Lords Of The Middle Sea (1978)

Lords of the Middle Sea

Lords of the Middle Sea is a board wargame published by Chaosium in 1978. It was designed by Lynn Willis, with art by William Church and Gene Day.

Why is Lords of the Middle Sea Popular?

Lords of the Middle Sea is considered a significant game due to its unique post-apocalyptic setting and sci-fi elements. It is also notable for being one of the earliest examples of a “proto-Steampunk” game.

Game Components of Lords Of The Middle Sea

Game board representing the flooded North America

Hexagonal grid for land movement

Gridless areas for sea and sky movement

Steam-powered airship and sea vessel models

Scenario cards

Faction markers and character cards

Rulebook with art by William Church and Gene Day.

How To Setup Lords Of The Middle Sea

To set up the game, players first prepare the game board by placing the hexagonal grid over the map of the flooded North America. Each player selects and sets up their faction, including their airships and sea vessels. The game includes various scenarios, and the specific setup may vary depending on the chosen scenario. Players distribute character cards and faction markers accordingly.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Movement Mechanics: Players move their factions using hexes on land and gridless areas for sea and sky.

Exploration: Players explore the remaining land areas, typically mountaintops, and traverse the ruined Earth.

Combat: Medieval forces engage in battle with the aid of supernatural and technological elements.

Objective: The objective is to survive, explore, and dominate the post-apocalyptic world by controlling resources and establishing strong factions.

Player Experience

Players in Lords of the Middle Sea take on the roles of leaders of different factions, navigating a world drastically altered by cataclysms. The game offers a unique blend of medieval strategies and futuristic elements, with players managing airships and sea vessels to explore and conquer. The game caters to up to four players and provides multiple scenarios for varied gameplay experiences.

Pros

Unique Setting: A blend of post-apocalyptic and Steampunk elements offers a unique gaming environment.

Strategic Depth: Despite some reviews indicating simplicity, the game provides enough substance for multiple playings.

Visual Appeal: The rulebook features attractive artwork.

Cons

Limited Tactical Richness: Some reviews noted that the game lacks tactical richness.

Trivial Role-Playing: Role-playing aspects were critiqued for being trivial and getting in the way of the game.

Personal Thoughts on Lords Of The Middle Sea

Lords of the Middle Sea is for players who enjoy strategic games with a mix of medieval and futuristic elements. Despite its lack of commercial success and some critical reviews, the game has maintained a passionate cult following. It is ideal for those interested in exploring a unique, post-apocalyptic world with a touch of Steampunk flair. However, players seeking deep tactical complexity or robust role-playing may find the game somewhat lacking.

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