Game Title
John Carter, warlord of the Mars
Publisher
S.P.I.
Game Designer
Mark Herman.
Yes, unbelievable for recent wargame fans, this game was designed by Mark Herman.
Though this is very different from his recent wargame designes, this is an excellent game design, and probably one of his best one alonside his best-known wargames such as “We the people”.
Game Thema :
Mars series by E.R.B.
This series was published during 1910 to 1930 in U.S.A. It is fascinating fantasic adventure stories. In Japan in 1980s, combined with Takebe Motoichiro’s killing illustrations, this series became very popular in Japan, too.
These stories are republished recently in Japan and are favorably accepted to not only old fans but also new younger fans.
As the ising on the cakes, E.R.B. is one of the most famous adventure story writer in his generation and known as the author of famous Tarzan series. And, Mars series is known as his best work among many reviewers.
In 1866, John Carter mysteriously moved from a cave in Arizona state to Mars. He was captured by 4-armed green-skin martian on the back of 8-legged martian horse. He met a martian beauty Dejah Thoris in the jail. This is the start of his long and exciting adventure.
Though Mars series took place on the Mars and uses many strange imaginary scientific weapons, it is basically a heroic fantasy. In every story, the hero ( sometimes he is not a John Carter ) got in very hot water and met a beautiful heroine. Always he could rescue the heroine against a string of danger. In every story, it is filled with unknown barbarians and monsters and new-weapons.
Game Scale
Each player act as an hero and also as an villain.
Map and time scale is variable ( see the below ).
Game Components
1 mapsheet
400 counters
several types of cards
rulebook
background booklet
Characteristic game mechanics
“John Carter, warlord of Mars” is a boardgame ( not RPG ). Actually it is a serious simulation game covering hero’s and villain’s action.
Though it sounds to be a RPG, young Herman really try to simulate those straightly on the boardgame scheme.
The backbone of the game is a sugoroku in which you will chase your villain on all around the Mars. You will start your adventure at Herium by flyer.
In the game, every player will act as a villain of his next player. So that, every player will act as his hero and simultaneously as other player’s villain. All players try to rescue their heroine first.
In the game, every hero in the series is prepared. John Carter, his son; Cartholis, Gahan of Gathol, Vad Varo, and so on. Of course all of their villain are prepared, too.
The game uses 3 types of map.
First, you must trip around the Mars map. You must find some clue of your villain. Every turn, you draw a movement card and derive your distance in that turn, and then check a random encounter. You must fight some barbarians or monsters if necessary.
Once you arrive the city where your villain captures your heroine, you will move to the city map. On the city map, you will continue your adventure to locate the exact position of your villain.
Then, you will move to a duel map where you and your enemy will fight to the death.
There are several types of duel map, throne, street, and even flyers map. In flyers map, you and your villain will ride each flyer and fight each other side-by-side. This is determined where you finally locate your villain.
The duel is resolved by cardplay. The basic mechanics of cardplay is paper-rock-scissors. But, John Carter is unusually strong due to his growth on Earth which have much stronger gravity. So, John Carter select his fighting card without any restriction. On the other hand, his villain must choose 3 fighting cards together. As a result, he cannot use first card on second and third turn. He cannot use second card on third turn. This gives Carter small advantage on second turn, and big advantage on third turn.
This cardplay is very interesting and reflects the atmosphere of the series very well.
The villain is not so weak on first turn, but if the fight lasts longer he will be overwhelmed by Carter’s unusual toughness on Mars.
Final words
This game is really interesting. This game covers the third character such as another heroine who fall in love with the hero. Since her love is unanswered, she will tend to help his villain because of this thankless love.
These elements are covered by the rule of “ love and romance ” or “ betrayal and regret ”.
Usually “ Simulation game ” sounds the game which simulates phisical phenomenon or military actions. Though this game is totally different from those stereotype of simulation game, this is really a simulation game of Mars series.
If you are a fan of Mars series, I believe this game will not derive you a regret, though this game has a regret rule.
If you are a fan of Mark Herman, please stop and see this design, you will find very different charm of Herman’s design.
