“Armageddon… 2121… the year the missiles fell. For three-quarters of a century man had held the atomic genie in check. Then the long-dreaded nightmare happened. The nations of Europe and North America went to war…and took the atom with them. Over a 10-day period that spring some 11,000 warheads exploded over the northern hemisphere, turning most of the world’s great cities into radioactive slag and filling the atmosphere with invisible death.” – Introduction
Omega War: Science Fantasy Adventure Game
1983 … David James Ritchie … TSR
22″ x 34″ game map
sheet of 200 cardboard playing pieces
32-page booklet of rules and support material
Omega War in the shop
Omega War was the special feature insert strategic game for Ares Magazine, issue 14. James Maliszewski at Grognardia has a great review of that magazine issue, but here my focus is on the game, in particular, the art and graphics.
The Rules
David James Ritchie wrote the game. His best known work includes 2nd and 3rd editions of Gamma World and the DA-series D&D modules. The whole game has a strong Gamma World vibe.
Timothy Truman inked all the art in the game (as well as the magazine cover). The art really makes the game in my opinion. You’ll recognize Truman’s work from numerous (A)D&D illustrations. First one that comes to mind is the cover of the revised module X1 – The Isle of Dread.
The Map & Counters
Omega War in the shop
See also: Gamma World colored map
Gamma World: Damaged inside the shrinkwrap
Aftermath RPG box set – early Phoenix Games edition
Minion Hunter: The Dark Conspiracy Boardgame (1992)
Is that a misprint? 2021 would be just about three-quarters of a century after Hiroshima, but it could be that this game is premised on a second “unleashing of the atomic genie” that happens around 2046.
Very interesting. I think you’re right about that being a misprint.