Stats:
No. of players: 1
Amount of time to play: 60 min or more (depending on the chosen campaign length)
Age requirements: 12+
Set-up time: 10 min

The Cthulhu Conflict is the first expansion for Hornet Leader. You still control of a squadron of fighter planes, but now you fly against the monstrous hordes of Cthulhu’s army.

The Cthulhu Conflict Expansion Description:

I am only going to cover the new things the Cthulhu Conflict expansion introduces to the game. If you have not tried the original Hornet Leader game, click here to read my rules overview and review.

Cthulhu and insanity are like peanut butter and jelly and it is no different in this game. Your pilots may gain insanity as they fly missions. Insanity comes in fourteen varieties with intensity levels ranging from one to four. The higher the level the more of a negative effect it has on your pilots. At level four your pilots become unfit.

Another new element of chaos is the new aircraft placement rule. You must roll a 20-sided die to determine which section of the tactical display your aircraft starts in.

There is a new drone aircraft that does not gain stress or Insanity. Other new equipment includes a new Maverick missile and a nuclear bomb. The missile gives a bonus to hit sites and vehicles while the nuke cost a lot of SO points but is devastating.

Six new Cthulhu bandits and five new sites are added in this expansion. Three of the bandits and three of the sites have special attacks and abilities. From insanity attacks to displacing your aircraft these units can make your attacks hectic to say the least.

Quick Review of Hornet Leader the Cthulhu Conflict Expansion:

The Cthulhu Conflict adds an interesting twist the Hornet Leader. It changes the game play without adding a lot of new cumbersome rules.

The components are in line with those of the base game. The art work on the cards is dark and really helps add to the theme. The rules are detailed and well organized too.

Like I said above this expansion does a good job of changing the feel of Hornet Leader. You still can enjoy the immersive experience but the experience is much more hectic. This chaos is done well mechanically and just adds to the theme.

The phobias are interesting and how they affect your pilots as they grow in intensity is well-designed.

I also like that some of the new equipment can be used in the base game.

If you are a Cthulhu fan that also enjoys the Hornet Leader (or the Leader series in general), you should definitely buy this. If you are a Hornet Leader fan that would like to expand your game, you should give this a try.

Score and synopsis: (Click here for an explanation of these review categories.)
Strategy 3 out of 6
Luck 5 out of 6
Player Interaction N/A
Replay Value 5 out of 6
Complexity 4 out of 6
Fun 5 out of 6
Overall 5 out of 6