Neuroshima Hex!
Encyclopedia
Neuroshima Hex! is a Polish tactical
board game
based on the Neuroshima
role-playing game
. It is published by Wydawnictwo Portal (Portal Publishing House). The game is set in the same post-apocalyptic world as its RPG counterpart.
. Each player periodically draws from a deck of hexagonal cards
called "tiles." Tiles symbolize different types of military units. Annotations on the tiles denote the combat strength of each unit. Each player has one special tile called HQ (headquarters). Players take turns placing their tiles on the board. The player chooses:
Normally a card does not move once placed on the board. Periodically a tile is played that initializes combat. At that time, cards are removed from the board based on the outcome of combat between pairs of nearby opposing cards. The game is nominally concluded when all tiles from the deck have been exhausted. The winner is determined by which HQ has taken the least combat damage.
There are three major categories of tiles in each player's deck:
At the start of each player's turn, he draws three tiles at random from his deck. One tile must be discarded. The remaining two tiles may be placed on the board. Tiles cannot be placed on top of other tiles. The player may opt to discard more than one tile. Players take turns in this fashion until the board is partially populated with tiles. Randomly a player may draw a tile that allows the player to initiate combat. When this occurs, gameplay pauses while combat is resolved. Annotations on the tiles denote what priority each card has in the combat sequence. Cards marked with a "3" have first priority, "2" second priority, and "1" third priority. In other words, tiles marked with a "3" get to attack first. Once the outcome of those attacks are resolved (i.e., "dead" units are removed from the board) then tiles marked with a "2" get to attack, and so on. Once all phases of combat (phases 3, 2, 1, 0) have concluded normal gameplay resumes.
The objective of the game is to attack the enemy's HQ. Each HQ starts with 20 hit points
. Gameplay concludes when one HQ is down to 0 hit points, or when all the tiles have been exhausted from a player's deck. The winner is determined by the player's HQ has the most remaining hit points.
The game offers four armies (denoted by four different color schemes for tiles) which differ in their strength, mobility and flexibility, as denoted by differing annotations on each army's tiles. Normally the game is played by two players, though three and four player variations exist.
As a card game, Neuroshima Hex is essentially a much more complex version of War
. In terms of strategy, Neuroshima Hex is similar to chess
in that play emphasizes correct placement of pieces on the board, with occasional combat removing pieces from the board. The game is also available as a video game, with rules essentially identical to the board game, albeit with combat between tiles automated via software.
(the Essen
game fair) in 2007, and a promotional 5th army (Doomsday Machine) was given to buyers at the Portal Publishing booth. At Pionek (a game convention in Gliwice
, Poland) in 2007, a small supplement (Mad Bomber) was given out.
A French translation was released February 2008. In 2008, the game was published in English by Z-Man Games
, with an expanded board and improved components; this edition includes the Mad Bomber and Mercenary tiles. Spanish, Italian, German and Dutch editions were released in 2010.
Two expansions for the second edition were released, so far only in Polish:
There are also several fan made expansions. Additional materials in multiple languages (inc. English-language translations of the expansions) are available at the relevant games articles at BoardGameGeek
.
On 17 September 2010 the iPhone
version of the game was published on App Store.
Military tactics
Military tactics, the science and art of organizing an army or an air force, are the techniques for using weapons or military units in combination for engaging and defeating an enemy in battle. Changes in philosophy and technology over time have been reflected in changes to military tactics. In...
board game
Board game
A board game is a game which involves counters or pieces being moved on a pre-marked surface or "board", according to a set of rules. Games may be based on pure strategy, chance or a mixture of the two, and usually have a goal which a player aims to achieve...
based on the Neuroshima
Neuroshima
Neuroshima is a Polish tabletop roleplaying system inspired by such films and games as Mad Max, Fallout, The Matrix, Terminator and Deadlands: Hell on Earth. It is currently available only in Polish...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
. It is published by Wydawnictwo Portal (Portal Publishing House). The game is set in the same post-apocalyptic world as its RPG counterpart.
Gameplay
Neuroshima Hex is played on a hexagonal boardBoard game
A board game is a game which involves counters or pieces being moved on a pre-marked surface or "board", according to a set of rules. Games may be based on pure strategy, chance or a mixture of the two, and usually have a goal which a player aims to achieve...
. Each player periodically draws from a deck of hexagonal cards
Playing card
A playing card is a piece of specially prepared heavy paper, thin cardboard, plastic-coated paper, cotton-paper blend, or thin plastic, marked with distinguishing motifs and used as one of a set for playing card games...
called "tiles." Tiles symbolize different types of military units. Annotations on the tiles denote the combat strength of each unit. Each player has one special tile called HQ (headquarters). Players take turns placing their tiles on the board. The player chooses:
- which tile from his hand to play,
- where to place the tile on the board, and
- what orientation the tile should have. Being hexagonal, there are six possible orientations for placing each tile.
Normally a card does not move once placed on the board. Periodically a tile is played that initializes combat. At that time, cards are removed from the board based on the outcome of combat between pairs of nearby opposing cards. The game is nominally concluded when all tiles from the deck have been exhausted. The winner is determined by which HQ has taken the least combat damage.
