''Commando'' is a role-playing game published by

Simulations Publications, Inc. Simulations Publications, Inc. (SPI) was an American publisher of board wargames and related magazines, particularly its flagship ''Strategy & Tactics'', in the 1970s and early 1980s. It produced an enormous number of games and introduced innovati ...

(SPI) in 1979.

Description

''Commando'' is a man-to-man tactical combat game that simulates commando operations from World War II to the present. Although it was marketed as a role-playing game, reviewers called it primarily a

board wargame A board wargame is a wargame with a set playing surface or board, as opposed to being played on a computer or in a more free-form playing area as in miniatures games. The modern, commercial wargaming hobby (as distinct from military exercises, o ...

with a set of role-playing rules grafted onto it. The role-playing rules include character creation, skills, cooperative fire teams, and hero characters.

Components

The game box contains: * twelve geomorphic 11" x 17" double-sided paper maps with a square grid scaled at 3 m per square *47-page wargame rulebook * 23-page role-playing rulebook *two copies of 8-page booklet of charts *addenda sheet dated September 1979 *two 20-sided dice *four small six-sided dice

Gameplay

If using the role-playing rules, a group of players create commando characters to be sent out on missions presented by a gamemaster. The players can increase the hero rating of their character at the end of each successful mission. These can be used to gain special abilities.

Publication history

''Commando'' was designed by Eric Goldberg as the first commercial role-playing game with a modern military theme. It was published by SPI in 1979 as a

boxed set A box set or (its original name) boxed set is a set of items (for example, a compilation of books, musical recordings, films or television programs) traditionally packaged in a box and offered for sale as a single unit. Music Artists and bands ...

with cover art by David Wenzel and graphic design by

Redmond A. Simonsen Redmond Aksel Simonsen (June 18, 1942 – March 9, 2005) was an American graphic artist and game designer best known for his work at the board wargame company Simulations Publications, Inc. (SPI) in the 1970s and early 1980s. Simonsen was consi ...

. After publication, the game appeared on SPI's Top Ten Bestseller list for four months, rising as high as #4.

Reception

In '' Moves'' #57, Ian Chadwick liked the game, saying, "It's a good game, a remarkably smooth system which has accepted the compromise of a lightweight framework in exchange for a well designed, complete tactical system." In Issue 65 of '' Fire & Movement'', Jeff Petraska wrote, "''Commando'' uses no counters and has square grid maps and at first glance looks a bit unwieldy. With some play experience however, the game shows itself to be a lot of fun and a good simulation of commando operations." Joe Scolari, writing a retrospective review in ''Simulacrum'' #6, recalled that the game could be played as both a straight two-player wargame, or as a role-playing game, but noted unlike many modern games, ''Commando'' had a plethora of optional rules and charts. He concluded, "''Commando'' furnishes all the details, charts, and rules you'd expect from a wargame from back then, which makes it the kind of game that tends to send today's gamers running in terror!"

Other reviews and commentary

* '' Phoenix'' #24 * ''Campaign'' #97 * ''

The American Wargamer ''The American Wargamer'' was a wargaming magazine first published in 1973. History and profile ''The American Wargamer'' was a small fanzine and the official newsletter of the American Wargaming Association. The first issue appeared in December 1 ...

'' Vol.7 #6

Awards

At the 1980 Origins Awards, ''Commando'' won the H.G. Wells Award for "Best Roleplaying Rules of 1979."

References

{{reflist Military role-playing games Origins Award winners Role-playing games introduced in 1979 Simulations Publications games