Pyramid Review
Wilderness War
Designed by Volko Ruhnke
Published by GMT Games
Two-player boxed boardgame; $49.95
For seven long and difficult years, two giants stood toe to toe in a struggle for dominance of the North American continent in a series of conflicts known as the French and Indian War, or the Seven Year's war. Although this war was an extension of European wars between the French and the British, this particular conflict was ignited by the desire of both nations to wrest control of North America from the hands of the other. As the two nations struggled for power, the allied tribes of the Algonquin and Iroquois were caught in the middle of these powerful forces and were forced to choose sides. One of the important results of this war was that it prepared many Americans (like George Washington) for the fighting which was to come during the American Revolution.
Wilderness War is a two-player boardgame, based on this historical conflict. By combining historical events and leaders, Indian raiding, stockade building, and militias, designer Volko Ruhnke and GMT games provide a game with plenty of accurate historical flavor.
The game follows the card-driven format that was first made popular in games like We the People and followed in others such as Paths of Glory. Each card can be played as a historical event, or the numerical value can be used to activate leaders or forces (including construction of stockades or forts). An example of an event card . . .
This article originally appeared in the second volume of Pyramid. See the current Pyramid website for more information.
Article publication date: April 5, 2002
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