The War of the Worlds II (1974)

The War of the Worlds II

“The War of the Worlds II” is a science fiction board wargame designed by Phil Orbanes Sr. and published by Rand Game Associates in 1974. The game simulates planetary conquest in the year 2000, where each player’s race has arrived at the Altair system, which contains five uninhabited resource-rich planets. The players fight for the right to own the most planets. Although the title is nearly identical to the novel about an invasion from Mars by H.G. Wells, the two works have no connection.

Why is The War of the Worlds II Popular?

The game is popular due to its science fiction theme and its status as a classic board wargame. It was released at a time when board wargames were gaining popularity, and it has since become a collector’s item for fans of the genre.

Game Components of The War of the Worlds II

The game is played on a circular grid game board with local planetary space for each of the five planets, which have their own pieces and revolve in circular orbits. Each player has three command vessels they can use to enter local planetary space and attack players, as well as a number of base, station, and interceptor pieces which can be placed openly on planets or hidden on ships.

Game Setup of The War of the Worlds II

The game is played with 2-3 players. Each player chooses a race and places their command vessels and other pieces on the game board according to the rules.

Gameplay Mechanics of The War of the Worlds II

The game is played in turns, with players taking turns to move their command vessels and place new pieces on the board. The goal is to control the most planets and eliminate opponents’ command vessels.

Game Objective of The War of the Worlds II

The objective of the game is to control the most planets in the Altair system and eliminate opponents’ command vessels.

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