2023 · Wargame

People Power: Insurgency in the Philippines, 1981-1986

Recreate the political and military struggle in the Philippines during the early 1980s, with three asymmetric factions vying for control and influence. One player commands the Government and its military and patronage networks, another directs the New People’s Army insurgency seeking rural and urban uprisings, and a third leads non-violent Reformers mobilizing popular support and political pressure. Players spend turns playing cards, allocating actions across cities and countrysides, deploying leaders and forces, conducting operations, and attempting coups or mass mobilizations. A compact map and streamlined COIN mechanics emphasize interaction, shifting momentum, and the tactical value of key personalities while keeping play relatively quick and accessible.

groupPlayers

1–3 best 3

schedulePlaying time

90–180 min

cakeAge

14+

psychologyComplexity

3.4 / 5