Power Struggle

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs

GAME DESIGNER:
GAME DEVELOPER:PSS
GAME PUBLISHER:PSS
Copyright 1989, PSS

A primitive but interesting abstract wargame from the designers of Fire Zone, Power Struggle is essentially a poor man’s Empire— similar concepts and idea, but much inferior implementation and questionable computer AI. Choose to play as either “West” or “East” and mobilize forces across the globe to accomplish a simple goal: annihilate the opposite side. Gameplay is a cross between the boardgame Risk and Empire: forces are mobilize from a strategic perspective, although the game zooms into each country when combat is initiated. The only aspect of the game that is worth mentioning is the solid combination of both real-time and turn-based modes: while the game is essentially turn-based, each turn is timed so that you have less than a few minutes to order your units. This phased-real-time approach works well, and foreshadows later classics that utilize this feature, e.g. Space Hulk. Worth a look for anyone interested in the history of the genre, although without enough play value to keep anyone’s interest for long.