4th Reich

Published 1985

This super-obscure game by Task Force Games is secretly based on the SF-novel "The Iron Dream" by the Jewish author Norman Spinrad. This very controversial novel describes a parallel world in which Hitler wasn't successful with his "Kampf" in Germany and became a successful SF-pulp-novelist in the US. The main part of the book is the actual text of Hitler's "Iron Dream", a pulp-tale about "Ubermenschen" conquering a future world filled with mutant "scum". The idea of Spinrad's novel was to expose fascist tendencies in 50's American literature. The TFG designers transported this "theme" into a board game which plays like a wargame: future Nazis against future mutants. The names of all protagonists have been changed to avoid copyright infringement, but the game clearly takes its slightly tongue-in-cheek approach directly from the book. One asks why this bittersweet parody has actually to be played as a game, but everybody can decide for him/herself I guess...

Mechanics

Dice Rolling Grid Movement Hexagon Grid Hex-and-Counter Movement Points Scenario / Mission / Campaign Game Secret Unit Deployment Simulation Variable Set-up Zone of Control

Categories

Economic Novel-based Science Fiction Wargame World War II

Designers

Dana Lombardy Howard Anderson

Publishers

Task Force Games
4th Reich

Game Info

Players
1-2 Players
Time
2 hours
Weight
Light-Medium — 2.11/5
Year
1985
BGG Rating
5.02
BGG Rank
#28295
Min Age
12+

Frequently Asked Questions

4th Reich supports 1 to 2 players.
A typical game of 4th Reich takes about 120 minutes.
4th Reich has a complexity rating of 2.11/5.00 on BoardGameGeek, placing it in the 'Medium Light' category. It offers a good balance of depth and accessibility.
The recommended minimum age for 4th Reich is 12+.
4th Reich has a rating of 5.02/10 on BoardGameGeek, based on 66 ratings. It is ranked #28295 overall.
4th Reich was designed by Dana Lombardy, Howard Anderson. It was published in 1985.