The Battle of the Coral Sea unfolds in May 1942 as Japanese forces push to seize Port Moresby in New Guinea and set up Solomon Islands bases. Allied American and Australian navies and air units counter this drive, guarding limited resources to halt the offensive. This indie strategy game pits Japan's strong naval and air power-despite scant ground troops-against the Allies' defensive carriers and untested land-based air force.
Spanning 18 turns that each cover about half a day from May 4 to 22, players manage air and naval clashes in the southwest Pacific. Event cards introduce fresh diplomatic, military, political, and economic twists for high replayability, with sessions averaging 3 hours. Japan holds the favored side yet proves toughest to master, drawing strategy fans who relish tense, resource-tight historical matchups.
Coral Sea 1942 covers the May 1942 Japanese invasion attempt of Port Moresby, New Guinea, and the air and naval campaigns around it. The Japanese forces must capture Port Moresby and establish bases in the Solomon islands, but their offensive could be well stopped by the Allies naval and air forces. The American and Australian have to prevent the Japanese from achieving their objectives, without losing too much of their meagre resources.
Coral Sea 1942 lasts 18 turns, each representing on average half a day, between the 4th May 1942 and the 22nd May, 1942. It opposes the Allies and the Japanese in the southwest Pacific.
The Japanese have powerful naval and air force, but they have few troops to use for the capture of Port Moresby.
The Allies are on the defensive, with few troops and an untried land-based air force. Their asset is their carriers task force which could make a difference.
The game's event cards allow full replay ability thanks to the numerous various situations that they create on the diplomatic, military, political or economical fields.
Estimated Playtime: 3h00.
Favored Side: Japanese.
Hardest to Play: Japanese
