Taipei: China Invades (2000)

About this game

Originally published in Strategy & Tactics magazine #202 (Mar/Apr 2000). Taipei is an operational level game on the hypothetical invasion of the Republic of China (known also as Taiwan) by the communist Peoples' Republic of China. The game covers a wide spectrum of modern operation warfare, including rules for not only land and air warfare, but also has extensive rules covering C4I and political support for the warring sides. Players may choose from different options, which affects the number and strength of units available to both sides, at the expense of political points. Victory is determined on two levels, political and military, with each being given equal weightage. Units protrayed are mainly divisions, with special brigades, such as airmobile units, spec-ops units and helicopter units being represented. The game map covers the entire island of Formosa (also known as Taiwan). Map scale is 10km per hexagon.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Strictly 2 players — no more, no fewer.
• Rules load. At 4.3/5 this is a heavy game — read the rulebook before people arrive.
• Age. The publisher suggests 12 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.