Pacific Typhoon

GMT Games, Chrononauts Games · Board game · 2008
3–7 · best 5 60–120 min Weight 2.0/5
5.8 rating Ludopedia
6.6 rating BGG
Buy · from US$ 13.95
5.8 rating Ludopedia
6.6 rating BGG
Our Verdict
FOR GENRE FANS

If you enjoy wargames with a unique twist, where the flexibility to play on either side gives you an edge, Pacific Typhoon might be for you! It's an interesting way to revisit historical battles.

Highlights
  • Flexible and unique gameplay
  • Immersive historical theme
  • Player interaction
  • Strategic hand management
Keep in mind
  • High language dependency
  • Initial learning curve
  • Requires an engaged group
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Get ready to relive the tension of naval and air combat in the Pacific Theater of World War II with Pacific Typhoon! This strategic card game throws you into the thick of the action, but with a unique twist: you're not tied to one side, be it the Allies or Japan. The clever part is playing your force cards (ships, planes, submarines, and events) to support whoever is winning each battle, sharing the spoils with those who helped you. There are 40 historical battle cards, like Midway and Pearl Harbor, and the game ends after 20 of them. Each battle is a round where the leader chooses which confrontation will take place, setting the year and the points at stake. Then, everyone plays their cards, focusing on the combat values (Air, Surface, or Submerged) that matter for that specific battle. And there's more: the leader also decides if the battle takes place during the day or night, and some cards only work under one of these conditions. It's a game that demands attention to your hand, good reading of your opponents, and precise timing to position yourself on the winning side and secure victory. With rules reminiscent of Atlantic Storm, Pacific Typhoon offers a distinct naval warfare experience where flexibility and shrewdness are worth more than allegiance to a flag.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

2 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

3–7 players
3 OK
4 REC
5 BEST
6 BEST
7 BEST

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Card Games: Outplay Country: Japan Country: USA History: World War II (Pacific)
Publisher GMT Games, Chrononauts Games
Designer Ben Knight, John Coussis
Artist Mark Simonitch, Rodger B. MacGowan

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

1,287owners
144wishlist
53want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions
Is Pacific Typhoon a complex game to learn?
It has moderate complexity. The basic rules of playing cards and winning battles are straightforward, but mastering the strategy of supporting the winning side and managing your hand requires some practice.
What is the ideal player count for Pacific Typhoon?
The game supports 3 to 7 players. With more players, the dynamic of who to support and the competition for battles become more intense and interesting.
Is there a lot of luck involved in the game?
Dice rolling adds an element of luck, as is common in many wargames. However, hand management and the strategic choice of which battle and side to play your cards on are more decisive for victory.
Do I need to know a lot of history to play?
It's not required! The battle cards represent real historical events, which adds flavor, but the game works perfectly without prior knowledge. It's a great way to learn about the Pacific conflict.
Is the game fast or slow?
Playtime varies considerably, between 60 to 120 minutes, depending on the number of players and their familiarity with the rules. There are 20 battles in total.
Is Pacific Typhoon a cooperative game?
Not exactly. Although you might 'cooperate' with the side that is winning in each battle to share points, the ultimate goal is individual: accumulate more points than other players by the end of the game.
Does the game require translation?
Yes, the game has high language dependency, especially on the battle and force cards. A full translation is essential for comfortable play.

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