Crossbows & Catapults: Fortress War (2024)

About this game

Crossbows & Catapults: Fortress War is a restoration of Crossbows and Catapults, the 1983 classic game of kinetic warfare. Each player builds their castle, then players take turns using their weapons to fire discs at their opponent's castle, trying to knock over their warrior figures. This new version features highly engineered weapons, more detailed building bricks, and deeper game play. The new weapons no longer use rubber bands, replaced by spring-powered and pinch-to-fire technology that ensure reliable velocity and reward player skill. On the building side, castles are constructed using a variety of detailed components to allow for larger, more intricate, and more varied structures. With 300% more bricks than the smaller version Castle Battle and with special new pieces, you'll build legendary fortresses that tower over the battlefield! Fortress War also features detailed mercenary miniatures, special ammo and a deck of asymmetrical tactics cards let you take special actions and recruit mercenaries to the battlefield, where they'll use their unique abilities to turn the tide in your favor. On your turn, take two actions: Move or Fire. Do them in either order, or do the same one twice. Knock down all the enemy warriors and their general to win! —description from the publisher

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Strictly 2 players — no more, no fewer.
• Rules load. At 1.2/5 this is a light game — explain it in a few minutes, good for a table that has not played much.
• Age. The publisher suggests 10 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.