Downfall: Conquest of the Third Reich, 1942–1945 is a two-player strategic World War II wargame covering the Allied campaign to defeat Nazi Germany, from the height of Axis expansion in November 1942 to Germany's surrender in May 1945.
One player commands the Western Allies, while the other controls the Soviet Union. Although both are working towards the defeat of the Third Reich, each is also competing to secure a favourable position in post-war Europe.
The game uses an unusual four-faction system in which each player controls an Allied faction and an opposing Axis faction on the other front. This creates a strategic contest where both players must balance offensive operations with the defence of Axis positions, while considering the wider consequences of their decisions.
At the heart of Downfall is an innovative initiative system that determines the sequence of play. Combined with order markers, strategic events and action cards, it allows players to conduct military operations across both the Eastern and Western Fronts without following a fixed turn sequence.
Second Printing: This edition is identical to the first printing, except for corrections to known errata.
This game includes:
2 Map Sheets (22" x 34" Each), Combining to Form One Game Map
3 Die-Cut Countersheets (351 Playing Pieces)
110 Playing Cards
1 Rulebook
10 Double-Sided Player Aid Sheets (8.5" x 11")
4 Six-Sided Dice
Key Features:
Two-player strategic wargame covering the final years of World War II in Europe
Campaign begins in November 1942 and concludes with Germany's surrender in May 1945
Four-faction system involving the Western Allies, Soviet Union and two Axis commands
Compete for influence in post-war Europe while working towards Germany's defeat
Innovative initiative track replaces a fixed sequence of play
Order markers control military operations, recruitment, logistics and strategic warfare
Strategic event cards influence air support, supply, reinforcements and other developments
Faction-specific action cards provide additional operational and combat options
Includes land forces, air units, partisans, fleets and submarines
Covers major operations on both the Eastern and Western Fronts
Second printing incorporates corrections to known errata
About the Game:
Downfall begins in November 1942, when Axis forces had reached the limits of their territorial expansion. Over the following two and a half years, the Western Allies and Soviet Union would gradually force Germany and its allies into retreat, culminating in the collapse of the Third Reich.
The game recreates this struggle across Europe, with players directing land armies, air forces, partisans, fleets and submarines.
On the Eastern Front, Soviet forces advance from Stalingrad towards Berlin, while the Western campaign includes land operations, amphibious invasions, naval warfare and strategic attacks.
Unlike a conventional two-player wargame, each player controls forces on both sides of the conflict.
The Western player commands:
Western Allies: Led by the United States and United Kingdom.
OKH: German and minor Axis forces fighting against the Soviet Union on the Eastern Front.
The Soviet player commands:
Soviet Union: Soviet forces conducting operations against Germany and its allies.
OKW: German and Italian forces opposing the Western Allies.
This arrangement means that each player must launch offensives with their Allied faction while managing Axis resistance against their opponent. Although the defeat of Germany is inevitable within the game's historical framework, the extent of each Allied power's success will determine the final outcome.
Initiative and Order System
The central mechanic in Downfall is its initiative track, which replaces the traditional fixed sequence of play.
The faction holding the initiative selects an order, pays its initiative cost by advancing its marker along the track and carries out the chosen action.
The updated positions of the initiative markers then determine which faction acts next.
This creates a changing sequence of operations in which players must decide when to act and how much initiative to commit.
Progress along the track also triggers strategic events, weather changes and the advancement of game turns.
Orders cover a range of military and strategic activities, including movement, combat, recruitment, mechanisation, partisan warfare, logistics and strategic operations.
Strategic Events and Action Cards
Cards provide another important element of the game.
Strategic Event Cards influence developments such as air support, supply checks, reinforcements, unit upgrades and the distribution of Action Cards.
Action Cards represent capabilities specific to individual factions and can be used to support operations, strengthen orders or gain advantages during combat.
Together with the initiative system, these cards give players additional choices when planning offensives, responding to enemy actions and managing the wider war.
The Struggle for Post-War Europe
Although both Allied powers are committed to defeating Germany, Downfall also reflects their competing political and strategic interests.
Players must consider not only how quickly Axis forces can be defeated, but also which Allied power will emerge with the stronger position in Europe.
The four-faction system creates a balance between advancing on one front and resisting the enemy on another, making the timing and direction of military operations particularly important.
Game Details:
Players: 2
Playing Time: Approximately 6–12 Hours
Complexity: Medium (5/9)
Solitaire Suitability: Medium (4/9)
Historical Period: November 1942 – May 1945
Theatre: European Theatre of World War II
Game Type: Strategic World War II Wargame
Edition: 2nd Printing (Known Errata Corrected)
Recommended Age: 14+
Downfall: Conquest of the Third Reich, 1942–1945 offers a different perspective on the final years of World War II, combining the military struggle against Germany with the competition between the Western Allies and Soviet Union. Its four-faction structure, initiative-driven gameplay and strategic card system provide a challenging examination of the campaigns that shaped post-war Europe.
