Europe In Turmoil: Prelude To The Great War: Deluxe Edition

Categories: Political, Wargame, World War I

Mechanics: Action/Event, Area Majority/Influence, Campaign/Battle Card Driven, Dice Rolling, Events, Hand Management, Simulation, Simultaneous Action Selection, Sudden Death Ending, Tug of War

Players: 2

Ages: -

Playtime: 180–240 Min

Europe in Turmoil is a card-driven strategy game set at the dawn of the 20th century, where two players take on the roles of competing political ideologies vying for control in a rapidly changing Europe. One player represents the Liberal side, embodying both Liberal and Socialist ideals, while the other plays the Authoritarian side, representing the repressive, autocratic regimes of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia.

The gameplay mechanics are reminiscent of titles like Twilight Struggle and 1989: Dawn of Freedom, with a unique feature—the Naval Arms Race—mirroring the Dreadnought build-up between Germany and Britain, akin to the Space Race or Tiananmen track in those games.

The game’s map reflects the political landscape of Europe during the late Victorian era, dominated by the superpowers of Austria-Hungary, France, Germany, and Russia. Other European nations, along with Northern African states, are portrayed as "independent" client states, ripe for influence and control as players strive to win the game.

Throughout the game, historical crises that nearly sparked World War I are highlighted, each increasing Tension among European nations and triggering Crisis rolls. These rolls are influenced by the level of Tension and the alliances formed by the major powers. If not carefully managed, a Crisis roll could ignite the outbreak of the Great War, abruptly ending the game with the resolution of the war and a final Scoring phase.

Will the authoritarian empires of Central Europe withstand the surge of Liberalism? Can the Workers, together with land-hungry Farmers and the marginalized Intelligentsia, overthrow the ruling Bourgeoisie, Nobility, and Monarchies? Or will the Great War erupt, forever altering the status quo? These and many other thrilling scenarios await players in Europe in Turmoil.