Invaders of Mars is a board game for two or more players using Icehouse pieces set in the genre of the B-rated sci-fi thriller movie. Players take turns fleeing from a powerful alien menace bent on using them as fodder for breeding until only one player is left standing. The rules that follow explain the basic two player game with hints and ideas for expansion to include more players.
These rules are more of an idea in testing than a real, certifiably fun game. In addition, these instructions were written to be accurate first. Legibility and ease of comprehension is a goal for the second draft. But then again, as the rules are free, I don't suppose you've got much to lose.
Invaders of Mars requires the following to play:
Players arrange their five pieces in the shape of an 'L' in one of the corners. With two players, opposing corners should be used. This represents the players as the peaceful, if somewhat distant, groups of blissfully ignorant Martians.
Next, place one Alien Queen in the center of the board for every two players in the game. The placement of the queen(s) represent the Alien invasion, and should be executed with all due melodrama.
The Aliens in Invaders of Mars further their race by using Martians as breeding fodder. Any time an Alien Queen moves, the following occurs:
Alien Pawns are often called Alien Babies when inside a player's piece or simply Eggs when not in play.
Alien Drones are sometimes referred to as Alien Pods, or just plain Pods, as they do nothing but sit on the board until hatched into Alien Queens. (see below)
Each players turn consists of two parts. The players should take their turns in order of skill, with better players going first. As the game is set in a cheap sci-fi horror flick, the first, somewhat predictable part, consists of fleeing in abject terror. The second part consists of the evil Aliens chasing down the foolishly fleeing, and hence noticable, group of Martians.
It is worth mentioning that all of these actions should be done with the setting in mind. Foolishly fleeing Martians are just as liable to make loud, attention grabbing screams as their earthling counterparts.
To flee, the player must move one of the pieces of their color. Players may move pieces with Alien Babies inside them. (see Alien Ecology above) Player pieces may move in any one direction, and as many squares as there players in the game. Player pieces may not jump over any other pieces on the board.
After moving their piece, the player must then move each Alien Queen as per the following rules:
The results of each Alien Queens' move are should be handled before moving the next. After the Alien Queens have given chase, play passes to the next player on the left.
When all of a player's pieces have been killed (i.e. removed from the board after being replaced by an Alien Drone) that player is out of the game. The last player still in the game wins.
The winner of the game receives one point for every Martian still alive, and an additional point for every living Martian not infested with an Alien Baby. As there is a serious disadvantge to going first, the player also suffers a one point penalty if they went second in a two player game. (I have no idea how this affects a four player game, yet. Nor do I have any idea of a good score to play to.)
Invaders of Mars was concieved and developed by Erskin Meldrew, Liam Bryan, and Marcella Florence. These rules were written down by Erskin. Three player variations are under painful mental development. Any commments or suggestions are heartily encouraged and may be sent to Erskin at erskin@eldritch.org.
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This file was last modified on December 17 2001 21:45:14.