Downfall: Conquest of the Third Reich, 1942–1945 is a two-player strategic World War II wargame covering the Allied campaign to defeat Nazi Germany, from the height of Axis expansion in November 1942 to Germany's surrender in May 1945.
One player commands the Western Allies, while the other controls the Soviet Union. Although both are working towards the defeat of the Third Reich, each is also competing to secure a favourable position in post-war Europe.
The game uses an unusual four-faction system in which each player controls an Allied faction and an opposing Axis faction on the other front. This creates a strategic contest where both players must balance offensive operations with the defence of Axis positions, while considering the wider consequences of their decisions.
At the heart of Downfall is an innovative initiative system that determines the sequence of play. Combined with order markers, strategic events and action cards, it allows players to conduct military operations across both the Eastern and Western Fronts without following a fixed turn sequence.
Second Printing: This edition is identical to the first printing, except for corrections to known errata.
This game includes:
2 Map Sheets (22" x 34" Each), Combining to Form One Game Map
3 Die-Cut Countersheets (351 Playing Pieces)
110 Playing Cards
1 Rulebook
10 Double-Sided Player Aid Sheets (8.5" x 11")
4 Six-Sided Dice
Key Features:
Two-player strategic wargame covering the final years of World War II in Europe
Campaign begins in November 1942 and concludes with Germany's surrender in May 1945
Four-faction system involving the Western Allies, Soviet Union and two Axis commands
Compete for influence in post-war Europe while working towards Germany's defeat
Innovative initiative track replaces a fixed sequence of play
Order markers control military operations, recruitment, logistics and strategic warfare
Strategic event cards influence air support, supply, reinforcements and other developments
Faction-specific action cards provide additional operational and combat options
Includes land forces, air units, partisans, fleets and submarines
Covers major operations on both the Eastern and Western Fronts
Second printing incorporates corrections to known errata
About the Game:
Downfall begins in November 1942, when Axis forces had reached the limits of their territorial expansion. Over the following two and a half years, the Western Allies and Soviet Union would gradually force Germany and its allies into retreat, culminating in the collapse of the Third Reich.
The game recreates this struggle across Europe, with players directing land armies, air forces, partisans, fleets and submarines.
On the Eastern Front, Soviet forces advance from Stalingrad towards Berlin, while the Western campaign includes land operations, amphibious invasions, naval warfare and strategic attacks.
Unlike a conventional two-player wargame, each player controls forces on both sides of the conflict.
The Western player commands:
Western Allies: Led by the United States and United Kingdom.
OKH: German and minor Axis forces fighting against the Soviet Union on the Eastern Front.
The Soviet player commands:
Soviet Union: Soviet forces conducting operations against Germany and its allies.
OKW: German and Italian forces opposing the Western Allies.
This arrangement means that each player must launch offensives with their Allied faction while managing Axis resistance against their opponent. Although the defeat of Germany is inevitable within the game's historical framework, the extent of each Allied power's success will determine the final outcome.
Initiative and Order System
The central mechanic in Downfall is its initiative track, which replaces the traditional fixed sequence of play.
The faction holding the initiative selects an order, pays its initiative cost by advancing its marker along the track and carries out the chosen action.
The updated positions of the initiative markers then determine which faction acts next.
This creates a changing sequence of operations in which players must decide when to act and how much initiative to commit.
Progress along the track also triggers strategic events, weather changes and the advancement of game turns.
Orders cover a range of military and strategic activities, including movement, combat, recruitment, mechanisation, partisan warfare, logistics and strategic operations.
Strategic Events and Action Cards
Cards provide another important element of the game.
Strategic Event Cards influence developments such as air support, supply checks, reinforcements, unit upgrades and the distribution of Action Cards.
Action Cards represent capabilities specific to individual factions and can be used to support operations, strengthen orders or gain advantages during combat.
Together with the initiative system, these cards give players additional choices when planning offensives, responding to enemy actions and managing the wider war.
The Struggle for Post-War Europe
Although both Allied powers are committed to defeating Germany, Downfall also reflects their competing political and strategic interests.
Players must consider not only how quickly Axis forces can be defeated, but also which Allied power will emerge with the stronger position in Europe.
The four-faction system creates a balance between advancing on one front and resisting the enemy on another, making the timing and direction of military operations particularly important.
Game Details:
Players: 2
Playing Time: Approximately 6–12 Hours
Complexity: Medium (5/9)
Solitaire Suitability: Medium (4/9)
Historical Period: November 1942 – May 1945
Theatre: European Theatre of World War II
Game Type: Strategic World War II Wargame
Edition: 2nd Printing (Known Errata Corrected)
Recommended Age: 14+
Downfall: Conquest of the Third Reich, 1942–1945 offers a different perspective on the final years of World War II, combining the military struggle against Germany with the competition between the Western Allies and Soviet Union. Its four-faction structure, initiative-driven gameplay and strategic card system provide a challenging examination of the campaigns that shaped post-war Europe.
