Olympica

About this board game

Olympica is a two-player science-fiction microgame that simulates a 45-minute U.N. raid on Mars to capture the Web Mind Generator near Nix Olympica’s massive caldera.

Set in the future history of the Martian revolution of 2206, the game places U.N. raiders against heavily defended Webbie territory. The Webbie revolutionaries are concealed within deep tunnel complexes, protected by strong points and infantry, while the raiders attempt a crucial mission that could determine humanity’s future.

Players make use of a varied force that includes infantry, laser tanks, lifters, and the tunnel-blasting BOAR drill. The opposing positions, tunnel complexes, and Martian terrain create a focused tactical challenge in a compact format.

• Designed for 2 players
• Approximately 45 minutes of play
• Includes a hex-gridded map of the Nix Olympica region
• Includes play counters and a 24-page rules booklet

Created by Lynn Willis, Olympica is described as easy to learn, fast playing, and challenging. It is intended to welcome newcomers to science-fiction games while offering an engaging tactical experience for experienced players.

Released in 1978 as Microgame #7 in the Metagaming Microgames series, Olympica delivers a compact conflict built around a high-stakes raid, Martian defenses, and the threat of the telepathic, religion/machine Web Mind. Its small format makes it a concise introduction to science-fiction gaming without losing its sense of urgency.