Pacific War: The Struggle Against Japan, 1941-1945
Anecdote
A landmark work signed by Mark Herman for Victory Games in the 1980s, Pacific War redefined what a strategic wargame could simulate within a single box. The system, at both operational and strategic scale, covers the entire Pacific War with a level of detail rarely matched, integrating naval aviation, submarines, logistics, research, and industry. The player can explore the war through historical phases or in a full campaign, with scenarios covering Pearl Harbor, Midway, Guadalcanal, the Philippines, or Okinawa. A complete game demands dozens of hours and gave rise to legendary sessions reported in the specialist press of the 1980s–1990s. The learning curve is very demanding and the title is aimed at the most experienced wargamers. Herman, then a young designer at Victory Games, delivered a masterpiece that left a lasting mark on the company. The system is supported by modular rules allowing the game to be approached in layers, from tactical combat to high-command policy decisions. The original production is understated but of solid quality for the era, with substantial scenario booklets and tables. Pacific War generated the vision that would later lead to Empire of the Sun, of which it is the direct and more simulation-oriented ancestor. The title's influence on modern operational naval and air-naval wargaming is immense. The community remained loyal to the system, and several reprints or compilations have appeared, including a reissue by GMT Games in 2024 under the title Pacific War Designer Signature Edition. The title received several major awards upon its release, including a Charles S. Roberts. For Pacific purists, it stands as one of the historical high points of operational wargaming. Pacific War also helped to shape an entire generation of designers and remains a subject of study for anyone seeking to understand the evolution of the genre. It embodies the editorial expertise of Victory Games, whose simulation quality remains unmatched.
Popularity & reception
Awards — Charles S. Roberts Award - Best Twentieth Century Game (1985) · Origins Award - Best 20th Century Boardgame (1985)
Learn more about this game
Related games
10
▾
Empire of the Sun
Combat Commander: Pacific
A World at War
World in Flames
Triumph & Tragedy: European Balance of Power 1936-1945
Axis & Allies (Classic)
Tide of Iron
Hitler's Reich: WW2 in Europe
Combat Commander: Europe
Strategic Command WWII: World at War
Empire of the Sun
Combat Commander: Pacific
A World at War
World in Flames
Triumph & Tragedy: European Balance of Power 1936-1945
Axis & Allies (Classic)
Tide of Iron
Hitler's Reich: WW2 in Europe
Combat Commander: Europe