There are three major categories of tiles in each player's deck:
- One tile representing HQ. This is always drawn and placed on the board by each player first. Other than HQ, the remaining tiles are sorted randomly in the deck.
- Units (also called "soldiers") are tiles representing military units. Annotations on a Unit card denotes its combat strength:
- how much damage does that unit inflict on enemy units
- whether that damage can only be done to adjacent tiles ("melee attack" markings) or more distant tiles ("ranged attack") markings
- in what direction that damage takes place (annotations on multiple sides of the hexagon denote the ability to attack in multiple directions simultaneously)
- "toughness," meaning how much damage can a unit sustain before it is withdrawn from the playing board
- special abilities such as defense from ranged attack, or the ability prevent an enemy unit from attacking entirely (so-called "net" units)
- Modules are tiles that augment the abilities of adjacent cards:
- increasing the strength of their attack
- increasing the range of their attack
- increasing their toughness (ability to withstand attacks)
- increasing the priority of their attack in the attack sequence of all the other tiles on the board (tiles take turns attacking one another based on another set of markings on each tile)
- healing damaged tiles
- allowing a tile to be relocated after being placed on the board
At the start of each player's turn, he draws three tiles at random from his deck. One tile must be discarded. The remaining two tiles may be placed on the board. Tiles cannot be placed on top of other tiles. The player may opt to discard more than one tile. Players take turns in this fashion until the board is partially populated with tiles. Randomly a player may draw a tile that allows the player to initiate combat. When this occurs, gameplay pauses while combat is resolved. Annotations on the tiles denote what priority each card has in the combat sequence. Cards marked with a "3" have first priority, "2" second priority, and "1" third priority. In other words, tiles marked with a "3" get to attack first. Once the outcome of those attacks are resolved (i.e., "dead" units are removed from the board) then tiles marked with a "2" get to attack, and so on. Once all phases of combat (phases 3, 2, 1, 0) have concluded normal gameplay resumes.
The objective of the game is to attack the enemy's HQ. Each HQ starts with 20 hit points
Health (gaming)
Health is a game mechanic used in role-playing, computer and video games to give value to characters, enemies, NPCs, and related objects. This value can either be numerical, semi-numerical as in hit/health points, or arbitrary as in a life bar....
. Gameplay concludes when one HQ is down to 0 hit points, or when all the tiles have been exhausted from a player's deck. The winner is determined by the player's HQ has the most remaining hit points.
The game offers four armies (denoted by four different color schemes for tiles) which differ in their strength, mobility and flexibility, as denoted by differing annotations on each army's tiles. Normally the game is played by two players, though three and four player variations exist.
As a card game, Neuroshima Hex is essentially a much more complex version of War
War (card game)
War is a card game typically involving two players. It uses a standard French playing card deck. Due to its simplicity, it is played most often by children.-Gameplay:The deck is divided evenly among the two players, giving each a down stack...
. In terms of strategy, Neuroshima Hex is similar to chess
Chess
Chess is a two-player board game played on a chessboard, a square-checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments.Each player...
in that play emphasizes correct placement of pieces on the board, with occasional combat removing pieces from the board. The game is also available as a video game, with rules essentially identical to the board game, albeit with combat between tiles automated via software.
Publication
A second edition (in English) was released at SPIELSpiel
Internationale Spieltage SPIEL, often called Essen after the city where it is held, is an annual four-day game trade fair held in October at the Messe Essen exhibition centre in Essen...
(the Essen
Essen
- Origin of the name :In German-speaking countries, the name of the city Essen often causes confusion as to its origins, because it is commonly known as the German infinitive of the verb for the act of eating, and/or the German noun for food. Although scholars still dispute the interpretation of...
game fair) in 2007, and a promotional 5th army (Doomsday Machine) was given to buyers at the Portal Publishing booth. At Pionek (a game convention in Gliwice
Gliwice
Gliwice is a city in Upper Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. Gliwice is the west district of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union – a metropolis with a population of 2 million...
, Poland) in 2007, a small supplement (Mad Bomber) was given out.
A French translation was released February 2008. In 2008, the game was published in English by Z-Man Games
Z-Man Games
thumbZ-Man Games is a company incorporated in 1999 in the USA to produce games. The headquarters is in Mahopac, New York, near New York City. It is named after its proprietor, Zev Shlasinger...
, with an expanded board and improved components; this edition includes the Mad Bomber and Mercenary tiles. Spanish, Italian, German and Dutch editions were released in 2010.
Two expansions for the second edition were released, so far only in Polish:
- Babel 13, in 2008
- Duel, in 2009
There are also several fan made expansions. Additional materials in multiple languages (inc. English-language translations of the expansions) are available at the relevant games articles at BoardGameGeek
BoardGameGeek
BoardGameGeek is a website that was founded in January 2000 by Scott Alden and Derk Solko as a resource for the board gaming hobby. The database holds reviews, articles, and session reports for over 45,000 different games, expansions, and designers. BoardGameGeek includes German-style board games,...
.
On 17 September 2010 the iPhone
IPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
version of the game was published on App Store.