Invading an alien planet

Designed by Stephen V. Cole and published by Task Force Games in 1979, Cerberus concerns human and Cetian forces fighting for control of an alien planet. It uses alternating turns, and special forces can disrupt spaceports, destroy supplies, and support ground troops. It followed Asteroid Zero-Four in Task Force’s early Pocket Games line.

The promise and the pace

The premise offers plenty of possibilities: planetary invasion, military infrastructure, and operations against an unfamiliar enemy. Published assessments have been mixed. Some praised its playability, while others criticized slow movement and limited strategic opportunities.

That disagreement makes the game a useful counterweight to the better-known successes. The key question is whether its scale and pace deliver the excitement promised by its setting. An interesting subject does not automatically produce an equally interesting game.

Battleward verdict

Cerberus merits attention as an ambitious early pocket wargame, with a conditional recommendation. Players drawn to the subject should consider the reported pace and limited opportunities before expecting a sweeping, fluid planetary campaign. A table test would be needed to settle how strongly those concerns affect a particular group.

Sources and review basis

A research-based retrospective of the early game, drawing on the sources listed below. Battleward has not conducted a personal playtest. Assessments of strengths, limitations, and suitability are editorial judgments. Later editions are distinguished where relevant.