Colonial Conquest
A turn-based strategy game of colonial conquest without dice rolling.
Colonial Conquest is a turn-based strategy game from Strategic Simulations, first released in 1985 for the Atari 8-bit computers and Commodore 64, with an Apple II version arriving in 1986. Andromeda Software handled ports to the Atari ST in 1987 and the PC-98 in 1989. A separate title, Colonial Conquest II, came out for the Amiga in 1994, but it is not connected to the original SSI game. A reboot simply called Colonial Conquest launched on Steam in 2015, funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign that aimed to create a homage to the 1985 original.
The game’s mechanics are based on the board game Risk, though it does not use dice. Players command armies and ships to conquer the world, set against the historical backdrop of the Scramble for Africa, starting in the year 1880. Six major powers are available: England, Germany, France, the United States, Japan, and Russia. Each country’s land and naval forces have different attack and defense values and costs. For instance, Russia spends three times less than England to recruit ground troops, but its offensive and defensive strength is much lower. Three scenarios are offered: a Standard Game where no major country has overseas colonies; "1880: Race For The Colonies," marking the start of large-scale colonization; and "1914: Brink Of The War," where the Triple Entente and Triple Alliance clash.
In a review for Computer Gaming World, Stewart McKames noted that while the game is not a serious historical simulation of the colonial era, it is a challenging and enjoyable game for both multiplayer and solitaire play, capturing the period’s flavor and allowing players to stab opponents, conquer territories, and build an empire. Robbie Robberson, writing in Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer No. 77, called Colonial Conquest a good game that provides a lot of fun, especially with five or six players.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Colonial Conquest
- Developer
- Strategic Simulations / Andromeda Software (ST, PC-98)
- Publisher
- Strategic Simulations
- Designer
- Dan Cermak
- Released
- 1985: Atari 8-bit, C64 / 1986: Apple II / 1987: Atari ST / 1989: PC-98
- Genre
- Turn-based strategy
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
- Platforms
- Apple II, Atari 8-bit, Atari ST, Commodore 64, PC-98
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Based on the principles of Risk but without dice rolling, Colonial Conquest has the player control armies and ships to conquer the world. The game matches the historical context of the Scramble for Africa, and the scenario begins in the year 1880. The player can pick one of the six major powers of the time: England, Germany, France, United States, Japan, and Russia. The land and naval forces of each country have varying attack and defense values, as well as different costs. For example, Russia spends three times less money for the recruitment of its ground troops than England, but in return, the Russian offensive and defensive value will be much lower than that of their British counterparts. Three scenarios are available: Standard Game (None of the Major Countries have any overseas colonies), 1880: Race For The Colonies (beginning of the large-scale colonization), and 1914: Brink Of the War (the forces of the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance clash). A game titled Colonial Conquest II was released for Amiga in 1994, but it is unrelated to the original game by SSI.
Reader's Guide
Colonial Conquest is notable for adapting the Risk formula to a historical setting while removing dice rolling, emphasizing strategic resource management over luck. The varying costs and combat values of each power's forces create asymmetric gameplay, rewarding players who adapt to their nation's strengths and weaknesses. The game offers three scenarios that span the colonial era, from a blank slate to the brink of World War I. Contemporary reviews highlighted its challenging and enjoyable nature, both in multiplayer and solitaire modes, and noted that it captures the flavor of the period while allowing diplomatic and military maneuvering. The 2015 reboot, funded via Kickstarter, aimed to pay homage to the original, indicating lasting interest in the concept. The unrelated 1994 Amiga title Colonial Conquest II does not share the same lineage.
Did You Know?
- The game is based on the principles of Risk but does not use dice rolling.
- Russia spends three times less money for ground troop recruitment than England, but has lower offensive and defensive values.
- A reboot titled Colonial Conquest was released on Steam in 2015 after a successful Kickstarter campaign.
- Colonial Conquest II for Amiga (1994) is unrelated to the original SSI game.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Colonial Conquest?
Colonial Conquest is a turn-based strategy game developed by Strategic Simulations (SSI) that debuted in 1985. Players oversee colonial expansion on a grid-based map using a dice-free tactical system. It originally shipped for Atari 8-bit and Commodore 64 machines.
What platforms was the original Colonial Conquest available on?
The 1985 launch targeted Atari 8-bit and Commodore 64, with an Apple II edition arriving the following year. Andromeda Software subsequently ported the title to the Atari ST in 1987 and the PC-98 in 1989.
Is Colonial Conquest II the same game as the 1985 SSI original?
No, Colonial Conquest II is an unrelated 1994 Amiga release that has no ties to Strategic Simulations' classic. The two titles merely share a name and differ in developer, hardware, and design.
What is the 2015 Colonial Conquest reboot on Steam?
A new game simply called Colonial Conquest hit Steam in 2015 after a successful Kickstarter fundraising campaign. It was conceived as a modern tribute to the 1985 SSI original rather than a straight port of the old code.
How does Colonial Conquest's combat system work?
Unlike many era peers, the game resolves battles without any dice rolling, instead relying on positional advantage and tactical sequencing each turn. Players work through three distinct scenarios to complete the campaign.
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