Maneuver (1979) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Maneuver is an abstract strategy wargame that was released in 1979 by Gamma Two Games. It is designed for two players and has a runtime of about 45 minutes. The game falls under the category of Abstract Strategy and features a Mechanism of Secret Unit Deployment.

Game Components of Blockade

11×14 grid game board

2 mobile playing pieces per player

9 green walls (placed vertically) per player

9 blue walls (placed horizontally) per player

How To Setup Blockade

To set up the game, players place their pawns on their starting locations on the board. The first player’s pawns are placed at [4,4] and [8,4], while the second player’s pawns are placed at [4,11] and [8,11]. Each player receives their set of green and blue walls.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: Get both of your pawns to the starting locations of your opponent.

Movement: Players move one pawn one or two spaces (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) per turn.

Wall Placement: After moving, a player places one wall (either green or blue) on the board to block paths.

Wall Rules: Green walls are placed vertically, and blue walls are placed horizontally. Walls must cover two squares and cannot block three paths.

Jumping: Pawns can jump over other pawns that are blocking their path.

Winning Condition: The first player to get both of their pawns to the opponent’s starting locations wins.

Player Experience

Playing **Blockade** involves a deep strategic thinking process, as players need to maneuver their pawns around barriers and into their opponent’s starting spaces. The game requires careful planning and the ability to set up traps for the opponent while avoiding falling into traps oneself.

Pros

Deep Strategy: Despite simple rules, the game offers a lot of depth in terms of strategy and tactics.

Quick Setup: Setup time is less than a minute.

Fast Gameplay: Games typically last about 20 minutes.

Abstract Strategy: The game is purely strategic with no element of chance.

Cons

Out of Production: The game is long out of production, making it harder to find.

Component Quality: Some components, like the starting spot decals, may degrade over time.

Personal Thoughts on Blockade

**Blockade** is ideal for fans of abstract strategy games who enjoy maneuvering pieces through an ever-changing board. It is particularly appealing to those who like games with dynamic layouts and the challenge of out-thinking their opponents. This game is perfect for someone looking for a quick, strategic game that can be played in a short amount of time.

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