Second World War at Sea: Leyte Gulf

About this board game

Second World War at Sea: Leyte Gulf is a two-player World War II naval game with an approximately 120-minute play time, released in 2005. It focuses on the final struggles of the Imperial Japanese Navy and includes the Battle of Leyte Gulf and the Battle of the Philippine Sea, described as the largest naval battles in history.

The game also covers the Battles of Cape Engaño, Surigao Strait, and Okinawa. Its American fleet is enormous, while the Japanese fleet is comparatively reduced in size. Hypothetical scenarios can give Japan additional options, including projected or never-completed units such as a third Yamato-class battleship, all six Unryu-class carriers, the B64-type battlecruiser, and squadrons of hypothetical second-generation Japanese aircraft.

The United States receives a wide selection of notable ships and aircraft, including the F4U Corsair, Iowa-class battleships, Baltimore-class heavy cruisers, Cleveland-class light cruisers, Independence-class escort carriers, Essex-class fleet carriers, and Alaska-class large cruisers. A Montana-class battleship also makes a special appearance.

British, Australian, and New Zealand naval forces are represented as well, adding further variety to this extensive Pacific naval setting. Leyte Gulf is built on a very large scale, with maps and nearly 2,000 game pieces.

• One 24-by-18-inch tactical map
• Three 34-by-22-inch operational maps
• A 24-page series rule book and 24-page scenario book
• Two-player aid cards and six organizational cards

Second World War at Sea: Leyte Gulf presents a substantial collection of historical and hypothetical naval scenarios in one expansive package.