Hey folks,

Having finished up a few projects and with only a few more to go; I was rummaging about through my ancient ass gaming collection.  And lo and behold I found a game I honestly though was gone for decades (yes I am that old).  The game I'm referring to in the classic Fortress America game from 1986-1987 by Milton Bradley.  Wow, just seeing the cover on the battered and beat-up box really brought back memories.  If you don't know about this classic 'cold war' gem of a game; let me summarize:

Set in the 21st century, the board game begins with the premise that during the Cold War, nuclear terrorists destroyed much of the Middle East's supply of oil. In response, the United States launched into orbit a satellite based solar-power system to solve the energy crisis. At the same time, they had perfected the so-called "Star Wars" technology and incorporated a satellite-based laser system into the solar satellites. This system was capable of destroying intercontinental ballistic missiles (nuclear ICBM's) before impact. Thus, the USA was completely safe from nuclear threat, ending the era of Mutual Assured Destruction.

This creates a great deal of political turmoil - the USSR is especially upset at the nuclear balance of power being shifted - and while the rest of the world realigns in various ways (through alliances and treaties as well as conventional military conflict) the USA, complacent in its technical superiority, becomes isolationist in nature.

The game opens with the world divided into three major world powers outside of the US:

1) The Asian Peoples Alliance (yellow player) Of 'course' they're yellow!

2) The Central American Federation (blue player)

3) The Euro-Socialist Pact (red player) Naturally!

These three powers have launched a surprise assault on the now-conventionally-weak United States: Asian invaders on the Pacific coast, Central American invaders along the Southwestern border with Mexico, and the Euro-Soviet invaders along the eastern seaboard. The United States Navy is brushed aside. The land and air forces, still capable of resistance, are nevertheless insufficient to halt the invasions.

The unique nature of this game is the notion of three of four players cooperating together for the elimination of one player (the US). The game has an interesting dynamic of the US player being outnumbered 3-1 in military strength but steadily being reinforced by laser relay towers which each have a 60% chance to destroy an enemy unit anywhere on the board each turn. The rules of combat also favor the defender. Also, the invaders must place their reinforcements, which arrive on an even basis over the first few turns and then run out entirely, in their own invasion zones, which are sometimes far from the front, while the USA never runs out and can often be reinforced right at the front. The American player receives reinforcements by drawing two cards per turn, which sometimes specify for partisans or military forces to appear behind enemy lines. Others allow the USA to reconstruct shattered units from the dead pile in home cities, while all invading units are permanently out of play when lost in combat. The result is a game that - if played well by all players - will result in a very close contest. There are 30 cities represented on the board and the invaders must capture, and hold until the end of an entire turn, 18 or more of them to win the game. This allows the USA one round to counterattack and recapture after all the invaders have played a round and temporarily achieved their goal of 18.  

Thank you wikipedia!

But since computer/video games are kinda wearing on me; I thought I'd bust out the old boardgames, call in the old gaming geeks and do it old school for awhile; mixing in some Axis and Allies and Silent Death space combat as well.  I would want to play Twilight Imperium; but that game takes a minimum of 6 people and at least 8-10 hours to play one game, so that may have to be put off for the summer and schedule time for it.  The nice thing about Fortress America is you don't have to go on eBay or whatnot and pay 200-300 bucks to get it; as Fantasy Flight games is re-releasing it with all new counters, etc. in Q2 of this year!

So if the idea of dropping 80 bucks for a boardgame isn't insane to you; I'd recommend picking this one up as the rules are super clean and simple (no arguments, they are really well done) and every game is a nail biter; no easy-wins in this game.  You can spend more on less in the way of entertainment, that's for sure!

Now if you'll excuse me; I have to put down the boardgames for a bit and finish up my latest story for the old paysite; do yourself a favor and google up fortress america and get a taste of classic cold war gaming at it's finest!

Uncle Sickey