In 1945, after Hitler's fall and the end of World War II, the world faced a new power dynamic. From many great powers, only two remained: the Soviet Union and the United States. This new conflict, the Cold War, would not be fought with tanks and soldiers, but with an intricate dance of spies, politicians, scientists, and intellectuals. Twilight Struggle is a two-player game that simulates these 45 years of intrigue, prestige, and occasional military conflicts between the two superpowers, who sought to impose their ideologies and ways of life around the globe.

The game begins amidst the ruins of post-war Europe and extends until 1989, with the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the rise of the United States as the sole remaining superpower. Inspired by classics like We the People and Hannibal: Rome vs. Carthage, Twilight Struggle uses a card-driven system to propel the narrative and player actions. The period's world map serves as the stage for players to move their units and exert influence, seeking allies and control for their faction. Decision-making is crucial, as resources are always limited, requiring strategy in the use of cards and units.

Event cards are the heart of the game, adding historical depth and flavor. They represent a vast array of historical happenings, from the Arab-Israeli conflicts of 1948 and 1967, through the Vietnam War and the U.S. peace movement, to the Cuban Missile Crisis and other incidents that brought the world to the brink of nuclear annihilation. Dedicated subsystems capture the prestigious Space Race and nuclear tensions, with the possibility of an abrupt game end due to nuclear war. Each turn represents 3 to 5 years, and the map scale is point-to-point, with influence markers representing units.