Conquest of the World

About

Conquest of the World blends board game strategy with electronic combat simulations. Players control one of 43 nations divided into 11 geopolitical zones, vying to dominate by balancing military, economic, and diplomatic strength. Power is calculated using a formula that weights factors like population, territory, and military readiness. Each move drains energy units representing supplies, and battles between jets, tanks, and submarines are resolved onscreen via the Odyssey 2. Results affect the physical gameboard, where alliances and conquests shift power dynamics. The game rewards long-term planning, every conflict and pact adjusts a country’s influence, with the most powerful nation at the end claiming victory. What stands out is its hybrid design. Combat is handled digitally, replacing dice rolls with programmed energy unit calculations that add a layer of tactical depth. The use of Ray Cline’s real-world power formula grounds the gameplay in Cold War-era geopolitics, though players can tweak values to adapt to changing times. While the 1981 release date and Odyssey 2 hardware make it a relic, its integration with classic board wargames like Avalon Hill titles remains novel. This mix of analog strategy and early digital mechanics offers a niche experience for players interested in historical simulation and system-based gameplay.

Storyline

Players choose to play as one of 43 countries and make it their homeland. Each country's military and diplomacy power is reflected by its real life counterpart during the early 1980's. Each country's relationship with one another is also reflected by how it is in real life. Gameplay involves the use of a gameboard. Gameplay done on the game board contains information which is then entered into the Odyssey 2 for it to handle. Inside the game itself, players do battle by land, air, and sea. Battles involve players controlling either a jet (air force), tank (army), or a submarine (navy) and then battling the other players jet, tank, or submarine. These vehicles are dependent on supplies which are displayed as energy units. Every shot fired and movement made drains the players energy units. The battle ends when all the energy units run out. These combat results are then recorded on the gameboard, which then spurs further entries into the Odyssey 2. Every battle won and alliance made will increase a country's power. The country with the most power at the end of the game wins. Besides the gameboard map itself, the game also comes with a 100 power base unit indicators, a Homeland Marker, and six sets of Conquest/Alliance markers.