The Awful Green Things From Outer Space

The Awful Green Things From Outer Space pits two players against each other aboard the Startramp ship, with one controlling the frantic crew and the other commanding the rapidly multiplying green aliens. Each side has its own set of pieces, weapons and unique powers: the crew has rifles, bombs and an energy shield, but only discovers each weapon’s effect when it’s actually used against the invaders. The aliens are simple but increase in number each turn, filling board areas and forcing the crew to choose between attacking or retreating. Movement is area‑based, using movement points and respecting zones of control and line of sight, while dice rolls resolve combat and stat checks. The game has a tense pace because the green threat can become lethal each round, ending in a sudden‑death finish: the crew loses if all members die, while the aliens lose if they’re exterminated or escape in evacuation pods. The design includes once‑per‑game abilities and a variable set‑up that changes the initial monster placement. Though the rules are straightforward, the mix of dice luck and strategic decisions offers high replayability, especially for fans of light war games with a sci‑fi sense of humor. The original art appeared in Dragon magazine, and the "Outside the Znutar" expansion is included in modern Steve Jackson Games releases.