must manage health, ammunition, and food rations while navigating the Cursed Earth.

Radiation and Hazards: Players face radiation poisoning and various hazards that can reduce their resources or kill their Judges.

Advancement: Players can advance to new locations through specific encounter cards, bringing them closer to their goal.

Player Experience

Playing **Judge Dredd: The Cursed Earth** is an incredibly challenging experience. The game demands careful resource management and strategic decision-making as players navigate the treacherous Cursed Earth. The game’s theme is heavily inspired by the Judge Dredd comics, with beautiful artwork by Dan Cornwell and Rufus Dayglo. However, the gameplay can feel overwhelming and reliant on the luck of the draw, often leading to frustrating outcomes despite the players’ best efforts.

Pros

Beautiful Artwork: The game features stunning artwork inspired by the Judge Dredd comics.

Multiple Game Modes: Offers solo, cooperative, and competitive play options.

Immersive Theme: The game’s setting and characters are deeply rooted in the Judge Dredd universe.

Compact Package: The game comes in a relatively inexpensive and compact package.

Cons

High Difficulty: The game is very tough to win, even for experienced players.

Randomness: The outcome is heavily influenced by the luck of the draw.

Limited Player Agency: Players have limited control over the game’s progression due to the random nature of the encounter cards.

Token Quality: The tokens used in the game feel thin and flimsy.

Personal Thoughts on Judge Dredd: The Cursed Earth

**Judge Dredd: The Cursed Earth** is a game tailored for fans of the Judge Dredd series and those who enjoy challenging resource management games. While it offers a rich and immersive theme, the game’s high difficulty and reliance on luck may deter some players. It is ideal for those who appreciate the Judge Dredd universe and are looking for a game that challenges their strategic thinking. However, for players seeking a game with more predictable outcomes and greater player agency, this might not be the best fit.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.